How to Catch a Queen (Runaway Royals #1) - Alyssa Cole Page 0,106
inhaled deeply, feeling his back press into the chair that was too small for him. He thought of the deep brown of Shanti’s eyes, and her sharp tongue, and the strength that she couldn’t hide even when she tried. He thought of the goodness of his wife, and how it had been squandered. And then, as he’d done on all those late nights they’d planned for the kingdom’s future, he began to plan for his and his wife’s. Sanyu knew now that all he needed was an objective he cared about in order to cut out all the thoughts that might overwhelm him. Now he had one.
“Can you take care of things here leading up to the parade, O wise Advisor?” he asked, standing up. “My wife is very intelligent, I don’t think finding her will be a couple of hours’ work.”
“It’s under control, and I’ll call you if I need anything,” Lumu said.
Sanyu left when perhaps he should have stayed, but this time the urge pushing him out of his office door wasn’t to run away from Njaza and never look back; it was to find his wife, and if she’d have him, to keep her.
AFTER A SEARCH of her quarters turned up only the odd scent of vinegar, and a teary Kenyatta could think of no possibilities apart from Thesolo, Sanyu found himself at the library, where he spoke to Josiane.
“So she left you, they say? Another queen gone and forgotten, huh?” She dusted her hands together and then clapped, the sound startling in the quiet of the library.
“Actually, I came to see if she stopped by before she left. I know you two didn’t really get along, but if she passed through here to pick up her belongings, maybe you noticed something or overheard her say where she was going?”
“You’re looking for her?” She squinted up at him, her dark gaze sharp as thorns. Something about her made him feel like a boy again. “Why? To punish her for leaving before you could send her away yourself?”
“No. Because I want her to come back. I want her to stay.” Sanyu didn’t even feel ashamed to say it. How could he be ashamed of the truth? “I’m going to try a bookshop she frequented next, but thought I’d ask here first.”
“Well. Humph.” She crossed her arms over her chest then called out over her shoulder. “Gertinj! Did you drive the minivan to work today?”
Another older librarian peeped out. “Ouay. Why?”
“We have to drive the prince somewhere,” she said.
“The king!” Gertinj reminded her.
“Oh, you know what I meant. Let’s go.” Josiane started walking off at a much faster pace than Sanyu expected, and all he could do was trot after her. He’d planned to have the royal chauffeur take him, but the old librarian’s determined stride wasn’t to be argued with.
Fifteen minutes later, after refereeing a shouting match over a parking spot between Gertinj and a taxi driver, Sanyu found himself in front of a trendy-looking café with the name Liberation Books burnt into a reclaimed wood panel. He was flanked on either side by Gertinj and Josiane. It was still early, and the shop hadn’t opened yet, but they walked in confidently and he followed.
“Marie?” Josiane called out, and after the sounds of paper rustling in the back, a woman with a familiar face stepped out. He had to squint at her to be sure but—yes. She was his heckler.
She smiled at him.
“Your Highness,” she said with a regal curtsy. “Your wife isn’t here.”
“Do you know where she is?” he asked.
“If you, her husband, have no idea at all, then you have no right to sniff after her and bother her,” Marie said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Your Highness.”
“Oh, come on, you’re a smart boy. Think!” Josiane lightly slapped his arm, then gave the same spot an apologetic rub.
Sanyu took a deep breath and began to sift through his thoughts, pushing aside the rising panic that he’d truly never see her again. Shanti might have left for the conference in Thesolo—except Lumu had said she was still in the country. She’d wanted to tour the country, but also had lit up when he’d mentioned the temple of Amageez, and had spoken privately with one of the acolytes there about something or somewhere called Okwagalena.
“Maybe she’d visit the temple of Amageez again,” he said. “She was very interested in some things there.”
“I’ll bring the car around!” Gertinj called out excitedly.