Two days had passed since the assassination attempt and the royal family had come back to a level of normal, though Nyssa doubted they would ever feel normal again. The small differences that remained from the assassination attempt were considered blessings.
The cellular tower Mahana built was confiscated by the crown, as were his other Zimrada-based companies. Father was once again a wealthy king. The Americans, as it turned out, had broken up the blockade on their way back to neutral waters. Their huge ship had pulled as close as possible to the blockade and pointed their guns at the small ships. Seeing death, the captains unhooked their boats and sped off into the Atlantic.
Mahana, Kingston, and the knife thrower who had tried to kill Tatum awaited trial in an American prison. Mahana’s biggest mistake was setting foot on American soil. Americans took attempted murder of a visiting dignitary very seriously. At some point, Nyssa may have to return to the US to testify against Mahana. She dreaded the trip, knowing every moment would be filled with tender memories that stung like lemon juice on an open wound.
For now, she was needed on the island. She’d posted the police report of the event on her Facebook page and gained twenty thousand new followers overnight. The world wanted to know what happened to the “orange grove princess,” as they called her, and she used every opportunity to market the family’s oranges and caramel products.
Zimrada was officially trending.
Like sharks in the ocean, the revolutionaries slithered back into the deep. They were powerless without Mahana to guide them. Those that were captured had given a pledge to the island and the king and were sent back to their families. A few were retained in the dungeon until their hearts could be softened. Father took them their noon meal every day, learning what Mahana had done to pull them away from their island family. It wouldn’t be long before he won their hearts and their loyalty with his kindness.
Nyssa entered the sitting room and wrapped her arms around her mother, thankful to squeeze her soft shoulders.
Mother laughed. “You don’t have to maul me every time you come into a room.”
Nyssa laughed too. “I’m just happy you are alive.”
“Me too.” Mother patted her arm and Nyssa released her to take a seat.
“Tell me what happened. I’ve heard bits and pieces of things, but no one knows the whole story. How did you evade the poison?”
Mother nodded. “We’ve kept some information to ourselves to prevent others from trying to do the same thing.” She picked up her china cup and blew across the steaming peppermint liquid. “Your text came in right as I was sitting down with your father. I almost didn’t look at my phone.”
Nyssa nodded. “Who would have thought that Mahana’s cellular tower would play a part in foiling his plans?”
“It’s a delicious irony.” Mother smiled. “The tea was getting cold because the boys were late, as usual.”
Nyssa loved how her mother called her brothers the boys. No matter how old they grew, they would always belong to her heart as little boys. “Thank goodness.”
“Yes. The one time their tardiness served them well and I shall never hear the end of it.” Her words were full of irritation, but her eyes were full of love for her children. “I was able to discreetly notify Turk, who herded the kitchen staff into the pantry and locked the door. We’ve identified six of the conspirators who were living in the palace.”
“Six?” The number was atrocious. Six people living under their roof who wanted them dead. The thought was sickening.
“And there were five more outside the gate waiting to blockade the entrance until your cousin arrived and took control.”
“He is no cousin of mine.” Nyssa wanted to spit.
“Don’t interrupt.” Mother smiled.
“Yes ma’am.”
“With Mahana and Kingston, that makes thirteen men.”
“The traditional number of priest craft and evildoers.”
“It seems that Mahana studied the ancient scrolls well. The darkness in his soul is much thicker than we originally believed. Your father had thought to bring him home and keep him in the dungeon, but has since decided to let the US keep him. The Secretary of Defense was more than happy to take care of his legal due process.”
“You’ve spoken to the Secretary?” Nyssa remembered the powerlessness she’d felt in his office and the power she’d held after surviving. Surviving was powerful.
“He expressed his deepest sympathies for our recent troubles.”
“They may not have helped at the banquet of troubles, but at least they’re taking our trash.” Nyssa smirked.
“I must say, your time in America has not dulled your wit.”
Nyssa grinned. “Thank you, Mother.”
Mother rolled her eyes and set her cup in the saucer. “Is there something you’d like to tell me about your trip—an interesting story, perhaps?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.” Nyssa feigned innocence. She hadn’t told anyone of her time with Tatum or the pain in her heart at losing him. With Kingston an ocean away, Nyssa was able to keep those precious moments locked up tight. She had to, or she’d come unstitched. She’d googled “Tatum” and scrolled through hundreds of links, only to come up empty-handed.
Mother eyed her, waiting, much as she’d done when Nyssa was a child. Only, Nyssa was no longer a child and sharing this information was at her discretion. Tatum would always be a part of her and she couldn’t give him away to anyone.
To Nyssa’s great relief, Mother changed the subject. “Your father interviewed a new security company—obviously our last one wasn’t worth what we paid. Their bid was quite reasonable.” She picked up a sheet of paper. “After they applied the friends and family discount, that is.”
“Friends and family …?” Nyssa couldn’t imagine who on the island would have the expertise to build palace security. If they’d had a cousin with the knowledge, they would have hired him years ago.
“I’ve asked their representative to join us for tea—ah, here he is.” Mother’s face brightened.
Nyssa got to her feet and turned, ready to greet their visitor. Her breath caught in her throat as Tatum strode into the room. He wore tan linen pants and a white shirt open at the throat. A hint of a scar showed on his skin and she resisted the urge to trace her fingers over it, holding still as a stone in case he disappeared.
“Mr. Scott. So good of you to join us.”
Tatum bowed to her mother. Nyssa couldn’t believe he was here—and that her mother had learned his last name before she had.
“It’s an honor, your Majesty. And I asked you to call me Tatum.” His eyes sparkled with a bit of mischief. Her mother would love that.
“Let’s save that for after the ceremony, assuming my daughter says yes.”
Nyssa was so pleased to see him, to have him standing in her home, that she thought she would burst. “Yes!” she said.
Her mother scowled. “You haven’t heard the question yet, dear.”
“I don’t care—for Tatum it will always be yes.”
Tatum grinned. “In that case, I want a bowling alley on the first floor of the palace.”
“Done!” Nyssa clapped her hands.
“Nyssa,” scolded Mother.
Tatum stepped closer—close enough that she could smell his clean skin and see the nervousness in his eyes. “Nyssa Jobassit, you make the little moments mean everything and I would like to spend the rest of my life doing ordinary things with an extraordinary woman. Will you do me the honor of entering into a traditional Zimradian courtship?”
“Yes.” She put her hands on his cheeks, unable to stand the distance between them any longer. She unabashedly pulled his lips to hers just has she had in the bowling alley. He kissed her back without a pause, without thought, but with a slow and deliberate love.
Mother stood and cleared her throat. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to go break a prince’s heart and work out a new treaty with the king of Riodan.” She left the room, her dress billowing behind her.
“Did I do something wrong?” asked Tatum.
Nyssa giggled, running her hand over Tatum’s shoulder and back up his neck. “Not at all—that’s Mother’s way of saying she approves.”
Tatum grinned. “Good—she was a tough negotiator for the con—”
Nyssa put her finger over his lips. “The first rule of living in the palace is to kiss me as often as possible. Especially if no one is around.”
Tatum’s eyes lit. “I like that rule.”
Nyssa nodded. “It’s a good rule.”
And they followed the rule all the rest of their days.