Page 74 of Crown of Death

When I walk out of work at five, I feel heavy.Tired.

So when I pull out my phone as I sit in my car, I actually appreciate the first text I seethere.

I thought you should continue to enjoy your day. I told Mina her services were no longerrequired.

Cyrus.

I look up and around, and realize that Mina is, in fact, nowhere to beseen.

Cyrus is no longer requiring her to follow me at alltimes.

With a smile, one I really needed this evening, I open the othermessages.

Amelia.

You promised me a double with you and your new man. I’m calling it in today. No excuses. It’sFriday!

Another one from some point during the day:I know you must have your hands buried in a dead person, but you better not bag out on me! I mean it, the four ofus!

And the last message, from thirty minutes ago:Meet us at Lanes, seven o’clock, or I will disownyou!

I look at the time. If we’re going to make it, I need to hurry. I still need to shower andchange.

Fine!I quickly text her back.We’ll bethere.

I text Cyrus next.We’re going out tonight. Don’t forget, your name is Collin, and we’re madly inlove…

A moment later, the message shows as read, but he doesn’trespond.

Whatever.

I toss my phone into the passenger seat and put the car intodrive.

When I get home, it’s quiet. I walk upstairs and hear the sound of the shower shutting off in the room Cyrus has claimed. With a smile, I head into my own room and go straight for theshower.

I dry my hair and style it into loose curls. My hair is long now, hanging most of the way down my back. I put on olive green shorts, and a white top that flatters my figure. Casual but cute. I top it off with a gold necklace and whitesneakers.

I double check my reflection in the mirror, andsmile.

A girl just needs to feel cute every once in awhile.

Especially when her date, even if it’s fake, is with a true blueking.

For a moment, the thought overwhelmsme.

I’m a little in awe of myself. Of myaudacity.

I’ve bossed the King around. Spat nasty words in his direction. For part of that I didn’t really know who he was. But once I learned his true identity, I didn’t exactlystop…

I know I’m not going to change. I’ll still act the same. And I’m still going to smile. Because he takes myacid.

At six-thirty I step out of my room. Gently, I knock on Cyrus’ door, but there’s noresponse.

So, down the stairs I head, getting worried. It’s too silly. I can’t expect a man like Cyrus to play along. He’s powerful and worldwide, and I’m just a twenty-year-old, insignificantgirl.

But, as I descend the stairs, I see him standing there. He’s wearing a pair of well-fitting jeans and a white V-neck t-shirt that highlights his very nice features. And he holds a bouquet of vibrantly blue flowers. Small, trumpet-shaped. Absolutelybeautiful.

“I believe it has at times been customary to bring flowers to the woman you are madly in love with,” Cyrus says with a mischievous smile as I step onto levelground.