chapter Forty-One
Reclaiming
Toby
Aren’t you supposed to be in a good mood after your honeymoon night. I’m not. I’ve been pissed as a motherfucker for the last two days. Of course, King Elijah agrees with Kamara the one time I need him not to.
I did not want her coming on this trip. To be honest, I just wanted to roll in, take this motherfucker’s head off and go back home. There was nothing diplomatic about the way I intended to handle this.
Too bad Brooklyn was the only one that agreed with my plan. Both LaSalle, my father, and King Elijah agreed with each other. Although, once I realized the true power the Alliance has behind it, I saw reason.
LaSalle’s reach, or should I say the reach of the Alliance is much greater than I first imagined. Afafa has to be shitting in his boots. I love it when my enemy knows I’m coming for them, but they just don’t know when or how.
My brothers and cousins have come along with us to Nigeria, even though I don’t think I’ll be needing them this time. Wyatt and Noah refused to leave anything to chance, especially with Kamara taking the trip with me.
“We shall reach the palace in ten minutes, your highness,” our driver announces.
“Thank you,” Kamara replies.
I wrap my arm around her and pull her closer to my side. I can see the driver looking back at us through the rearview mirror. It’s not the first strange look we’ve gotten since arriving.
I can see how right Kamara was. Honestly, I think this approach is going to go over smoother. Our welcome has been a little stiff, considering this is the inner court, those King Elijah has trusted.
I kiss Kamara’s forehead. The only thing I’ve ever thought of her skin, is how beautiful it is on her. I’ve never thought of her being black and me being white. Seeing firsthand, the reaction to us being together has burst the little bubble I’ve been living in.
It has made me all the more fiercely protective. My love for Kamara doesn’t have a color and I dare someone to target her because of it. My body coils with tension just thinking about it.
“It will take time,” Kamara places a hand on my chest.
I look into her eyes and see the plea there. I inhale deeply, knowing how important this is to her. I have to think before I do, I remind myself.
We pull into the palace gates. I look around, it reminds me of Granny’s back in Ireland. Maybe a bit vaster in size. It is a palace by all definitions of the word.
I step from our car, holding out my hand to help Kamara out. King Elijah and Queen Catherine step from the car in front of us. I can see the shock and awe on the face of those moving about the grounds.
Clusters of people begin to form and fingers begin to point, at the thought to be deceased king and queen. We are causing quite the disturbance, as we knew we would. Eyes begin to turn to Kamara.
As far as the people know, she has been “traveling.” Kwäzē no longer thought it safe for their cousin that was standing as Kamara’s double. He sent her to the States not long after we blocked the engagement party. All of which falls into our plan.
I smile inwardly. This is going to be better than I thought. Murmurs start as attention begins to turn to Kamara and me. There are a mix of reactions.
Some look at me with distrust, others look on with curiosity. Kwäzē steps from the car that is last to pull in. At once, everyone seems to realize the royal family has arrived. Collectively, they all begin to bow.
The military escort disembarks from their truck, making our party complete. This is when I let a ghost of my smile hit my lips. I’m going to enjoy this.
I can tell from the glee in their eyes, that King Elijah and Kwäzē will as well. We all begin to move into the palace. The military escort surrounding us.
As this is not Kwaze’s palace, but the one built and planned for Kamara, odd looks cover every face, as we walk in like we own the place. However, no one moves to stop us. We continue straight for our target.
Large doors are thrown open, before us and we all march right in. The look on the face of who I assume to be King Afafa, is priceless. It is a cross between shock, expectance, and fear.
He’s known we were coming for him. He just didn’t know how. For his crimes, I think this is bittersweet. I would love to put a bullet in him, but I think watching this may prove to be just as satisfying.
Oddly, the man before me isn’t at all what I expected. He looks small, behind the large oak desk. His head is balding and his gut looks like he may have tried to create an heir on his own. His face is wrinkled and his eyes look as if his health has seen better days.
I look to Kamara’s face and see her fighting hard not to frown, as she looks at the pudgy little man. She has never seen her so called betrothed before. Her reaction says a million words.
“You know I can look like that in a few years or so,” I whisper to her.
Kamara turns to me, her brow raised. “At least then, I would look the same,” she whispers back.
“Never,” I wink.
“Afafa,” booms the general, along with us.
“That is King Afafa,” the man behind the desk finds his voice to bellow back, lifting to his feet and planting his palms on his desk. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Afafa, you are being charged with treason, the tempted murder of King Elijah and Queen Ada, as well as the kidnapping and attempted murder of Queen Ogeima,” the general informs him, as men rush into place cuffs on him.
Afafa blanches, his eyes nearly popping out of his head. I’m sure he didn’t see this coming. I was right about the Alliance, it was my ace in the hole.
LaSalle managed to frame Afafa for the disappearance and attempted murder of King Elijah and Queen Catherine, or Ada, as she is known here. LaSalle managed to me make it look like that car crash from almost two years ago was all a conspiracy of Afafa.
The icing on the cake is pinning Kamara’s so called kidnapping on him. As far as the people will know, Kamara never went to travel. Afafa tried to have her kidnapped and murdered, which lead her to the States were she and I met.
The timeline won’t match if anyone looks closely, the twins are a year too old. Still, we’re not worried about that. As I said, the Alliance will shut down any questions.
Afafa has made many enemies with some of our friends. Friends willing to set him up and turn a blind eye. The fear in his eyes tells me he knows he’s fucked.
“I did none of this,” Afafa thunders. “Uncuff me. This is my kingdom, my palace. How dare you?”
Kamara steps forward, away from me. I can feel the rage rolling off of her. She surprises me with the sudden move. I’m surprised again when she speaks.
“Add to his charges the murder of King Habib and the impersonation of a king,” Kamara demands, with her head held high.
“Yes, my queen,” the general nods.
“Queen, she is no queen,” Afafa scoffs.
“That is where you are wrong. This is my kingdom. These are my people. You tried to steal a throne that was never meant to be yours,” Kamara hisses at him.
“The people will not follow you. You and this…,” he begins, but his words are cutoff, when I step forward, placing my hand on Kamara’s back.
“Keep talking. I’m sure we can keep adding to your crimes,” I boom into the room.
“King Toby is right,” the general adds. “If I may your highness. I have a few charges that should be added.”
The general looks to me for confirmation, but it’s Kamara who speaks. “I want him charged for all of the women he has raped, maimed, and murdered. I am sure someone here can provide you with a list,” she says, with every bit of the authority of a queen.
“You can’t prove any of this,” Afafa snarls.
“Yes, we will,” Kamara snarls back.
“Be done with this,” King Elijah speaks up and waves his hand.
Afafa is escorted from the room, yelling and protesting. I can’t help the smile that graces my lips. I wrap my arm around Kamara’s waist, pulling her into my side.
“I’m proud of you,” I say against her temple, placing a kiss to her soft skin.
“We are not done yet. It is time my people meet their queen. It is only right, Kwäzē and I reunite the kingdoms as one. My grandfather’s gift was meant for us to share, not divide,” she replies.
“Yes, it is time to restore order,” King Elijah says. “Toby, I wish to have a word with you.”
I nod and kiss Kamara’s cheek, following the king to the other side of the room. He turns to me and looks me in the eyes. I can see the fierceness in their depths.
“I know and understand what the Alliance wants. I agree this was the best way to do things for the eyes of the people. However, Afafa will not live another day,” King Elijah informs me.
I shrug my shoulders. “What do you need?”
“I don’t want to dishonor your agreement with LaSalle and the Alliance, but this is not up for debate. Inform him if you must. I will take care of the rest. I have waited for the day I would deliver this justice,” he replies.
“And the council? Do you believe you can trust them?”
“Those who can be trusted have nothing to fear. Those that upheld this dishonor will meet their fate,” he says firmly.
“I’ll take care of the Alliance,” I reassure him.
“I think I will have to sit down with your father, as well. I know he is still a bit angry with me for keeping secrets from him. He is a longtime friend, but as I have told you.
“You reveal what you must, when you must. I have my reason for not telling him about you and Kamara sooner,” he says thoughtfully.
“I think he will understand and get over it,” I nod.
“Thank you, Toby. I will handle this from here.”