Page 94 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
The king suspected I’d lost faith inCured. He must. But he didn’t press the issue.
“Stay here as long as you like, Miss Roosa. I’m sure my son will find you soon enough.” He strode toward the door just as a stoic Cyrus stomped in. “I’m disappointed. I expected you sooner, son.”
The HP wore a clean T-shirt and fatigues, but his hair was in disarray. His eyes were bright and alert, his jaw shadowed with stubble. He swept his gaze over me, relaxing slightly, then focused on his father.What he didn’t do was exhibit surprise. He knew all about Astan, this temple, and the alleged war.
“I must’ve missed my invitation to the party,” he said without an emotional inflection.
“I admit, I seized an opportunity to learn more about the first woman you’ve ever keyed into your security detail.” The king shrugged. “I’m not sorry.”
Cyrus fisted his hands. “She’s monitoring my health.”
“Yes, that too.”
The exchange occurred while they passed each other, neither missing step. My narrowed gaze remained fixed on my “patient.”
“Curedis hiding a war that impacts the entire world,” I stated as soon as the door closed behind the king.
“Yes.” Cyrus met my gaze, unabashed.
“What else don’t I know?” I demanded.
“Many things. What, specifically, would you like to learn?”
“Admit who lives in the castle.” He’d refused before.
Cyrus sighed, reminding me of his father. “My grandfather is there, among others. He presides over Ourland from Theirland. He’s a major target of glowers and safer here than in Ourland.” He cupped my face and peered deep into my eyes. “I know you’re in shock and angry.”
“Yes.” I should have pushed him away, but I nestled deeper into his touch. “I wish you’d prepared me.”
“I told you what I could and offered hints I shouldn’t.” He traced his thumbs over the rise of my cheeks. “Now, at least, you’re privy toCured’s secrets.”
Yet I’d never been closer to siding with the Soalians.
The realization shattered the moment of camaraderie. I straightened, more confused than ever aboutCured, Soal, and even about Cyrus’s intentions toward me.
He shoved his hands into his pockets, his expression shuttering. Guilt flickered. More and more, his affection struck me as genuine. But look at all I’d misconstrued in the past.
Great! Now I was more frustrated than ever too. One day, my cauldron would overflow.
“Come on.” With a tilt of his head, Cyrus motioned to the exit. “We’ll talk, but not here. I can never get comfortable in the temples.”
So there were more of these things.
He led me past the double doors and out of the catacombs. On our way up, an intermittent booming noise discharged, shaking the building with each new flare.
“What’s happening?” I settled my hand on my netter, gazing around. Sounded like we were under attack.
“Ah, this is your first Theirland storm.” Amusement tinged his voice. “There’s nothing to fear. The storms are loud and animated, but the maddened hide from the deluge.”
We passed an armored window lit by pritis. Fat water droplets poured from the midnight sky, hammering the glass and pavement. Lightning flashed, vibrant streaks of white splitting the darkness in half. The air electrified, raising the fine hairs on my nape. As the rain pounded the pavement, I almost leaned into Cyrus.
“Have a seat,” he said once we were sealed inside our suite.
“I think I’ve done enough chatting today.” So much had been thrown at me, I needed time to catch up.
“Very well.” His tone hardened somewhat. “We’ll jump to the interrogation portion of our evening.” He got in my face and slowly, steadily backed me against a wall. My breath hitched. “You had a panic attack during guard duty. Explain why.”
Careful.“As if I need a reason.” His nearness did strange things to my insides. Flutters, tingles, and heat spread with the same intensity as the storm outside.
