Next Step

The office was quiet, and when her father shut the door, it closed with a suctioning thud that echoed throughout the small space. It was small and cramped, with only a desk and two chairs. It was meant for interrogation, not conversation. But conversation was what they were going to have.

Duke Reign’s face was a thundercloud. He leaned forward and said in a low, dangerous tone, “I’m disappointed in you. How could you not tell me that Prince Wren refused you?”

Khari’s eyes narrowed as she replied, “Would you have cared? As long as he promised you his financial and political support?”

“You’re right,” he said, his voice teeming with admiration as he crossed the room to the window. He looked out at the lush gardens, where a few birds fluttered in the mid-morning sun. He lifted his gaze to the sky and saw the clouds darkening and slowly creeping closer, their gray mass growing bigger as if threatening to burst open with rain at any moment. His lips curved into an almost undetectable smile, and he nodded his head slightly. “I wouldn’t have. However, you have done well, Khari. Somehow, you have both princes besotted with you. This puts us in a much better situation than before.”

“You mean a better position for you,” Khari clarified.

He slowly turned his head, and a mirthless grin spread across his lips. “Naturally,” he said as he made his way over to her, his long strides gradually coming to a stop mere inches away. His hand felt cold against her cheek as he pressed it against her skin, and she fought back the urge to recoil. His words chilled her to the core, “You have been nothing but a disappointment to me since the day you were born. I often cursed the Gods for giving me such an inept daughter. And yet, here I stand, thankful because I realize it was all for this moment.”

Khari stiffened as her father’s rough fingertips lingered on her cheek. She pulled away, her chin jutting defiantly. “I’m not a tool for you to use, Father,” she said forcefully. “I’m a person. I have my own feelings and thoughts, and I’m not afraid to express them...not anymore.”

His lip curled in contempt as his cold, dark eyes swept over her. “What do you know of feelings? Those don’t matter. As for thoughts, they only fill your pretty little head with useless nonsense.” He said, throwing a contemptuous glance her way.

Khari tried to quell the tumult of her emotions. She was drained from the continuous verbal attacks he had thrown her way. The ache of his constant criticism and manipulation had left her feeling hollowed out, and she had finally reached her breaking point. With newfound determination, her voice was stern, no longer quavering. “Be careful, Duke Reign,” she announced, emphasizing his title rather than the word’ father,’ “If I ever become more powerful than you, then you’ll really know the meaning of being useless.”

Khari felt her father’s eyes bore a hole into her as his amusement quickly turned to anger. The air around them thickened with tension, and she could feel his fury simmering beneath the surface. His hands clenched into fists, and she heard his jaw clench, “You despicable girl,” he growled through gritted teeth. She didn’t need to see to know what was coming. She could feel him rearing his hand back to strike her. She clamped her eyes shut, expecting the blow to come any second, but instead, she heard the loud clap of the door being thrown open. The wood creaked in protest as it banged against the wall, shaking the entire room.

Khari’s lifeless eyes flickered open, and she was met with the unmistakable scent of Prince Azim’s cologne, wood ginger. Her heart raced as he stepped in front of her, shielding her from her father’s outstretched hand and wrath. His presence gave her instant solace. “That’s enough,” Azim’s iron grip ensnared Duke Reign’s wrist mid-air, halting the forceful slap that had gathered momentum toward Khari’s cheek. The Duke fought to break free as he jerked his arm back, but Azim held firm. His voice thundered through the air like a storm. “I won’t allow it. Not now, not ever. You shall not lay another finger on her as long as I’m around. Is that understood?”

Duke Reign glanced down, his face reddening as he saw the Prince still gripping his arm with one strong hand. The corner of his eye twitched as he felt the pressure of Azim’s hold and heard the anger in his voice. Everything about this moment was foreign to him. Usually, he was the one with authority, issuing orders, not the one on the receiving end. He said nothing as Azim tightened his grip further. “Understood?” Azim asked once more.

Duke Reign gritted his teeth as the searing pain in his arm spread across his body. He shut his eyes in defeat and nodded meekly, a few beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. “Yes, Your Highness,” he reluctantly spoke out, knowing he had no other choice.

Finally, pleased with his response, Azim released his iron grip on Duke Reign’s arm and stepped back. Duke Reign yanked his arm to his side, cradling it against his body and massaging the angry red marks left by Azim’s grip. He adjusted his sleeve, taking a deep breath to compose himself. “Good,” Azim said as he turned to Khari and grabbed her hand gently in a show of boldness, “I do wish for you to stick around for another day, though. I have an important introduction for all the royals tomorrow night.”

Duke Reign’s jaw clenched, but he forced a tight smile and bowed his head. “Of course, Prince Azim,” he said. His pride was nearly shattered as he straightened his posture, lifting his chin slightly while he did his best to maintain his poise.

Azim gave a slight nod, his eyes crinkling as he smiled. “One of the staff will take you to the guest quarters,” he gestured towards the doorway, and a young woman stepped forward.

“Yes,” Duke Reign complied, his blue eyes narrowing as he nodded. As the door closed, the room seemed to fade into stillness, the only sound being the raindrops gently tapping against the windows.

Khari exhaled the smoke from her lungs that was her father, only to realize her heart was pounding rapidly in her chest. She closed her eyes and brought a shaking hand to her heart, willing it to slow down. Azim reached out and placed his hand over hers, his fingers tracing comforting circles over her skin. His eyes held genuine concern, and he asked softly, “Are you alright?”

Her lips parted as her breathing quickened, “No,” she said in naked honesty, “This was your plan? To bring my father here?” her words hung in the air like a heavy, invisible shroud.

“Yes,” he replied simply.

Khari’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she paused momentarily, then spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, “Why? Why would you do that?”

Azim’s face dropped, brought down by the force of her words. He sputtered, “I-I don’t...I don’t understand. It worked.”

Khari slowly pulled her hand away, her back rigid and her face contorted in pain. Her voice trembled as she spoke. “Yes, it worked,” she said. “But the memories of what he did to me are still raw. I have worked so hard to heal, and to invite him here feels like a slap in the face.”

Azim hung his head, eyes fixed on the floor. Finally, he looked up, a sorrowful expression on his face. “I’m sorry,” he said softly, his voice tinged with genuine regret. “I didn’t realize that.”

Khari’s eyes were ablaze as she stepped forward and asked, “And how could you when you don’t include me in any of your decisions?” her voice was tinged with a mixture of hurt and frustration.

His lips curved up into a rueful smile, but his eyes were sad, “That’s fair. I thought I was protecting you,” he said softly. “But now I can see I was overbearing. You deserve better. Someone who listens to your ideas and respects your decisions. Someone who treats you as an equal. I’m sorry for not doing that.”

Azim’s gentle words spread like a warm blanket in the air, and she felt a wave of relief wash over her as she smiled. “Thank you for understanding,” Khari said.

“Of course,” Azim stepped forward, his eyes apologetic and hopeful. He lifted her hand, gently intertwining their fingers, saying, “Tell me what I can do to make it up to you.”

Khari bit her lip, her eyebrows drawn together. She nervously cleared her throat before tentatively asking, “You can tell me what this big important introduction is tomorrow.”

Azim approached the office door, scouring the hallway with suspicious, darting eyes. He then quickly closed it and turned the lock, making sure they were completely alone. His gaze was determined, and his voice was low and serious. “I plan to tell everyone you are an Atea.”

Khari’s eyes widened in shock, “But why?”

He stepped towards her, his voice gradually deepening as he spoke. “Because now that you belong to no one, this will put you in the highest royal status, allowing me to pursue you openly,” he paused for a moment as if savoring each word before continuing. “I told you that my ulterior motive is to make you my queen,” his gaze lingered on her face, his eyes smoldering with desire.

“Azim….” she trailed off, unable to comprehend that he had actually done what he promised to do. Tears welled up in her eyes as she was overwhelmed with gratitude. His tender-heartedness was unfamiliar yet so welcome. He had kept his word, which made her smile.

He cleared his throat, “I apologize, but I couldn’t help but overhear what you were saying to your father.”

Her eyes crinkled in amusement as she tilted her head and asked, “So that’s why you busted in here when you did? You were eavesdropping?” She couldn’t help but feel warmed by the thought that he was looking out for her.

“I will never leave you alone with him again.” He spoke with conviction; his gaze locked on her inviting lips. He had to force himself to look away and continue his point. “But you are right. This would put you in a more powerful position than him. You will never have to answer to him again.”

Khari’s eyes widened, and she held her breath. Could freedom from her father’s oppressive rule really be within her grasp? A future without having to answer to Duke Reign seemed almost too good to be true. She listened carefully for any sign of deceit and asked, “You promise?”

“I promise,” he nodded solemnly, his eyes wide and earnest.

She sighed, then straightened her shoulders and gave a single, decisive nod. “Well then,” she said, “I suppose it’s time everyone knew.”