Kate Hewitt - The Chatsfield - Series 2

Another hobby he’d started after giving up partying.

“The desert is large, and so there is ample access to territory, but what there is not ample access to is water. The need for water, the need for plants to graze animals, the need for food, occasionally caused battles to break out among the tribes. As the landscape changed, water became more scarce. And it came to a point where a specific tribe refused to move away from an oasis. Refused to allow others passage to water. That was when my people knew changes had to be made. There was a call for unification. If only temporarily so that the people could have food. Could have the water they needed. So that they could band together and deal with the threat facing their lives.”

“When was this?”

“About three hundred years ago. As kingdoms go we aren’t an old one.” He could see that in spite of herself she was interested. He found it gratifying that she might be. Because for all that he had scorned the traditions of his country in his youth, as a man the pulse of the desert ran through his blood. It was a part of him, as was each and every soul that populated the kingdom. “The tribes banded together, and due to their increase in number they not only successfully regained control of the oasis, they were able to do so without starting a war. This led to the desire for further change. Concern over outside threats brought a call for more permanent unity.”

“So they decided to form one nation?”

“Eventually. Even though there were, of course, some issues. And the tribe that was defeated at the oasis declined to join.”

“And now? Have they moved? Have they joined?”

“They still live in Surhaadi. And they still claim independence from the monarchy. Though we do have some hand in their lives. They have the option to partake in various government programs, though for the most part they decline. They are broken into several different groups now, and live most of the year away from the city deep in the desert.”

“And you don’t have any issues with them?”

“Not as such. Though the leaders are not overly friendly. They see me as a challenge to their authority, and my authority is not readily recognized within the borders of their territory.”

“But you aren’t afraid of them? You haven’t seen the need to draw them into the fold, so to speak.”

“I see no need to destroy centuries worth of culture in a power grab. A treaty was signed long ago between their family and mine. As long as we do not interfere with them to their detriment, they will not interfere with us. And if we are in need, we are allowed use of any oasis we might find in their territory.”

“That seems fair enough. But how did your family find itself being selected as the ruling family?”

He placed his glass back down on the table. “That, I think, is a story for another night.”

“You seem to fundamentally misunderstand your function in an interview.”

“It seems to me that you should be exhausted from the trip.”

“I slept on the plane.”

“Hours ago. And if you do not get on schedule here in Surhaadi as quickly as possible, your jet lag will be fierce.”

“I’ve never been in a position where I might be jet-lagged. So I have no idea what it’s like.”

“It’s a bit like being hungover.”

She blinked. “Well, I’ve never been hungover before, either.”

“How is that possible?”

“You aren’t the only person who prizes a bit of control.”

Suddenly, she seemed even more intriguing than she had before. “You must have quite a bit of control in your possession, then.”

“People like me do not have power bestowed upon them from birth. We have to find it in ourselves. We have to take it where we can. In my case, that meant seizing control over my own life. Over my own behavior. It never mattered to me what my contemporaries did. It only ever mattered what I did.”

“Admirable.”

“I don’t know if it’s admirable. I don’t particularly care if it’s admirable. But it has worked for me. At least up until the moment when I got pulled out of an alleyway in New York City.”

“Yes, I would apologize for that, but I’m not sorry.”

“I didn’t think you were.”

“I appreciate the exchange of information—” he inclined his head “—it has been very informative.”

Her cheeks blushed rose. “Is that what we’re doing? Exchanging information?”

“It seems fair, doesn’t it?”

“Not particularly. I didn’t think that was part of our deal. I interview you, you tell me about the Chatsfields.”

Technically, he had not said that. Technically, all he had promised her was a scandal. But he would not correct her, not now. “Instant gratification can be damaging. I believe in working for what you want.”

“That’s rich coming from a man who was undoubtedly born with a golden scepter in his hand.”

She was not wrong, for many things in his life had been delivered to him at the snap of his fingers. But that had been a contributing factor in forming the man he had become. And the man he had been was not one he could be proud of. It had taken hardship to change him.

“It’s true. I cannot deny it. I have also suffered. And no amount of money could insulate me from that suffering. I’ve learned that sometimes you simply have no choice but to walk through the fire. And if you come out the other side, then the reward is great.”

“Are you my trial by fire?” she asked.

“Perhaps one of them. I wouldn’t presume to know if you’d had others or not.”

“I appreciate that. I’m sure you’ve suffered greatly here in your palace. But I am no stranger to suffering. I’m also no stranger to hard work, so trust me when I tell you you’re preaching to the choir. Though, also, forgive me for saying I’m a bit jaded to the concept that hard work somehow makes something more rewarding. I’ve put in more hard work to get where I am than many people ever will. I find it more exhausting than rewarding. There were some times when I would’ve simply rather had the playing field even, rather than subjecting myself to character-building exercises. It is easy to romanticize what we’ve never had to endure.”

He almost laughed at the irony of the statement. He looked around the ornate room. “Indeed.”

“I suppose I should take my leave. I might need a map of this place, if you have one handy, otherwise I fear I will spend a good portion of my time wandering around feeling lost.”

“I have a feeling it would be best for me if you felt a little bit lost. In which case, you would cause me less trouble.”

“Don’t bet on that. I imagine I will contrive new ways to cause you trouble daily. Until I get what I want.”

“What is it you want?” he asked, knowing what her answer would be.

“What is it you’re hiding?” she asked.

The question took him off guard. Perhaps because she had grazed far too close to the bone.

Not just in terms of Leila.

“Nothing but the usual skeletons,” he managed, knowing his voice sounded strangled, affected.

“I look forward to seeing them,” she said.

He gritted his teeth. “I am not James Chatsfield.” Neither did he actually have any information on Chatsfield he could share.

“I know,” she said, nodding once.

If he had thought he’d understood her, he’d been wrong. Bitterly so. She’d put him on his back foot, and he didn’t like it. For one thing, she was far too beautiful. For another, she was unpredictable. “Excellent. And on that note, I bid you good-night. My quarters are just here, so you will forgive me if I do not walk you back to yours. It is quite a trek.” And he had a feeling, that were he to accompany her in dark corridors, his control would be tested in ways he did not want to think of.