Bash likedsayingit, but he kept that opinion to himself. For now, he was looking forward to having Sean to himself for a brief time. Later in the afternoon, Mansur wanted to go over the schedule of official duties Sean needed to undertake, and there were some critical issues Sean needed to learn about — a crash course in politics, Akkadian style. Through it all, Bash would be right there behind him, protecting Sean while also hoping for a chance to catch the traitor. With any luck, Bash could do both before Faisal died and the precarious, complicated situation put Sean’s life even more in danger.
20
The day after his meeting with the advisors and his whirlwind tutorial on Akkadian politics, Sean was ready for some quiet time. He wanted to forget about politics and international intrigue and assassins for a while, which was pretty much impossible to do when he was living in fear he would find himself at the wrong end of a sniper’s rifle, just like his grandfather. He longed for his old life in London. As stressful as it had been, it seemed far simpler and easier than his current situation.
Home sickness swept over him in a wave, and he wished for something — anything — stable and familiar to cling to. Instead, he was trapped among strangers in a foreign land, cut off from his friends. Bash was the one person in the entire country whom he trusted. Everyone else was a potential threat. But he couldn’t even seek comfort from Bash the way he wanted — the way heneeded. He had to keep up the illusion that their relationship was a professional one, and he’d never felt more alone in his life.
He missed his parents keenly, and yet again, he wished he’d listened to his father and never stepped foot in Akkadia. Then again, if Faisal had grown even more desperate, he might have had Sean kidnapped, so he might have ended up here one way or another.
Remembering his parents reminded him of his grandmother, who had seemed warm and welcoming. He didn’t remember meeting her in person before, since he’d been too young, but he’d spoken to her on the phone and received letters and packages from her for as long as he could remember, and he had written to her and sent gifts as well. As much as Fahd had disliked and distrusted his father, he had adored his mother and had kept in touch. She was the one person Fahd had encouraged Sean to remain in contact with, and they had developed a somewhat close relationship despite the distance separating them.
Sean rose from the chaise positioned near the double doors that led out to a balcony. As spacious and luxurious as his chambers were, he felt as if the walls were closing in.
“I think I’d like to speak with my grandmother,” he said.
He felt Bash walk up behind him, felt the warmth of Bash’s hand as he rested it on Sean’s back. “I think that’s a good idea. She looked happy to see you. Maybe she’ll even have information that might help. This country doesn’t value women, and I’ve found that they know far more than most of the men when it comes to the way things really work in this part of the world.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Sean said. He wished he could seek solace in Bash’s arms because a hand on his back wasn’t nearly enough, but he was too paranoid, even in the privacy of his own chambers. “Could I go to her, do you think? Or should I ask her to come here?”
Bash was silent for a long moment, his hand stroking Sean’s back absently. “I think you should go to her. I doubt anyone has bugged her rooms, but I’m still not convinced this one is clear.”
It was partially Bash’s own paranoia speaking, because Bash had brought an entire suitcase of electronics with him, and had both scanned for bugs and installed jammers and white noise generators to foil anything that might have been missed.
“Then let’s go,” Sean said, eager to be on his way. At least he’d get to see a different part of the palace.
Bash nodded, then stepped back and took out his cell phone. Mansur had made certain Bash was completely plugged into palace security, though Bash’s method of escorting Sean in the palace grated on the guard corps. Rather than calling in more guards to line the route to wherever Sean was going, Bash ordered the route to be cleared, leaving Bash as Sean’s lone protector. While unorthodox by Akkadian standards, Bash had explained to Sean that it made things easier by allowing Bash to consider anyone they encountered as a threat, rather than wondering who among the guards might work for the traitor and might allow an assassin to get near enough to Sean to strike.
After a brief exchange with security, Bash ended the call, then turned to Sean. “All right, everything is set. Whenever you’re ready.”
“I’m ready,” Sean said, and he headed straight for the door.
Bash was no more than a step behind him. “Turn left at the next corridor, then we’ll be going to the other end of the palace.” Walking behind Sean was the one concession Bash had made to protocol. In every other area, he wasn’t just stepping on toes; he’d made it clear he’d cut them off if he had to in order to keep Sean safe. But Bash had trained Sean in what to do if a threat materialized, and Sean knew Bash would shoot first and asking questions be damned.
Sean looked around, curious if there was anything new or different about the other end of the palace, but it seemed much like the rest of what Sean had seen so far. Still, it was good to get out of his chambers for a while; it let him have the illusion of freedom, at least.
When they reached the entrance of his grandmother’s private chambers, Sean approached the door and knocked.
The door was opened by a young woman in a deep blue abaya — a loose, concealing long-sleeved dress — and a traditional hijab headscarf in pale blue. Her dark eyes widened when she recognized Sean, and then she stepped back and bowed low.
“Welcome, your Royal Highness,” she said, keeping her gaze directed to the floor. “Her Highness is in the morning room.”
“Thank you.” Sean entered the room and glanced around. The layout was different enough that he wasn’t sure where the entrance to the morning room was, and he didn’t want to barge in where he didn’t belong. “Will you direct us, please?”
“Of course, your Royal Highness. Please forgive me.” The woman straightened and proceeded to a gilt door on the left side of the opulent, marble-floored entrance foyer. She opened the door, then bowed once more. “His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Mishaan,” she announced.
Through the door, Sean could see a much more homey looking room, with windows overlooking the palace gardens and bathing everything in light. The walls were a pale yellow, which gave the room an airy feel, while the furnishings were in white and pale greens. His grandmother’s dark dress and headscarf stood out against the light colors, but there was nothing somber about her smile, which was wide and welcoming as she rose from the sofa and held out her hands.
“Oh, my darling Mishaan,” she said. “I’m so glad you came to see me!”
Sean approached and clasped her hands, smiling at her in return. He could see his father in her features, and his heart constricted. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No, not at all. I’m so happy to see you! Please, sit down and keep an old woman company.” She pulled him back toward the sofa. “Marta, please make a tea tray for my grandson. And bring plenty of the chocolate biscuits. You used to love those, you know. You’d beg for them every time you saw me.”
“Did I?” Sean sat down, regarding her curiously. “I don’t remember that.”
“Oh, yes.” She sat down close beside him, not letting go of his hands. “You were such a beautiful child, with your dark curls and those enormous blue eyes. Eyes of heaven, that’s what I called them the first time I ever saw you.” She hesitated, then glanced at Bash, who had positioned himself with his back against the wall near the door. When she spoke again, it was in Akkadian. “That man who watches over you has a baleful glare. Is it possible for you to have him wait in the other room? I swear by all that is holy, nothing will harm you here.”
“He’s a good man,” Sean said, switching to Akkadian as well. “He wants to make certain I’m safe, that’s all, but if it would make you more comfortable, I can ask him to leave.”
