“Excellent. She’ll accompany us tomorrow. Astan wishes the royals to behold the Rock’s progress,” Emperor Dolion said. “We’ll leave the trainees here. Call it a day of mourning or a time of refreshing. Whatever you feel is best.”
Mr. Vyle blinked with surprise. “You’ll be forced to use your key.”
“Yes.” The emperor cast a pining glance toward the dining room. “But I won’t deny our great god his request.”
Well, well. No need to try to steal Giselle’s key this evening, risking everything. I’d just accompany the royals in spirit and witness the key in action. Learn how to use it.ThenI could steal it.
“Soalians still fight to bypass the shield,” Mr. Vyle pointed out.
“Good. Let them. Before the trip, we’ll set up an array of pritis poles near the base. Glowers can never resist saving the lights that belong to their precious fallen.”
“I’ll see to it personally.” Mr. Vyle took a step backward, intending to leave, only to pause. “Shall I cancel tonight’s gathering?”
What gathering?
I didn’t hear the emperor’s response. My bond to Domino buzzed, as if coming back online, snatching my concentration. Between one blink and the next, I found myself sitting in a chair, peering at Ember, who lay in a soft, comfy bed, propped up by a mound of lace-covered pillows, with a quilt draped over her legs. The bright glow of a bedside lamp chased shadows to floral wallpaper and heavy velvet curtains. Her hair was tangled, her cheeks newly hollow, and her skin ashen, but she was awake. A book rested on her lap, its pages slightly curled, as if it had been held too tightly for too long.
How in the world had I gotten here?
“—judging time correctly,” she was saying, “he’ll become Astan’s host within the next three days.”
“Word is spreading among the rogues.”
Domino’s voice hit my ears. I was inhabiting his body, as before? But how? He didn’t currently inhabit mine.
“They’ve learned odds are high that Cyrus is the chosen one,” he continued, unaware of my arrival, “and they’re considering executing him before it happens.”
Both denial and protective instincts bristled within me. Cyrus was in danger. I must return to him. Must warn him. Now! But though I tried, I couldn’t exit the librarian.
“We can’t let that happen,” Ember said, and I settled down enough to listen to Domino’s response.
“I know. I’ll guard him with my life, you have my word.”
Always willing to die for the cause. A trait as admirable as it was disconcerting.
“Hold on. I sense ...” He rubbed the spot between his pectorals. “Arden?”
“Surprise!” I must have spoken inside his head, because the words didn’t come out of his mouth. “I honestly didn’t mean to intrude. I was in spirit form, spying on the emperor, and boom, the next thing I knew, I was here. And before you command me to leave, don’t bother,” I hurried to add. “I’ve tried. Also, you should know the emperor plans to open the force field tomorrow. He’s going to use the only key while distracting glowers with pritis poles.”
A growl vibrated in my ears. “She’s here with us,” he told Ember before conveying my message.
So he could hear me. “Please tell her I appreciate all she’s done on my behalf, and I deeply regret the pain she’s endured. At the first opportunity, I intend to make it up to her.”
“She’s apologetic and thankful,” he said, offering no more.
Men were so frustrating sometimes.
He stood, saying, “I’ll instruct our army to back off the shield and others to hide near the base and wait.”
“Before you go,” Ember replied. “Several of my soldiers believe they spotted Victors in Theirland. As for Mykal, she remains with the exiles, but I think she’s close to accepting her invitation into the Tome Society.”
Excellent news.
Domino strode from the room and entered a heavily guarded hallway, the soldiers bowing their heads in deference. “You did well today, Arden,” he said under his breath.
Did I, though? “Miller is dead. Winslet is fighting for her life.” Speaking of ... “The emperor told Mr. Vyle she accepted a deal with Astan.”
“She’s as good as dead, then.”
