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)
“High stakes ensure nonserious contenders are weeded out.”
“Can we afford to take the risk? Everything has changed.” Our circumstances. My allegiance. My outlook. All of my goals, hopes, and dreams. My very purpose. Three days ago, I’d left the base as Lady-in-Training Arden Roosa, mostly loyal citizen and dedicated cadet, but I was returning as a determined spy and willing traitor. While my mistakes in the days to come wouldn’t cost us the war, they could usher in my death. Or his.
“Great risk, great reward.” He notched his chin. “Consider the possibilities, not the complications, or you’ll crumble before things get difficult.”
“They aren’t difficult now?” I squeaked. Then I muttered, “Leave me, fear.” Watch Arden put one of those expert teachings to work: speaking to fear when it speaks to her and reminding it of who’s boss. Because once again, Cyrus wasn’t wrong. If I didn’t put what I’d learned to work, I would absolutely crumble. “I’m strong and brave, and I can overcome anything.”
“Yes, you are, and you can. Never forget.”
Right. I must keep my eyes on the prize: Breaking through mass terror stoked by CURED and proving everything we’d been taught the whole of our lives was a lie. Stopping the purposeful spread of a terrible disease known as the Madness and defeating Astan before his human-animal acolytes wake from their centuries-long slumber and slaughter us all. Talk about treasure upon treasure. And yet, the obstacles.
We were up against a war machine with well-oiled cogs. CURED had an unfathomable number of supporters who believed Soalians like us were a threat to civilization. Once, I’d been among their numbers.
“When I’m king, as I was born to be,” Cyrus said with steel, menace, and relish, “I will dismantle CURED and free every imprisoned Soalian.”
Goose bumps spread over my limbs. “King Cyrus Dolion. I like it.”
“Not as much as you like calling me sugar bear, I hope.” Some of his previous playfulness returned.
I rolled my eyes, but I also smiled. Despite the seriousness of our circumstances, he still showcased a sense of humor reserved for me alone, and I couldn’t help but tease him about it. “You are so into me.”
“I am. I’m all in with you, Arden.” The sudden gravity of his tone affected me as strongly as his nearness. “Whatever happens in the coming days, remember that.”
“I’m all in with you too,” I whispered, taking his wonderful confession and planting it in the Beloved Moments section of my memory garden. Since my childhood, I’d longed to work in agriculture. I’d been forced to join the military instead. Now, I gardened the only way I could—inside my mind. What better way to keep track of my double life?
Less than a minute remained until we arrived.
Doom prickled me, a seed born of mysterious origins, and my stomach curdled. Why feel this way? Inhale, exhale. No reason to discuss it right now, adding to our plate of problems. I’d wait until I’d dug deeper and discovered the source. For the time being, I buried the doom in my least favorite section of the memory garden: Problems for Later.
“I can’t tell you everything that will happen today,” Cyrus said, “but I can tell you this. We’ll be separated. You’ll be shut in a room, tested for Madness, and questioned.”
I swiped my tongue over suddenly dry lips. “Got any hot, new tips for thriving during a CURED interrogation? Something you may have forgotten while we practiced?”
“Just remember what I told you. The interrogator’s comments and questions might seem innocuous, but they are designed to trigger your defenses so that you’ll elaborate and explain why you did certain things, what you thought or intended. Don’t fall into the trap. Answer only what is asked, never elaborate.”
“No elaborating.” I tapped my temple, pretending this was all no big deal and I wasn’t a weak link in our partnership.
He wasn’t done. “Don’t lie or exaggerate. Every word will be used against you at some point.”
“Noted. I’ll take a page from your book and misdirect.”
He might have winced. Since his misdirection had led me to shoot him with a netter gun and flee his presence as if my life depended on it, it wasn’t exactly our preferred topic. “Never deviate from our agreed story.”
“No deviating.” I gave an almost-confident nod. “Is there anything I can do?”
“We’ve already discussed how much you’ll miss me.” Cyrus captured one of my fingers between two of his, gentle, so gentle. A slight touch I felt in the deepest depths of my soul. “For the next few weeks, I’ll be traveling to and from Theirland to meet with the emperor. I won’t have many opportunities to see you.”
I’d thought I wouldn’t see him for a day, maybe two. Now I might have to go weeks? Do not whimper.
“We’ll tackle this one day at a time,” he assured me. “As soon as possible, I’ll establish a mode of communication between us.”