Page 5 of Kingdom of Tomorrow (Book of Arden #1)

Be bold enough to let go of your past so you can grab hold of your future.

“For the love of—open, just open!”

The irritated voice penetrated my haze of shock, and I blinked, realizing I stood at my front door. Home already? I must’ve gotten lost in my head and slipped into autopilot.

Four doors down the dingy hallway, Mr. Garfield beat at his door, attempting to enter the apartment without success.

We lived in a more-than-slightly run-down storm shelter from Theirland.

The concrete-like walls kept us safe from the maddened who ruled the night, amid a darkness so thick it could be felt.

Each floor contained eighteen dwellings as well as designated common areas, where families and building friends could shop, eat together, play games, or just hang out after curfew.

The edifice, like most other apartments, acted as its own town.

Mr. Garfield glanced my way and feigned nonchalance. “Hi, Arden. It’s good to see you.”

I nodded a stiff greeting at him. He didn’t ask for my help, and I didn’t offer. I’d heard he was spotted staring at the Rock, and his current predicament seemed to prove it.

I pressed my palm against my dented keypad.

The chip in the heel of my thumb registered, and the door bolt released.

As swiftly as possible, I soared inside.

Mom wouldn’t be home from work until closer to curfew—just before sunset.

I could use the time to figure out how best to present my new career path.

“Surprise!” Mom jumped in front of me, pretended to blow a horn, and tossed a handful of confetti into the air. As the sprinkles rained to our cracked floor, she noticed my mental state and paled. Her grin faded. “You didn’t get in.”

The exit shut behind me, and air deflated from my entire being. “Someone broke.”

“But you survived.” She rushed over to hug me. “That’s what matters.”

I hugged her back, as surprised as ever by her frailty.

“Did you get into the Center at least?” she asked.

“I did,” I replied, unwilling to disrespect her with a lie.

A bright smile spread as she pulled back. “Oh, baby. You did it! I’m thrilled for you!”

“But I decided to join Fort Bala Royal Academy instead and become a lady for the next three years,” I added. “Who knows, maybe I’ll get a promotion and become a knight.”

Her features fell. “Why would you—my taxes.” Her shoulders rolled in. “But. They can’t do that.”

Wait. “You knew about the debt and didn’t tell me.”

“Of course I didn’t tell you.” Her lip quivered. “I’m working now, and you’re supposed to start your life at long last. You were never supposed to be burdened with this.”

“You are not a burden to me,” I said, my words rushing out.

“But I am,” she cried, throwing her hands up. “I’m helpless. There’s nothing I can do to stop this ... this travesty of justice. Life shouldn’t be this way! Cured has no right to—”

“Shh, shh.” I pressed my palm over her mouth. If a neighbor had heard those words, they might report us as suspected Soalians. A circumstance to avoid at all costs. “I’m not upset, I promise.”

“I already agreed to work more hours and all holidays.” Sniffling, she wiped away the fat tear rolling down her cheek. “I’ll lodge a formal complaint. I’ll visit my adviser and—”

“No.” Absolutely not. “You’ll let me do this for us.

” Complaints against Cured never ended well because they were never private.

Since all suspected Soalians must be checked out, officials came to your home to conduct an interview and administer a Madness test. People noticed, and gossip abounded.

Suddenly friends started avoiding you in the halls. Look at what I’d done to Mr. Garfield!

Besides, Mom didn’t need to be working longer hours. Not in her condition. The excitement had exhausted her. Already she panted, glinting with sweat.

“This is a good thing.” I pasted on a bright smile and forced myself to believe my words.

“An amazing opportunity to obliterate my worst nightmares before I focus on my studies.” The hope of becoming a strong, powerful woman able to take care of herself flared anew.

To no longer feel helpless when someone broke.

Yeah, the very idea thrilled me. I just wished I could attempt it in my own time and my own way.

So why haven’t you?

“But. The Madness. You could get infected,” she rasped. “I never want you to have to undergo treatment.” A shudder rocked her, memories of her experience still fresh. “I hate this, baby. I should have planned better.”

“You are not to blame.”

She wiped her cheeks and straightened with a snap.

“Let’s run.” Eyes wide, she whispered, “Mr. Garfield has been inside the library. It’s real, Arden.

I’m certain of it. He read me a portion of a book written about him, and it included me.

My future. I promised him I wouldn’t tell you until you were ready, so please tell me you’re ready. We can—”

“Stop!” I burst out, dread choking me. Just before Mom’s positive test two years ago, she’d developed an intense interest in the Rock.

She’d begun taking long walks just to sneak peeks at the structure.

Eventually, she’d tried to beat her way inside it, determined to meet Soal. I’d turned her in the next day.

“The library isn’t real, nor are there books written about the future.

Yours or anyone else’s. Mr. Garfield is either infected or well on his way.

” I gripped her upper arms. “We aren’t running.

I’m golden, I promise. Nothing gets in the way of my dream, not even death, so we have nothing to fear.

” Shiloh’s logic had worked with me. Surely it would do the same for Mom.

“Tell me you believe me.” Convince me you aren’t sick again.

A moment passed as she considered my words.

“You’re right. Of course you’re right.” She offered me a wobbly smile.

Even still, exhaustion and worry dominated her features.

But then, exhaustion and worry always dominated her features, aging the former schoolteacher-turned-nanny far beyond her years.

“I let stress get the better of me and reverted to old ways of thinking. My apologies. I won’t let it happen again. ”

I released her and returned the smile as best as I was able. “Come on. Let’s make dinner. I really, really want normal right now.” I needed normal.

“Okay, baby. Normal it is. But there’s no need to cook. I’ve arranged a feast.”

I helped her to the table, where she’d hung two signs. The first read Congrats! The second: You’ll get ’em next time! She’d assembled a celebration/sympathy meal featuring bigger portions of the usual grub and a sweetened cube cake.

While Mom and I ate, I told her about the medic with the charming smile.

“You like him, huh?” She spooned a bite with more energy than usual, nearly bursting with delight.

“In my defense, he’s super likable.”

“A trait that is the downfall of many determined girls.” She winked before sharing details of her day, all centered on Bates, a boy she watched. The son of a baron.

I laughed at Bates’s antics until my lungs shouted No more! But like any special party, this one came to an end. We prepared for the night, barricading the front door. Pritis illuminated the building’s entrance but nothing inside.

She walked me to my bedroom, leaning on me more than usual. Leaving her was going to hurt.

We stopped in the doorway, both peering into my sanctuary.

A small but cozy room with a twin bed, a built-in dresser, and a retractable desk.

Worn but clean. Well loved. A single fist-size window supplied light to my hanging minigarden, where plants (mostly) flourished in various stages of development.

“I’ll miss you,” Mom said and sniffled. “So much.”

Don’t you dare cry. “I’ll miss you too.”

“Promise me you’ll give the academy your best.”

“I have a best?” I teased.

Unamused, she cupped my cheeks. “Listen to me, young lady. There will always be someone who can’t see your worth. That’s a fact of life. Don’t let that someone be you. Got it?”

“Mom,” I croaked, blinking to stop a flow of tears.

I clasped her wrists, getting serious. “Listen. As you know, I put in an application for a single-bedroom apartment. I don’t know when it will become available, but take it for yourself as soon as it does.

Rent will be cheaper. Make friends. You are a treasure others deserve to experience.

But stay away from Mr. Garfield.” If he was even allowed to remain in the building.

“And don’t put yourself in danger for anyone.

Feel free to throw out my stuff. Everything but my babies.

Instructions for their care are stored in my desk drawer.

Treat those plants well, and they’ll do the same for you. ”

She twined our fingers, clinging to me. “I’ll accept the apartment, but you come back to me.”

“I will.” Time to end this before I broke down. “I should pack and rest.” Not that I had ever rested. Not really.

“Yes, of course.” She wrapped her arms around me. “I’m glad you’re mine, baby.”

Eyes stinging, I hugged her feeble form gently. “I’m glad you’re mine too. Good night, Mom.” I would miss her more than I could ever say.

As my lungs constricted, I bolted myself in the bedroom. An alarm blasted in the distance, sounding across the entire city, and I tensed. Curfew. The descent of darkness had begun.

I didn’t let my tremors stop me from double- and triple-checking my bolts, ensuring no one, not even my mother, could enter. This was the way of the world. Share a space at your peril.

How well I comprehended this. I’d been trapped in a locked room with Amelia, forced to watch as the Madness took hold and she—