The Wrath of the King by Danielle Bourdon Page A

“Gunnar and I are trying, you know.”
    “Trying what?” Distracted, Chey glanced at Sander to check his breathing, then looked askance at Krislin.
    “To have a baby.” Krislin smiled above the rim of the glass.
    “That's excellent, Krislin. Wouldn't it be great if our kids were close in age and could grow up together?” Chey didn't need to voice her concern over what their children's future would be like if Paavo successfully overthrew Sander for the throne. Krislin, she knew, was vividly aware of the risks, dangers and challenges.
    “Yes. Though I suspect we'll have to put those plans on hold at least for a little while, now.” Krislin finished her water and set the glass aside.
    “Mattias will return soon, or Sander will wake up, and get things back to normal. With any luck, this won't last,” Chey said. In the midst of her fervent prayer that she was right, her phone rang. Plucking it off the nightstand, Chey answered without looking at the I.D. “Hello?”
    “Chey, it's Wynn. Are you alone?”
    “Krislin's here. What's wrong?” Chey scooted up in the chair, frowning.
    “I'm not sure anything is wrong yet, but I have some information. I listened to one of Paavo's phone messages and heard Bashir promise more 'personnel' and funds. He said the personnel would be arriving at the north port, whatever that means.”
    “I knew it. Bashir has the means and the motivation to help Paavo. There's no telling what Paavo promised in return.” Chey didn't contemplate the repercussions right now. It was enough to know what entity backed Paavo's brazen move for the crown.
    “Someone caught me listening though, so if you don't hear from me tomorrow or the next day, it's because I probably got in trouble.”
    “Wait, what?” Alarm shot through Chey.
    “A guard caught me. He didn't take me to Paavo straightaway, so maybe he won't say anything. More than likely, though, it's just a matter of time before I'm summoned.”
    “Wynn! I said to be my eyes and ears, I didn't say get yourself arrested!” Exasperated and worried, Chey got up out of the chair. So much for relaxing. “Come to the hospital. Right now. Leave immediately, don't even pack clothes. Just go.”
    “Won't that look really suspicious? Paavo might say something. Besides that, you know what happened the last time I tried to go to the hospital.”
    “Yes, I know. He challenged you over who you're more loyal to, him or me.” Chey ground her teeth together until her jaw ached. Paavo was on her last nerve.
    “It's better if I just lay low, I think. Maybe the guard won't say anything.”
    “You don't sound convinced of that,” Chey pointed out.
    “I'm not. But I'm really worried that if I try to leave, the guards will stop me. You have to make plans to use the helicopter, which will alert pretty much everyone of my intentions.”
    “So don't fly. Drive.”
    “Are you saying I should steal a car?”
    “It's...borrowing. And I'm the one asking you to come, so. They can't say anything.” Chey met Krislin's concerned glance and lifted a shoulder helplessly.
    “They can say you're not the Queen anymore and charge me with theft.”
    “I still think you should leave. That's my recommendation, but if you're too afraid to go, then at least have a backup plan if they try to put you in jail.” Chey couldn't believe she was having this conversation.
    “Evading the police should go over well,” Wynn said with a sarcastic lilt.
    Chey smiled despite herself. “It's not like you haven't done worse before.”
    “Chey! You're not supposed to say things like that.”
    “Borrowing a car shouldn't be a hardship, though they might not let you through the gates.” Chey had to remind herself that Paavo had probably stepped up security. Where Wynn would have been able to squeeze through by saying she was on a visit to the Queen, the same excuse now might raise red flags.
    “I think you're right. Besides that, it really feels like things are shifting