Page 17 of The Last Strike

“What is going on?” she asked.

“I have no idea, but there’s a reason King Khalil wants us to think Reed is dead—other than the public display of mockery against me. We’re going to find out what that is, and then I’m going to kill him.”

He said it so calmly, so assuredly. She stole a look at him and knew he was speaking the truth. Asher was the second son, and from the line of succession he should not yet have the throne—but as Abi looked at him, she thought Asher was the only one who could have gotten them through this. She knew he doubted himself at times, but she didn’t doubt him. She hoped Santina didn’t either, but after that video ... Asher would have to do something drastic now, something big.

Abi recognized James’s voice as they walked in. Her eyes dropped to the monitor, but no footage was displayed.

“We have the advantage in that Khalil doesn’t know that we know he’s alive,”James said.

“Right, but they may be expecting a retaliation for Reed’s death, so hitting the palace tonight is still very high risk,”Samuel countered.

“I don’t want to wait another twenty-four hours. Khalil is planning something and I want Reed out of there before he uses Reed how he really intends to.”

“We need Reed.” Asher spoke up. “I want a press conference with Reed beside me. I want to show the kingdoms that the Adani king is a liar and a madman who can’t be trusted. I want to make a fool out of him,” he said, his voice scathing.

“Agreed,”James said.“And you need to do damage control to counter that video. People will be shaken to their core and their confidence shattered.”

“So let’s move. When can you move in?” Asher asked.

“I’m ready now but we’ll wait for nightfall. I want the cover of darkness,”James said, his voice laced with determination.

Abi smiled—this was the part of the rescue plan she’d liked most. King Khalil had no idea how dark it was about to get.

Asher pulled out a chair, indicating he was going to sit there all night, so Abi pulled out the chair beside him.

“Good, remain on standby. I’ll let you know when it’s done,”Samuel said.“Asher, any questions at this point?”

“How is Reed holding up?” Asher asked. Abi saw a flash of torment in his eyes.

“He’s good,”Samuel said.“Whatever the king wants him for, it’s keeping him alive. Judging by his vitals, he’s likely sitting on the floor of a holding cell of some kind, likely bored out of his mind. He won’t feel too good as a result of the poisoning, but they aren’t torturing him.”

Abi supposed that was a win.

“Good. I’m relieved to hear that,” Asher said. “What time is sunset?”

“Thirty minutes,”Samuel replied.“I’m going to sign off and do a few things, but just yell out if you need me.”

“Thank you, Samuel,” they said in unison. Again Abi wondered how many cameras Thomas Security had installed in her parents’ house. Abi was absolutely certain her father knew how many and their locations—he wouldn’t have agreed to knowing anything less.

“Your Majesty, would you like a cup of coffee?”

Abi saw Asher’s surprise. He blinked twice when he saw who was serving him and his eyes darted to Abi. She nodded.

Asher smiled warmly. “Thank you, Lena. I would love one.”

She beamed a smile, nodded, then looked to Abi. “Coffee for me too, please. And two sugars,” Abi said with a guilty grin.

Lena looked back to Asher. “Two sugars for you, too, Your Majesty?”

Asher shook his head. “No, I like my coffee to taste like coffee, not syrup,” he said raising an eyebrow at Abi. She rolled her eyes.

“And Lena, please call me Asher,” he said, bringing a twinkle to her eyes.

Lena nodded. “As you wish. I’ll be back soon,” she said before disappearing from the right.

Asher tilted his head, watching the woman carefully. “With everything that has happened, I never thought to ask you what happened to that girl. I’m sorry, I just didn’t think—”

Abi shrugged. “You’ve had a lot on your plate, Asher. After our rescue, my father gave Lena a job, and in return he provides food, shelter, schooling, and an allowance.” Abi looked toward the empty doorway. “After everything she’d been through, she needed a calmer, quieter environment than the palace. She needed a home with people who could emotionally support her, and my mother has taken her on like another daughter.” Abi smiled. “She’s completing her schooling remotely, with the help of my mother. But she told me a few days ago she wants to study International Relations. She wants to work for IFRT.” Abi was so proud of that, but another part—probably the part her mother understood—was scared for her. What if she ended up back in the very situation Abi had rescued her from?

---