THE BLOOD ROYALS Book 2: Long Live The Queen!

Chapter Thirty Seven: When The Sun Sets On A King

Chea Niva Airspace
Prince Relian's POV
I haven't spoken a word since we left Bali a few hours ago. At this moment I'm wishing I could be in a faster jet, the kind I flew in the Air Force. I want to get home and I want to get home fast.

I'm anxious. I'm scared. I'm worried. I'm stressed. I'm impatient. I'm tapping my feet on the carpeted floor of the plane, my eyes are glued to the window. All I see are the wings of the RP1 steadily gliding in the air above the clouds.

It's one of those feelings people say they can feel in the bones. It's the gut feeling my grandmother likes to talk about. It's a dark eerie feeling that I'm too late. That I should never have left his side in the first place. I promised him I would be back. The plan was to come back engaged, to bring him a daughter in law. I have but they may never meet.

"Reli, my love." Renée tried to take my hand but I folded it into a fist.

I want to be alone. I don't want to talk. I don't want anything but to be alone.

She got the silent memo.

She retracted her hand, the diamond ring sparkling on her finger.

"How much longer?" I asked the stewardess who walked by. "How much longer till we land?"

"An hour or so your highness."

"An hour or so? Can you be more specific?"

"It depends on-"

"What?" I snapped at her. "What does it depend on damn it?"

She looked lost for words.

Barlowe apologized and told her to leave. "Renée, can I have a minute?" She left my side. Barlowe took a seat. "I asked air traffic control to clear the skies. We won't queue for anything. We will get there soon."

"Why did they wait to the last minute to tell me that he has gotten worse?"

"Because he was fine. It was sudden your majesty." I wish I had wings. I really do. "When we land, there will be a helicopter to take you straight to the hospital."

"Thank you." I'm still tapping my feet impatiently. My fist joined the rhythm gently slamming against my knee.

"Talk to your wife to be. She's concerned about you." He got up.

I turned my head to look at the beautiful girl I almost made love to just a few hours ago. Twice now, just when I'm close, Barlowe has interrupted and both times it was news about my father. I beckoned her over. Still in the pretty pink polka dot dress, she joined me. I immediately took her hand. I brought it to my lips. "I'm sorry for my behavior. I'm not okay."

She gazed at me sympathetically. "I can see that."

When I turned my head, to look outside the window, I dropped Renée's hand. "Shit." I cursed. I looked to the left side and I saw another jet on that side. Barlowe's head dropped in a similar realization. I made eye contact with the two pilots in the jet close to me. They saluted me. I responded with a salute.

"What's wrong?" Renée asked me. "What's going on? Why are there fighter jets outside the plane?"

I covered my face and bowed my head low, really low.

CN has it's traditions when the sun sets on a king. If the successor, in this case the prince is travelling to the king's death bed, he is accompanied to ensure he gets there. It happened when my grandfather passed away. My dad told me he was driving a car at the time. He was coming from a road trip with his friends when he was suddenly overtaken by a police car with sirens. Another followed from the back and a helicopter above. In my case, two jets on either side of the RP1.