Page 49 of Kingdom of Tomorrow (Book of Arden #1)

What! A tsunami of adrenaline crashed into my veins. “You need to speak with Cyrus. He insists on being the one to handle it.”

“He’s High Prince Dolion to you, and he’s not a medical professional.”

I called upon all the bravado I possessed. “Well, I’m his minder, and there’s a chance my title outranks yours, so I decline the invitation to join you.” Shoulders squared, I soared past her—or tried to.

Two armed barons made themselves known, stopping me. My stomach sank. She’d brought muscle.

“Follow me, or I’ll have you escorted to our treatment facility,” she informed me with a smirk. She didn’t wait to hear my response, her heels clacking against the floor tiles.

A baron motioned me on. Focused on my breathing, I trudged after her.

Where was Cyrus? I searched for his face every time I turned a corner.

No sign of him. Somehow, I maintained my cool even when I sat on a gurney in an exam room, with the barons posted at my sides.

Their hands rested on the hilts of their netters.

“High Prince Dolion will be upset—furious!—if he’s not with me for this,” I told the doctor as she moved about, gathering what she required. “I’m working on a special project with him, and it places me under his exclusive jurisdiction.”

“His father outranks him, and my orders come directly from the king.” She met my gaze and canted her head. “For your sake, I hope you’ve realized you are nothing but a temporary amusement for Cyrus.”

I almost snapped, “It takes one to know one,” but I refused to sink to her level.

Usual scowl in place, she approached me. “Let’s get this done. I’m needed elsewhere.”

A cold sweat glazed my nape. If I protested, I could be painted as a traitor to Cured . If I didn’t, I’d lose my ability to communicate in secret with Soalians. Maybe even Soal himself.

She cleaned my bicep and picked up the syringe. Protests tangled on my tongue as she uncapped the needle. Finally, one escaped.

“No.” I jumped up, avoiding the barons, and shook my head. “No.”

“Miss Roosa,” she snapped. “You will sit back down, or I will—”

“Thank you, Dr. Korey, but you and the others are dismissed.” Cyrus’s command echoed in the room. He entered in his usual manner, as if he owned the place, then held out his hand and stared at her, expectant. “I’ll take it from here.”

Relief dulled the burn inside me as the guards left without a word. I remained silent, aware of being recorded.

Shock flashed over the doctor’s features. “Your father requested I personally administer this dose.”

“My apologies for not being clear.” Cyrus spoke with firm patience and staunch purpose. “The dismissal wasn’t a request.”

“I’m under strict orders.” Fury simmered under her skin. “I must bear witness.”

“Very well. That, I’ll allow.” He waved his fingers, silently demanding the syringe.

She handed it over but misjudged the distance, and the serum fell to the floor.

“Dispose of that.” He stepped over it. “I’ll prepare a new one.”

With his back to us, he did as promised. Dr. Korey observed him with narrowed eyes, while my attention jumped between them. I didn’t panic when Cyrus marched over and stuck me with the needle. The sharp sting barely registered. A cold sensation spread through my arm.

“I’ll inform the king what transpired,” the doctor said, her tone flat.

“Please do. I will, as well.”

She paused only a beat more before striding from the room.

He adhered a bandage to the injection site and murmured, “Thank you for trusting me.”

“Thank you for showing up on time.”

We exchanged smiles, and my world brightened.

“I have unscheduled meetings today,” he said, “so evaluations are postponed. I won’t see you again until drills.” He winked and strolled away, calling, “Miss me, Pink. Because I’ll be missing you.”

The day passed both at warp speed and with agonizing slowness.

I didn’t mean to, but I did miss Cyrus. The fact that I suffered no ill effects from the shot—so far—helped convince me of his sincerity.

I thought I might be able to trust him with my suspicions and plans.

Talk about a game changer. No longer would I be forced to undertake my investigation alone. I’d have a partner.

I really, really wanted a partner.

When we reunited for drills, I wanted only to snuggle up to him and talk.

Somehow, I quashed the urge. Then he gave his first order, and I wished only to kick him.

Cyrus pushed the entire team to the max.

Me especially. I don’t think anyone in history had ever exercised so much.

He pitted me against Roman, Lark, Miller, and Titus in practice rounds and ensured multiple holograms glommed me at once.

When class ended, the team poured out of the gym, eager to enjoy their free time. Panting and sweating, I crawled to a bench. I had to muster the strength to accept a jug of water Cyrus extended my way.

“I quit as your babysitter,” I wheezed after draining the contents.

“Do you want my kisses—I mean access —or not?” he asked with a teasing tone.

“Fine. I just tore up my mental resignation letter.” Shivers rushed through me at the soft, husky undercurrent in his chuckle.

“Since we’re such solid business partners, maybe you’ll tell me what’s going on?

” He’d spent all of drills divided between running me ragged and speaking privately with Roman, as well as various viscounts who’d stormed in and out.

Cyrus’s amusement vaporized. “There’s a possibility for a ... situation.”

Oookay. “I require more information.”

The door opened, and a knight rushed inside, carrying my pot.

“Where’s Mykal?” I asked, frowning. She should be the only one handling my stuff.

Cyrus couldn’t hide a flinch. “That’s something I wanted to talk to you about tonight. She quit the program and left the base.”

What! “That can’t be right.” She’d seemed to be getting better.

He accepted the pot from the newcomer. “I’ll take the documents too.”

The knight shook his head. “My apologies, sir. Dr. Korey couldn’t find them.”

No reason to wonder what documents they were discussing. Shiloh’s records. I gave Cyrus a look as I claimed the pot, my message clear. The doctor was lying.

“I’ll get them,” Cyrus vowed before refocusing on the soldier. “Has the train arrived?”

The man checked the tiny screen on his wristband. “Yes, sir. Your guards are securing the area now.”

“Since when do you need guards?” I asked.

A muscle jumped in his jaw. He dismissed the soldier before focusing on me. “They activate with heightened threats.”

“Okay, I demand more information.”

“There’s been a sudden spike of breaks in Lucrea.”

Worry gripped me by the throat. “My mom.” She was so weak. No way she could withstand an attack.

Cyrus clasped my hand. “You’re the emperor’s grandson’s babysitter. The position comes with benefits. I’ve assigned a knight to your mother. He’s with her now, and they haven’t encountered any problems.”

Tears of relief welled, my surroundings blurring. “Thank you, Cyrus. You really are a sugar bear.”

He snorted. With his warm palm on my lower back, he steered me to the door. Officers and knights hurried through the bustling hallways. Strain electrified the air and infused every conversation, but I remained surprisingly steady, if distracted.

What had caused multiple, sudden breaks?

The deeper we traveled through the base, the fewer people we encountered, yet the strain remained.

I resisted its familiar allure, doing my best to capture every worried thought, imagining tossing it out of my ears, then replacing it with facts.

Mom was protected. I would soon face the Rock and might even meet Soal. I wasn’t alone. I had Cyrus.

We descended the stairs, the area shockingly empty of potential passengers. Within minutes, we were situated within a private cart, with an entire contingent of soldiers at the ready around us. An intimidating sight to be sure.

Cyrus guided me to the farthest bench. I sat, and he situated himself at my side, his intoxicating scent enveloping me. His usual mask slipped, revealing raw sadness and the heavy weight of responsibility. No doubt he’d gotten used to being inside this train alone and finally unwinding.

I reached over and pressed my palm against his. He curved an arm around my waist, clinging to me. Let rumors about us keep spreading. I didn’t care anymore.

“I’m almost ready to tell you my secrets,” I admitted quietly. “What I’ve learned, what I suspect. What I plan.”

His fingers flexed on me as he searched my gaze. “I’ll help you, whatever it is.”

And I’d probably fall deeper in like with him.

He smiled, as if he’d heard my thoughts. “Now might be a good time to tell you I have three cats.”

I sputtered for a moment. “Excuse me, but did you say three hats ? Or tats ?” Oooh. I rubbed against him and pretended to paw at his chest. “Do you have tattoos, Cyrus?”

His smile brightened. “I do, and I’m eager to discuss this tattoo fetish of yours,” he replied, brimming with amusement. “But I did say cats .”

Who? What? Me? “I don’t have a fetish.”

“You can hardly contain yourself, Roosa.”

Maybe. “But three cats?” Due to the price of food and care, I’d never allowed myself to entertain the possibility of having a solo pet, much less an entire trio.

“I rescued a pregnant feral, and she gave birth to two little girls.”

How was he getting more interesting and beautiful by the second? “What are their names?”

“Iris, Daisy, and Poppy,” he admitted, ducking his head.

I laughed and snickered in equal measure. “You have a bouquet of cats. This might be my new favorite thing about you.”

“Just wait until you see the tats.”

I admit, I shivered.

Wheels squealed as the train slowed, reminding me of our audience. I eased from him, and we both stood. No one watched us overtly, I realized, but the level of interest was palpable.

The cart stopped, and the doors slid open. An older, decorated baron-elite stepped forward and saluted Cyrus. “New orders came in during transport, sir.”

He stiffened. “Arden, this is Baron-Elite Rita Harper. BE Harper, Lady Roosa. Tell me,” he commanded, his mask firmly in place. “What are we dealing with?”

I collected my pot, all ears.

Tone brusque, the BE explained, “Reports came in. Breaks have begun happening within each surrounding province. It’s only a matter of time before Bala City experiences the same.

Your father demands we take no chances. We are to escort you and your companion to the Lux as quickly as possible.

Citizens have been commanded to return home, and the roadways are clogged. We’ll have to walk.”

It wasn’t fear that hit me but determination. I held out my free hand. “I need two daggers, a netter, and extra clips of ammunition.”

The BE darted her gaze to Cyrus.

He narrowed his eyes. “You heard her.”

She nodded and waved to different barons. They handed over the required weapons. Seconds later, we strode from the train, ready for anything.