‘What happened to you?’ Kedah asked. ‘Hussain told me that when you studied together you had plans and dreams for our land... What happened to them?’
‘The old King did not want change.’
‘But you are King now. So why do you bow down to the elders?’
‘They are wise.’
‘Of course they are—but they are also staid. You are King. Your word is law and yet you choose not to use it.’
‘It would be easier—’
‘Easier?’ Kedah interrupted. ‘Since when did a king choose the easy option? Whatever hold the elders have on you, share it with me, and then together we can fight. But I shall not return to Zazinia just to sit idle and wait for you to pass.’
Kedah would not be pushed around by anyone. He knew his father was doing his best to protect his mother’s reputation—he was quite sure that was why the King held back—but if only his father would voice the problem, together they could face the trouble.
Just so long as Kedah was indeed Omar’s son.
There was a knock at the door and he knew there was only one person who would disturb an official meeting between the King and one of the Princes.
The door opened and the Queen stepped in, smiling widely.
‘Rina,’ the King scolded lightly, ‘I am busy speaking with Kedah.’
‘Well, the poor artist is waiting. He’s so old that I am scared he will die if we keep him much longer.’
Omar laughed, and even Kedah smiled.
‘Come, Kedah,’ Rina said. ‘I will walk with you.’
They walked through the palace and his mother stopped at a large floral arrangement and chose a bloom, which she placed in her hair, and then she selected a few more.
‘It is so good to have both my sons home. Stay a while longer, Kedah.’
She was oblivious to the tension between him and Mohammed, and the terrible rumours had been kept from her. Kedah did not know how much longer they could remain so.
‘I cannot stay. I have been away for a few weeks, and Felicia...’
He halted. Since when did he take into consideration the fact that his staff had not been home for a while?
And while Rina was oblivious to many things she was alert to others.
‘Careful, Kedah.’
‘Careful?’ He frowned and stopped walking.
He almost wanted to confront her—to say that he was old enough now to understand an affair—but it was imperative, if he was to fight his brother, to know first that he was the King’s son. But then he looked into her smiling chocolate-brown eyes that were flecked with gold like his and he couldn’t do it.
There was a fragility to Rina—an air of impulsiveness and a little river of vulnerability that ran through her that sometimes darkened that winning smile.
If he confronted her now, Kedah would watch her fold and crumple. If he questioned her about what had happened all those years ago their relationship would never recover. That much he knew.
Yet if Mohammed called his lineage into question her shame would be held up for the elders and ultimately the people to discuss.
He was scared for his mother.
‘Be careful with Felicia,’ Rina said. ‘Be careful with a young woman’s heart.’
Kedah shook his head. His mother did not have to concern herself with his sex life, and especially not with Felicia’s heart. This was a business arrangement, and if anyone could handle it, it was Felicia—she was the toughest person he knew.
‘You don’t have to worry about her.’
‘But I do. You have never brought one of your lovers to the palace.’
They walked on and Kedah said nothing. But his mother was right. It was in part the reason he would not be staying longer. He wanted Felicia in his bed, and that could never happen here.
‘You are choosing a bride soon,’ his mother warned. ‘It is not fair to her to be here.’
‘Felicia is fine.’
Rina wasn’t so sure. She had seen Felicia’s angry glare as Kedah had made her walk behind him and ignored her.
And now there Felicia was, standing on a balcony, looking out at the view.
‘Think about staying for a little while, Kedah,’ Rina said, and kissed his cheek. ‘I miss you.’
‘I know.’
‘Come home.’
He wanted to.
‘I cannot sit idle for years like...’ He halted.
‘Like your father has?’
He nodded, and after a moment of sad thought Rina cupped his cheek.
‘I do understand.’
Could he ask his mother for the truth? If he was his father’s son then he could confront the rumours and douse them before the sun went down on this day.
If he wasn’t...?
Kedah was ready to know.
‘Mother...’ He stood there and felt as if he had removed his sword and now held it over her head.