Kingdom of Tomorrow (Book of Arden #1) Read Online Gena Showalter

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal Tags Authors: Series: Book of Arden Series by Gena Showalter
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Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 117246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
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“It pleased me to hear Cyrus assigned a guard to your mother,” Tagin stated with his usual politeness. “I’ve been in touch, and he assures me she’s doing well.”

I went cold inside, certain I’d detected a threat hidden within his words. That if I persisted with my investigation, Cured would use my mother to punish me. But. No way he’d suggested such a thing.

But what if he had?

No, no. Cyrus hadn’t reacted in the slightest, and he would’ve reacted. Unless his love for his father clouded his judgment and he’d missed the warning.

I gulped.

The questions I’d planned to ask Madison died a swift death. In the name of damage control, I rested my palm against Cyrus’s heart and offered a sickly-sweet smile. “Hopefully the guard is as diligent with my mother as I am with your son.” A threat of my own. Not that I would ever harm Cyrus, but a point had to be made. Touch what’s mine, and I’ll take what’s yours.

Cyrus tightened his hold on my waist. “Heads will roll if any harm comes to your mother.”

Oooh. Maybe he had detected the threat. Because he’d just issued one of his own.

“Your concern is unnecessary,” Tagin said, giving nothing away. “Stop by in the morning, Arden. I have a proposition for you. Something that will thrill you.” He shifted his gaze to his son. “You are invited, too, of course.”

Clear commands, not requests. Cyrus nodded.

I flashed an unconvincing smile and muttered, “How exciting.” What kind of proposition?

All girlfriend-like, I clasped Cyrus’s hand and signed the word go. Surely he understood.

He lifted our joined hands to his cheek and nuzzled. “I could use some fresh air.”

“Me too.” Excellent. He’d understood his assignment. That alone did wonders for my disposition.

The king blinked at us. “You let her touch your brand.”

“Did I?” Cyrus responded and led me away. “I’ll take you to my father’s office for fresh air. There’s a balcony.”

Ideas percolated, generating new excitement. “I’m suddenly very glad you shared the dirty tricks of the B and E trade.”

“You’re about to be gladder. While you were sleeping, I met with him in there, and he stored a chip I’d like to read.”

Well, well. Getting my hands on that chip shot to the top of my to-do list.

“Cyrus.”

The soft entreaty slowed our pace, allowing a beautiful woman to step in front of us.

“Nova,” he replied with zero inflection.

Ah. Nova Soti. The ex. She wore a slinky white dress that molded to her hourglass figure.

“I’m glad you’re here.” She kissed his unscarred cheek, near the corner of his mouth. “I’ve missed you.”

“Arden, this is Countess Soti’s daughter,” he said, drawing me closer. “Nova, this is my girlfriend, Arden.”

Just as he’d understood my request for help, I understood his. Petting his chest, I rested my head on his shoulder. “Nice to meet you. I wish we had time to chat, but my Cyrus is taking me for some air. Shall we, sugar bear?”

“Yes, kitten, we shall.”

Her mouth formed a small O as we maneuvered around her.

“I did good,” I said, giving myself an evaluation.

His answering half grin suggested I’d earned extra credit. He steered me into a hallway guarded by two armed soldiers. They allowed us passage, and we sailed by without incident.

We stopped at a locked entrance that required a palm scan to enter. He pushed open the door, revealing a spacious office with a shockingly plain desk. Supplies were organized in rows of three on the surface. The only decoration was a portrait of Tagin Dolion himself, decked out in his uniform. No files were out and about, ready for a quick glance. Bet the computer dock activated only with his chip.

The scent of cigar smoke and whiskey thickened when we reached the sitting area in back, where a worn sofa and coffee table waited. A highly frequented area, no doubt.

Towering double doors led to a balcony, as promised. Interesting. The king had a perfect view of the Rock.

“The office is available to me and my guest only.” Cyrus opened the balcony doors, allowing cool fresh air to wisp inside. “There are no voice recorders here, but there are multiple cameras hidden throughout, and they are being monitored by several viscounts.”

Well, of course there were hidden cameras. “We’ll find a way.” Because we must.

“Not we. You. Now is probably a good time to tell you that your dress renders you invisible to cameras.”

I squealed a little and threw my arms around his shoulders to hug him. Although. “Won’t my invisibility rouse suspicions?”

“Not necessarily. The people my father deals with wear the same material all the time.”

So, the higher-ups. Those who might have something to hide. “You always think of everything.”

“I’m going to sit on the couch and pretend you’re sitting with me.” He kissed my brow, awakening a deeper ache in me, then strode to the couch, as if he still led me about, and sat. He fiddled with the band around his wrist, then pretended to wind his arm around my shoulders. “You have five minutes. Look anywhere. I won’t stop you.”


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