Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Paradise. A previously unvisited yet not unfamiliar ballroom I’d seen in Briar Rose’s vision. The beauty stole what remained of my wits. A veritable garden of delights for more than my eyes. That floral scent. I breathed deep. Like olfactory champagne, sweet but effervescent.
Colorful blossoms flourished around every statue. Light tinted with shades of azure and emerald streamed in from the domed ceiling, flowing between vines that created a flowery canopy. Petals of pink, blue, yellow, and red twirled down, down to line the floor. I ached to roll among them, covering myself in their perfume.
“The suns shine again,” Cyrus said, clearly pleased. “How could that happen, if I were as evil as you’ve been led to believe?” He didn’t give me a chance to process the question but led me forward. “Look. See.”
The open balcony doors welcomed a warm breeze that rippled through the curtains and vines as we stepped outside. Gripping the swirling metal railing, I peered out at the world beyond. Two suns glistened upon the smooth moat below, spotlighting an empire of marble bridges and drowned citadels. Remnants of another city?
Awed, I pulled my gaze to the horizon, where the domed force field glittered. Lovely. Appalling. Memories attempted to break free. This wasn’t the “paradise” he promised. I just couldn’t remember why.
“Say yes to Briar Rose, Arden,” he urged, his voice a caress. Cyrus twirled me in front of him, wrapped his arms around my waist, and eased us into a slow dance, evoking a yearning I’d too often suppressed. The stars blazed to life in his eyes, inviting me to stare. “I’ll give you peace, safety, and security. More than that, I’ll love and adore you.”
As I peered up at his sunslit face and drank in his adoring expression, the strength of his embrace provided a welcome respite from the constant barrage of battles I’d faced. It was difficult to care that he was the host of Astan, the worst of humanity. He just . . . he looked and felt and smelled like my Cyrus.
I leaned closer . . .
On the inside of me, a little voice whispered, Anchor.
“Say yes to Briar Rose,” Cyrus repeated, dancing me back into the ballroom. “Becoming her host will eradicate your bond to Domino, making it a problem for us no more. Experience her power. Grow your gardens. Rule the worlds at my side.” He released me and stepped back to extend a hand in my direction. “Be mine.”
Anchor.
I stilled and sobered, the effects of the drug fading fast. In that moment, I knew I could reach for Cyrus or Domino, but not both.
I smiled, a little sad. “You can’t give me peace, safety, or security. You aren’t Cyrus.” No need to change my argument. And no need to elaborate. My mindset hadn’t changed.
I reached for Domino, and strength poured through me.
Cyrus dropped his arm and calmly stated, “If you refuse, you’ll be a liability to me. I don’t think you need to be told again what happens to liabilities.”
“Oooh. A threat.” I clicked my tongue to the roof of my mouth. “It’s not a lure. It’s not even original.”
“We’re past threats. I simply tell you the truth. That is what you prefer, yes? I cannot allow you to run around, wreaking havoc on my plans. With or without you, I will continue to build my army and take what rightfully belongs to me.” Resentment dripped from his words. “One way or another, I will claim Soal’s library. I will take the power of his pen, and I will rewrite my story.”
“Why do you need his pen?” This was the first I’d heard of it. “Why can’t you edit your own?”
He breezed past the questions, sweeping me back into his arms and twirling me over the dance floor. In the background, leaves rustled in the breeze, creating a soft, romantic song. “Look into my eyes. See my sincerity. Hear my certainty. You will enjoy being empress. A goddess.” His eyelids hooded. “Mostly, you’ll enjoy being mine. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Under your rule, everyone else will suffer.” Eventually, I would too. A liar lied. A killer killed. A thief stole. No exceptions. “See my sincerity. Hear my certainty. I will never be yours unless you reject Astan.” I clutched the lapels of his jacket and held him close, letting him feel my softness. “Reject Astan,” I repeated.
“Reject Domino,” he snapped, and guilt seared me. Deep breath in. Out. “Do you truly believe Soal is the better leader?”
“I judge a tree by its fruit. Your people are maddened, his aren’t. So yes.” I plowed my fingers into Cyrus’s silken hair and peered into his eyes, hoping to reach his heart. “Please, sugar. Time is running out.” At the first opportunity, I intended to bolt. “Reject the god or lose me.”