Page 30 of Kingdom of Tomorrow (Book of Arden #1)

Our enemy has a sole purpose: to steal what’s ours, kill us, and destroy those we love, but I have restored all.

I didn’t see High Prince Dolion in Theirland again, not even when we lined up to return home.

And I was glad. I had yet to shed residual images of him from my dreams. Images of him smiling and laughing, utterly carefree and looking at me in ways I shouldn’t like.

I’d made a big mistake, letting myself get too comfortable with him.

Had opened up a little too much and revealed vulnerabilities best left hidden.

Mistaking someone’s personal goal as friendship was a rookie’s blunder I wouldn’t make again.

The HP’s concern centered on his own personal victory, not my well-being.

And that was fine. His prerogative. But still it hurt.

Now, at least, I knew my place. From here on out, I’d be all academy all the time, as promised.

Well, except for my investigation into Cured , Theirland, Soalians, and the Tome Society.

I’d also be a better friend to Shiloh. How was he?

“Next walkers,” a guard announced.

My turn. Conversations faded from my awareness, my entire world revolving around the tear in the atmosphere. Ignoring Technicolor memories of pain and helplessness, I entered the shadows.

Agony consumed me, just as before, cells exploding, bones cracking. Or seeming to. My knees buckled. I crashed to the floor, air bursting from my lungs.

Titus swooped over to help me stand. “You all right?”

“Yeah. Thank you.” I turned to aid the realm walker who exited after me. The ever-silent Cash appeared, ashen and quaking. I caught him when he fell, but his heavy weight dragged me down with him.

New goal to add to my list: build muscle.

Jericho appeared after him. He grimaced but didn’t miss a beat. In fact, he bent to heft Cash and me to our feet.

“Thanks,” I muttered and jetted off. No breaks on return days. Warm-up kicked off in fourteen minutes.

“Hey, Arden. Hold up.” Jericho swooped to my side. “Look. I know you’ve got something going with the HP.”

I sputtered with indignation. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.

And that’s quite a feat, considering you once told me you’d already bagged me in your mind, and out of the goodness of your heart you were willing to show me what I did wrong in your fantasy so reality would be better for you. ”

Jericho puffed up his chest, his version of you’re welcome .

“Save your denials about a romance. During my first patrol, I was paired with a guard in the HP’s truck.

You made the coldest guy I’ve ever met smile.

And I get it. You’ve got this whole understated beauty thing going on with your big eyes and pouty red lips.

What I don’t know is whether I saw the HP eat a Theirland berry and vanish.

” He lowered his voice. “No one else seemed to notice or care. Am I losing my mind?”

No need to ponder it. “Yes, you are.” I wasn’t the HP’s biggest fan, but I didn’t have to wonder if he’d eaten the fruit Cured wished to test. No, he hadn’t.

He wouldn’t risk his life or his victory.

Granted, he hadn’t returned with a berry, but that meant nothing.

Less than nothing. No doubt the strobe effect of light and dark had played tricks on Jericho’s mind.

“Another possibility is—and please excuse my reliance on logic—the HP seemed to disappear in the darkness.”

Jericho narrowed his eyes. “Except I saw it. He was there, then he wasn’t. So? What did you see?”

“My feed got cut before the big battle,” I admitted, and he huffed.

As others in a hurry to get to class crowded behind us, he rubbed the back of his neck. “Do me a favor and talk to him about it and let me know what he says. Okay?” Jericho branched to the right.

Not okay. Not okay at all. What’s more, I didn’t appreciate his sudden nice-guy act. An obvious attempt to manipulate me to his will. Whatever. He wasn’t worth another thought.

I shoved my hand into my pocket, where my vial of soil rested.

Deep breath in. If the HP acquired a berry seed, I bet I could grow one .

.. which might be a contender for the true purpose of Theirland.

Maybe? But no. Whatever the treasure was, it would paint Cured in a bad light to Ember’s way of thinking.

There was no other reason she would tell me to search out such information.

In the commons, I grabbed a meal bar.

“Shouldn’t we get a break after the return trip?” Juniper mumbled, at my side as we headed to class.

“I doubt a murderous feeder will take your need for a nap into account,” Lark quipped from in front of us.

We entered the gym, other trainees arriving seconds later. The starting bell sounded, and we scrambled into a semblance of a formation.

Mykal swept in and called, “The HP is otherwise engaged and will miss this morning’s warm-up.

You’ll keep Sunday’s schedule today and run laps while evaluating your own performance in Theirland.

Be sure to list areas you need to improve.

There will be a test during your actual evaluation, and those who fail it will disqualify themselves from the title of top soldier.

” After blowing us a kiss, she skipped from the room, disregarding the discordant chorus of groans, complaints, and cheers.

A twinge of bitterness tempted me to anger. Something big must’ve happened to prevent the HP from being here. He needed to improve his chance of winning his precious contest, after all.

He could’ve, say, gotten in trouble for eating the berry.

No, no. Silly supposition. I bet he was in medical, getting his injured cheek repaired. Or celebrating his success with the powers that be.

“You heard her. Run laps and contemplate your failures,” a knight commanded.

I did exactly that, intending to present the HP with a more detailed evaluation than the one I’d given him in Theirland.

During the second half of class, we practiced fighting a hologram. I gained fresh bruises and cuts on my left hand. They were small and had already stopped bleeding, but I should probably get them looked at ...

After the bell rang, I made my way to medical, a pep in my step. A smile spread when I spotted Shiloh. He was alone, reclining on a gurney, typing into a digital file. He looked so good. Like his normal self. Relaxed and happy.

“Hey,” I called, leaning into the lobby counter. No sign of the HP, thank goodness.

Shiloh glanced up, a return smile lifting the corners of his mouth. “Hey.” He jumped to his feet, set the file aside, and crossed to me. “How was your first realm walk?”

“Better and worse than expected. How are you ?”

“Great. I continue to test negative, and I’ve figured out my future.”

“Shiloh, that’s wonderful.”

He smiled again, his eyes sparkling at their brightest setting. “If you go on a date with me Thursday, I’ll tell you all about it.”

“Deal.” I beamed at him, pleased with the outcome. “Before I go, can I snag a couple bandages? For my hand.” I showed him the “damage,” winning a third smile, this one teasing.

“I should wrap you up to ensure infection doesn’t set in. You’ll be late to class, but I’ll send a note to the HP excusing your tardiness. He’ll understand. This is practically an emergency.”

“Lifesaving medical care.” I hightailed it around the counter, thrilled to steal this moment with him.

I eased onto the gurney he’d abandoned and watched him gather supplies. While relocating the file he’d left behind, I caught the name and frowned. Lady Lemon Ade.

“Did a new recruit arrive?” Someone who just happened to be named after our code word?

“No.” He offered nothing more on the topic. After cleaning my cuts, he rolled a bandage around my knuckles. “I’ve learned an irrefutable truth.”

Curiosity engaged. “About . . . ?”

“ Cured .” He paused to sign into my unbandaged palm, “Evil.”

My blood flash froze. “Did something happen?” Because he wasn’t—couldn’t be—inferring what I thought he might be inferring.

He didn’t explain. Instead, he released me and put up the supplies. “We’ll talk on our date.”

“But—”

Dr. Korey opened a door and stuck out her head, her gaze zeroing in on me as if she’d known I was here. “Don’t you have somewhere to be, Lady Roosa?”

“My hand. Cuts.” I showed her the bandage. A bell sounded, signaling the start of my evaluation. “But yes, you’re right, I do have somewhere to be.” I glanced at Shiloh.

“I won’t forget to send the HP a note about your tardiness,” he assured me, as if all were normal.

“Thank you.” I zipped off, unsure how to feel about our interaction. He’d called Cured evil. Something only Soalians did.

“—practice the art of the attack,” the HP was telling the class when I slipped into the room. His cheek was no longer covered by a bandage. A large scab marred the center of his brand. “I will make the rounds and ask questions about your performance in Theirland. You will answer.”

He offered no rebuke, just motioned me over, where an unoccupied punching bag hung in a row of twenty.

He positioned himself behind me, quietly asking, “What did you do to your hand?”

“Cuts. You’ll get a note from—”

“I know how the system works,” he interjected. “You’re good?”

I almost believed he cared. Yes, almost. “I am, thank you.” Resentment dripped from the words, and I couldn’t hide it. “What would you like to know about Theirland?”

“We’ve already discussed it.” His voice hardened as he commanded, “Work on your technique. When you go on the offensive, strike first and strike hard.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” I executed a punch.

He readjusted my position and helped me execute several dirty jabs, the warmth of his palms a shock. “If there’s something you’d like to tell me, Pink, do it. Speak.”

What a loaded command. Uttered in his low, husky tone, no less. I opened and closed my mouth, but only little noises escaped. I wanted to say a thousand things, but none of them were wise.