Page 64 of The Last Strike

“And the past meetings?” Khalil asked, his patience wearing thin.

“Asher, myself, and Victoria. We spoke of how to protect our borders. No one wanted this war,” Luang said.

“Asher wanted this war!” Khalil said fiercely.

“Asher’s father was murdered. You started this war the moment you decided to assassinate King Martin,” Luang said. “You—”

“Arinia will pay for this, as will Santina. Valencia will too, if you don’t help me,” Khalil said, his voice full of menace.

“Help you do what? Khalil, I have done everything you have asked. I have given you the information you wanted,” Luang said, exasperated.

“This is the last thing you must do, then, Luang,” Khalil said swiftly. “You’re going to coordinate with Asher’s security, and you’re going to provide me with the full details of their security strategy for this meeting.” A plan was forming in his mind: if Asher and Victoria were going to be there, it was the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

“No, I won’t do it. You figure this out on your own, Khalil,” Luang said defiantly.

“Really, Luang? Then I suggest you tell your hospitals to prepare for tomorrow. It will be a busy day for them,” Khalil said.

A violent silence followed. Not a word was said, but there was no need. Luang’s wrath had a pulse of its own. Khalil knew that not only was he furious that he had to betray Asher yet again, destroying his integrity in the process, but also that he could do nothing but roll over like a puppy dog.

“Luang, are you there?” Khalil asked, knowing full well Luang was biting his tongue so he didn’t snap and say what he was really thinking.

“I will call you tomorrow with further details. If you attack Valencia, there will be no information,” Luang said, his voice but a growl.

“There will be no need to attack if you’re cooperating. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Luang. Make the information useful.”

The call ended without goodbyes. He opened his mouth to fill in Nicholas, but his eyes snapped to the television when he heard Asher’s voice.

“No, King Khalil and I have never been friends,” Asher said, looking straight at the camera. Khalil felt like Asher was standing in front of him, looking directly at him. He had a presence in front of the camera that even Khalil envied.

“Is this war personal?” the television host asked.

“Personal?” Asher looked to the host, shaking his head. “No. But am I doing it for my kingdom? Yes. If I simply wanted to take revenge for my father’s death, I could have done that directly against Khalil. But the war with Adani is about saving Santina. Without Adani, all kingdoms will prosper. When you think of Adani, you think of wealth—but ask the starving people in the villages what living in Adani is really like. Under my sovereign control, no one will starve. The wealth produced by Adani’s oil is enough to feed them all ... if the funds are not used corruptly. The Marble Hall that King Khalil has in his palace cost more than feeding his most vulnerable for years. He made that choice; he chose himself above his people. Is that the kind of ruler Adani wants? It disgusts me,” Asher said, looking back at the camera. “And it should disgust the people of Adani too. Khalil is unfit to rule. He is a narcissist, he is corrupt, and his mouth is soiled with lies.”

Khalil’s blood boiled.How dare he!Never had a king spoken so poorly of another king in the history of their region.

Under his sovereign control? How dare he declare that on television!

Khalil’s jaw locked. Asher was publicly humiliating him.

He needed to end this, and he had to make sure it was done properly—because Raoul had just proved that he could not rely on the actions of others.

Asher

Asher walked beside James as he spoke, explaining the strategy. He stood in front of arched windows, looking over his kingdom.

I will protect you,he silently vowed. Santina would prosper, and it would become powerful.

Asher had woken up with renewed energy. He’d slept well, he’d resolved things with Abi, and now he could focus.

And focused he was.

“Has Luang confirmed he’ll be attending?” Asher asked.

James nodded. “He’ll be here at midday tomorrow,” he said. “And we’ve been monitoring his movements closely. We have no reason to believe he’s sided with Adani.”

“Good,” Asher said. “I’m happy with the building, if you think you can secure the perimeter.”

“It’s difficult, but it can be done. I prefer tall buildings for these purposes, because they’re harder to penetrate, but this will do. By the way, I think you should build a skyrise palace when you rebuild.”

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