Bash and Mansur stepped back so that Sean could precede them from the room. In the outer sitting area, there were six more guards, all dressed in the combat fatigues of the Akkadian military. They bowed to Sean, and then the leader, a sergeant major by his rank tabs, ordered them to take up guard positions around him.
They led him from the room, and Sean glanced back, noting that Bash had somehow stepped into a pair of boots and grab up his shoulder holster. Sean was reassured by Bash’s presence; he trusted Bash to have his back in a way the entire Akkadian military couldn’t as they headed toward Faisal’s chambers.
There were even more guards in the halls, and outside Faisal’s suite, an entire squad stood at attention, guns in hand. Sean was ushered past them, through the outer rooms and into his grandfather’s bedchamber.
There were several doctors standing around, as well as a robed Imam. But Sean headed immediately to the bed where Faisal lay, his eyes partly open and his breathing labored. As Sean’s eyes met his grandfather’s, Faisal raised a hand, and Sean didn’t hesitate to take it.
“Grandfather,” he said, sitting down in the chair someone had placed for him. “I’m here.”
“Shaan.” His name was almost too soft to hear, and Sean wasn’t certain if his grandfather couldn’t manage both syllables, or if, at long last, he had honored the name Sean had chosen for himself. No matter which it was, however, Faisal drew in a breath. “Solution… in Quran,” he murmured in Akkadian. Faisal’s hand tightened around Sean’s, and the look in his eyes was contrite. “King… Sorry.”
“No, Grandfather, I understand,” Sean said. He could see something in the old man’s eyes, something like sorrow, and the spoken apology made Sean’s throat tighten. So many regrets, so many wasted lives. How different things could have been —shouldhave been, if outside forces hadn’t intervened. Sean felt the loss of his parents keenly, but Faisal had lost as well. Two sons, grandchildren, his own health. While he didn’t agree with Faisal’s methods, he understood why his grandfather had done what he had. “You were protecting me. Thank you. I forgive you.”
Sean thought he saw relief in Faisal’s eyes, but then Faisal’s gaze moved beyond him, to where Mansur stood just behind him. Sean hadn’t even been aware of his uncle’s presence at his back. “Mansur… King…” Faisal’s eyes then again moved to his grandson. “Shaan…”
“Yes, Father,” Mansur said softly. “It will be done. You have my word.”
Faisal suddenly struggled, and his mouth worked, as though he wanted to say more. The heart monitors sped up frantically, before one doctor ordered Sean and Mansur back. Another doctor was injecting something into Faisal’s IV, and the old man’s frantic movements slowed. The monitors continued beeping, slowing down to a more normal rhythm.
“He must rest. Everyone must leave now.”
They followed the doctor’s orders and moved out of the room. Sean heard the Imam pray, then the door shut.
“Stay close by,” Mansur said. “At least until we know what is happening. I will have someone retrieve clothing for you.” He glanced at Bash, who had stayed as close to Sean as he could in all the movement. “And you, as well.”
Sean nodded. A servant directed them to the seating area of Faisal’s chambers, and within a short time, Hana joined them. She sat next to Sean, taking his hand in hers. She seemed sad, but she wasn’t crying.
“Are you all right?” he asked her quietly.
“As well as I can be, I suppose.” She smiled at him sadly. “I have been preparing myself for the worst since he was shot, but I’m not certain it has helped. I know you see him as a flawed, controlling old man, Mishaan, but he has been and always will be the love of my life.”
“I understand better than you think, Grandmother,” Sean said. He couldn’t help but glance back at Bash, who stood stoically behind him, his eyes moving constantly as he scanned for threats even here. “But Grandfather is strong. He obviously doesn’t want to let go yet, and as a doctor, I know the will to live can do amazing things.”I just hope he holds on until we find the traitor, Sean thought grimly.At that point, Mansur can pick the best candidate to be Crown Prince, and I’ll quietly fade into the woodwork where I belong.
A few minutes later, Mansur approached with clothing for Sean, and he excused himself to a bathroom to change. Bash stood outside the door. Then once Sean was finished, Bash ducked in and changed clothes in record time. The vigil then continued for hours, with them waiting for word from the doctors that Faisal had stabilized. Over the course of the day, several of the ministers came and went, showing their respect, but there was speculation in all their eyes as they watched Sean. They would probably laugh if they knew that out of everyone praying for Faisal’s recovery, no one was praying more fervently than Sean.
After many hours, the Imam emerged from the bedchamber and beckoned to Sean. He rose, still holding Hana’s hand, and he, Hana, Mansur, and many others moved into the room. Sean felt numb, as it was obvious his prayers had been in vain. Faisal lay quietly, hands folded on his chest. They stood by as Faisal’s breathing slowed, slowed further, then stopped.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” everyone in the room murmured.Verily we belong to Allah, and truly to Him shall we return.
Sean felt as if he’d been locked in a chamber of ice. Everything became a blur as he watched a white sheet being drawn over Faisal’s body. People spoke to him, but he didn’t acknowledge them. Someone took his arm and led him from the room. The next thing he was aware of was being back in his own sitting room, and Bash was pressing a glass into his hand. Automatically he lifted it to his lips, then almost choked on the potent brandy that flooded his mouth.
He glanced up at Bash, who smiled crookedly. “Drink up. You need it.”
Sean tossed back the entire glass, then shuddered as he felt the burn down his throat. But it restored some warmth to him. “Shock,” he said, breathing deeply and forcing himself to relax. “He’d held on this long, so I guess I didn’t expect him to die.”
“Neither did I,” Bash said harshly. “If it weren’t for the fact that Mansur vetted every single one of those doctors, even having Nick investigate them thoroughly, I would’ve wondered if he’d been helped along. As it is, I think he tried to hang in there, the old bastard.”
Sean put the glass down on the sofa table, then dropped his head into his hands. “What now?”
Before Bash could answer, there was a perfunctory knock before the door was opened. Mansur stood on the other side. “Your Majesty, I’m sorry, but I must insist that your guard detail take up their positions.” Mansur’s gaze then moved to Bash, and his jaw tightened. “Mr. Chase, your services shall no longer be required. The king is rightfully protected by the Akkadian Royal Guard.”
Sean shot to his feet, looking between Mansur and Bash. Bash’s face was hard and cold, but Sean knew his lover well enough to tell an explosion was imminent. Mansur gave Sean a look that was almost pleading, and Sean was certain that whatever this was, it wasn’t Mansur’s doing. He didn’t want to toss a wrench into whatever Mansur needed to accomplish, so he simply nodded. “I see.”
“Mr. Chase, if you will accompany me, a debriefing is in order,” Mansur said, and something about his words seemed to get through to Bash.
“Very well.” Bash glanced at Sean, then gave him a bow. “With your permission, Your Majesty.”
“Of course.” Sean’s palms were sweating, but there was nothing he could do other than watch as Mansur escorted Bash from the room. The guards, all of whom he recognized as being from among those who had been in his grandfather’s chambers, took up positions around the room. Hopefully Mansur had vetted them as carefully as he had the doctors who had been unable to save Faisal. If not, Sean was already dead.
