“NO!” a shaky voice called out. “I am Amistad Jacoby, King of Jarisa.” A collective gasp rose as a grey haired man came around the far corner of the palace. A cheer went up as the King was recognized.
Sartish guards beat the supporters back into submission, their blows echoing in the afternoon air. While Mosaba was distracted by the arrival of Jacoby, Shanks quickly stepped up two more steps. Nica watched him from her aerial perch. Why was he getting closer to that mad man?
Mosaba’s expression changed to one of sardonic amusement as he regarded the Jarisan King. “I was told you were dead, Jacoby.” He carelessly waved a hand. “But it doesn’t matter. Your reign ends today, regardless.” Mosaba jerked the rope around Jaaniyah’s neck and pulled her closer to him, using her body almost like a shield. “There’s still time to make you dead.”
“Release my daughter now and I’ll let you live,” Jacoby said in a steadier voice. “My soldiers are waiting for my command to destroy your meager troops. Let’s not have any more bloodshed.”
Nica watched Shanks. He was coiled like a spring, waiting—waiting for the perfect opportunity to save Jaaniyah and kill Mosaba. She would provide Shanks the distraction he needed. She crept along the top of the stone wall until she was clear of the tree branches and visible to all.
She slowly stood up.
“FATHER,” Nica yelled. Mosaba and Jacoby both jerked their heads toward her. Even at this distance she could feel the obsessive weight of Mosaba’s glare. “Mosaba, I don’t speak to you. YOU ARE FATHER TO NO ONE BUT THE DEVIL!” The rage she’d held inside for so long came boiling out, amplifying her voice. “YOU WILL GET YOUR JUST DUE—” For that split-second she held Mosaba’s full attention. Shanks’ arm begin to move and he released the dagger with a flick of his wrist— “DEATH!”
As her words sank in, Mosaba’s eyes jerked back to Shanks. Jaaniyah yanked herself to the right as the blade flew through the air to sink neatly into the middle of Mosaba’s chest. A second later a second dagger, thrown by Sebande, landed in almost exactly the same spot.
Silence fell over the courtyard as Mosaba’s expression twisted into a look of abject shock. He opened his mouth as if to speak but instead fell forward and landed face down on the steps at Shanks and Sebande’s feet.
“LONG LIVE THE KING OF JARISA!” Shanks shouted as brown-coated Jarisan soldiers poured into the courtyard. He pumped his fist in the air then turned to face Nica, who stood on the wall and pumped his fist again. “LONG LIVE THE KING’S DAUGHTERS!”
ica sat on the edge of the window seat and waited. She held up the looking glass one more time trying to see what her father would see.
There was a knock. Nica jumped to her feet and hurried through the antechamber to pull the door open. Shanks stood there, trim and strong, dressed in the finery of a Jarisan soldier. His dark brown coat embroidered with rich gold thread was in sharp contrast to the white of his breeches and the blackness of his tall boots. His razor thin sabre hung from his side. His blond hair was tied behind his head with a piece of leather, revealing the strong cut of his jaw line and the sculpted lines of his face. Nica appraised him with glowing eyes.
“You look beautiful.” They spoke at the same time, then laughed together.
Nica covered her mouth as she giggled, feeling as light as a bubble floating on air. With Mosaba’s death she was truly free for the first time in her life.
Shanks stepped forward and made a sweeping bow before her. “M’lady, you strike intelligent thoughts from my head with your amazing beauty.” His eyes soaked in every detail of her appearance, from the tiny braids pulled away from her face to the curls cascading down her back. He reached out and ran a gentle finger along her cheekbone. “Nica, you take my breath away,” he said softly. His eyes burned into hers with an intensity that he didn’t try to hide.
Nica looked down and fingered a button on his jacket. “Take your breath away?” she said with a coy smile. “Sir, are you suggesting that I should bathe more often?”
“It would make no difference.” He shook his head. “Your beauty shines from within.” He leaned forward and kissed her with a passion that engulfed her. Nica melted against him but he pulled away.
“Shall we go meet your father?”
She bit her lower lip and nodded. Extending his arm, Shanks escorted her from the room. As they walked down the hallway he nodded to a well-dressed couple who in turn dropped into a bow and curtsy for Nica’s benefit.
“I wonder if they think I’m Jaaniyah,” she whispered, casting a quick glance over her shoulder.
“Possibly, but not for much longer. Soon you will be known to all of Jarisa as Juneedika.” Shanks smiled and gently kissed her forehead. “You know, Jacoby told me about that day in Sartis when he saw you—he wasn’t sure if he was seeing you in the afterlife or if you both lived. But he knew it was you. And he said he gave a prayer of thanks.”
Nica’s lips trembled as she gave him a wobbly smile. It was still a new sensation to have people care about her.
Shanks tilted his head to look into her face. “Do you know the meaning of the name Juneedika?”
Nica shook her head. “I know it’s the name of a Jarisan deity, one of the Ancients.”
“And so it is. Juneedika was the daughter of Saphren, the King of Kings. Her name means ‘greatest gift’.” He smiled at Nica. “Aptly named, I would say.”
They stopped in front of a set of huge double doors. “I’ll bring you in and introduce you, then wait out here for your return.”
“I’m so nervous,” Nica whispered, clutching his hands.
“The King is a kind and good man. He loves you, Nic. You’ll be proud to have him as your father.”
Shanks pulled the big door open. “After you, M’lady,” he said with a bow.
Nica’s knees trembled as she walked into the grand room. Windows stretched high, making the room light and airy, nurturing huge pots of tropical plants which flourished in the corners. Overhead, a rounded vault was painted with intricate detail and crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, sparkling in the afternoon light like stars in the heavens.
At the far end of the room, sitting in a wash of light from the windows, sat a solitary figure. Nica clutched Shanks’ arm as he walked steadily through the room to stop in front of the man. Shanks bowed low and Nica dropped into a curtsy. A grimace of pain shot across the older man’s face as he pushed himself out of the chair. Shanks released Nica to reach forward and assist him.
Nica stared. This man looked nothing like the disheveled bloody wreck she’d seen fettered in Mosaba’s castle yard outside the stables. When he stood to his full height he was nearly as tall as Shanks, with equally broad shoulders, thick arms and a commanding air. His grey hair swept back from his face in waves and his beard was neatly trimmed. She’d never seen a more regal man. But it was his eyes she noticed most. Almond-shaped with a kind twinkle, they were the exact shade of grey as hers.
“Juneedika.” The King breathed her name and held his hands out to her.
Nica stepped forward, hoping he wouldn’t be able to feel her trembling. His warm fingers enveloped hers and she realized for once, she wasn’t afraid.
“My little girl,” he whispered.
To Nica’s surprise a tear ran down his face. He didn’t wipe it away. Instead he swept her into his embrace, his breath warm against her hair. She could feel his body shake with emotion and tears welled up in her eyes. For once, her hope didn’t frighten her. She was safe, secure.
“Jonn, stay.” Jacoby’s voice was firm, stopping Shanks’ attempted departure from the room. The King released Nica from his embrace but held on to one of her hands as he sat back down. “Pull up chairs for both of you, would you lad, we have much to discuss.”
IT WAS MANY hours later when Shanks escorted Nica away from the boisterous noise of the festivities that had introduced her as Jaaniyah’s twin sister and Princess of Jarisa. They escaped from the Great Hall and went outside to take a moonlit str
oll among the gardens. A contented sigh escaped her lips as they walked.
“Do you think Becknah will really destroy the Getheas Stone?” Nica asked.
Shanks laughed and shook his head. “Not a chance. Now that Mosaba is dead, I think Becknah feels he has a little more time to study the legend—like the rest of his life.” Shanks pulled Nica’s hand up to rest on the crook of his elbow. He gazed at her. “How are you feeling now that the world knows of you?”
“Overwhelmed and excited, and a little bit scared,” Nica replied. “So many things I can’t even begin to describe them all.” She leaned her head against his shoulder and held his muscled arm as she smiled up at him. “But mostly happy.”
“As you should be,” he said gently. “You’re home now.”
“And what of you, Shaunte DeGran?” Nica whispered, “Are you home as well?”
“Whenever I’m with you I’m home,” he said with a teasing smile.
“That’s no answer.” Nica frowned at him. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about your mother. You’ve never spoken of her.”
He feigned a gasp. “You want to know more of my secrets?” He raised an eyebrow as his fingers swept a blond strand of hair behind her ear. “You are a nosy little thing, aren’t you?” He kissed her on the cheekbone, his touch as fragile as a butterfly’s wings as his lips moved down to the hollow below her ear. “Beautiful, but very nosy,” he murmured.
“Shaun.” Nica put her hands on his chest to push him away but found she didn’t have the will. “It’s not fair. You know more about me than I do and yet—you’ve told me next to nothing about yourself.” She cupped his face with a gentle grip. “You’ve got to trust me with your secrets sometime.”
He looked at her, his jaw set with a guarded expression, but Nica didn’t get the sense he was angry. More that he was fighting himself to reveal personal information he’d kept hidden for too long. Fighting to trust her.
“You’re sworn to secrecy?”
“I’ll never tell,” she promised. “Not even the day I die.”
Shanks chuckled, his amused expression back in place. “I think that should be sufficient.” He tucked her hand up under his arm and began to stroll again. “My mother was a pirate.” There was a hint of bitterness in his words. “Just like my father.”
“A pirate?” Nica repeated in disbelief. “You mother was a pirate?” She searched his face but his expression was blank, his secrets carefully guarded. “Tell me about her.”
Shanks smiled as he bent his head to kiss her. “No,” he murmured. “That’s a story for another day.”
Thanks for reading THE MIDNIGHT SPY! If you enjoyed this story you might consider posting a positive review online at one of the locations listed below for others to see and learn of the series! This is, in part, what allows authors to be able to continue to publish stories!
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Thank you!
Kiki Hamilton
July 3rd, 2015
Look for Book Two in The Midnight Spy Series:
LIAR, THIEF, PIRATE, SPY
coming Fall 2016 from Fair Wind Books!
The Midnight Spy Page 31