“I appreciate the offer, but that’s asking a lot,” Alejandro said. “We’re talking about the security of my home.”

“It took a bombing in Meridia to get me to agree to accept help,” Eduard said. “I know it’s difficult to invite outsiders into your confidence, but I also know that as a king and as a father, you want to protect your children as well as your country. Take some time to think about it. The offer is available if you need it.”

“Thank you. Please send my daughter my love.”

“Of course.”

Alejandro hung up. Sharing his security protocols with a foreign entity went against every instinct, yet he couldn’t deny the truth. Someone had already breached his home, and he couldn’t risk bringing any of his daughters home until he could ensure their safety.

One way or another, changes needed to be made. Darius’s concern that an inside source might exist within the palace walls caused him to pick up his phone. Whether he liked it or not, he needed someone from the outside to help him protect his daughters. He only hoped the man Eduard spoke of was up to the task.

CHAPTER 19

Julien laid the engravings on the velvet cloth covering the carpet in front of the fireplace. The secret to gaining power was here. Now he needed to understand it.

If his father would have taken the time to explain, he wouldn’t have needed to go to such extremes to learn what the ancient agreement said.

He read the first three lines, the words outlining the story that had been handed down through the generations of his family. His mother may not have known much beyond vague stories, but it had been enough to plant the seeds of where his destiny lay.

He continued reading, stopping twice to look up the meaning of a word. He hadn’t realized how much the Spanish language had changed over the past four hundred years.

He read through the rest of the agreement, noting the incomplete sections. Two more pieces of the puzzle and he would have it all. Then again, if his mother had relayed the family stories correctly, he already knew what the missing sections contained.

His phone chimed, indicating a new message. His hand tightened on it when he saw the text Pratt had sent. Apartment in Malmo compromised. Surveillance team across the street.

Did someone know Julien was involved? Or were the authorities searching for someone else in his family? No matter. He had handed the keys over to Pratt months ago when Julien had decided to erase all traces of his connection to his family.

Julien texted Pratt back. Looks like you’re staying with me for the foreseeable future. Make sure you aren’t followed.

Understood.

Julien set his phone aside and focused on the agreement again. He read through it a second time, noting the procedures in place for him to ascend to the throne when the time came. He stumbled over one word and backed up to reread the sentence.