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)
A spiral of trepidation uncoiled, a barbed vine eager to pierce and poison every part of me. Why would Cyrus ever accept Astan?
Knock, knock, knock. Through the bathroom door, Cyrus called, “I’ve been summoned by the emperor.”
I jolted. The trip to the force field. Or maybe an interrogation concerning the fight with Felix? Either way . . . “I’ll be right out.”
Mind whirling, I shut off the water, stepped from the stall, and patted myself dry with a fluffy blue towel. I’d envisioned discussing the trip with him, but I was glad I hadn’t. Cyrus may not realize he was being influenced by Astan. I hadn’t, not fully. Yes, we’d perceived some of it. But all of it?
If he’d already inadvertently accepted any part of Astan, he wasn’t in his right mind. And if he wasn’t in his right mind, he wasn’t the Cyrus I trusted. He needed help.
Rushing, trembling, I dressed in a clean T-shirt and fatigues and tugged on a pair of socks and combat boots.
Bracing, unsure how I’d react knowing what I now knew, I exited with a cloud of fragrant steam, head high. Cyrus sat at the edge of the bed with his elbows on his knees, but he stood upon my exit. He’d showered and changed, too, and now wore a uniform like mine. His cuts had been cleaned and tended.
He was both a knife to my heart and a balm to my soul, but I met his gaze without fear, letting my love shine unguarded. Now wasn’t the time to put up emotional shields. Not when I hoped to reach the core of his being, where it was pure Cyrus with no hint of the god. “Do you know what’s going on?”
“No, but you get the day off.” He strode over and rested his hand on my nape, brushing the ridges of my spine with his thumb. “What will you do?”
Ignore the thrill of his action. “Mmm. I think I’ll lay down.” My body would, at least. I still intended to accompany him; he just wouldn’t know it.
“Miss me,” he said, low and husky.
“Stay safe.” I rose on my tiptoes to kiss his lips, then strolled to the bed, calling, “I love you. Please remember that.”
He observed me as I settled beneath the covers, an odd expression on his face, as if he suspected something more was going on. “Everything will be all right, Pink, I promise.” After hesitating a moment more, he strode from the bedroom.
I worked fast, shoving my spirit from my body and chasing after him. He shut the main door behind him and whistled as I slipped through. An action I didn’t understand. He drew his brows together, as if confused as well.
Clacking sounded in the distance, quickly getting louder until a meta cleared a corner and took a post at the door between the two guards stationed there. With some type of gun strapped to each side, it looked as if it had wings. The number 999 was painted along its dagger-sharp tail.
“No one goes in,” Cyrus told the dog. “No one nears the woman inside. I want her undisturbed. Understood.” A command, not a question.
I smiled. He was taking care of me.
“Yes, High Prince Dolion,” the guards said in unison. The meta said nothing, but it didn’t need to. It engaged its weapons.
The other royals gathered at the end of the hallway, where they whispered among themselves. They went quiet as Cyrus approached. He and a patched-up Felix exchanged glares.
“Where’d you get the dog?” his brother demanded.
“That isn’t any of your concern. Nothing in my life is your concern.”
A nonanswer. Because he didn’t know? I didn’t like this. No, I hated this.
“You’re always putting the girl’s safety above everyone else’s. What’s so special about her, anyway?” the high princess muttered.
“Everything,” he responded and motioned in the direction he intended to walk. “Shall we?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
You are a treasure beyond measure.
—The Book of Soal 2.3.12.7
The royals armed up and loaded onto a bus much fancier than the others. It possessed a clear roof and body, offering a full view of the outside world. No doubt the glass, or whatever it was, was maddened proof. Plush seats offered a comfortable place to rest.
Giselle occupied the vehicle already, seated up front, directly behind the driver. If she wore the key necklace, I couldn’t tell. She smiled and waved at Cyrus and Felix, as happy as could be.
Confusion speared me. The emperor adored this woman. Why take her to a battlefield teeming with feeders and glowers, his greatest enemy? Especially while she was pregnant with their child.
Cyrus chose a spot in the middle, but I kept going, opting to stand in the back to observe everyone at once.
A festering, silent Lolli took the seat in front of Cyrus. A bold decision. The bruised Felix and a sullen Summit picked the seats directly across from them. The air popped with malice even I could feel. Everyone buckled in.