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)
Every time we were together, I reconsidered Cyrus’s request. But even the thought of disassociating with Domino caused a terrible anxiety to seize me, and I never spoke the words. The high prince had to be wrong about this. Soldiers in a war shouldn’t treat their allies like enemies.
Right now, Domino sat at the edge of my bed, lost in his head, his quiet presence a welcome peace in my small cell. Though he was as insubstantial as mist, I swore I detected that incredible rain-and-soil scent, as if he’d sprung from the land itself.
I perched at my desk. “Hey, Winslet,” I called as she strode past.
She gave a half-hearted wave and hurried on.
Miller wasn’t far behind her. I called out a greeting to him too. He, at least, stopped. “You should have expected this, Roosa. You had insider information, and you denied it. If you’d just told us the truth, we would’ve heeded you.”
“I—”
“Nope, I’m not interested in a conversation.” Off he stalked.
I worked my jaw and moved to the bed to sit beside the librarian, my second reader in hand. I started to type, then worried someone might read the words even if I didn’t push send, and set the reader aside. How to ask him questions while my guards maintained their posts outside my door?
“CURED only logs what you send,” Domino assured me, understanding my hesitation.
Thank goodness. I reclaimed the reader and typed a message.
My teammates treat me as if I’m infected.
“They envy you,” Domino said. “Your star is on the rise. You have what they want, yet they can see no way to get it, so they lash out.”
Delete. Type.
That doesn’t make it hurt any less.
“True, but their approval isn’t a requirement for your happiness. You are making a difference in the world. You helped Mykal more than you know. She approached the Rock of her own volition yesterday and asked for Ember. Don’t worry, we hid her from CURED’s cameras,” he added when my spine jerked ramrod straight. “I apologize for not telling you sooner. I’ve been . . . gathering my thoughts.”
No need to apologize. I understand. And thank you. I appreciate all you’re doing. Made any headway recovering Cyrus’s missing memories?
“Not yet. The answers are in his books, but he’s having trouble decoding.” Domino stood and moved to the cell bars, halfway in, halfway out, and peered straight ahead. “Your trip to Theirland approaches.”
Yes, tomorrow I would travel to Astan’s homeland. I intended to find a way to sabotage the god’s access to Cyrus once and for all. We could have our happily ever after.
And just like that, my mind circled me back to the high prince’s confession. How he loved me. Loved, meaning felt deep affection for. Total devotion. Could I risk everything and let myself fall for him?
Despite being ghosted, I adored him, craved his nearness, and admired his strength and confidence. I believed we had a future. In fact, not too long ago, Victors had told me I would marry Cyrus. A revelation I’d never forgotten but had rarely allowed myself to consider.
The Soalian leader had proclaimed, Who wouldn’t want to speak with the much-desired wife of the high prince? Though I suppose you are merely his future much-desired wife at this point.
If I married Cyrus, we wouldn’t war with each other. Crisis averted.
I winced. Well, of course we could marry and war. Couples did it all the time.
“There’s something you should know,” Domino said, the seriousness of his tone pinging my nerves.
“Yes?” I croaked, uncaring if the guards heard a lone, random word.
“One of the signs that the gods are rising nears its completion.”
Excuse me? Signs? What signs? I tossed the reader and gripped the edge of the bed, projecting urgency. Go on.
“There are three.” He kept his back to me, his hands fisting and opening at his sides. “The first has already come to pass. A man able to contain the full brunt of Astan’s power has been born.”
Outside, I went still. Inside, apprehension flogged me. Off to a terrible start.
“Second, Astan’s horns will straighten. When they reach maximum height, they will release a blast across both realms.”
I’d known those moving horns represented something nefarious. I almost shouted, “What will happen then?”
Domino heard the unasked question. “We can discuss the third sign at a later date.”
“No,” I burst out. That was his standard response, and I wasn’t okay with it. “Now.”
This time, the guards snapped to attention, gazing my way. “Lady Roosa?”
“Just thinking out loud,” I muttered, sinking into myself. When they returned their attention straight ahead, I glared at Domino, my message clear. Tell me now.
He didn’t. “The gods search for their hosts. Astan and all his council. Some have already chosen. Others will pick from those closest to Cyrus.”
A sudden clarity gripped me, and I pressed a trembling palm to my churning belly.