QAIS

Chapter 8: Stalemate

♛

For the first time since his arrival he visited the lake. The water looked charcoal in the night sky. As he gazed into the black, it peered back at him. Longingly. It’s depth reaching out for him. It wanted to envelope him. To engulf him into its silent world. To wash away the red from his hands before it was too late.

But for Qais it was already too late.

There was nothing that could stop him. He had spent far too long admiring the house of cards. It was finally time to make it crumble.

Not even the entire lake would be enough to wash away the red that he was going to spill.

From afar Pasha watched him. He was the only one aware of the chaos Qais was going to wreak. He was also the only one who knew what stood at the end of that path. If only there was some other way.

He watched as the dark-haired stood up and walked to him, the blue eyes far too furious. Far too blood-thirsty.

This was the Qais that terrified him most. The one who didn’t sugarcoat his words in sweet poison, the one who didn’t beat around the bush, or be playful like an evil child. No, this Qais was raw, cold-hearted ruthlessness. He wouldn’t spare his victim even a second of relief.

The man’s phantom shrieks still rang in the mansion. If that is what he had done to the henchman one could only imagine what he would do to the one who gave the order.

Qais was going to ruin them, even if it were the Queen of the land. He had planned to take his plan slow. But now he was going to make it slow and painful.

“Get the cars out.”

♛

Shams paced worriedly around the room. It was a safehouse. Ever since his assistant was murdered in his home he couldn’t afford going back there. He had sent his children away with his wife. And hidden away in a safehouse instead far away from the Capital.

But he was unaware that he had come running to death himself, to the city of Qais.

Just then the door knocked. Shams looked up alarmed. He was rattled by every little thing now.

He calmed when a guard walked in. “Sir, you have a guest.”

Shams breathed in relief. It must be someone from the palace. Maybe his brothers. He had called for them. He all but ran down desperately.

But through the doors came someone Shams had never in a million years expected. It hadn’t even crossed him in a dream. Or better yet, a nightmare.

He looked like he had seen a ghost. It can’t be…

The guard left them alone before Shams could call out. He had been too lost in shock to do so.

Qais took off his sunglasses, a smile spreading on his face. “Miss me?”

It really was him.

It had been so long. Shams would not have recognized him if not for the signature dark hair and blue eyes. He was far too taller, leaner, his features far more defined and his voice bone-chilling deep. He was not a boy anymore, he was a man.

Qais Waliyuddin Khan. The son of the Royal Secretary. Or more importantly... The King's Aide.

But he was exiled years ago...