She stared up into his heated eyes, shocked by the power of his words. “I want you,” she whispered back, startling even herself. “I really want you. Every night, you hold me in your arms and I know we can’t make a sound because noise travels through the night more easily.” She snuggled closer, still watching his eyes. “Don’t for a single moment think that I don’t want exactly the same thing, Jabril.”
He nodded, squeezed her extra hard, and released all but her hand. “Fine,” he grumped. Another nod. “Good!”
Taking a deep breath, he lifted a hand in the air and immediately, his guards re-formed the perimeter. “As soon as your uncle is out of power, we’re going to pick up this conversation and have a more detailed discussion about the issue. Understand?”
She understood that he was growling again, but she grinned up at him, relieved that the unspoken issue was finally being discussed. “Understand,” she replied, mocking his gruff tone. And just to be sassy, she lifted her hand in a mock salute before she headed towards the vehicle again.
He tugged on her hand, spinning her around so that she was plastered against his body again. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Ilara,” he growled low against her ear and kissed her.
She giggled, forgetting about the guards as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. It was only a brief kiss, but it felt good. He tasted good. The world was good and wonderful again!
He released her and everyone piled back into the Jeeps. Heading south, they silently agreed that the next step was definitely the palace.
Chapter 7
The closer they got to the capital city, the more desperate the people and the landscape became. People didn’t seem to be working. They meandered, loitering on the street corners. Ilara even saw a drug deal happen, right out in the open. She wasn’t naïve enough to believe that there hadn’t been drugs around before she’d gone off to study, but she was fairly certain that the illegal activities hadn’t been so blatant!
And why hide it? There were no police officers around! The people wandering around on the street seemed to turn away, pretending the drug deal wasn’t happening. Or perhaps issues like this were so commonplace that it wasn’t a surprise any longer.
Beyond that, trash piled up against the base of buildings and in the dumpsters, spilling out of the trash bins. It seemed as if it had been several weeks since the trash pickup trucks had come through, which meant that everything smelled horrible. Rotting food and human sewage permeated the air, stinking up the streets.
Ilara looked around, shocked and overwhelmed with everything that needed to be fixed. This was a desperately sad state, she thought as Jabril maneuvered the Jeep through the streets. A few heads turned to watch them drive by, but for the most part, no one paid attention to them.
Coffee shops, that had once been places of social gatherings and conversation, were now shuttered, leaving only street vendors selling coffee. But no one was buying. Probably because no one could afford the displayed prices which were about ten times what they should be. Gas pumps were abandoned, which didn’t make sense. Ditra wasn’t an oil exporting country, but there had been enough oil and a small refinery on the coast to energize the country. It was one of the advantages of living here in Ditra – free electricity and cheap gas for cars.
But then again, there were no cars on the road. So, no need for the inexpensive gas that used to drive the country. No markets where the farmers could bring their produce, no boutiques to buy a pretty dress for a weekend gathering.
“This is worse than I’d anticipated,” she whispered through numb lips, unconsciously leaning closer to Jabril.
“We’ll get things cleaned up around here,” he promised, his voice rough and hard with the same emotions that were swamping her.
She squeezed his hand. “I don’t know where to start.”
“First things first,” he began in his most reassuring voice. “Get into the palace and call your high council together. Let them know that you’re married and fully ready to take control of Ditra.”
She pulled her eyes away from the window and the devastation. “Do you think it will work?”
“We will make it work,” he said, his voice grim. “The alternative is military force and no one wins in a war.”
She swallowed her panic, determined to make this work.
They stopped about two miles from the palace and connecting government buildings, pulling into a parking garage that had very few vehicles in it. The cars that were parked there were covered in a layer of dust, indicating that they hadn’t moved in a long time. The eight of them moved up to the highest level of the parking structure and used binoculars to survey the situation.
“You’re not getting in, Your Highness,” the lead guard announced with grim frustration, handing over the binoculars so that she could see.
Ilara took the offered binoculars and looked for herself. Sure enough, there were guards at each of the entry points of the palace, plus more stationed along the ancient stone walls. They were well armed and they didn’t appear to be citizens of Ditra. Not good, she thought.
“I’m going to call in reinforcements,” Jabril announced. He reached into the vehicle and pulled out a map of Ditra with Piara along the border and the ocean framing the other side. “We could…” he spoke to his guards, pointing out strategy. Several guards offered ideas as well and they leaned over the hood of the Jeep, working through the details.
Ilara tuned them out, picking up the binoculars once again. She might have an idea, but she didn’t say anything, trying to work through the details first. She knew of a way. Would it work?
“I might have an alternative,” she announced, which got the attention of Jabril and the guards. Ilara wasn’t aware of the small smile on her features, but as she explained her excitement grew. If she could just….
“Okay, I know what you’re thinking,” she told the men, stepping closer and trying not to think about Jabril’s hand resting warmly against the small of her back. “The guards around the perimeter of the palace are pretty heavy along the walls, but…” she leaned over the map and pulled the satellite image of the palace closer. “Here,” she pointed to the southern end of the palace, where the walls were high and built partly into the hillside. “I’m not exactly sure where it comes out, but there’s a tunnel here that comes out…” she peered at the map, trying to find the entry point. “Looking at the palace from the top down is a lot different from looking at it as a kid coming out.”
“What do you mean?” Jabril demanded.
She concentrated, her tongue peeking between her teeth as she ran her finger along the lines of the palace walls. She could feel his frustration increasing, but concentrated on the satellite images, imagining the terrain in her mind’s eye and comparing it to the satellite images. “You know exactly what I mean, Jabril. I snuck out of the palace as a kid. Regularly in fact. Anything to get away from studying and my nanny’s irritatingly strict rules.”
“How…? You…?”
Ilara snickered at his protective outrage, even as her heart warmed at his concern. “Maybe I should track backwards,” she muttered, thinking out loud, as she ran her finger from her childhood destination back to…. “Here,” she announced, pointing to the building that used to house a candy store with an ice cream shop next to it. “This building was absolutely magical! There was taffy maker that would pull the candy apart and over and under and…well, it was mesmerizing,” she finished with a self-conscious laugh. “And next door,” she slid her finger to the next building, “I loved their cotton candy flavored ice cream.” She cringed, thinking about the super-sweet flavor from her memories. “I wouldn’t eat the stuff on a dare now, but when I was a kid and I had a bit of allowance, this was where I’d go.”
“Ilara, you were…”
She squeezed his arm gently. “I know,” she told him, adding a reassuring smile. “But the tunnel is ancient and not many people knew about it. I was safe.” She turned and looked at the ot
hers. “In fact, the only reason I found it was because I was hiding from my nanny. So…” she paused. “I doubt anyone remembers about the tunnel now. I never told anyone. And I was never discovered coming or going from it, except by my father.”
Jabril pushed the issue of her safety out of his mind…for now. Focusing on the possibilities, he leaned forward. “Okay, so if you walked to this building, where did you come from?”
Everyone leaned forward, following her finger.
“I walked along this road here,” she traced along the map, “and climbed this hill. So, if this was the pathway, then this…” she continued to follow her childhood memories. “Here!” she announced, excited. “This is where the tunnel opens from the palace wall.”
“What if it’s been discovered and closed off?” one of the guards asked.
Ilara nodded. “That’s possible, but we should try it. I just need to get inside the palace. Once there, I can call a meeting of the high council and present my marriage license, proving that I’m married.” She patted the pocket on the side of her leg where the license was stored. “The high council will support me, I’m sure of it.”
Jabril shook his head. “You can’t be sure about anything,” he argued. “I agree that getting into the palace is the first step. But I think we should take a few precautions first.”
Ilara wasn’t sure she liked the gleam in his eye. “What do you have planned?”
Before he could answer, her cell phone rang. “It’s him!” she gasped, seeing her uncle’s name pop up. “Uh oh. It’s time for our usual phone call. We call every week. He says it is to keep me in the loop on what’s going on in case I want to return.”
“Answer it,” he ordered.
She nodded and pressed the answer button. “Hi Uncle Kasim!” she said enthusiastically. “How are you?”
“Good! Good as ever, my dear! How are your clients?” he asked.
“Poor as ever. Thank you for that latest donation to the foundation. That was generous of you.”
“It was my pleasure. But actually, it was your money. It was a donation from Ditra’s government and you are still the next ruler of Ditra.”
She closed her eyes, choosing her words carefully. “We’ve talked about that, Uncle Kasim. You’ve done a better job in Ditra than I ever could,” she told him, bending down as she covered the top of her head. Lying was horrible, but she knew that it had to be done. It was imperative that her uncle not be aware how close she was or what she knew.
“I think you underestimate yourself, dear. You could return and be an excellent ruler. I can have a husband ready and waiting for you. Someone who you can trust.”
She glanced over at Jabril who was watching her intently. “Marry a man I don’t know? Not exactly a good start to a marriage,” she replied, and winked when Jabril’s lips compressed, trying to tell him that she didn’t feel that way about him. He was different. They’d been in Ditra for several days now and she knew with absolute conviction that she could trust him. And maybe even…Ilara didn’t finish that thought. Anything beyond trust with Jabril was just asking for pain and heartache. Trust in a marriage was good. Love was unnecessary.
Even if her heart might be leaning in that direction, but she’d stop that silliness.
“Marriages at our level are political. You know this. It wouldn’t be a true marriage. Just a union that adheres to the law that would enable you to take your rightful place.”
Ilara didn’t like where this conversation was going and decided to change the subject. “So, what’s going on in your world?”
He chuckled softly and Ilara wondered about the sound. He sounded so sincere! These conversations seemed to indicate that he wanted her to rule! Was he truly evil or was there some strange reverse psychology at play? He just didn’t sound like an evil man! A laugh like that should come from someone relaxing with nieces and nephews. Not someone raping the land and people for his own personal profit!
It was hard to separate his kind, encouraging voice from the destruction happening all around her.
For the next several minutes, her uncle discussed several new initiatives that he was trying to convince the high council to initiate. All of them sounded like good plans, ways to encourage small businesses in both the capital city, as well as in the smaller, more rural towns.
“Interestingly,” he began and Ilara knew that she wasn’t going to like his next words. “I heard rumors that you were back in Ditra.” He laughed at the idea. “Someone said that you had been seen in a small northern town.”
Ilara choked back a laugh, which actually worked in her favor. “Huh! What was I doing there?” she asked, thinking that denying her presence would be more suspicious.
She was right. His next comment was preceded by a dismissive laugh. “Someone had the crazy notion that you married that horrible monster from Piara.”
“Wow!” she replied, faking another laugh. “And was I in love with the man?” She continued to stare right back at Jabril, her heart pounding in her chest.
“That’s how I knew that the rumors weren’t true. Everyone said that you were madly in love with the man.” He chuckled again. “What would be your reaction if you ever met Sheik al Mustar?” he asked.
“Sheik al Mustar?” she announced and the guards lifted their heads, staring wide-eyed at her, exactly as Jabril was. “I suspect I’d probably be pretty snide to him. I’m sorry Uncle Kasim, but I don’t like that man. So, if he’s the one you’re thinking I should marry, then I’ll have to pass. I also don’t think Sheik al Mustar would be the passive husband that you’d like me to marry.”
Kasim groaned. “No. He would definitely try and take control of Ditra,” he replied. “The ruler of Piara isn’t a man who could be easily manipulated. But keep in mind to check in with me if you ever do become serious about any man, Ilara. You might have given over the ruling of Ditra to me, but you are still a wealthy woman.”
“I am?” she asked, surprised by that information. “I don’t feel very wealthy, Uncle Kasim.”
He chuckled. “Your father left you a very large sum of money. I’ve invested your money for you and built it up over the past several years, so it’s significant. But your concerns should be for more than just your wealth, my dear. Whatever child you have could potentially be ruler of Ditra in the future. Choose carefully. I don’t plan to marry and have children myself. Your decision not to marry before your twenty-fifth birthday means that you are disqualified from ruling, but any children would still be in the line of succession.”
“You’re right,” she replied, surprised by that revelation. “I hadn’t thought about that.” Jabril was frowning in concern and she wanted to end the call. “I’m glad that you mentioned that. And more proof as to why you’re better suited here. I think I made the right decision to stay in California.”
“You still have a few more weeks to decide,” he cautioned. “If you change your mind, I can have you married within a day and your husband won’t bother you in any way.”
Ilara wrinkled her nose as an image of a passive, weak man popped into her mind. So, even if Ilara had decided to come back and take control, Kasim had figured out a way to control the strings of power. “Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind.” She sighed. “My next client is coming in. I have to go. Thank you, Uncle Kasim.”
“It’s a bit late for a client, isn’t it?”
Ilara cringed, forgetting about the time change. “Yes. This is a special client. They work pretty late most nights, but I’ll be heading home after this meeting.”
“Good girl,” he replied, but she could hear the suspicion in his voice.
Ilara hung up and looked at Jabril. “I forgot about the time change,” she whispered. “I think he suspects something.”
Jabril nodded. “Okay, so we need to move fast.”
She walked over to the map. “I’ll go in here and will…”
Jabril interrupted her. “There’s no way you’re going in alone. We’re coming with you.�
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Ilara sighed. “If you come in armed to the teeth, he’s going to think we’re invading.”
Jabril moved closer. “Honey, we are invading. There was a man sitting outside of your office back in California. I suspect that he was a spy for your uncle and warned him that you’d left your office early that day. I also think that’s why the airport was closed. The number of guards in place around the perimeter of the palace means that your uncle doesn’t want you to get into the palace under any circumstances, unless he has control of you. So no, you’re not going in alone. We’re coming with you. You’re going to need me to confirm our marriage anyway. Also, I believe your high council might be in the palace already.”
Her heart plummeted with that news. “Why? Why would they be in the palace? They have families. They are old men and frail!” Men who had doted on her as a child, brought her candy, told her jokes, and laughed with her. They were kind, wise men her father had chosen for their brilliance at political, economic, and strategic wisdom and experience.
“From what I’ve been able to gather from various sources, I don’t think that they have been allowed to leave the palace, Ilara,” he told her gently, taking her hands comfortingly.
She looked out over the city towards the palace, but without the binoculars, she couldn’t see much. Not from this distance. “We have to hurry,” she said, panic in her voice. “Those men are old and frail, and if he’s treating them as harshly as the people in the city, then they are most likely sick. Besides, they have wives and families! One of them has great grandchildren!”
Resisting the Sheik's Commands (The Diamond Club Book 1) Page 9