Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 117246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
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.”