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)
Roman noticed me with the HP and knit his brows together. I jumped away from Cyrus, as if I’d been caught doing something I shouldn’t.
“You okay?” Roman mouthed.
I nodded, mouthing back, “All good.” I’d reintroduce my mother’s move another day.
The HP waved Roman over, and the soldier jogged between the rifts, totally unfazed. He entered the glass room and saluted his superior. Something I’d forgotten to do. I winced. Even though Cyrus hadn’t complained about the lack, I gave a retroactive salute then and there.
The corners of his mouth inched up. “Things will be chaotic when we cross over. As the final two trainees in the welcome ring, I expect you both to go through first, recover quickly, and help the others as they arrive.”
Roman nodded, confident. “You can count on me, sir.”
“Yes. Me too.” I mimicked the nod and the confidence.
Hiking his thumb at me, Roman teased, “I hear she’s very brave.”
Fire flamed in my entire face, amplifying when Cyrus rolled his lips under his teeth to prevent another smile.
“I’ve heard the same,” he said. “Now go line up and wait for the others while I speak with the commanding officers.”
Chapter Fourteen
If you do not ask for what you need, how can you receive it?
—The Book of Soal 2.20.4.2
“Is something going on between you and High Prince Dolion?” Roman asked as the rest of our team flooded into the room, lining up behind the rifts. “Be honest. I won’t be mad.”
“What? Him? Me?” I sputtered. I’d meant what I’d told Cyrus. Argh! The HP. He made me nervous, and I didn’t enjoy being nervous. My romantic interest centered around the very kind, very wonderful Shiloh. Who I hadn’t kissed when I’d had the chance. An occurrence I still didn’t comprehend. “He tested me for—” I gave Roman the look. You know.
“Ah. Yeah.” He compressed his lips. “Because of Shiloh, I bet. Dude’s been acting so weird lately. He was supposed to come with us today, but he’s been confined to his room for observation.”
Spending time confined to his room was a good thing. Maybe. Hopefully? Cured would see he was a smart, capable man going through a tough thing, forced to change his life plan for his health.
Marked for execution.
At the reminder of Ember’s pronouncement, apprehension slithered through me. The glower might be a Soalian, and evil, but she wouldn’t harm the brother she sought to recruit. Shiloh wasn’t in any danger.
Unless he was.
I balled and relaxed my hands. “I wasn’t tested because of Shiloh,” I told Roman, unwilling to let the medic carry any blame. But explain the real reason? No.
Thankfully, Lark shouldered her way to us, claiming the team leader’s attention. A myriad of other conversations started up around us, some charged with excitement, others dripping with nervousness.
I waited and watched for Mykal, but she never arrived.
Roman guessed my intent and stopped Lark midsentence to tell me, “Since our little kitten doesn’t attend classes, she’s not allowed to enter Theirland.”
Made sense. Maybe Cyrus intended to ask me to assist him while there. I would absolutely without question refuse. Probably.
A horn blared, and the crowd grew silent. Everyone’s attention whipped to triage, where Cyrus had been speaking with the archduke and duchess since my exit with Roman. Archduke Heta and the duchess exited as well.
From the doorway, Cyrus made a hand motion. Armed guards marched forward, posting themselves beside the rifts. Tremors invaded my limbs. In a matter of minutes—seconds—I would leave the only world I’d ever known and enter my nightmare. The realm responsible for the Rock and the Madness, where perpetual night ruled. Although. Hmm. The Rock led to the mysterious third realm, where it must originate. Which meant the Madness originated there, too, and not Theirland. But Cyrus claimed Shaddai was a utopia without illness.
More puzzle pieces I couldn’t fit together. My heart rate spiked. How was I ever to make sense of anything?
The transmitters activated, and a husky voice whispered inside my ears despite the distance between us. “Remember, this is a simple training expedition. Travel will hurt, but it’s fleeting.”
I jerked my gaze to Cyrus. Looking right at me, he spoke again, his expression almost tender. “I’ll be waiting for you on the other side of the rift. Just come to me.”
His voice tickled my ears, and his words enveloped me like a warm hug. Calm washed over me. Yes. I could walk to Cyrus. I could walk to Cyrus, no problem.
He crossed the room, stepped into the darkness, and vanished from view. Gasps and murmurs sounded.
A grinning Roman kissed Lark on the mouth in front of everyone. “Take the spot at the end of the line and stop any runners.”
“Yes, sir. See you on the other side.” She gave him a return peck before hustling to the back. Guess they were officially a couple now, all games done.