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By the time Naseer and the children came home. Dinner was ready and the house was back in chaos. I had thirty minutes of quiet.

After putting the children to bed. Naseer and I had a moment to relax and talk.

“What did you say to Rilwan that made him move swiftly next to me.”

“I didn’t say anything, I just signaled your importance to him, with my hands. You didn’t see it, but he saw it. Once we marry, you will get trained on signals to communicate without speaking.”

“Naseer, we are already married.”

“I know, I meant after we have a wedding in the presence of everyone and we move into the palace,” he stated, like moving into the palace was like moving into a new house with boxes to unpack.

“Naseer, why are we moving to the palace? You don’t live in the palace, and my work is here.”

“Can we please discuss, this later? I’m kind of tired.” I nod, not exactly sure I want to discuss it either.

thirty-seven

Naseer

Once Jade was asleep, I sent a signal to Ril. He should be here soon. I’ve had a moment to think about the news I received this morning. My phone had beeped with a signal, and I knew what the alert meant, right away I got up and called my uncle.

Raheem was on the phone too. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“King Jodra is out for blood, turns out his draconian rule isn’t easy to apply when it comes to his daughter. He called me this morning stating you will hear from him for your action. I told him you did not release the information to the world, and he needs to come up with concrete evidence before pointing fingers.” I exhaled as I listened to my uncle. “Now he’s out searching and out for blood. Nadra told him that you threatened her, and she believes you released the pictures and information to the world.” My uncle stopped talking. I clench and unclench my fist. My dad created this mess, if he hadn’t encouraged Nadra, damn it.

“Nas, I covered our track he won’t find any evidence, but we also know he’s not a rational man. The moment he doesn’t find any evidence, he’s going to believe Nadra and come after you. My sources informed me that he’s planning to replace Nadra with a look-alike and ship her out of Coira,” Raheem says.

“You need to bring your wife and children back to the palace. Act like nothing has changed but be vigilant, he might act sooner than we expect,” my uncle says.

“Okay, I won’t change the plans on our return but right now, I’m so mad at my dad. He’s the root cause of all this. It’s not going to be easy to convince Jade to move to the palace, telling her about this would freak her out. She’s barely over my dad threatening her, telling her this would mess her up.”

“I’ll increase your security, just get them here and we can plan better,” my uncles says.

“Thanks. Talk later,” I say hanging up.

The whole thing had barely sunk in when my daughters asked, “Daddy are you okay?”

“Of course, my lady,” I answered, picking her up. Before I could put her down to have a moment, my son was up, and they had a lot to talk about. So, I listened and laughed with them all day with barely any moment to talk in private with Ril.

When I saw Jade walking alone towards the parking lot, my mind spiraled. She is unaware that she and the children are now a target for King Jodra.

Ril was surprised when I used the danger alert signal.

My phone beeps, Ril is here. I go to let him in and fill him in on the details. We talked at length about the protection details. He knows what to do. He’s officially Jade’s bodyguard without her knowing.

thirty-eight

Jade

The week went by fast, we had to return to Rhanaz, and the twins wouldn’t let go of Naseer. Separation anxiety turns out it wasn’t just the children, Naseer couldn’t let go either. Last minute he decided we are all going to Rhanaz, I asked about school. He said they could have a private tutor for now. Before I knew it, we'd packed up the children, with Leah and my dad decided to come along, though I think it was Aunty Lara sending a backup.

Naseer takes us straight to the palace to see the King, it would be my first time in the palace. I expected my children to be intimidated by the grandeur, oh no they saw it as a big playground.

Mira quickly got excited at the staff bowing to her. I knew right away; that things are quickly changing. Everything seems fine but something about Naseer is off. Before I analyze Naseer’s nonverbal cues.

The king appears with Prince Raheem. The king pulls me into a big hug with the words “Welcome home.” I smile at him.

The children greet the king, and Mira already has the king wrapped around her finger.