The Secret King

by C. J. Miller

  Iliana felt an emotion akin to desire ripple over her, dimming some of her rage. But she did not feel desire for the dictator. She hated him. Hated. He was pushy and rude and thought his title and position meant he could do whatever he wanted. In his country, maybe he could. But she was an Acacian citizen. He had no hold over her.

  “I was hoping you were calling to tell me you had reconsidered my offer to visit,” he said.

  That wouldn’t happen in her lifetime. “I am calling to make sure you know that if Serena is hurt, I’m looking in your direction.”

  “As much as I would enjoy you looking at me, I must tell you that you are looking in the wrong direction. I have no reason to harm the princess.”

  Iliana despised how smooth his voice was and how composed his tone. “I can think of a few reasons. It would clear your path to taking over Acacia.”

  “That is factually untrue. Someone else would be crowned king or queen and then I would be forced to negotiate with that person. As it stands, I don’t have enough information about the princess to say whether or not I will find her to be a hindrance or an asset. All I really know about her is that she keeps a pit bull for an assistant and a rather fearless one at that. If she prefers strong people around her, then I imagine she is a smart woman and will be reasonable to deal with. As was her father.”

  Iliana was disarmed by his words. Serena’s father had been key to keeping the peace in the region. He had often served in an unofficial capacity as mediator of disputes between Rizari and Icarus. Without him, Iliana was concerned how long peace would remain in place.

  Iliana kept her tone sharp. She’d show no weakness. “I am worried about Serena and I wanted to make sure you were clear that you are not to harm her.”

  “It’s rare to have a friend so loyal that she is willing to directly threaten the leader of a nation.”

  Iliana would do more than threaten DeSante if he attacked Serena. “Serena is my boss, but she’s also my friend. We’re family.” Their mothers had been sisters, close until Serena’s mother died when Serena was a child. Then both of Iliana’s parents died in a car accident while Iliana was at university. She was no stranger to grief and that experience made her ache that much more for Serena.

  “You’re doing what any blood relative would do. Setting the expectations and making sure I don’t cross them. Tell me though, what would you do to me if I did cross them, by say, showing up at the castle in Thorntree?”

  His voice had taken on a dangerous tone, but she didn’t feel afraid. She felt turned on. Iliana wasn’t certain how to respond to him. Flirting was unacceptable, wasn’t it? And what if she was wrong? What if he wasn’t flirting, but rather using her to dig for information about Serena? Her temper flared anew. “You are not welcome here. Good luck getting past our security.” Although the words were bluster. The Acacian military was weak. It was the main reason that Serena had to marry King Warrington and form a strong alliance with Rizari.

  “Loyal and patriotic. I like that.”

  She felt as if she was a mouse and DeSante was a cat, watching her, deciding when to strike with his enormous claws. “I’ve made my position clear. Don’t hurt the princess and don’t send any of your goons after her. If you do, I promise, I will make you regret it.”

  “I suppose it’s too late to tell you that you have nothing to fear from me. If you do not get in my way, I will not hurt you or the princess. I will only do what is necessary to protect Icarus.”

  Chapter 4

  Spending time on the water had put Serena in a better mood. She was smiling and laughing, sitting close to Casimir as he steered his new boat toward Rizari. Casimir was pleased with The Buccaneer’s inaugural trip on the Mediterranean Sea. The water surrounding Acacia was blue and tranquil. The sun was high in the sky and the clouds blocked some of the light, providing relief from the heat.

  Serena was wearing a pair of red pants that fell midcalf, showing off her shapely legs, and a sleeveless red-and-white-striped shirt. The pants emphasized her hips and rear, and Casimir had a thing for women with curves.

  “Have you been boating long?” Serena asked.

  “Since I was a boy.” He had liked being on the water, whether it was kayaking or canoeing or taking out the fishing boat he had found and refurbished to be seaworthy.

  “Me, too.”

  Casimir glanced at his GPS. Two boats were moving in his direction. His instincts put him on guard and he reduced his speed. From what Serena had related, Samuel Warrington had not been thrilled about her arranging her own transportation to Rizari. Though he doubted Warrington would aggressively intercept his boat, other dangers lurked. These waters were not controlled or policed by anyone and pirates took advantage of that.

  Casimir had a sidearm within reach. Was it enough to protect her?

  “What’s the matter? Why did you slow down?” Serena asked. She was too experienced of a boater not to recognize the change in their speed.

  “Two boats are moving in my direction.”

  Serena stood behind him and set her hand on his shoulder. She looked at the GPS. Her guards were on board and she called to them. They arrived on deck, guns drawn, Iliana behind them.

  “We may have a problem,” Serena said.

  It was too early to call the situation a full-fledged emergency. He could be overreacting, though his instincts had served him well and he did best when he followed them.

  When the boats turned in their direction, Casimir knew his concern wasn’t an overreaction.

  As the boats came into view, Casimir felt simultaneously relieved and worried.

  Both boats belonged to DeSante. The Icarus flag was stamped on the side, identifying the boats as vessels of the navy of Icarus. Demetrius wasn’t in stealth mode, meaning he intended the boats to be seen.

  The vessels pulled closer and slowed almost to a stop. Casimir’s radio beeped and he answered.

  “Good afternoon crew of The Buccaneer. This is the president of Icarus. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with today?”

  Serena’s eyes were wide. Casimir didn’t like Demetrius strong-arming Serena into speaking with him, but it was his style to get in Serena’s face and force her to deal with him. Demetrius had been keeping tabs on Casimir while he was in Acacia, but had said nothing about forcing a confrontation today.

  “This is Casimir Cullen, the boat’s captain. This is my vessel.”

  “Your guest is the princess of Acacia. Don’t deny it. I can see her.”

  “She is my guest and I will protect her as such.”

  DeSante laughed. “I mean her no harm. May I come aboard? Or perhaps I can send a dinghy and we can speak aboard one of my boats?”

  Casimir released the radio so DeSante couldn’t hear them.

  “He is very insistent, isn’t he?” Serena asked. She swallowed hard.

  “I would suggest allowing him onboard. We can’t outrun the boats and we’re outnumbered.”

  Serena extended her hand for the radio. Impressed with her nerve, Casimir set the radio in her palm. “President DeSante, how interesting that we should meet on the open water. Tell me how I had this good fortune today.”

  “Your beloved alerted me to your travel plans hours ago, as he did the entire country. So much for security protocols,” DeSante said.

  “Then you were lying in wait,” she said. She released the radio button and added, “Like a snake.”

  Iliana had pushed to stand next to Serena and set her hand on her cousin’s back protectively.

  “I’d hoped to meet you. Decide, princess. We will have a conversation today.”

  She glanced at her guards. “You may come aboard. Just you. No one else.”

  “I agree to your terms and I will warn you that I will come armed.”

  Casimir wouldn’t let this situation escalate to the point of using guns. He needed to maintain everyone’s emotional calm. Usually he was on the other side of that arrangement, with DeSante asking him to stay in control. Though DeSan
te wasn’t the type to shoot at Serena, her guards seemed twitchy. That could escalate the situation and DeSante would return fire. He always did.

  DeSante sped to their vessel in a small powerboat. He threw Casimir his line and Casimir drew him close and then helped him aboard.

  “You could have warned me,” Casimir said under his breath.

  DeSante ignored him. “Good afternoon, Princess. And Iliana, it is a pleasure to see you.”

  Iliana’s expression could have iced over the sun. “President DeSante, I thought I made myself clear.”

  Serena glanced at Iliana. Casimir was equally confused. Was Iliana in private communication with DeSante? He had not said anything. DeSante did nothing without intent and Casimir wondered what his intention was with Iliana.

  “I am a man of my word. I have no plans to harm the princess.”

  Was it Casimir’s imagination or did DeSante look at Iliana with interest? His gaze seemed to linger longer than it should.

  DeSante turned his attention to Serena. “You have been a difficult woman to reach.”

  “I have a country to run,” Serena said.

  “As do I. But I find time to speak to my neighbors and make sure we don’t have any misunderstandings,” DeSante said.

  “What misunderstanding are you concerned we’ve had?” Her voice was arctic. She was holding her own and DeSante would respect that.

  “Your father had been keeping the peace in our corner of the Mediterranean. With his untimely passing, you can understand that I have misgivings.”

  Casimir caught the first crack in Serena’s composure at the mention of her father. Casimir moved closer to her. He would step in if needed. He didn’t know what DeSante had planned here and he wouldn’t allow the other man to bully Serena.

  “This is a wonderful opportunity. You’ve refused my other requests for a meeting and now we are together.”

  “You have my attention. Please speak plainly,” Serena said.

  “I wish for our countries to unite. I won’t be so crass as to require you marry me.”

  A dig at King Warrington and Serena’s arrangement. Casimir hid his amusement.

  “You may pass me control of your islands and I will make sure you live comfortably for the rest of your days,” DeSante said.

  Serena looked at him as if he was insane. “Give you Acacia in exchange for a comfortable retirement? Surely, you don’t think so low of me that you expect I would sell out my entire nation for myself.”

  “Not for yourself. An alliance with Icarus is the better option. Our military strength and our protection are incomparable and unbeatable.”

  “Who is it that you would be protecting us from?”

  The implication being that Serena wanted to be protected from Icarus. DeSante caught her meaning. “With the shift in power, Acacia is weak. Others may choose to strike.”

  “A threat?”

  “An assessment,” DeSante said. “And if protection does not appeal to you, we are a profitable trading partner and I can help build the infrastructure to boost tourism in your country.”

  Serena shook her head. “I must decline your offer. You are aware of my plans to marry King Warrington.”

  Casimir felt a jolt of surprise. She spoke as if it were a done deal. He had hoped he had sowed enough seeds of doubt on that matter.

  DeSante didn’t like being refused and he wouldn’t view this as a final negotiation. Casimir recognized the glint in his eyes. He was just getting started. “King Warrington is a fool. He will run your treasuries into debt, probably planning parties. You will be totally dependent on foreign aid to feed your children.”

  Serena’s eyes flashed with indignation. “As yet, I require no such aid to feed my countrymen and women.”

  DeSante looked at Casimir. “Who are you exactly to the princess? Her lover? I find it strange that she tells me her plans to marry one man while sailing on a private boat with another.”

  Though Serena seemed shocked, Casimir didn’t let his old friend rattle him. “I am a friend.”

  “That’s all? She looks at you as if you are more.”

  “I have earned the princess’s trust,” Casimir said.

  “Then maybe I should be speaking to you, learning what it is that I need to win her over.”

  “I am not a person to be won,” she said, sounding angry.

  “You control access to something I want. That means I will not stop pursuing you. Say it however you wish. Winning you over or buying you out, but I will have my way.”

  “Bullying me won’t get you far,” she said.

  DeSante came closer, but Casimir put up a hand to stop him. “Don’t touch the princess or I will be forced to restrain you.”

  “Even knowing my reputation and that I am armed, you make a threat against me?” DeSante asked.

  It was his opportunity to show Serena he would stand with her. “I would sacrifice my life for the princess’s safety and well-being.”

  The president smiled between them and then looked at Serena. “If you negotiate with me, you could run away with your friend and live the life you want.”

  “That is a ridiculous statement. Casimir and I are not planning to run away from anything. Not bullies. Not assassins. Not responsibilities.”

  DeSante was planting ideas. He wanted Serena to think about having a relationship with Casimir. Casimir had considered it from a purely lust-fuelled perspective. He wanted to get Serena in bed, but he thought it better to keep those desires buried. Why did DeSante want to force this line of thinking? To keep Warrington further out of Serena’s thoughts?

  “Tell me what it will take and I will give it you,” DeSante said.

  “There is nothing you have that I want.”

  DeSante looked away. “I ask that you reconsider. Think carefully about the future you want. This is not the end of our negotiation.” He looked at Iliana. “I hope to see you again soon.”

  Iliana shot daggers at him. “I hope that you slink back to Icarus and stay there, quietly.”

  Casimir gave both women points for boldness. Not many people had the courage to stand up to Demetrius DeSante.

  * * *

  As they docked The Buccaneer in Rizari, Serena composed herself. The altercation with DeSante had left her shaking and concerned. The Assembly and her uncle had warned her that President DeSante was a threat and he had made that clear today. He wanted Acacia and he would stop at nothing to have it.

  Casimir drew her into a hug. “It’s okay. I promise that you’re safe with me. I will not let him harm you.”

  “He trapped me like a rat,” she said.

  “His tactics lack finesse,” Casimir said.

  Iliana approached, typing on her phone with her thumbs. “Serena, I need to talk to you about something.”

  From her tone, it was more bad news or more problems. “Is it Dr. Shaw? Is he okay?” Serena asked.

  “Nothing about Dr. Shaw, but I will call the hospital again and request an update. This is about King Warrington. I heard something that might be a rumor and could hurt you for no reason, but I need you to know. I’ve always been honest with you.”

  Her cousin was reluctant to cause her pain unnecessarily and she understood. “Just tell me, Iliana.” Even if it stung, how bad could it be?

  “The night that Warrington stood you up, the night of the dinner party, he was with his mistress.” Iliana’s breath left in a rush.

  Serena felt as if the air had been sucked from her lungs. She was so angry and frustrated, she wanted to demand that Casimir return her to Acacia. Or if he wouldn’t, she would take the next flight home.

  Iliana touched her forearm. “Did you hear me? Serena, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  Warrington’s mother, Katarina, was strolling down the dock toward her and on the heels of this news, Serena was spoiling for a fight. She felt embarrassed and angry at both DeSante and Warrington, and while it was juvenile, they weren’t around and she wanted to unload o
n someone. “Say nothing of this to anyone. We will discuss it later.”

  Casimir glanced down the dock. “That looks like an unwelcoming party. I’ll see you around the palace?”

  “I hope so,” she said.

  Serena didn’t know Warrington’s plans for her stay. She hoped her time in Rizari included face time with him so they could talk, but given their history, she didn’t expect it. King Warrington seemed keen on presenting a certain front to the people of their countries, but behind closed doors, he was dismissive to her at best.

  Serena climbed onto the dock. Katarina had reached The Buccaneer and was frowning at her. “I see that you didn’t take my advice regarding the company you keep.” She pointed to Casimir’s retreating back.

  She had been holding her tongue and that comment sent her over the edge. “Casimir is my friend. I don’t think you need to be worried about where I spend my time. Perhaps you should speak to your son about where he spends his.”

  To Katarina’s credit, she appeared unfazed. “I do not tell my son what to do.”

  Serena wasn’t ready to back down. “Someone needs to. Because I won’t be second to someone’s mistress.”

  “The king will do as he pleases.”

  “So will the queen.” With that, Serena brushed past her. Her guards and Iliana stayed close. Serena might have burst into tears if not for their support.

  It wasn’t in her character to mouth off to someone. She was accustomed to being polite and quiet. But polite and quiet wasn’t cutting it in these situations. These circumstances called for boldness she didn’t know she had.

  “Was that Warrington’s mother?” Iliana asked when they were out of earshot.

  “Sure was.”

  “She’s a real biddy, isn’t she?”

  “Every time I have spoken to her, which is twice, she’s been like that to me.”

  Iliana made a noise of disgust. “What is in the water today? Everyone is acting crazy.”

  “Let’s hope the day turns around,” Serena said, but had no reason to believe that it would.

  Serena’s guards escorted her and Iliana to the palace. Serena was ushered to a room that was beautiful and the view, while not of the sea, was spectacular. Iliana was given a room nearby.