Page 53 of Kingdom of Tomorrow (Book of Arden #1)

Cyrus yawned and settled his face into the hollow of my neck. “You always smell so good.”

“Thank you,” I repeated, all but bursting from my skin. “Pretty please with extra please, elaborate.”

“Well, there are notes of roses, lemons—”

“Not my scent,” I interjected with an involuntary chuckle. “Describe the movie you watched on the Rock.”

“Your laughter makes me happy.”

Warmth spread over the surface of my skin. “Cyrus. Your book. Movie. Me.”

A sigh slipped from him. “You looked at me with such love and trust, and I wanted it to be real so badly. When finally I met you, I wasn’t sure what to think or do.”

Every part of me liquefied. “I think Soal is trying to bring us together. Victors may have mentioned—and this isn’t an admission—that we might, maybe, eventually ... get married.”

“Let’s serve apples and figs at the reception.”

I snorted. So not the reaction I’d expected. All right, interrogation over. I traced my fingertips over his brand. “Get some rest. You lost a lot of blood.”

“That’s okay.” He nuzzled into my hand. “There’s extra in the fridge.”

What! “You keep bags of blood in your refrigerator?”

“You don’t?” Mirth glittered in his sleepy eyes. “The blood is my own, used for infusions after combat. We’ll begin harvesting yours.”

“I know a plot to clone me when I hear it,” I teased, rearranging our positions to more comfortably rest my head on his shoulder. “Does this hurt?”

“No. It’s good. Everything I imagined and more.”

Mmm. His radiating heat wrapped us in a protective bubble, where a sense of connection simmered, sweetened with his scent. The trials of the past two years faded into mist, easing strain’s vise grip on my muscles and bones.

“Don’t go spying tonight,” he muttered. “The building holds three active counts and countesses, plus the former count of medical, and my father. Cameras are everywhere.”

Interesting. I’d like to meet the former head of medical. And the other aristocracy. They oversaw every aspect of our lives. “We should host a party soon. Invite the neighbors.” I had questions. Somebody knew something about this latest outbreak. What caused it. Who gained.

“Party,” Cyrus echoed, toying with the ends of my hair.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever enjoyed anything more. Other than his kiss. “Don’t stop.” Oh! Two felines peeked out from beneath a chair, only to hide after our gazes collided. I grinned. New side mission: win them over so I could nuzzle those precious faces.

“You did amazing out there,” he said, sounding more awake.

“Your wound is calling you a liar.”

“I understood what was happening with the Rock. I’m talking about before. You didn’t crack.”

Well. “I did do amazing, didn’t I?” Fear had never overwhelmed me. I hadn’t let it. “You did amazing too. You kept us both safe.”

“As a reward, I’d like to hear about your book. What you saw. Don’t want to wait, after all.”

As if I could keep secrets while he continued playing with my hair.

“I saw memories plucked from my history. The happiest day of my sister’s life, when I was in awe of her determination to achieve her goals.

I was reminded of her desire to study pritis and her belief that they sing to her.

Then I relived the time my mother encouraged my agricultural dream followed by the moment I met Shiloh.

” I saved the code for tomorrow, when he had a clearer head.

Maybe it was a key to help me decipher the marks on the Rock.

“You miss him,” my companion said with a soft undertone I didn’t quite understand.

“Yes. Shiloh made me smile and helped me feel safe.”

Cyrus brushed locks from my temple and focused his ministrations on my nape. “What do I do to you?”

Make me crave. “That’s a confession for another day.”

“Fair enough.” He closed his eyes and rested the back of his head against the highest part of the couch. The petting gradually ceased. A long while passed, and I suspected he’d fallen asleep. Understandable. The more time that ticked by, the heavier my eyelids became.

Even with the perils of our situation; the sudden, unexplained breakings; and my encounter with the Rock, I couldn’t imagine Cyrus attacking me.

Especially shocking, considering my vulnerable state.

Maybe I was riding too high on the waves of confidence.

Perhaps I was drunk on the joy and peace Soal had showered upon me.

Or maybe a part of me trusted Cyrus more than I’d realized. Whatever the reason, I stayed put.

He rewarded me, murmuring, “I’m going to tell you another secret.”

Not asleep, after all. My heart thumped. “Yes. Please do.”

He grazed my cheek with his thumb. “When I was a little boy, I witnessed a feeder beat my mother to death.”

Horror delivered a one-two punch, waking me hard and fast. “Cyrus, that’s awful.”

“It was. He beat me first and left us both to die. I crawled to her as soon as he fled and stretched out beside her as she breathed her last. Afterward, I couldn’t bring myself to let go. I kept replaying words she’d said earlier that day. Never ignore a possibility. ”

Tears stung my eyes. I had a store of them at the ready today. I ached for the child he’d been and the childhood he’d lost. “She sounds very wise.”

“She was.” A sad smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he grazed the pad of his thumb beneath each of my eyes, collecting the moisture. “Do you know what I think about every time I look at you, Lady Arden Dawn Pink Bubble Gum Kitten Buttercup Roosa?”

“Please, tell me,” I said, frantic to learn.

“Possibilities,” he replied, drifting to sleep at last, his breaths evening out.

Dazed, I lay still, quiet, and utterly tormented.

He saw possibilities in me. I might see a future with him.

I liked him. A lot. He encouraged me, helped me, built me up, and always told the truth.

Kissing him again was a must. And for the first time in my life, I wasn’t afraid of the future.

Despite my uncertainty, the investigation, and my latest dealings with Soal, I carried hope.

“Mine,” Cyrus muttered, tightening his hold on me.

My eyes drifted shut. I snuggled closer, reveling in the headiness and joy of being his. It wasn’t long before a sweet cloud settled over my entire being and carried me away.

“Wake up, sleeping beauty.”

The amused voice tugged me from a deep slumber.

I blinked open my eyes, realization dawning.

I stretched out upon a sun-drenched couch.

Cyrus leaned over me, one hand braced on an armrest. He’d showered and dressed in a crisp white T-shirt and well-worn jeans.

Combat boots adorned his feet. He was casual and beautiful, and I thrilled at the sight of him.

“How do you feel?” I asked, stretching sore muscles.

“Like I’ve been chewed up and spit out.” A wide smile bloomed. “Someone slept draped across me.”

“Oops,” I muttered.

“I liked it.”

I ignored the instant fluttering in my stomach. And the fact that I still had no shirt, only my bra. Did he recall what he’d said last night?

Wait. “I slept out in the open,” I stated, astonished. “With you.”

“You did. Guess that means you trust me.”

Did I detect a note of smug satisfaction in his words?

“Now it’s time to rise and shine.” Merciless, he ripped off my blanket and tugged me to my feet.

“Okay, okay. Hint taken. I’ll tend to your wound.”

“No need. I cleaned and rebandaged it after I showered.” He wrapped his arms around me.

“So what’s the hurry?” I grumbled, toying with the ends of his hair.

“We’ll get to that. First, you’ll be glad to know there was a surprisingly low number of casualties last night, with no new outbreaks this morning. Cured has ordered a two-day lock-in.”

Two days. Stuck inside with Cyrus and numerous higher-ups of Cured . An opportunity rife with possibilities. “Has Cured stated an official cause for the breaks?”

A muscle jumped beneath his eye. “Word is, Ember’s teams freed the infected from treatment clinics and loosed them upon the public. That’s why Cured ordered the lock-in. They’re still hunting five of the patients.”

Wow. Ember, leading Soalians now. Loosing the infected on innocent people didn’t strike me as her style. So I had to wonder if Cured had issued another lie for the good of the public.

The thought lit me up with anger. Enough was enough. No more secrets. No more mysteries. No more deceptions. We deserved the truth, and I was going to get it, one way or another.

“Whatever you’re thinking, keep doing it,” Cyrus commanded. “I like the fire. You’re going to need it. We’re attending the party you requested. I convinced my father to host it tonight.”

Excitement stirred. Interrogations, here I come! “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Except. “Why isn’t your dad at the base, overseeing restoration efforts?”

“For the same reason I’m here. In times of crisis, the children and grandchildren of Emperor Dolion are forced to work remotely. It’s for the best. Both men need to retire. My father doesn’t show it to outsiders, but his health is declining. His obsession with Astan doesn’t help.”

I caressed his brand. “You care for him.”

“We’ve locked horns my entire life. He’s stubborn, suspicious, and exacting and often expects too much while giving too little, but yes, I do care for him.

” He nuzzled into my touch. “I also honor his position. Without him, I wouldn’t be here.

And without his leadership, thousands—perhaps millions—would be dead.

” Smoothing his hands across my lower back, he asked, “What about you? Tell me about the man who helped bring the indomitable Arden Roosa into this world.”

“Aren’t we in a rush?”

“Now that you’re in my arms? No.”

I smiled, though it didn’t last long. “My father abandoned me and my mom after my sister died. I hated him until my mom told me a bedtime story called ‘The Tale of the Cursed Dagger.’ Ever heard of it?”

“No. But I’m about to. Tell me. Please.”

His usual air of intensity sharpened to a razor point, as if he were 100 percent invested in what I had to say. No wonder I was falling for him. He couldn’t be any sexier.

I rested my head on his chest, letting his heart beat against my cheek.

“Long ago, a fierce warrior found a dagger able to cause irreparable wounds. He told himself he would only use the weapon for good. Bad guys beware.” I wrinkled my nose and lifted my head.

“Are you sure you’re interested in this? ”

“I want every detail.” Cyrus nipped my bottom lip before easing my cheek back to his pec. “I will have them.”

Yes, apparently, he could be sexier. “One day, the warrior came upon a masked thief in the process of fleeing the scene of a crime. They fought, and the warrior nicked the bandit before he got away. But our fearsome warrior wasn’t concerned.

That small cut promised to do his job for him, since the wound could never heal, only worsen.

The would-be thief was set to suffer for the rest of his too-short days. The perfect punishment for his crime.”

“This is a bedtime story for a little girl?”

My chuckle possessed a delighted tinge. “Don’t worry, it gets better.

The warrior went home to discover the wounded thief was none other than his treasured son.

In that moment, the warrior realized he himself now suffered a far worse fate than his child, for he was doomed to live long with the consequences of what he’d done. ”

“Aaah. She was telling you that your father hurt himself far more than he hurt you.”

“Exactly.” My shoulders rolled in as I sighed. “I admit, there were times I took comfort from the thought of his torment. Other times, I pitied him. Now, I rarely even think of him.”

Using the gentlest of tones, Cyrus told me, “His inability to see your worth speaks of his faults, not yours.”

I was beginning to believe it. Lifting my head, I smiled at him. “Your father cares for you too. He even questioned me about my intentions toward you.”

Cyrus’s eyes brightened. “Did he now? And how did you respond?”

Grinning, I eased from his embrace. “I’ll have to tell you later. We have a party to prepare for. I assume all the counts and countesses in the building are attending.”

“All,” he confirmed. “No one turns down my father.”

Perfect. I rubbed my hands together. “Fair warning. You’re going to see Arden Unleashed tonight. I no longer care who I offend or what rules I break. I won’t stop pushing for answers.”

“I thought you’d say that.” He backed up, putting distance between us. “Get ready and join me in the office. I’m going to teach you how to break into locked drawers without leaving a trace.”