Chapter 38
Chapter 38
L aVeré burst angrily through the palace doors. He walked into the parlor where Aswan sat with his wife and two daughters.
“You dare to come into my home and threaten my family!” He roared. “Where is ZsaZsa?”
“Leave the room,” Aswan said to his wife.
“Uncle LaVeré, are you angry with Father?” Aswan’s youngest daughter asked with frightened eyes.
LaVeré huffed in the direction of his brother attempting to control his anger. He turned then walked over to the child. “Yes, Jamila, I am very angry at your father, but not at you.” he then hugged his other niece, “Hello Eden.”
“Hi Uncle LaVeré. ZsaZsa is angry with Father too. Shall I be angry as well?”
“Yes, you should,” LaVeré nodded as he released the child.
“I could not agree more,” Aaliyah, Aswan’s wife, nodded. “Hello LaVeré. I will leave you two to speak.” She glanced at her husband. “Fix this my King. I will remind you before I leave that you have two daughters. Think of them while you attempt to sort things out.” She said then took the children from the room.
Without a second thought, LaVeré turned and with all his might connected his fist with his brother’s jaw, knocking him backwards.
Aswan used the chair to break his fall.
“Have you lost your damn mind?” LaVeré confronted him. “Don’t you ever threaten my family or ZsaZsa.”
“See…” Aswan rubbed his chin. “This…is the reason why I had to secure ZsaZsa in the manner I did. You and your anger would have caused tension.”
“And what you did caused peace?”
“Watch your tone. I am your King, LaVeré.”
“Then act like it. Respect is given to those who deserve it.” LaVeré reprimanded. “Your actions are those of a coward.”
“You dare to speak to me in this manner,” Aswan huffed, then exhaled. “LaVeré, I do not want there to be bad blood between us. There is too much of that in our family.”
“It was Raheem’s actions that caused the bad blood. You have done the exact same thing. You have taken ZsaZsa from the safety of her home.”
“This is her home,” Aswan shouted.
“This has not been her home since the day Raheem had her kidnapped.” LaVeré raged. “She was safe and secure with me.”
“She is safe here!”
“Like hell she is. You are about to be in a war that you have no way in hell of winning.” LaVeré exhaled. “Is it your intent to go to war with the United States?”
“Of course not. I do not wish to go to war with our allies.”
“Did you have James Jr. detained?”
“I know of no James Jr.” Aswan replied. “What is all the talk of war?”
“James is here?” ZsaZsa cried out as she entered the room.
“ZsaZsa,” LaVeré walked over and embraced her. “Are you all right?”
“No,” ZsaZsa confided. “I am here against my will, but I could not allow the guards to harm Carolyn or Gavin. Therefore, I left with Aswan. Is James here with you?”
“He’s not here?” LaVeré asked, surprise in his voice. “You have not seen him?”
“No. I have not,” ZsaZsa replied confused.
“He arrived here over 24 hours ago. He departed the United States not long after you.” LaVeré turned to his brother. “Is he anywhere on the grounds, Aswan?”
“I cannot say for I have no knowledge of a James or James Jr. Who is this person?” Aswan inquired angrily.
“James Sr. is the man who is going to cause hell to rain down on you if you do not find James.” LaVeré stated.
“You are speaking in circles, LaVeré.” Aswan stated. “Speak directly.”
“James is the man I love, and I am going to marry,” ZsaZsa stated. “If you have done anything to him, I am going to make your life a living hell. And I can do that. You have not experienced the wrath of a woman my King, but you will if you have harmed James.”
LaVeré whispered in ZsaZsa’s ear. “You just threatened your king.”
“No, I threatened my brother and I meant every word.” Her eyes narrowed on Aswan. “A King would not treat a loyal citizen in this manner. I can only assume that my brother’s weakness is at fault here.”
“You dare to call me weak?” Aswan looked at LaVeré. “This is what you have taught her in America?”
“I call you weak because your fear of losing power has overruled your common sense.” ZsaZsa accused. “Case in point, you have yet to explain to me the reason for the urgency of my return. Are you afraid of my response?” Her eyes narrowed on him. “What did you order your men to do with James?”
“I did not order anything to be done to anyone,” Aswan insisted.
“Then you better find out what happened to him when he landed at the airport yesterday. And you better do it now before hell comes knocking at your door.”
“Hell has arrived.”
They all turned to see Joshua leaning against the entrance.
“Joshua,” ZsaZsa exhaled with relief. She smiled for the first time in the last day. “You are here as my savior yet again.” She hugged him.
Joshua smoothly moved her behind him. “I did not save her from her last captor for you to take her again, King Aswan.”
“Joshua, we are friends. It is still Aswan. I am indebted to you for the safe return of my sister.”
“This is a hell of a way to show your gratitude,” Joshua raised an eyebrow. “I suggest you come up with an answer to the whereabouts of James and Elliott.”
“Yet another name I know nothing of,” Aswan threw his hands up in the air.
“They are both here?” ZsaZsa questioned.
“They came here together, as did their fathers who are about to bust down your doors.” Joshua advised.
“Your Highness, there is an issue,” A guard huffily entered the room with a slight bow of his head. “An American diplomat is at the front gate. He is demanding entrance.” The guard looked behind him. “Correction, he, and his man have gained entrance.” He stopped then ordered a small army of men to circle the King and Prince LaVeré. “Protect the royal family.”
Another group of guards ran up the staircase and filled the palace.
“They are not here for me,” LaVeré shrugged. “They are here for you. Your actions invited this hell.”
Before Aswan could respond a few of the guards were attempting to block the entrance. Their attempt was futile as guardsmens’ bodies were being overpowered by the unseen forces.
“Enough!”
The roar that echoed throughout the room caused everyone to stand to attention. The armed guards blocking the entrance were disarmed by the three large men who had forced their way into the palace led by Douglas Hylton. Douglas was a friend of JD, Brian, Calvin, and James. Whenever one was in trouble, the rest were not far behind.
“They brought Douglas,” Joshua hissed to LaVeré. “I got James and Brian. You get Douglas.”
LaVeré did not have time to respond because James Sr. had just entered the room and he was clearly mad as hell.
“Where is my son!?” James’ bellow matched the one earlier as he glared at Aswan.
The guards immediately drew their weapons pointing them at the angry man.
Joshua and LaVeré jumped in front of the guards, pushing their weapons down. While holding James and Brian back, they realized their mistake. Douglas walked over towards the guards, but LaVeré jumped in front of him.
“Brian, call him off,” LaVeré insisted.
“Hell no,” Brian yelled back. “Shake his ass until he tells us where Elliott is.”
“And James Jr.” James bellowed.
“They are not here,” Joshua quickly advised as calmly as he could.
Douglas looked back at Brian. “Dead men can’t talk. What you want to do?”
“Douglas, stand back,” James ordered.
“What is the meaning of you entering my home in this manner?” Aswan hissed.
“Where is my son?” James’ nose flared as he glared at Aswan.
“I have checked every room on the estate,” Joshua explained. “He is not here.”
“You did what?” Aswan roared. “Guards!”
“Why in the hell did you do that. I’m trying to save your ass, King Aswan,” Joshua stated over his shoulder. “These men will tear your country apart to find their sons.”
“Damn right. Where in the hell is Elliott?” Brian charged at the King.
“Who is Elliott?” King Aswan asked as he watched another confrontation with his guards at the entrance. A woman and two young men were fighting with the guards.
“Cease!” King Ahmed, father of King Aswan, Raheem, LaVeré, and ZsaZsa entered the room.
The guards stopped, however, Phire, JC, and Calvin, who were still attempting to take out the guards, one by one, did not.
Douglas walked over to the guards who were in their grasp. “I got this.” He pulled two of the guards away, knocked their heads together with so much force, they both fell to the floor.
“Well, that was a quick way to handle that,” Calvin stated.
“Father,” ZsaZsa ran into her father’s arms.
“Hello, my ZsaZsa,” he kissed the top of her head without taking his eyes from the men in the room.
“Aswan explain.” King Ahmed ordered.
“I cannot Father, for I am lost in this situation.” King Aswan responded.
“LaVeré explain.” King Ahmed turned to his youngest son.
“Father,” LaVeré stepped away from James. He slightly bowed his head then spoke. “It seems James’ son has disappeared in our country. He arrived at the airport at least 24 hours ago however, Aswan has indicated he never arrived here at the palace.”
Queen Nasheema appeared next to her husband. “ZsaZsa,” her smile brightened the room.
“Hello Mother,” ZsaZsa walked into the embrace that was waiting for her.
“When did you arrive home? I did not expect you for another fortnight.”
“Aswan forced me to come home now.” She replied. “Then he placed guards outside my door last night.”
Queen Nasheema glanced at her son. “Why Aswan?”
“She was acting irrationally,” Aswan scolded giving a cross look in ZsaZsa’s direction.
“After the manner in which you entered my home, how did you expect her to act?” LaVeré growled.
“You took ZsaZsa, and my son followed,” James stated.
“As did mine,” Brian added. “And somebody better take me to him now.”
“They are not here Brian,” Joshua said again. “I promise you Elliott nor James are anywhere on these grounds.”
“Then where in the hell are they?” James bellowed.
“Yelling at the top of your voice is not going to make them materialize,” King Ahmed spoke softly. “I am attempting to deescalate the situation so we can determine where the young men may be.” He turned to Aswan. “Why was ZsaZsa brought home at this time? It is my understanding that her graduation is next week.”
“She is to marry.” Aswan replied.
“Who?” King Ahmed, Queen Nasheema, and ZsaZsa asked simultaneously.
“James Jr.” James and LaVeré replied.
“How wonderful,” Queen Nasheema smiled. “It will be nice to finally connect our families, James. Where is your he?”
LaVeré replied, exasperated at the question. “It seems he is missing. That is why James is upset.”
“Well, we must find them so we can begin the process of planning the union between him and ZsaZsa,” Nasheema beamed at her daughter.
“She is not to marry this James Jr.” Aswan objected. “She is to wed Prince Jabari of Zyrier.”
“Who?” LaVeré asked.
“It doesn’t matter who he is.” James yelled. “ZsaZsa is marrying my son James Jr. Now, somebody better tell me, where in the hell is my son!?”
“It better happen in the next minute, or I will tear this place down,” Brian yelled.
“Who are you?” Queen Nasheema asked somewhat confused by all the commotion happening.
“Father to Elliott,” LaVeré explained. “The young man who accompanied James Jr. here.”
Queen Nasheema walked over to Brian, then took his hand in hers. “I promise you we will do all we can to locate your son.” Then she kissed his cheek.
Brian looked incredulous as the woman stepped back. He looked at James. “What am I supposed to do with that?”
“Just bow your head and smile.” Douglas advised. “Elliott is not here, but they are going to assist us in locating him. Isn’t that so, King?”
“And who are you?” Queen Nasheema asked.
“Douglas, father of no one, uncle to James Jr and Elliott, friend to all.” Douglas replied.
James, Joshua, Brian, and LaVeré, all turned to look at Douglas, surprised at his response, as he bowed slightly to Queen Nasheema.
“That’s nice,” she patted his cheek, then kissed it. He smiled as he looked up at them. She then turned to the people at the entrance. “And who are you?”
They all turned back towards the door. Phire, JC, and Calvin were standing there with the weapons they had taken from the guards.
“Mother, this is Sapphire.” ZsaZsa advised as she walked over to stand next to her.
“Sapphire, I did not recognize you. You look different on the computer screen.” Queen Nasheema walked over and hugged Phire. “Thank you for being such a good friend to ZsaZsa.”
Phire hugged the queen. “I will protect ZsaZsa with my life if need be. I apologize for entering your home in this manner. However, friends of mine have gone missing here. They came here to protect ZsaZsa from…we are not certain what. These are our friends, JC Harrison, the son of the president, and Calvin Johnson Jr. the son of the attorney general. The friends who are missing arrived at your airport and have not been seen since. We need to locate them before I have to report back to the president. A negative report could lead to war. None of us wants that to occur.”
“I see,” Queen Nasheema replied then looked at the young men. “It is a pleasure to meet each of you.” She turned to her son. “Aswan, there seems to be a situation that calls for diplomacy.”
“Mother, you are a mere woman. You know nothing of how these things work,” Aswan stated angrily.
“No,” King Ahmed shook his head as he walked over to stand next to his wife. “That was a mistake my son.”
“Where can we find this Prince Jabari?” James anxiously asked.
“I do not believe he would have reason to be involved in the missing young men.” Aswan stated.
“He has every reason?” JC commented. “If he is aware of the relationship between James and ZsaZsa, and I believe he is, he would benefit from James’ disappearance.”
“But why?” Aswan inquired with a look of disbelief on his face.
“Princess ZsaZsa’s dowry,” JC stated.
“How do you know of her dowry?” Aswan asked.
“How is not important,” JC continued. “The fact is that her dowry is substantial, and I am certain you made Prince Jabari aware of that. James could block him from receiving that dowry.”
Aswan nodded in understanding. He turned to some of the guards. “Gather a contingency.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” A guard nodded. “We will leave within the hour.”
“We will go now,” James looked at LaVeré.
LaVeré turned to Joshua, but he was gone, so were Douglas and Brian.
“I will guide you,” LaVeré stated as he walked over to Phire. “Stay here to protect ZsaZsa. Do not let her out of your sight.”
“You do not trust your brother?” She questioned.
“Not at this point.” He replied then left with James.
“We are hanging with you,” JC assured Phire.
“Since James is not here, it is up to us to ensure ZsaZsa is protected,” Calvin nodded. They all walked over to ZsaZsa, literally surrounding her body with theirs.
“You dare to protect her from me? I am her King.” Aswan argued.
“Yes,” JC replied.
“Son,” King Ahmed called out, gaining Aswan’s attention. “This situation is escalating. Those men will attack Zyrier to find their sons. Explain why you would do such a thing involving ZsaZsa without counsel with your mother and I.”
“The marriage arrangement between ZsaZsa and Prince Jabari of Zyrier is a solid union.” Aswan declared.
“King Kobi’s oldest son,” King Ahmed nodded. “I know the family. Jabari is a good man. However, I do not see the logic in our family uniting with Zyrier.”
“Asmere and Zyrier lands meet at the peak of the diamond mines. Raheem has requested the union to protect the back end of the mines.”
“You interrupted my life to fulfill a request from Raheem,” ZsaZsa spoke with a calm, deadly voice as she stepped out of the protective circle. “Is this the duty you brought me home for? To marry?” ZsaZsa sounded appalled. “I am not marrying a man I have no knowledge of.” She stated firmly. “How dare you enter into a contract without my consent.”
“I am your king,” Aswan roared.
“You are my brother,” ZsaZsa roared just as loud. “I respect my King, but I love my brother and I expect him to love me as a sister not as a piece of property. This contract of marriage is not what I want. You may not respect my wishes in this moment because your male ego is bruised. For I, a mere woman, dare to speak to you as a human…as your equal. Take this as a lesson learned, Aswan. You cannot force another to marry if they do not wish to. I warn you it will be a harsh lesson to learn. But it is better that you learn it now. For there will come a time when your daughters will leave this country and never return if you do not. When that time comes, and you ask yourself why… remember this moment and the actions you take on this day. You can be the wise King I once thought you to be and can open a pathway for Emure and its citizens, or close it down for generations to come. It is time for this thinking women are beneath you to end. I will warn you now, if you do not, I will lead the rebellion against you and believe me…I WILL NOT FAIL!” ZsaZsa said her piece then walked out of the room. Phire, JC, and Calvin followed her.
“Mother, you must speak to her.” Aswan ordered.
“I am a mere woman. What is it you think I could do that you…a man cannot.” Nasheema narrowed her eyes.
“Mother.” Aswan called out.
“I fear you ask too much of me. I have not the brain power needed to handle such situations.” His mother said in a deadly tone as she walked towards him.
“Mother,” he said almost in a plead.
“You should defer this to your father. I am certain he can control a mere female child. I want you to think long and hard before you ever speak to me in that tone again. Remember, I have henchmen who will have no issue throwing your body into the river never to be seen again. At this moment, I am not far from ordering it to be so…MY King!” Nasheema said her piece then walked out of the room.
Suddenly, the room that was roaring with activity only moments ago, was now quiet and empty. Only he and his father remained.
“Father, will you speak with Mother?”
“No, my son. You are King. I no longer have the authority or the gumption to go against your mother or your strong-willed sister. However, I do have a bit of advice. To have peace in your home, compromise is key.”