“He may be out here in the middle of the desert, but he’s well connected. Our leader, Jacob Reeves, relies heavily on my father. When Jacob one day passes the torch, it will undoubtedly go to my father.”
“That’s a great opportunity,” I said.
“We’ll see,” Kale said, heading for the door. “What happened to Gabriel?”
“I don’t know,” I said, following him outside. “I figured you knew.”
We found Gabriel with the girls, hanging out by a campfire a few minutes later.
“I thought you were coming back in to meet with us?” Kale asked.
Gabriel remained seated on the log stretching across one side of the fire, rotating a marshmallow on a stick; it was beginning to blister. “Frank told me to stay with the girls.”
“He did?”
“I guess he didn’t want me at your meeting.”
“Why not?” I asked.
Gabriel shrugged. “I figured it wasn’t worth asking. If there was anything I needed to know, you’d tell me.”
15
Byron
While searching to find the Queen for a second time this morning, I was stopped by Tabatha Dorsey, the Executive Assistant to the Sovereign, regarding the Queen’s request to meet with me.
“Well, where the hell is she?” I snapped.
“In the city,” Tabatha said, readjusting her headset so she wasn’t speaking directly into her microphone. “Her helicopter will be landing in precisely ten minutes to take you to her.”
“Perfect,” I grumbled. She wanted to keep me off balance—wants to make me jump through hoops for her. And I had no choice but to do as she demanded. “Okay. I’ll be ready.”
Before going outside, I told Bethany I was being summoned to Capital City by the Queen, then waited for the helicopter’s arrival on the front lawn.
Right on time, I heard the whooshing of the propellers in the distance. A minute later, I saw the combat helicopter peek over the palm trees.
Once it touched down, the side hatch was opened and I fought the hurricane-force winds to reach the chopper. I had the choice of numerous empty seats, strapped myself in, and donned my headset.
“We’ll reach 1600 Wilshire in approximately seventeen minutes,” I heard the pilot say into my earpiece.
Not a moment later, my stomach lurched as we lifted off the ground and steadily gained altitude. I flew when it was necessary, but not for pleasure. I dreaded the plane rides between Westeria and home, though I usually tried to sleep as much as I could on those, which was not always possible with business that needed attention. A few of my dates with the girls during the competition involved helicopter rides, but they were merely for the excitement of the girls.
We were headed right into the heart of the city and would be landing on top of one of the prominent towers of the skyline.
I was alone in the cargo hold, giving me more unwanted time to stew on my thoughts. Queen Dorothea obviously had more for me, so I was anxious to find out what she was planning to reveal next. She had to know I was aware of the alterations of Piper and Constance. So, there had to be more, not that their alterations couldn’t or wouldn’t be playing a role.
Trapped in my head, the flight seemed much longer than the seventeen minutes promised, but soon, I felt the descent and then the thump of the landing. The side hatch opened and I was ushered out onto the skyscraper roof helipad.
Some business coordinator in a pinstriped pants suit and who looked vaguely familiar was waiting for me by the roof-access door. Even though her hair was back in an elegant bun, loose strands whipped around her face.
“Prince Byron,” she said with a bow and then opened the door. “It’s a pleasure. If you would, please, follow me.”
I nodded. She didn’t give her name and I didn’t ask.
The woman led me down a flight of stairs, then down a hallway to a bank of elevators. We descended ten more floors in silence. On the 75th floor, we walked through an open floorplan of cubicles, extending all the way along the glass walls that overlooked the rest of the downtown. All the cubicles were empty; this whole floor seemed to be.
My liaison led me to an office, with its nearest wall primarily glass. I was directed to sit in one of the chairs across from the wood desk and assured the Queen would arrive momentarily.
I knew what that meant, so I got comfortable and gazed out the window, over the tops of smaller buildings. There were obstructed views of the foothills, on the other side of which rested Château le Hart.
By the time the Queen arrived, I was daydreaming about the next time I’d have the opportunity to see Victoria. She hadn’t tried to contact me since reuniting with Kale, even though I was sure she knew I was the one who’d freed him. But I didn’t blame her. My inability to stand against the Queen at the Choosing Ceremony demanded a larger gesture, which was something I’d have to figure out after discovering the Queen’s newest plans.
“I’m sorry for having to drag you all the way out here,” Queen Dorothea said as she stormed into the room like a hurricane, holding a computer tablet. She slammed the door shut and took a seat behind the desk. She retrieved a small remote from the top desk drawer, clicked a button, and the glass wall facing the cubicles instantly turned opaque. “Not that there’s anyone around, but I prefer to not even have the potential of an audience.”
“What’s this about?” I asked, not willing to waste any time with pleasantries.
“Have you heard from Victoria?” she asked.
“No,” I said. “Why haven’t you called her?”
“I did. This morning, in fact,” she said. “But she didn’t answer, and she has yet to call me back. As you can imagine, that makes me nervous. I was already planning to give her additional motivation, but her lack of communication and cooperation makes me want to accelerate my plans.”
“First, how about you explaining to me what you did to Piper and Constance?” I demanded. I knew I couldn’t let my anger get the better of me. I gripped the arms of the chair tightly to remain fully rooted in my seat and keep from attacking her.
“I took the necessary precautions,” Queen Dorothea said.
“I don’t understand. You could have done that all along. None of the girls had to die. We talked about this. That was one of the alternatives to having them simply move to Easteria. Victoria still has the files of Princess Amelia. Why would you do this now? What’s Victoria going to do when she finds out?” By the end of my short rant, I realized I was yelling.
“Are you threatening to tell Victoria?” the Queen countered.
“No—no, I’m just saying this kind of rash action is only inviting retaliation. Since Kale is no longer here, those girls are the only reason Victoria has to come back and not release those files and start a war right here in Westeria. You’re backing us in financing our war on the opposite coast. You don’t want to worry about one at home as well.”
“No, you don’t want that. A war here might mean I no longer have the resources and financial means to continue helping your suffering Kingdom. Restoring all this nonsense to order is just as much in your best interest as it is mine. And besides, Victoria releasing those files is not going to start a war, though it doesn’t hurt to be cautious. So, we’ll all continue to play this little game, but it’s time to up the stakes. The sand is running out of the hourglass. And now it’s time for you to play your role.”
“And what role would that be?” I asked, irritated. I just wanted her to get to the point. She complained about the games, but she really loved to play them.
Queen Dorothea slid the computer tablet she’d brought with her across the desk. “I want you to deliver a message.”
I looked down at the tablet but didn’t grab for it. “What sort of message?”
“When you find Victoria, you’ll give me a call, and then I will prompt you to use this tablet to stream live video.”
“And what will we see?”
“Motivating content,” Queen Dorothea said, lea
ning back into her desk chair and crossing her arms.
“I’d like to know what I’m delivering beforehand,” I challenged.
“And I’d like to know I can still fully trust you,” she countered.
“You know you can.”
“I need a reminder of that trust and I must insist you prove it to me again.” There was a slight smile forming on her lips.
“How do I find her?” I said with a sigh.
“Good. She’s been tracked back to the 24th Ward. She obviously isn’t home because the Ramseys have been removed of their position. But she’s presumably nearby. Take some of your men and find where she’s hiding out with that boy. Perhaps she still has enough feelings for you to be flushed out of hiding while considering her options. The message you deliver will motivate her to consider faster and bring me what I want.”
“And what do you want?”
“Those files, of course. And the assurance no other copies exist.”
“And that’s all?”
The Queen simply smiled her conniving smile and rocked in her chair.
“So, I am to deliver the message and return to the palace?” I asked.
“If you really want to prove your loyalty, you’ll return with that boy and your traitor of a guard. At the very least, your traitorous guard, then you will be responsible for punishing him for treason.”
“You’re going to show her what you’ve done to the girls, aren’t you?” I asked.
“Victoria needs to understand the severity of the situation and there are consequences for her actions—or lack thereof. Can you handle this assignment? Or should I give it to Duke Mackenzie?”
“I can handle it, Your Majesty,” I said and rose from my chair. “I will prove myself to you—again.”
Queen Dorothea’s smile widened. “Then my faith in you and your family will be restored.” She reached forward and placed a set of keys on the tablet. “P1. Space 115. That’s your ride.”
I snatched the tablet and keys from the desk and bowed before leaving the office and trekking across the desolate floor.
Instead of going down, I rode the elevator back to the top floor and took the stairs to the roof two at a time. The roof was empty now. No helicopter in sight. No one up here for a smoke. I was alone. I walked away from the entrance door, to the far end of the roof, away from any cameras or other potential surveillance devices. There wasn’t much time. I needed to make this quick and get moving. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.
If I was going to do this errand, I needed to make the most of it. I needed to take positive steps in winning back Victoria, but I also needed to regain the Queen’s trust. This would be a delicate dance.
“Kale,” I said when he answered my call. “I need a favor.”
16
Victoria
I realized I didn’t have my phone with me when Kale stepped out of his room to take a call. I rummaged through the clothes I’d arrived in, which were in a heap on the floor. I found the phone in the front pocket.
I immediately noticed three missed calls, all from the same number—the only number that would ever call me—from Kale’s old phone now in the possession of the Queen. All three were from that same morning, the last one over an hour ago.
My palms began to sweat. My heartrate quickened as I stared at the small screen. The battery life was at 60 percent. I wasn’t sure if I should hit the reply button.
Maybe I should wait for Kale to return. He could talk me through the call.
I placed the phone on Kale’s nightstand and went over to his stacks of antique books, perusing the titles. But the thoughts of the Queen’s calls wouldn’t leave the forefront of my mind. I walked back to the phone and gazed at the number. The more I thought about it, the harder it was to press the button. Yet when I set the phone down, I saw it was ringing—I’d gone and pressed the button by mistake!
My whole body was shaking now as I held the phone up to my ear and waited for the Queen to answer. Maybe she wouldn’t. Maybe this would be another missed call and at least she’d know I was—
“Hello, Victoria,” Queen Hart said in her sweet, diplomatic voice. “I was beginning to worry about you—beginning to think something awful might have happened—that you were captured again… or worse.”
“No. I’m safe,” I said.
“Well, that’s a relief. In that case, you should be ready to come home and bring me those files. If not now, then very soon. I assume you’re back together with that boy I’d captured, so there should be no issue with bringing me what I need and upholding your end of the agreement.”
“Of course, I’ll be upholding my end of the agreement,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “And I hope you’re doing the same.”
“You have my word,” she said, which sounded far from genuine. “So, when can I expect you?”
I didn’t know how to buy myself some time and wanted Kale to come back into the room and help me out. But my silence was dragging out too long.
“We’ve had a few complications, but I should be able to start making the journey back soon. It will take me some time, though, because I no longer have my horse or money for the train.” I was afraid what I was saying sounded stupid and expected the Queen to prod further.
“It just so happens Prince Byron is on his way to the 24th Ward right now. I believe that is where you are currently, is that correct?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Good. Then you can just tell me where you want him to meet you and he can drive you back to the château.” She waited for me to divulge that information, then added, “Where are you now?”
“The Ramsey estate.”
“No, you’re not,” she countered. “The Ramseys have been removed from their estate—from their previous status. It’s time for the 24th Ward to have a new ruling family.”
I gulped, not having thought about that earlier. Had it been my actions that cost them their positions? Then I remembered a conversation I’d had with Bethany and Piper when I was trying to get them to leave the palace, and they’d mentioned how the families of the competing girls had stakes in the game. I did not feel sorry for the Duke, but Lady Ramsey…
“I know,” I said. “I’ve been hiding out in the basement like so many nights from my childhood.”
“I see,” Queen Hart said, and then let the line go quiet for a long moment. “Where can Prince Byron pick you up?”
“I’ll meet him at the devil’s tree. He can ask around town and someone will be able to point him in the right direction,” I said. “When can I expect him?”
“Before dusk. He’s just left Capital City.”
“Okay, then I’ll be there.”
“And I’ll be waiting. I’ll see you soon, Victoria,” the Queen said and hung up the phone.
I let my arm drop to my side and the phone fall to the floor. Prince Byron was coming to the 24th Ward. He was coming for me. I was supposed to be meeting him in a few short hours but was stranded in the Outlands, hours away from reaching the 24th even if I left right now. I needed to talk to Kale.
Then, as if on cue, Kale stormed back into the room. He looked focused and intense.
“I need to go take care of something,” he said. “I should be back shortly after nightfall.”
“What? No. I need to talk to you,” I insisted. “Something just happened and I don’t know what to do.”
He stopped directly before me and his intensity softened. “You look shaken. What’s going on? What happened?”
“The Queen,” I said, having a hard time spilling a full sentence. “I just spoke with the Queen. Prince Byron is on his way to the 24th Ward—and he’s coming to bring me back to the palace. What are we going to do?”
Kale smiled and noticeably relaxed.
“This isn’t funny,” I said.
“No; it’s not,” Kale said, and tried, but failed to suppress his smile. “I’m sorry. The situation is already under control. I’ll take care of
it.”
“What do you mean you’ll take care of it? Who were you just talking to?”
“Your prince,” Kale said. “I’ll meet with him and buy us more time. Not a lot, but enough for Mackenzie to do some more investigation at the palace and keep the Queen distracted for the evening.”
“Well, you’re not going without me,” I insisted.
“This wasn’t my choice, but he gave me strict orders not to bring you. I’m sorry. But I’ll be back this evening, we’ll find out what Mackenzie has discovered, and plan our next move.”
“Why would he say that?” I was offended now. This had all started out as my plan, and now I was nothing more than a bystander.
“Having you there will complicate the plan he shared with me,” Kale said. Please just trust me. It will be okay.”
“Then at least tell me the plan.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
I stepped back from him. “Why is everyone keeping secrets from me? This was my plan! I enlisted your help and now it’s like I’m not even here!”
“Victoria, please,” Kale pleaded. “I’m not trying to shut you out at all. I don’t even want to do this, but Byron saved me—freed me from the palace so I could get back to you. I owe him. And after this favor, we’re even.”
“So, you’re going back to the 24th?” I said, lowering my voice. My anger shouldn’t be directed at Kale.
“Yes.”
“You’re going to cross the fence in daylight?”
“It’s not ideal, but it wouldn’t be the first time,” Kale said. “I’ll be taking a few guys, included Gabriel—all good fighters. We’ll be fine.” He stepped closer and placed his hands on my waist.
“I don’t like this.”
“I don’t either,” he said, pulling me closer and closing the gap between us. “I don’t want to leave you. But I believe it’s the best thing for us at the moment, given the situation we’re in. I’ll be back tonight.”
And before I could respond, Kale kissed me. He moved his hands up my body and then wrapped them tightly around me until we were practically a single being. His lips enveloped mine, wanting, needing every shared breath.
Royal Replicas 2: Royal Captives Page 9
