Chapter 431

Should she go and look for him? She had flicked back the sheets and was just sliding her arms into her robe when he walked back into the tent. She knew instantly that something was very wrong.

"What is it?" she asked urgently. ‘Hazem…?’

Ahsan shook his head. "He’s fine, but my father suffered a heart attack two hours ago." He ignored her shocked cry and continued in a controlled voice. "Early indications are that it was a mild attack, but he will remain under close observation by his doctors in the hospital wing of the palace."

He raked his hand through his hair and frowned at her, as if surprised to see her in her nightgown. "You must get dressed." We have to return to the palace immediately. Until my father is well enough, I will take his place as the King of Qubbah.

Kate didn’t know why his words filled her with such foreboding. She’d known that King Kabir had appointed Ahsan as interim ruler until the true heir to the throne, Hazem, came of age. But only now did she appreciate the