How to Catch a Queen (Runaway Royals #1) - Alyssa Cole Page 0,98

could be—the kind who would make her want to stay for him and not his kingdom.

Musoke showed up later than usual, likely a show of defiance given that Sanyu had ignored his requests for a meeting the previous night. The council filed in after him. Sanyu could see that they were already curious as to why the queen wasn’t in the back corner, but the hostility on some of their faces was troubling. If this was how they reacted to a seat change, they were in for a shock when they heard the plans for the kingdom.

“Sorry, I was just taking care of some things,” Musoke said as he hobbled over to the table. “I don’t imagine we have much of import to discuss today anyway, apart from the trial.”

“The trial?” Sanyu felt his sure footing begin to slip away from him.

“The trial of Shanti Mohapti,” Musoke said calmly. “For treason. I told you of her crimes yesterday, of course she’ll be punished for them before being deported.”

Nothing was going as he’d planned; there was supposed to be a calm discussion where Sanyu explained he felt the power of the king was being eroded and that he would be taking more direct control over decision-making. He’d present the plan for the Rail Pan Afrique and the application for the UAN. Musoke had upended everything and now had the upper hand.

This was always how it was, how it had been since childhood—Musoke always looking for some way to trip Sanyu up. Strategy had been his job, his calling, but he’d seemingly made use of his power to constantly run mock attacks on a boy who may as well have been his own child.

Sanyu rose slowly to his feet, years of tolerance suddenly giving way to anger like the first wave cresting over the top of a dam. “Enough!”

His voice rang in the air of the room, and this time he didn’t care that the advisors cowered—he wasn’t pretending to be his father. This was his anger and he wanted it to be felt.

“The first order of business today was going to be a gentle reminder that I am king, and I will be the one making the decisions, but there’s no need to be gentle now,” he said. “Musoke, you and the council have gone behind my back one time too many. There will be no trial of my wife, though trying to have one without consulting me is treason in itself. Perhaps it’s you who should be examined?”

Musoke pursed his lips, not even taking Sanyu seriously enough to show anger. “The council and I, who possess the knowledge of Amageez, believe—”

“Using your role to annex power from those you’re supposed to support leads nowhere good. I’m surprised that you of all people haven’t learned this yet,” Lumu said with an edge of anger in his tone that surprised Sanyu. Lumu hadn’t grown up totally sheltered in the palace and had never abided by the same rules of genuflection. “It is said that I’m also touched by Amageez. I do not believe a trial is warranted. What now?”

“A lesser advisor has no say on these matters,” one of Musoke’s allies on the council said, adjusting the tuck of his robe.

“Yes, I’m aware,” Lumu said. “I was aware when I was conveniently demoted just before our former king’s death, thus ensuring that I had no actual power and Sanyu would have to rely on Musoke.”

“I have always done what needs to be done,” Musoke said flatly. “This kingdom would be a blip in post-colonial history if that wasn’t the case. I’m trying to protect that which needs my protection. My kingdom and my king.”

Sanyu’s head swam as the not-fear that came hand in hand with speaking back to Musoke rose up in him; he glanced at Shanti sitting rigid and fierce, and gathered his thoughts.

“Are you attempting a coup? You who have spent your life telling me that I must never allow such a thing?”

“I am trying to save this kingdom from that woman,” he sneered, pointing at Shanti. “Your father would be ashamed of how you let her do as she wishes. She needs to be sent away now. The council chooses the bride, the council also decides whether she is worthy of remaining and we have found her unfit. She is easily replaced and will not be missed.”

Sanyu glanced at Shanti again; her eyes were dark now, and he was certain she was imagining what she could do to Musoke