those smuggling it.”
“Then they should have paid the price.” He tucked his hands behind his back. “So rather than pay a small toll, they’d prefer to rid themselves of me?” The logic escaped him.
“It’s possible. I’ve yet to actually find a direct link to the attacks.”
“Does Princess Shereen know what’s happening in Eden and in her own city?”
“The princess has her own issues.” Darius set his jaw. “I doubt she’ll survive the king’s demise.”
“Pity. She’s a nice girl. Guess once the chaos settles, I’ll have to pay a visit to Sapphire and endure a few meetings to soothe some tempers. Perhaps once they’ve changed kings they’ll be less interested in attacks.”
“And if they’re not?”
“Then I’ll ferret out the culprit.”
Darius shook his head. “You can’t mindread them all. There’s too many involved.”
“Then what do you recommend?”
“Do nothing. The drug trade will dry up on its own because the rumors coming out of Emerald are that the queen neglected to tell anyone where she got the dust from.”
That brought a frown. “How is that possible? Surely she had people working to harvest it?”
“I’m sure she did, but no one can find them. She hid them well. Too well. The Emerald Enclave is losing its mind.”
“Good. Perhaps its citizens will finally overthrow them and rule themselves.”
Darius snorted. “Never mind the lives that will be lost during the violence.”
“Freedom has a price.” He’d paid it. And continued to pay it. Even when he’d hurt for it, it was worth every bloody drop and tear.
“I hear someone went after Charlie.” Darius glowered. He was fond of his niece and often brought her back strange toys from the islands.
“We’ve had two attempts, which is why she now has full-time protection.”
“Good. If things get bad, you know you can always give her to me. I’ll take her sailing for a bit until things die down.”
“Sailing on an ocean with giant sea monsters is just as likely to kill her.” Roark grimaced. “I don’t know how you stand it.” He preferred solid land under his feet.
“I don’t know how you live in this cesspool. Muddy waters all around and nasty things living in them.” Darius shuddered. “I’ll take my big ocean beauties any day.”
“Your beauties keep trying to sink your ship.”
“They play rough.” Darius’s grin was a charming smile that more than one woman had fallen for.
“How long you staying in the city for?”
“As long as it takes to cajole Riella into making me a sonar to find ruins.”
“What happened to studying the old maps?”
“I’m fairly certain I’ve found the city they used to call the Apple. But before I go diving, I’d like to be sure. There’s some mean critters in that area.”
The idea of finding a new place intrigued, but not enough for Roark to ever set foot on a boat. “If you want Riella, then be prepared to be nice to Titan.”
“And if I’m just myself?”
Roark groaned. “Then I guess I can look forward to Titan scowling and stomping the entire time you’re here.” The man was utterly devoted to Riella. It wouldn’t be long before they declared themselves in front of people, he’d wager. He wondered if that matchmaker would claim they weren’t perfect for each other.
Why did he care?
“If the man is intimidated, it’s his own fault. I was genetically blessed with a massive dick. You should feel sorry for me. It’s not easy being the object of lust.” Darius spoke matter-of-factly. Smug bastard.
Roark shook his head. “One of these days, you’re going to meet a woman who isn’t impressed by your charm. And she’s the one you’ll want above all else.”
“Full-time relationships are for the land-locked. I’m a sailor, which means no home for me, brother. Just a cabin and my bed.”
“Speaking of bed, I should find mine.” Roark rubbed a hand over his face. Being a king came with more duties than he liked. Meaning he needed to find capable people to help him. No point in having power if he never got to enjoy himself.
Before heading to his bed, he went up the extra flight of stairs and nodded to the pair of guards that saluted him. They stood aside as he went to his daughter’s door. He almost wanted to chastise them. They didn’t even test to see who he was. What if someone with the ability to wear faces demanded admittance?
But no one knew that was even possible. Not people that lived at any rate, and he’d yet to hear of anyone else who could do what he