Chapter 143

• ‘Inas…’ The King had tears in his eyes as he pleaded with his wife to see sense. ‘This is not Xavian—this is the Sheikh Prince Zafir of Calista. It has been on every news bulletin, in all the papers, I rang King Ashraf myself, to offer the Kingdom of Qusay’s prayers….’ He realised his wife had been so immersed in their son’s declining health that she hadn’t heard or taken in the terrible news. ‘Three of the Princes were swept out to sea, where they were captured by pirates. Two have escaped, but young Zafir is still missing—they have been searching for him for days…his mother is desperate…’
• ‘She is not his mother…’ Inas snarled. ‘She married the King and took on his sons—how can it be fair that she has five and I have none? She never gave birth. I did…’
• ‘Inas…’