An Errant Prince

Runaway Groom

Kash felt the blood rushing to his ears. His heart  hammered in his chest. Why am I letting this old fool torment me? All his life, he'd felt like a failure. Right now, he felt like Sam Johnson could see right through him.

"There you are Kash!" A dark haired beauty, her lynx like figure wrapped in a figure hugging jade dress, sidled up to him. The young woman's voluptuous lips curved into a smile as she possessively laid claim to his arm. Her moldavite eyes sparkled with intelligence and cunning.

Reluctantly, Kash turned to acknowledge his fiancée. "Jasmine, I'd like you to meet Samuel Johnson. He and I were having an interesting conversation before you interrupted us." He turned to Sam. "I'd like you to meet my future bride, Jasmine Strom."

Jasmine ignored Samuel as if he was an odious barfly. "That's wonderful dear, but shouldn't we retire with the other guests to the Lotos room? What could be more important than toasting your brother,  the new crown Prince, and his Princess?" Impatiently, she pulled Kash off his barstool and started hauling him towards the high society crowd. Underneath her plastic smile and feminine attire, Jasmine had the wiry strength of a Olympian triathlete.

Kash pulled his arm free. "I wasn't finished with my drink, Jazz." He softened his refusal with a smile. "I'll come and find you in a few minutes." Looking affronted, she slunk back towards the crowd. When she caught sight of Sam's triumphant grin, she scowled, her jaw working like a preying mantis mandible.

When Jasmine was out of earshot, Johnson lavishly praised Kash. "Well done, lad! If I'm not mistaken that's your MI6 handler, under cover as your fiancé." She has that Yoko Ono vibe all over her. Does she supply your drugs?"

Kash scowled at the man, insulted. He tightened his hand protectively around the bottle of amphetamines in his pocket. "It's not my choice to marry her, or anyone right now," Kash blurted. "My father is adamant about the match. He wants the trade agreements he was offered with England." With his fiancée out of earshot, he asked. "Why do you think Princess Diana's alive?" He wasn't sure if it was saying her name out loud that was making his heart flutter, or the upper.

"Because she is! Listen Meswari, I'm dying of cancer. There's only thing I want more than anything else in the world. That's to see Lady Diana one last time."

The rational part of his brain told Kash to leave the bar and walk as far away as possible from this maniac without delay. Johnson was obviously insane and possibly dangerous. Probably on pain killer meds. But the reptilian part of his brain leapt at the chance of freedom. An open cage. Something long-forgotten stirred in his chest. Hope.

Sensing he had a fish hooked on his line, Samuel said casually. "I can tell you don't want to be here, son. And it's obvious you don't want to marry that Yoko girl.

"Strom, her name's Jasmine Strom."

"Whatever." Sam waved his hand dismissively. "You're right, Meswari. Let's you and me get out of here. He stood up and reached in his pocket for his wallet. Across the floor, he saw Jasmine talking to the Royal security detail and then point their way. "We should take our leave before they finish their toasts. This party's guest list is below the ninth circle of hell."

Kash hesitated, clearly debating whether to stay. After a moment, he stood up and followed Sam out of the bar.