Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
A thin line of crimson trickled from Roman’s nose, and bruises were already forming under his swollen eyes. Merlot clutched a broken wrist between her breasts. Cash and another teammate remained motionless, as if . . .
I swallowed a barbed lump in my throat. Unconscious. Only unconscious.
“Talk to me.”
The authoritative voice cut through the noise, my head, and my very being. My heart leaped with recognition and relief. Cyrus. He strode inside the gym, radiating fury and full authority.
Behind him were Mr. Vyle and four others. The ultra-stunning High Princess Lolli Dolion and three men I recognized as high princes, each dressed in decorated uniforms reserved for royals.
A gaggle of medics rushed into the gym after them, approaching those with the worst injuries first.
“Royals on deck,” someone called.
Everyone awake lumbered to their feet as Cyrus and his entourage looked us over, their eyes sharp and unreadable. My heart pounded with the urge to run to him, but I held myself still. Now wasn’t the time. Or the place.
The future king of Ourland looked me over and stiffened. When his gaze met mine, he arched a brow in question.
I nodded to convey the fact that I had no mortal wounds, and he nodded back. A quick, clipped incline of his chin before he shifted his attention.
“I can feel his chill from here.” Miller sucked air between his teeth with an exaggerated wince. “Guess things are over with the HP, huh? Makes sense. I wouldn’t want to be with the girl banging my grandpa either.”
I lifted my nose in the air and said nothing.
Cyrus called, “If nothing is broken, line up.”
Trainees rushed to stand shoulder to shoulder. My body protested the action with sharper aches and pains, but not by word nor deed did I display it. I kept my gaze on Cyrus, my safe place.
Mr. Vyle walked before us, his arms behind his back. “My name is Mr. Vyle. I’m here on behalf of the emperor. We’ve come to believe there’s a traitor in our midst. In this very room.”
My stomach twisted into a thousand knots. No one dared speak, but many gasped.
“One of you planted a device in the treatment facility and opened patient rooms at a specified time.” The royal executioner focused on me a second longer than necessary. “I will find out who did it, and they will learn the error of their ways.”
I didn’t allow myself the luxury of cringing outwardly, but there was no stopping my inner flinch. How did he know what happened so quickly, without an investigation? Experience told me CURED released the infected, intending to blame an innocent they targeted.
“We are already gathering evidence. It won’t be long until we have answers.” Mr. Vyle adjusted the cuff of his suit jacket. “For now, I’m sending you to medical for testing, but expect a summons sometime soon. I’ll be speaking with each of you individually.” He nodded to a baron.
“Out,” that man commanded. “Go, go, go.”
Trainees rushed for the door, Miller among them. He dragged me along until Cyrus snapped, “A word, Lady Roosa.”
Miller and I stopped in unison, grinding to a halt mere feet from the royals. I felt the gaze of everyone who remained in the room.
Though my cheeks flushed, I kept my head high. “Yes, sir.”
A muscle jumped in my boyfriend’s jaw. Motions liquid smooth, he wrapped his fingers around the chain that bound me to Miller. The metal unfastened, freeing me. “Go,” he commanded my partner.
Miller didn’t stick around to protest. He raced out as if his feet were on fire. Realized I had a thriving relationship with a future king, and I might tattle about his awful behavior, earning him a good spanking, had he?
Cyrus didn’t say anything else, just stalked into the gym’s corner office, clearly expecting me to follow. Which, of course, I did. The transparent glass smoked over, shielding us from prying eyes.
As soon as the door closed behind me, he spun and enfolded me in the safety of his arms. I hugged him back, letting his ambrosial scent wash over me. His heat warmed all my cold spots.
He straightened, cupped my cheeks, and searched my face. “You’re okay?”
“I am now,” I replied, clasping his wrists. “I’m glad your trip to Theirland was so short.”
“I was there, in a meeting with the emperor, Vyle, and the other royals when word of the attack reached us.”
The attack. Something we needed to discuss in detail. But first things first. “How’d it go with your grandfather?”
A muscle jumped in his jaw. “I’m not sure. I remember arriving in Theirland but nothing else until today’s meeting.” He rubbed his sternum. “Now there’s an itch right here I can’t explain.”
Alarm bells erupted inside my head. I fought to control my expression and reveal only reassurance. “The memories will come back to you.” They must. But something had happened to him, and it did not sound good.