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)
“Line up and listen,” Heta called, and the room went silent. “There’s a field twelve miles from the base. Numerous toxic berries are growing there. Troops are attempting to torch the fields, but glowers are stopping them. Feeders are arriving in droves.”
Berries like the one Cyrus had eaten and the emperor lamented? The reason the emperor might have sent Mr. Vyle to Fort Bala?
Each breath became a blade, each exhale a wound. We were going to be sent into the fray, weren’t we?
Worry lines branched from Heta’s eyes. “Our forces need all the help they can get, even from trainees. I know you’re scared, but you won’t be alone. We have paired you with a high-ranking officer.”
Anticipation infiltrated the barrage of other emotions swimming through me. Knowing Cyrus, he’d arranged for us to do this mission together. If I made a mistake, revealing my true allegiance, he’d cover for me. And together, we could help our fellow glowers save the berries without drawing unwanted suspicion.
“Everyone will go out together but arrive at the field from different points. When I call your name, step forward,” Heta commanded. “Roman Alexander, you’re with High Prince Summit.”
Summit kissed his middle finger and blew it at the rest of us as Roman joined him, pumping a fist into the air. The HP led him from the chamber.
“Merlot Doogle, you’re with High Prince Mallow. Arden Roosa.”
I snapped to attention, my excitement on par with Roman’s.
“You’re with High Princess Lolli Dolion.”
What? My steps faltered, and so did my heartbeat. With sheer will alone, I restarted, stalking through the door on the heels of Cyrus’s ex-girlfriend.
Don’t panic, don’t panic. But.
But.
Really?
High Princess Lolli led me through a maze of dimly lit hallways accented with polished stone. Each security checkpoint bustled with quiet efficiency—scanners beeped, armored guards checked our IDs, and the faint crackle of radios filled the silence between commands. When we finally stepped into the garage, a cloud of heavy air hit, the odor of motor oil, singed metal, and the bite of gunpowder overpowering. The space lived and breathed urgency, the rhythmic whirring of drills blending with the sharp clank of wrenches being used to tighten bolts. Metal scraped against metal, and the unmistakable sound of magazines snapping into place echoed like a drumbeat of war.
Three massive trucks loomed in the center, their exteriors dull with dust and wear. Crates of ammunition and tactical gear covered nearby shelves, an armory on standby. Soldiers worked with methodical precision, their uniforms rustling as they adjusted straps and checked weapons.
As soon as they noticed High Princess Lolli, the men snapped to attention, their boots striking the concrete. They saluted, then returned to their tasks, hands steady, focus unwavering.
“There are soldiers out there now, creating paths for us,” the princess told me. “When they’re done, we’ll head out. Could be five minutes, could be five hours.” She stopped at an open section with a bank of lockers, straddled a bench, and faced me. “Let’s chat while we’ve got the chance.”
I eased down across from her, struggling to hide my growing apprehension.
She jumped right in. “You are dating our Cyrus.”
I bit my tongue. “I’d argue your use of the word our, but yes, I’m dating him.” The snippy tone slipped out before I could run it through my Is This Smart filter.
Rather than take offense, she grinned, showcasing perfect pearly whites. Although, it wasn’t amusement I detected in her but, hmm. Nothing. I detected no emotion. “Good to see he still likes his women feisty.”
Okay, that irritated. “Cyrus isn’t a topic I’m willing to chat about.”
“I’m sure you’re disappointed not to be paired with him,” she continued as if I hadn’t spoken, “but he chose to be with Lord Miller. I wouldn’t worry, though. It probably means nothing.” She flashed another cold smile. “I decided to seize my chance to learn more about you.”
I gnashed my teeth. If I knew Cyrus, and I did, he thought he was protecting me in some way. Something we’d be discussing.
“I’ll be straight with you.” She dropped her chin but kept her gaze on me. “I know what you are.”
My stomach twisted into more of those awful knots, but not by word or deed did I reveal it. “Okay. I’ll bite. What am I?”
“What Cyrus is.” She hiked her shoulders in a shrug. “What I am. Which is a recent development, but a development all the same.”
“Okay.” An internal alarm erupted as I tried to process her confession. She couldn’t mean what I thought she meant. That she was a new Soalian and an ally. I would sense it, just as I sensed the other Soalian. While I only distinguished the other sometimes, there was always an underlying knowledge. But here, now, I felt no tug of connection. No beat of familiarity.
This must be a trick. Or another test.