Heir in Exile by Danielle Bourdon Read Free Book Online Page A

advantage. And you seriously pissed him off with the threat of removing him from the throne. He's on a tear, ready to do whatever it takes,” Mattias replied.
    Chey cringed inside at how cavalier it sounded. She might not have all those things any longer, but she was still human for crying out loud, still compassionate and caring and good-hearted over all. Didn't that account for anything? She squeezed Sander's hand when he reached down to grasp hers. As if he knew, rightly so, that it might be hard for her to hear.
    “Why didn't you just confront him in the parlor?” Sander asked. “Wouldn't it have been easier to try and change his mind?”
    “There is no changing his mind. Not only that, he made a peculiar statement that has sat ill with me ever since. He said, Sander will go into exile—one way or another. It was his tone, the absolute certainty he could make it happen. I started to think he has some other ace up his sleeve and decided on the spot that I would intercept the carrier and insert myself into the plans. They undoubtedly reported back to the King that I did so, that I'm here under my own power, with the intent to see his plot through for my own gain. The throne will be mine, technically, if you go into exile. What I'm trying to do is buy us time. I want Aksel to believe I'm pushing for the same agenda he is.” Mattias leaned against the side of a couch and glanced between Sander and Chey.
    Sander stroked a thumb across Chey's knuckles while he listened. He said, “What else could he have though, that would force me into exile? I can't think of anything.”
    “I can't either, but that doesn't mean there isn't some secret he's been keeping. He and mother have a wealth of them, you know that.”
    Sander grunted. “Yes.”
    “So what does this mean, then? What is your plan from here?” Chey asked.
    “It means we will allow the others to think you have been handed off—which reminds me. Byron, use that phone and send a text to the others saying Chey has been secured for the night. In the morning at seven, send another text that she has been handed over to a man named Saul.” Mattias glanced over his shoulder to one of two suited men still in the suite. Men obviously working for Mattias and Sander, or at least loyal to their cause.
    Byron inclined his head and fished out the phone to send his text.
    Mattias picked up where he left off. “Anyway, we want them to think you are on your way to some sordid trafficking center while Sander goes back to Latvala. What I think should happen is that you have a meeting with the King, brother, and try to force him to expose whatever other ace he's got up his sleeve so we can deal with it.”
    Sander rubbed his fingers over the ridge of his jaw. “That's really all I can do at this point. If I don't show up, he'll try and track Chey's whereabouts down to make double sure she's not with me, and our cover will be blown.”
    “Exactly. I will be there as well, with any luck, by invitation of the King. I expect he'll want to enforce the idea that I'm working with him and that I am ready to accept the official position as Heir. It keeps me close to him, in case he decides to confide in me. We'll work him from both angles,” Mattias said.
    “This seems impossible,” Chey said. “Has it really come to this? He's your father. I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact he can be so callous as to throw his own son out of his life. Out of the country, for that matter.”
    Sander and Mattias turned their attention on Chey.
    “Remember, I mentioned that the tension goes back beyond this. Further than you. I think it's a culmination of things. Never mind he's pissed that I threatened to throw him off the throne and take his place now, before his time as ruler has passed. That alone might have made him take more aggressive action,” Sander said.
    “True, very true,” Mattias agreed. “He is possessive of his title. Most monarchs are. Few will give it up until