“Blind?” Sheikh Aayan croaked.
“Yes, for a short period of time. I have already informed your friend, Sheikh Zoraib that you wish an audience with him regarding the matter with Ellena. Whenever he recovers from his surgery, imagine what he will find when his men usher him into the palace. This time next week, Durabia will be under Nadaumian rule. Do you believe your good friend—one you were only too willing to sacrifice my wife to his prurient desires—will return the favor by giving your kingdom back to you when you resurface? I think not.”
Sheikh Aayan’s jaw hung open. “You would leave us vulnerable to him this way?”
“It’s better than leaving you dead.”
“My son—”
“Do not call me that,” Kamran snapped. “Ever.”
“Why would you not take the kingdom for yourself?” he squawked, his arms outstretched. “I will … I will relinquish my crown.”
“Father.” Salman stepped forward. “Do not do this. Let me have the crown. I will do away with him and all of these non-believers. We still have control of the assets, everything.”
“It is too late for that,” Kamran said, and the thought filled him with sadness. The chemicals were already seeping in from the air vents.
“I am leaving. This place will be too much for my wife and children to endure.”
“Then appoint someone,” Aayan pleaded. “But please do not leave us so vulnerable that we lose everything, this palace, our homes—all of it.”
“Appoint someone?” Kamran’s bland expression gave no clue to his thoughts.
“Father, I beg of you do not do this,” Umar croaked, until Aayan shut him down with a gesture.
“Kamran, leave someone in your stead,” Aayan commanded, ignoring all of the panicked expressions and utterances from his other sons. He stepped down from the platform. “My word to Allah that the one you choose will receive all access to everything needed to run the kingdom until you see fit to restore it under your rule.”
Ellena met Kamran’s eyes, then smiled as she lowered her gaze to their joined hands. Her gaze slid to the empty space on his right.
Kamran looked at her for a moment to ascertain the message she was trying to get across to him. Then she reached out, stroking a whisper soft touch on what seemed to be nothing but air. He smiled as it dawned on him, and o he said, “Very well. I choose … Khalil Germaine Maharaj.”
Everyone gasped. Sheikh Aayan turned several shades of red, then the palette went in the totally opposite direction and he went pale. A Maharaj—an East Indian line of Maharaj on the throne was sacrilege!
Khalil slowly became visible to everyone in the room. “Have you lost your mind? I was pushed out of my family for not wanting this very thing. This unhealthy competition with his father and mine. Cost me years with my wife and children.”
Kamran said, “You wish to make a difference in the world. Start here, where you can be the most impactful. Do not talk about it, be about it.”
Even the Kings grimaced at that one.
“He does have a point,” Hiram said, grinning.
Khalil’s expression was nothing short of stunned. “Who have you been hanging around?”
“One guess.” He glanced over his shoulder at the Kings, then his gaze slid to his own biological brothers. “Salman, Amir, Laraib, Nadeem, Umar, my uncles, and their wives must pay for the crimes committed against my wife.” A sneer lifted Kamran’s lips. “Personally, losing their sight permanently would be fair and just, leaving them to rely on others for everything. That is fitting.” He moved closer to his father. “You gave your word to Allah. That means you must follow through.”
Khalil, flanked by the Kings and Knights, glided toward the throne, but hesitated several moments before he claimed the seat. “I will serve as interim ruler until you are ready to take your place here, Kamran.”
“I do not—”
“Kamran, you will take your place here,” Khalil insisted, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “There is no greater person to create reform here in Durabia, than a king with the heart, compassion, and the wisdom to lead the way.” Khalil allowed his hands fall by his side. “But with your permission, I will clean house and implement a system where all of the Nationals are in line with becoming productive members of your kingdom. Trust me on that.”
Epilogue
Ellena stared through the wall of glass, oblivious to her surroundings. She was beautiful and serene in a loose, white tunic that complemented her radiant skin.
Beyond the plate glass, the tranquil blue waters were hypnotic and flowed from the Jumillah Hotel, to the palace and beyond, then spread out and around central downtown.
Kamran settled on the love seat next to Ellena, hating the faraway look in her eyes. Her experience in Nadaum had damaged her soul. The very thing she feared had happened, and he’d been powerless to protect her.
The entire horrific incident made Kamran understand that unless he moved Durabia in a direction where women and people of all ethnic backgrounds were accepted, the country would not transform to a place where his own wife had nothing to fear. And it would not be a place that his children had nothing to fear.
Kamran stroked the back of his hand down the side of her face and watched as her mouth bloomed into a wide smile. “Are you okay, my love?”
Ellena gazed into his eyes and said, “I am perfectly all right.”
He leaned in and ran his tongue across her lips before capturing them in a passionate kiss. He ended their sensuous interlude, saying, “And it is my job to keep you that way.”
And he meant it. Kamran would focus his energy on grooming his nephew Hassan, and also calling forth other members of the Maharaj family who had left Durabia because of its harsh laws and standing on various matters. He planned to make things right. But first, he would help restore his beloved’s equilibrium. For days, she would not let their children out of her sight. Even Saba, and the nannies had to keep them in whatever room Ellena happened to be in at the moment.
Since her return, Ellena had taken to sleeping in the open courtyard of the palace, surrounded by guards, with sheer curtains the only barrier between her and the outside world.
Kamran joined her there every night. No way would he spend those moments away from his beloved if it could be helped. Only this week, had she slowly made her way back to being in their bedroom or any enclosed place. He did not second guess her fears, he only knew they existed and despaired that she would ever be able to put them in the shadows, where they belonged.
Her reaction filled Kamran with sadness and made him reflect on his life here, his family’s actions, his father’s politics, and their place in the world. He had caught no end of backlash because a Black woman now sat on the throne of a Middle Eastern country—unheard of in this day and time and for centuries before now. Despite everything, he would not change this for the world. Ellena was the woman who had his heart and the one he needed by his side.
He folded her hand in his and squeezed to get her attention. When she shifted toward him, he gave her a half-smile. “You know how I have always said you are a gift to me that I would not return unopened?”
She dipped her head in acknowledgement, but focused on the river. “I remember.”
“Well, you are more to me than that.”
A beautiful smile lit her face. “Yes, my love. You know I feel the same way about you.”
Now, he realized her value was immeasurable. Those moments where she defied his father came to mind more often these days. She expressed so much wisdom that he could find guidance in shifting Durabia in the right direction—a direction where people didn’t squander their wealth or talents. A direction where women did not have to fear or tamp down on their gifts to make men feel good about themselves. Those daily discussions with Khalil highlighted many positives, as well.
The Kings of the Castle had been a bond of brotherhood that Kamran never realized would be the very thing to help chart how Durabia would advance in the fut
ure. All of his American brothers, from various ethnic backgrounds and religions, were working together for the good of the communities where they were raised in America, and now here in Durabia. They were a prime example of unity, integrity, and determination. Thoughts of establishing provinces to allow the same process to uplift local communities, meant Durabians, the Kings, Knights, Queens, and Ellena’s family would play a major part in making this the metropolis Ellena had mentioned last year. And since Durabia was not a military focused country, he had already contracted with Calvin Atwood to develop a defense system to protect Durabia from its new enemies.
As much as he had insisted on Khalil remaining at the helm, the older man continuously brought Kamran in for consults on major decisions. More frequently, of late, he also hinted that it was time for Kamran to take his rightful place on the throne. Kamran was in no hurry. He couldn’t be a great king until he was certain he was an even better husband. Ellena needed him more than anyone else did right now. The children did not seem as affected, but only time would show the truth.
Another thing he believed would make Ellena happy was figuring out a way to navigate her sister’s legal troubles and bring her to Durabian soil. Unpacking that whole process for Amanda McCoy would take some time, and he might even have to do something not quite legal to extract her from the clutches of that Mississippi justice system. Thankfully, Christian and Blair were further along in their plans to come. Having more family around her would give Ellena a sense of peace. At least, he hoped that would be the case.
“Beloved,” he said, trying to snatch her from her thoughts. “You need me to take over the little ones for a while?”
Ellena chuckled and answered, “So you’re going to do a little babysitting?”
“Yes, to give you a break, knowing that I’m here.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. “I worry about what those men did to you and the way they have held your mind hostage.”
She gripped his hand and returned the gesture. “All this, because they wanted the throne. No one should have that much power over another.”
“Sadly, it exists,” he countered. “The issue is the person wielding that power. If they aren’t coming from a righteous or spiritual place, then that power can be misused and corrupted. I want to put things in place that will probably make the neighboring countries a little upset.”
“You mean, more upset than the possibility of me being on the throne?”
“That’s not a possibility,” he countered. “It is an absolute certainty.”
Ellena averted her gaze to their conjoined hands. “Are you sure you want to be at odds with all of those countries Durabia has been aligned with all of these years? I don’t need to be queen. I just want to be your wife.”
“The two are mutually inclusive. You are my wife and my beloved. I just so happen to be the ruling Sheikh of Durabia, and by default, that makes you Sheikh. And that is that.” He nodded as though that was the end of the conversation.
“And you think that I, being in this position, can contribute in some significant way?”
“My love, we cannot effect change, unless we, in any capacity, are able to shift the dynamics of how women and people of color, are viewed in my country. That is the change I would like to see here.” He inhaled deeply, focused on the dreams for his kingdom. “All this time, in my visions it was always about making this the wealthiest place in the world. It was about economy and finance. The true wealth is establishing a place where people are accepted and appreciated for who they are and what they contribute. Everyone will play a vital part here. It is time that Durabia reflects that. It starts with you and me.”
She embraced him and the sigh that escaped her lips was filled with weariness.
He held her closer to absorb it into himself. Seconds later, he kissed her forehead, then whispered, “I wish there was something I could do to take away your sadness.”
“I think you misunderstand,” she protested. “I’m not sad because of what happened to me.”
Kamran flinched and his gaze bored into hers. “Then what?” He shook his head. “No, I do not understand.”
After a heartfelt sigh, Ellena said, “I took the lives of all those men.”
“In self-defense,” he protested.
Shaking her head, she said, “True, but they didn’t hurt me.”
Kamran tilted her chin so he could look directly into her eyes. “They would have kept you bound and imprisoned if you had not participated in your own rescue.”
“I should have known help was coming.” With a hand to his jaw, she added, “That you would send them for me.”
“If I didn’t have so many guns pointed at my head, then I would have been on one of Daron’s contraptions, riding in to save the day.”
She gave him a smile that warmed his soul. “Knight in shining armor and all that.”
“I do not know about this knight thing,” he said with a shrug. “But I think King has a better ring to it.”
Silence fell between them, then in a thoughtful tone, Kamran said, “Every day that I visit my family in that far off part of the palace—watching them flounder and find their way, at the mercy of everyone else’s kindness—you don’t know how close I’ve come to just ending it all.”
Ellena gasped and leaned away from him. “You don’t mean … killing them?”
He gave her a long, hard look. Yes, he meant exactly that. Their punishment was much too light.
“You should talk to me about these things,” she said, laying her head against his broad chest. “Not let them fester and take up space in your heart.”
Kamran pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I do not need you to be responsible for managing my anger. Not when I need to be fully present in your pain.”
“No, my love,” she whispered, cupping his face in her hands. “You cannot surrender to the darkness. That is their playground. We are not those people.”
“What they did to you and my children was unthinkable,” he said through his teeth.
In that moment, he identified the obstacle that kept him from accepting the full mantle of rulership. His anger was an entity unto itself—and he could not be fair-minded if he couldn’t release it. What Ellena said made sense. Healing and forgiveness would take time, but with her help, he’d achieve both.
“That is true,” she said in a low tone. “They let the darkness rule them. And if I am going to be queen, then the first command is that I will hold space for you in your anger and you will hold the same for my pain. We will get through this together.”
Kamran wiped the tears streaming down her face as he held her, never wanting to let her go. Gently, he stroked her hair and after several minutes went by, sensed that her mood had shifted. He pulled away to meet her gaze. “You know, you never did tell me where you hid—”
“No, I didn’t,” she said, laughing as her eyes twinkled with mischief. “Did I?”
* * *
Don’t miss the hot new standalone series, Knights of the Castle. The Kings of the Castle made them family, but the Knights will transform the world.
* * *
Book 1 - King of Durabia – Naleighna Kai
* * *
When the reward for a good deed results in a gracious offer of marriage, all Ellena Kiley wants to do is throw that “prize” back into that proverbial sea which has “plenty of fish.”
Kamran, the handsome and wealthy former Crown Prince of Durabia, realizes he has a secret weapon in a fiery, sultry American and is unwilling to let such a wonderful gift escape his grasp. Ellena is the sister of the Kings of the Castle and right-hand woman to Dro Reyes and their whirlwind courtship puts other forces in play, thrusting this unlikely couple into the center of a nefarious plot to ensure Kamran never regains his former position, or the favor of the Sheikh. He has no choice but to bring in the Kings, knowing that when her nine American brothers storm into Durabia, nothing in Kamran’s kingdom will ever be the same.
* * *
&
nbsp; Book 2 - Knight of Bronzeville – Naleighna Kai
* * *
Chaz Maharaj’s perfect marriage to Susan is based on a lie that keeps up “appearances” for their adoring fans. When the opportunity for a conditional “hall pass” arises, he’s intrigued by the other woman involved, and risks everything in one passionate encounter with the feisty and beautiful Amanda. They part ways, thinking it’s for good, but an unexpected gift keeps them connected.
Chaz realizes he wants Amanda for more than just a night. Susan who now has other ideas for keeping Chaz all to herself, does everything in her power to crush their newfound relationship, not realizing her husband won’t give Amanda up without a fight. When Amanda’s past comes back to haunt them both, in a desperate measure to save the woman he loves, Chaz calls in the Kings of the Castle to help him orchestrate a daring escape.
* * *
Book 3 - Knight of South Holland – Karen D. Bradley
* * *
Calvin Atwood has been the “go to” guy for members of the of Kings of the Castle. Partnering with Daron Kincaid on top-secret projects was great for achieving a career high, but now one new endeavor could put him in danger again. The first assignment as a Knight of the Castle was to create a military shield for the Kingdom of Durabia. No problem, since Calvin had been secretly working on something similar. Huge problem when countries who are at odds with the American government will stop at nothing to get their hands on him. Suddenly everything becomes complicated—including his parents’ desire to suddenly pair him up with a former military man who doesn’t seem above board.
Now every issue threatens to destroy his role as one of Knights of the Castle, and has Daron and his eight brother Kings questioning if Calvin is up to the task.
King of Durabia Page 17