“Do you have binoculars at your house?”
“We can probably find some for you.”
“All right. Then let’s go there.”
“I’ll warn you,” Albert Covington cut in, “men from the palace guard came to the cottage yesterday and gave it a thorough search, looking for the two of you, accusing us of harboring fugitives.” He blew out an impatient huff of air, as though the idea was absurd. “Theresa is still putting it back together, so don’t mind the mess.”
“Do you think the men will be back?” Kirk asked, alarmed by his father’s revelation.
“I wouldn’t think so, after they’ve just been here. Still, we should limit our comings and goings. If you can find somewhere else to lie low for a while, I’ll take you there.”
Once they reached the house, Kirk handed Stasi off to his mother before retreating to the small back room where he kept his things. His first objective was to get in touch with whoever might be on his side from the royal guard. Jason and Linus had come to his rescue at the pier, ultimately helping him get away from Viktor Bosch’s men with nothing more than a cracked rib. And Galen had let them reach the helicopter on the guard station roof in exchange for a black eye.
Based on the sacrifices they’d made on his behalf, Kirk felt he could trust those three men. And perhaps they knew of more sympathizers to the throne. Jason and Linus had been intent on learning more about the attacks—perhaps they would have information to share. Kirk was determined to learn what he could, and waste no more time in doing so.
His father had picked up a TracFone and passed it along to him. The number couldn’t be traced to them. It might not be a perfectly secure line, but Kirk only needed to reach them and arrange to meet—and he could accomplish that without any mention that might tip off a listener to where they were, or who was with him.
Three phone calls later, Kirk opened his door to find Stasi standing in the cottage hall, right hand raised as though to knock, a pair of binoculars in her left hand.
“There are too many trees to see the castle from here.” She grabbed his hand. “We’ll have to circle around the grounds.”
Kirk wasn’t convinced her plan was prudent. “Why is it so important that we find out who’s in your room? It seems dangerous to leave the cottage unless we absolutely have to.”
“Someone tried to have my family killed. Now there’s a person in my room—and your mother has assured me that she left all the royal suites locked. No one has any right to be in there.” Stasi looked at him imploringly. “This might be our chance to catch whoever’s been breaking into my room—whoever barricaded me in there the day of the ambush.”
“Can’t we ask one of my parents to take a look?”
“From the glimpse I got when we passed by in the car, it looked as though they had opened my locked jewelry armoire. I need to see what they’re messing with.” Stasi pulled him down the hall toward the back door.
“So this is about jewelry?”
Stasi stopped short and spun around. Kirk nearly smashed into her, and got a very close-up look at the sparks that flashed in her eyes as she snapped at him. “I would think that our adventures over these past few days would have convinced you of the critical role jewelry can play in the rise and fall of empires. Somebody’s after the—”
Holding up a hand to stop her before she could say the word scepter, Kirk realized how the words he’d spoken must have sounded. “I am convinced. I agree that whatever’s going on with your jewelry is critical to sorting out the rest of what our enemies are after. But I’m also convinced that the intrigues surrounding those jewels is dangerous. We’ve nearly gotten captured or killed several times on account of all this jewelry. We need to err on the side of caution.”
“Of course I plan to be cautious.” Stasi’s features softened. “That’s why I bothered to bring you with me instead of going alone.”
Her smart little smile sent his heart rate rocketing as they darted from the back door to the nearest trees, ducking into the woods that ran along the back wall of the castle. She lifted the binoculars to her eyes a few times, but seemed dissatisfied, and insisted on venturing farther for a better view.
With Stasi’s attention focused on the castle windows, Kirk stayed alert to any difficulties on the ground. Queen Elaine had never allowed guard dogs on the same property as her children, but the royal guards had always roamed the perimeter of the royal estate. And Kirk had every reason to believe that Viktor Bosch, head of the royal guard, had only stepped up his security now that the royal family was gone—not to keep them safe, but to keep them out.
They reached a spot where the sloping ground rose higher, and Stasi finally seemed satisfied with the view. But her contented sigh quickly turned into a yelp of displeasure.
“Shh,” Kirk placed a hand on her shoulder and tried to silence her. He hadn’t seen any sign of trouble, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t close on their heels.
“It’s a man. He has my jewelry armoire open.” Stasi whispered harshly and cranked the dial on the binoculars. “If I can just get a clearer picture—”
“Let me try.” Kirk pulled the binoculars from her hands and looked through them as he adjusted the picture. He cringed when he saw the figure inside. “Viktor Bosch!”
Stasi made a face. “That explains how he got into my locked room. The head of the royal guard has keys to everything. Do you think he’s been searching for the scepter?”
“I don’t know exactly where he fits into all this, but I’m sure he’s never liked me—at least not since your brother’s disappearance.”
“Do you suppose he’s working for the generals?”
“Or he and the generals are working for 8.”
A beam of headlights cut through the trees as Kirk spoke. He took Stasi’s hand and pulled her back in the direction of his parents’ cottage. “We’ve seen enough. Let’s get moving.”
He watched as the car pulled around to the back side of the palace, nearing his parents’ cottage. Was someone on to them? After them?
The vehicle came to a stop, and so did Kirk, pulling Stasi close against him as he ducked behind a tree, peeking past the crook of a branch as the car doors opened and two large, masculine figures stepped out.
Stasi’s hands gripped his shirt. “If we have to run, which way will we go?”
“I’m not sure.” Kirk swallowed, his eyes trained on the shadows of the men’s faces. The dark night didn’t give him much to go on.
He trained the binoculars on the men just as the pair passed into the relative glow of a distant yard light.
“Linus and Jason.” Kirk’s shoulders sagged with relief. “They arrived much sooner than I expected them.” Though he was glad to see them, at the same time, Kirk couldn’t help but wonder what had fueled their urgency. Good news? No, good news could usually wait.
“Let’s find out what they know. And pray it’s good news.” Stasi gave his hand a squeeze, and Kirk met her eyes. The same fear he felt was reflected there.
“Jason thinks we should meet somewhere else,” Linus informed them as they ducked inside the cottage. “We’ve got more men on our side, but we can’t risk meeting here, not right under everyone’s nose.”
“My family has a house in the country they rent out to tourists. It can accommodate twenty people overnight,” Jason explained. “The folks who had it reserved for this week canceled their trip because of the ambush, so it’s currently vacant. It’s close to town, but on an underused lane with plenty of trees.” He explained to Kirk how to find the spot.
“We’ll leave in separate cars, ten minutes apart,” Kirk decided. “Have the others meet us there. Is there room for my parents, as well?”
“Of course.”
Half an hour later, eight of them sat around the large table at the co
untry house, the curtains drawn, their heads bent low as they caught each other up on what they’d learned. Stasi helped Kirk’s mother set out the impromptu meal of bread and cheese that Theresa had insisted on bringing along. The woman had also brought a cooler of food for breakfast—a reminder to Stasi of the talented woman’s gifts for household management, that served her family in good times and bad.
“Viktor Bosch still has a price on your head, but only if you’re brought in alive,” Linus informed Kirk as he passed a heaping plate of artisan bread among them. “He’s tripled the reward in the last three days.”
When the guard quoted the purse, Kirk let out a low whistle. “The two of you could turn me in and retire comfortably far from here.”
“And leave our country to chaos and ruin?” Jason scoffed. “I took a vow to protect the crown. So did you. As long as we’re both working on the same side, I would no sooner betray you than I would Her Highness.” He tipped his head to Stasi.
She returned a tense smile. “Your loyalty to my family will not go unnoticed—by the crown, or, I’m afraid, our enemies. I cannot guarantee our eventual victory. You may be rewarded for your efforts, or if the insurgents take control, you may be punished.”
“That’s a chance I’m willing to take,” Jason assured her. “And there are many more in Lydia who feel the same way. We have not remained a Christian nation for nearly two millennia just to give it all away now.”
“I hope you’ll still feel that way when you learn how long our enemies’ reach really is.” Kirk began filling Jason and Linus in on what they’d learned—not only of Viktor’s presence in Stasi’s boudoir, but of the generals’ conspiracy with the mysterious 8.
“According to what I’ve learned about this 8,” Stasi explained, “he’s made an agreement with my father for royal power. I don’t understand the extent of it, but that’s why my sister, Isabelle, got engaged to that awful Greek billionaire, and why Thad went into hiding.” Stasi sorted out the facts as she spoke, and then blushed terribly, realizing she’d given away the fact that Thad was alive.
Both of the guards realized immediately what she’d done.
“So he is alive.” Jason grinned.
“I never believed you killed him.” Linus backed up his friend.
“He’s only managed to stay alive because everyone thinks he’s dead,” Kirk reminded them, a steel-like glint in his eyes. “No word of his survival can leave this room. He must be kept secret and safe at all costs. If all else fails, he may be Lydia’s last hope.”
Linus nodded and stood. “All else has not yet failed. Though our resistance may be small, I’m convinced we have more sympathizers than have yet been willing to speak up.” He sliced off another slab of cheese.
“I appreciate that,” Kirk continued. “We’ll need every man we can get before this is over, I’m afraid. Do you men know the latest on where Parliament stands?”
Jason passed his plate for more cheese. “The news coming from the Hall of Justice says Parliament is focused on reaching a compromise between the various contenders for the throne. The idea I’ve heard proposed is that all the descendants of Lydia who have any legal claim to the throne would rule together on some kind of board until the rightful ruler can be identified. That way, they’re not crowning anyone who’s not supposed to be crowned, but they’re still following the law that insists the monarchy must be led by a descendent of Lydia.”
“What’s your source?” Linus challenged his friend. “The city is rife with rumors. I’d hate to act based on a half truth.”
When Jason shrugged, Kirk’s lips made a firm line, and he draped one arm over Stasi’s shoulder. “We’ve got to have accurate information before we can do anything. We can’t stick our heads up over some rumor.”
“Like that rumor that there’s something between you two?” Mischief sparkled in Jason’s eyes. “I suppose there’s nothing to that?”
Kirk pulled back his hands from around Stasi’s shoulder, and felt all the more guilty when he saw the bright blush that colored her cheeks.
Linus laughed. “Thad was right all along, then. He always said he’d never give his little sister to any other man.”
Jason chuckled, as well. “What was it he used to call you, Kirk?”
“Nothing,” Kirk cut him off. “Nothing that’s relevant right now. We’ve got a crown to restore and a country to save. Let’s focus on that.”
“We know what we know.” Linus stood and stretched. “Jason and I will keep our ears to the ground for this 8 fellow. If Parliament makes a decision on the ruling council idea, we’ll do whatever we can to back up Her Highness. In the meantime, we’re off to round up more men.”
Jason followed his friend to the door. “Chin up, Your Highness. You’ve got faithful servants in this nation yet.”
The men ducked out in darkness and Kirk closed the door, locking it after them. When he turned back to the kitchen, he found his parents and the other men had left the room to settle into guest bedrooms, and Stasi cleared the rest of the dishes from the table by herself.
“I’m sorry if their jibes embarrassed you. I had no idea—”
Stasi looked up from setting plates in the sink, and tears twinkled in her eyes.
He reached for her instinctively, but she took a step back.
“Your Highness?”
“I’ve told myself a hundred times to leave you behind.” Emotion reduced her voice to a whisper, and Kirk had to step closer just to be sure he heard her clearly.
She continued. “You’re injured, Kirk. Bosch has got you associated with me. Still, I thought if I pretended there was nothing between us, then I could keep you from getting sucked down with me. But my pretending isn’t fooling anyone, is it?”
Kirk’s heart thumped so hard inside him he could hardly make out her strained words. “I’m not getting sucked down,” he protested, torn between reaching for her again and letting her stand there uncomforted while she cried. “My injuries are not your fault.”
She turned away as he reached for her, and he let his hand fall to his side again.
“You’re a good man, Kirk Covington. A far better friend than I deserve. But this isn’t your battle.”
“It is my battle. I took a vow—”
“Please, keep your distance from me. For your own safety.”
Kirk’s stomach knotted. “No. You’re tired. We’re both jet-lagged. Get some sleep and we can discuss this in the morning.”
Stasi nodded and took a few steps in the direction of her guest room. Before she reached the door to the small private suite, she looked back at him again. “What did Thad call you?”
For a moment, Kirk considered telling her, but realized that would likely only make the situation worse. He shook his head.
“Was it the same as your code name?”
“Yes.”
“Why won’t you tell me?”
“It doesn’t change anything. It was a childish tease. There’s nothing to be gained by sharing it.”
With sad eyes, she gave him a long look before ducking into the room and closing the door after her.
Kirk headed to his room at the other end of the guest house, past his parents’ bedroom door, where a dim light shone from under the crack of the door, indicating they were still awake and likely rehashing the evening’s discussion.
Exhausted, Kirk left them to their conversation, and set about getting ready for bed with a heavy heart. He needed his sleep. The situation in Lydia had been building, and he felt as though it was gearing up for a showdown. Anything could happen the next day, and most likely would.
And in spite of her push to keep him away, Kirk had no intention of letting Stasi face it alone.
FOURTEEN
Jason’s country guest house
swarmed with activity when Stasi emerged from her suite the next morning. A cluster of men in soldier’s uniforms had their heads bent over the coffee table, the television blaring a newscast just beyond them.
Linus and Jason had returned with backup and occupied the table with open laptops and a scattering of papers. Stasi also recognized Galen, his black eye already mellowed to a dull yellow-green.
Glad as she was that she’d taken the time to shower and dress in her en suite bathroom before emerging, Stasi couldn’t help wondering what she’d missed.
“What’s this floor plan belong to?” She looked over the shoulders of the men to the blueprints that occupied the center of the table.
“The Hall of Justice,” Kirk answered from near the coffee pot. “Parliament has issued a call for all those with a claim to the throne to sign an agreement to rule together by consensus until the rightful ruler can be found.” He held out a fresh mug to her. “Coffee?”
Stasi let out a long breath. “Coffee would be great. What are the terms? I’m not signing anything I haven’t thoroughly read.”
“It’s sixteen pages.” Kirk handed her a sheaf of papers and the steaming mug. “Would you like cream or sugar?” His eyes met hers over the mug, and Stasi saw lingering sadness there.
She paused, for a moment forgetting whatever they’d been discussing as his fingers brushed hers in the passing of the cup. Part of her wanted to take back what she’d said the night before. But another louder part shouted for her to make him sign an agreement to stay far away from the danger that followed her everywhere.
“No cream or sugar,” she said finally. “It’s not a cream or sugar sort of day, is it?”
As he stepped back, Kirk gave her a wink.
Stasi felt her stomach dovetail. “And what about the soldiers in the living room?”
“Isabelle gave us a name—Sergio Cana. The others are his trusted allies.”
Stasi nodded, remembering. The soldier was a friend of her brother Alexander, and had helped Isabelle and Levi more than once in the past week. “But what are they doing here?”
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