Page 52 of Guarding Zuri
The base in his voice chilled her spine. He would kill any traitor. Isn’t that what he was trained to do? “You’re not to blame,” she whispered.
“Let me own what I can’t forget.”
David blamed himself for the last breach that had almost killed her father. Neither Bayo nor Zuri had found fault with him. David had seen it differently. She felt sorry he still lived with the guilt, but she understood how he felt.What if I hadn’t insisted my father take that meeting? Would he have changed his mind?She would never know. Joqi’s death and her father’s weighed on her. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—forget either, nor would she allow anyone else to own it.
She traded glances with Daemon, who watched her with keen interest. “I have full confidence in you, David,” she said reassuringly. “You’ve heard me and my father say it so many times—not blaming you—but I understand the responsibility you hold yourself to and I won’t take it from you. Own what you want. I’ll abide and support whatever you choose to do.” Daemon’s hand slipped over her left knee, his squeeze encouraging.
“Thank you, Zuri. It will be different this time. I will make certain of it.”
“Good,” Zuri said, the last of her fears ebbing away. She’d read in her father’s journal that conquering fear required moving forward into the action that paralyzes. It was how people could risk—and lose—their lives for causes greater than themselves. By moving forward toward that which could mean certain death. Zuri wished she could be by David’s side so he wouldn’t have to go alone.
If the coup failed, they would lose the general willing to break ranks and countless others who trusted his leadership. President Gohi would hunt down all the conspirators, putting David in grave danger. Guilt would end her if David died while she was safe under the covers of a beautiful handmade quilt, enjoying the lovely sounds of the birds singing from their posts in the large trees that surrounded the home.
Her heart fractured with fresh fear for her friend and the resistance. She’d lost too many people already. “If anything happens…”
Daemon’s hand moved to her back. The warmth reassured her, but only briefly. She wished she were home, where she could see things for herself. She stiffened against his touch. Daemon’s hand fell away.
“It will be okay, Zuri,” David said. “When it is all over, you can return to help lead.”
Zuri frowned. She felt like a princess trapped in a tower, unable to live her life. And she wasn’t a princess—despite what Daemon said—and she couldn’t stand by in her gilded cage while David risked his life. She was equipped to lead and she would. “Give the general the order. When everything is ready, take Bendola.”
“I will.”
“I’m coming home.”
Daemon’s groan of disapproval came at the same time David voiced his concern. “No, Zuri. You must stay there. Your face is on wanted posters all over Bendola. You are to be killed, not captured,killed! You have already been found guilty of treasonous acts.”
“Without a trial?” Zuri gasped.
“Yes, without a trial. Are you surprised? President Gohi signed a directive. You are to be killed on sight. You cannot return. It is out of the question. If the symbol of the resistance is dead, the people’s will may falter. Stay there until the coup is over,” he ended firmly.
Her face truly was everywhere. Daemon had shown her the wanted poster the other day, but she hadn’t known it covered the country. She really was a symbol of the resistance.
A video was needed now more than ever. People knew she was out of the country, but she had to tell them she was safe, and encourage them to soldier on. If all she could do was be a symbol, then that’s what she’d be. And like the flies on the plains, she’d persist in irritating Gohi and not let up until he was driven from office.
“I must be there after the coup. I won’t stay away while the government is in transition.”
“Of course,” David said in a placating tone. “Bring the organizations you’ve contacted. They can help rebuild and position this country to become wealthy and self-sufficient.”
She and Daemon held one another’s gaze. All of her research into Knight Industries convinced her that a strategic partnership with the company would benefit Bendola and her people. But his father wanted money—and she had a meeting scheduled with him later today to pitch him on investing in Bendola’s new government.
“Please, Zuri, promise me that you will stay safe until this is all over. Promise me that you won’t return until after Abdullah is out of power.”
The arch of Daemon’s right brow added further pressure to a promise she didn’t want to keep. She closed her eyes to shut out Daemon. How could she say yes?
The words of Joqi’s wife still haunted her. She had cursed her for the death of her husband. What if the people rejected her when she returned after their families and friends had died fighting for freedom? She’d lost her own father, but no one else could flee the country with ease.
“The people see me as a coward,” she whispered.
“I doubt that, Princess,” Daemon said softly, his warm hand encasing her own again. “You’ve sacrificed. You’ve lost your father. They won’t forget that right away—or ever. Have faith in them.”
“Daemon is right, Zuri. I know you are thinking of Joqi’s wife. She is one of millions. You are a Bendolan treasure, and you will help lead this country into freedom—youhaveled this country into freedom. The people do not see you as a coward. They are happy that you got away.”
She’d read in her father’s journal to follow her gut. It was a God-given instinct. Ignoring it could be the difference between life and death. Zuri opened her eyes, releasing warm tears. “I cannot promise you, David.”
She heard David’s sigh over the line. Daemon smiled. She cocked her head at him, and his grin only grew wider. She had expected him to be as disappointed in her as David sounded.
“I must go. We have a lot to prepare for. Daemon?”
