King of Slaves (Jenna's Story) (The Slave Series Book 5) (43 page)

Chapter 37

The Father of the Bride

Jenna

“I just realized something awful,” Alex said to Jenna, who was doing push-ups in the underground gym.

“What?” Jenna asked with sweat dripping down her face.

“Zurry explained to me about the wedding ceremony, and it’s just not right.”

Jenna didn’t answer but kept counting.

“You do realize that your wedding is going to be completely different from a real one, right?”

“A real one?”

“They won’t be playing Wagner’s ‘Here Comes the Bride’ and you won’t be walking down the aisle to meet Kioni with Dad by your side.” Alex looked distraught.

“I know,” Jenna said, out of breath.

In a thin voice, Alex asked. “I know you said you wanted the dress to be a surprise, but will you even be wearing a white dress?”

Jenna sat up and took a deep breath. “No, I’m wearing a traditional Spirimian wedding dress.”

Alex gasped. “But don’t you
want
a white dress?”

It made Jenna chuckle. “You seem very upset about this. It’s just a dress, Alex.” Jenna got up from the floor. “I really don’t care about the ceremony, I’m in it for the end result.”

“So there won’t be any vows either?”

“Nope.”

Alex looked stunned. “But…”

“There’ll be a priest, though… well, actually there’ll be three.”

“Three priests?”

“Yes and all from the Eastern Dharmic religions.”

“The what?”

Jenna got on a treadmill and started running but Alex got in front of her with her hands placed firmly on her hips. “I’m sorry, but I happen to care a great deal about this subject and I apologize for naïvely thinking your wedding would be a normal one, but can you please turn off that machine so we can talk about this?”

Jenna slowed the treadmill down. “I’m hoping to lose a few pounds by Saturday, so how about this… I’ll walk while we talk.”

“Okay, then talk to me,” Alex agreed.

Jenna used her sleeve to wipe away sweat from her forehead. “I more or less left the wedding details to Kioni’s people, since I understand this has to be a traditional wedding according to their culture.”

“What about your culture… our culture?”

“Alex, I’m not concerned about that. I’m the foreigner marrying into Kioni’s culture, it has to be this way.”

Alex crossed her arms. “I’m not giving up my white dress and my church wedding. Not in a million years. Zurry will have to marry into my culture if he wants me.”

“I’m sure he will, or maybe you can have two weddings: one here and one in the US,” Jenna suggested.

Alex nodded. “I guess we could, but what did you mean about there being three priests?”

“Well, since Kioni banned Masi, which used to be the official religion here, our wedding will be a bit different from previous royal weddings. We talked about it and in the end we decided to bring in three different priests from the most peaceful religions. Actually, I convinced him it would be a brilliant way to illustrate to his people that they are free to choose any religion they want, and for us to introduce the ones that are peaceful in nature.”

“But there’ll be a normal priest, right?”

“You and your normal… Alex, don’t you see that we’re the ones not normal here? This is not the United States.”

“I know,” Alex said in a small voice.

“Don’t worry about it,” Jenna assured her. “In three days, we’ll have a beautiful wedding, and to be honest, I’m much more concerned with the fact that Dad is arriving today.”

Alex took a seat on the floor, looking up at Jenna. “What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know.”

“You know he’ll be upset that he doesn’t get to lead you down the aisle,” Alex said.

“Yeah, Kioni promised to explain that part to him, but more than anything I’m hoping that Dad will show up here with a new humble attitude and a huge apology for lying to us about Mom’s death, not to mention his bribing our grandparents to stay away from us. I’m still very angry with him.”

Alex pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped an arm around her legs. “You’re not going to make a scene, are you?”

“Have I ever?”

“No, but there’s something different about you. You’re older somehow.”

“Jeez, is that supposed to make me feel better? I’m already freaking out about all the media that’s flying in. Why do you think I’m down in this stupid gym anyway?”

“Relax, you look gorgeous. What I meant was that you seem more grounded somehow. At least when it comes to Dad.”

“If by grounded you mean done with taking his shit, then yeah, I’m grounded. I don’t need him in my life.”

“Jenna, don’t say that, we’re such a small family to begin with.”

“So are you saying Dad should get away with it because he drove Mom to suicide and scared our grandparents away, and now we have no one but him?” Jenna scoffed.

“Jennaaa…” Alex said placatingly.

“What? Are you just going to dance to his tune?”

“No, but I’m not ready to cut him off like you are.”

“Why not?”

Alex lowered her head and thought for a moment. “Maybe it’s because you’re the oldest. I leaned on you more than I leaned on Dad and so I never tipped over when he failed us. I can see how you shielded me, and showered me with love.”

“So what are you saying? You think I’m expecting too much from him because I leaned on him? I was a child, Alex, who else was I supposed to lean on?”

“Him, of course, but things are different now. You stand on your own and so do I, for the most part anyway.”

“But aren’t you angry with him?… His infidelity killed Mom.”

“I’m disappointed with him, but I think the difference between us is that I never expected much from Dad to begin with,” Alex explained.

Jenna was power walking and swinging her arms high. “I get that, but I can’t stand the thought of him waltzing in here to play the loving father, and use me and all the media surrounding my wedding to promote his political career.”

“I understand… so what are you going to do?”

“I wish I knew.”

“Did you talk to Kioni about it?”

“Of course.”

“And what did he say?”

“That he’ll support me no matter what I decide to do.”

“And what are your options?”

Jenna rubbed her forehead. “I can cut him off or live with his crap.”

Alex frowned. “I don’t think we should do either.”

“Then what do you suggest we do?”

“We simply state our expectations in a clear manner and let him know that we’re setting our own terms from now on. We’re not children and he can’t use us, manipulate us, or lie to us anymore.”

“And you think he’ll listen.”

“For his sake I hope he will. If he doesn’t he’ll lose us.”

“So a warning then?”

“Yes, but I mean it, Jenna, you have to stop expecting him to change and become a great father; it’s never going to happen. Nor is anything he says or does going to give us back Mom, or change our childhood.”

“I know,” Jenna said quietly and turned off the treadmill. “I’ll try to be the bigger person.”

Alex smiled. “Good for you.”

“You know what I wish?”

“What?”

“I wish I could just fast-forward and get all of this wedding and family drama over with. I can’t wait till everything quiets down and I find my new normal.”

“That makes sense, and before we know it we’ll both be moms and get together for big celebrations with our families.”

A small smile broke out on Jenna’s face. “I hope you’re right about that.”

Epilogue

Celebrities

Six years later

Jenna

“Careful, don’t run or you might fall,” Jenna called out to her youngest child, who was chasing around the sofa. “Kalen, can you stop running too? You’re really not helping.”

Kalen gave one of his goofy grins and looked conspiratorially at Prince Victor, who was only four but already loved his uncle to death. The two of them walked out of the room, and Jenna was certain they would just find somewhere else to run and be energetic or go play the piano together.

“How are you feeling?” Alex asked and glanced down at Jenna’s pregnant abdomen.

“Good – just tired, but it’s to be expected. The last month of my pregnancy with Emily was hard too, and with Victor it was the same. I’m ready to have this little warrior come out.”

“I get it – that last month is hard. And this heat doesn’t help, does it?”

Jenna fanned herself with a magazine. “No, it doesn’t.”

Alex opened her mouth to speak, but got distracted by Zurry and Kioni, who entered the room with her two small sons.

“There you are,” Alex said in a happy voice and spread out her arms.

Patrick, who was five, and James, who had just turned four, crawled into their mom’s arms and received kisses on their copper-colored hair. The sight of Alex with her sons made Jenna smile. They were the perfect mix of their parents, with beautiful amber-brown eyes and soft curls. Every time they came to visit, Jenna felt almost ashamed of how many times she had warned Alex to stay away from Zurry. He had proven to be a wonderful husband to her sister, and an amazing dad to her nephews.

“Where is Emily – wasn’t she with you?” Jenna asked Kioni, referring to their daughter, who was five.

“We met Kalen and Victor, and she wanted to go play with them in the garden.”

“All right.”

“Alex and I have a surprise for you both,” Zurry said and plunked himself down on the couch next to Alex and the boys.

“How funny, since we have a surprise for you too,” Kioni exclaimed and took a seat next to Jenna, who leaned against him. “Let them go first,” she whispered.

Kioni nodded and they both turned their attention to Zurry. 

“I think Alex should be the one to tell you,” he said.

Alex cleared her throat. “I know it’s taken me many years and that you have all been impatient, but I’ve finally decided that it’s time to move to Spirima.”

Outbursts of joy filled the room and hugs were exchanged.

“So you finally saw the light,” Kioni teased.

“Well, I’m going to miss the US for sure, but I have to admit that Spirima has transformed enormously. It’s hard to recognize compared to the first time I visited.”

Zurry was beaming. “So what is your surprise?”

“Not what…” Kioni said with a cheeky grin. “Who.”

Zurry and Alex exchanged a glance of curiosity.

“We have invited some people that we know you want to meet, especially you, Alex.”

“Who is it?… Oh wait, is it some kind of celebrity?” Alex asked with excitement.

“Yes.”

“Is it Bruno Mars?… I love his music.”

“Who is Bruno Mars?” Kioni asked Jenna, who just waved her hand in the air. “No, it’s not a musician. It’s a group of people who played an important part in the history of Spirima. If not for them, the war might still be going on and our lives might have looked very different.”

“What do you mean?” Zurry asked.

Jenna said, “Well, for one, if the war hadn’t ended, I would have never come to help rebuild the country and met Kio.”

“Which means I wouldn’t have met Zurry,” Alex said mostly to herself.

“I’m confused; who are these people that we’re meeting?” Zurry asked and looked at Kioni for an explanation.

Jenna and Kioni were grinning from ear to ear. “Remember those books Alex couldn’t stop talking about and wanted us all to read?”

“Which books?” Zurry said. “Alex is always reading something.”

“But these books were about Spirima.”

Alex’s hand flew up to her mouth and her eyes widened. “No!”

“Yes.” Jenna said and grinned. “They are all here.”

Alex started to fan herself. “Are you for real?”

“Who are
they
?” Zurry demanded and finally Kioni leaned forward.

“You didn’t read
The Accidental Slave
, did you?”

“You know I don’t like to read.”

Alex punched him on the arm. “But you heard me talk about Aya and Sybina… and Uma, remember?”

“Vaguely.”

“Kio and I both read the books,” Jenna said. “Or at least I did.”

“Hey, I read the two first books…” Kioni said and grinned. “I have a kingdom to run; I don’t have much time for reading.”

“Right.” Jenna turned her attention back to Zurry. “I wanted to do something special for Alex for her birthday, and then I came up with the idea of inviting them all to come and visit us.”

“I’m sorry… but why is this such a big deal for you?” Zurry asked Alex, who had tears in her eyes. “You don’t even know them.”

“But I feel like I do,” Alex said and blinked away her tears. “I loved those books, and I cried and cheered through all their tribulations.”

Zurry put his arms around Alex. “Well, if it means so much to you, then let’s meet these celebrities.”

Kioni got up with excitement. “They arrived fifteen minutes ago and are waiting for us in the library.”

“Why the library?” Jenna asked, “Why not the green room? It’s so much more welcoming.”

Alex pushed up from the couch. “Never mind the room, just lead the way. I can’t wait to meet them.” 

They were chatting happily about the books, and Kioni was trying to fill Zurry in during the three-minute walk to the library downstairs.

The minute they walked in, five people stood up to greet them. Kioni went straight over and shook their hands, even the three women.
He’s come a long way
, Jenna thought before she followed him and greeted their guests.

“Welcome.”

“Thank you, we’re honored to meet you, Your Majesty,” a tall dark-haired man said. Jenna instantly recognized him as Kato from the newspaper articles she had found online when she had been trying to track them down. Aston, the other man, looked different from the pictures she had seen because he had longer hair and a hipster beard.

“There’s no need to be formal today; you’re here as our friends. and we’re honored to have such heroes in our midst,” Kioni said.

He asked of the nearest guest, “You must be Kato Mantonis?”

“Actually no, I’m Kato Johansen. Aya didn’t want to take my last name so I took hers.”

“Very good.” Kioni turned to introduce the rest. “This is my wife Jenna, her sister Alex, and my brother-in-law and childhood friend Zurry.”

“We’ve heard so much about you,” the blond man said. “I’m Aston and this is my wife Sybina and our daughter Uma.”

“Then you must be Aya.” Alex was looking at a beautiful blond woman, and Jenna could tell Alex was a bit star-struck what with the red blush in her cheeks.

“I am,” Aya said and smiled.

Jenna stepped closer and shook their hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. Where are the children?”

“We didn’t know if they would be too disruptive so we left them with Aidan in the garden,” Kato said.

Jenna turned to face him. “Then I suggest we go to the gardens, I want to see this little Liv that I’ve read so much about.“

Aya smiled. “She’s not so little anymore; she’s six and quite a determined young lady.”

“I read all the books too,” Alex said, and kept looking at all of them like she was comparing them to what she had imagined they’d look like. 

Sybina smiled. “Yes, the books have caused quite the stir. Did you like them?”

Alex nodded vigorously “I loved them. I can’t believe what you all went through. I cried for you and laughed with you.”

“Even I read the books,” Kioni interjected. “Well, at least the two first ones. I started Sofia’s story, but have been a bit distracted. By the way, didn’t Sofia come with you?”

“She wanted to,” Aya said, “but she’s on a business trip in Asia and couldn’t change her plans. She sends her greetings, though.”

Kato interjected with a question for Kioni. “Did you like the books?”

Kioni nodded. “Yes, I enjoyed them, although I was disappointed to see that I was only mentioned by name a few times.”

Jenna chuckled lovingly. “Don’t mind my husband; being king makes him feel entitled to all the attention.”

“May I remind you that I played a significant part in that war?” Kioni defended himself.

Uma spoke up. She was as beautiful as her description in the books and her fierce green eyes looked straight at Kioni. “It was a good thing you did for all slaves.”

“Thank you, Uma.” Kioni inclined his head to her in a regal manner that only he could muster.

“I’m very grateful too,” Sybina said and received a charming smile from Kioni as well.

“See,” he said to Jenna. “At least they recognize my part in the whole thing. I really think Zurry and I deserved at bigger part in those books.”

“Leave me out of it,” Zurry said dryly. “I don’t like any sort of publicity, and being an ambassador has given me enough exposure for a lifetime. I would hate to be portrayed in a book.”

Aston crossed his arms. “That’s what I said, and then I had too much good wine one evening and gave my consent to being mentioned in Aya’s story, and before I knew it, Sybina wanted us to tell our story too.”

Zurry turned his head to Alex. “Before you even ask to have your own book, the answer is no.”

Kioni grinned and patted Zurry on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, my friend, if someone’s story should be told, it should be mine – and I promise to include you only as my trusted sidekick.”

He looked at their guests. “Come to think of it, that’s a great idea. I bet my story would be a real page turner!”

Jenna poked at him. “Hey, before you start playing Batman and Robin with Zurry, can I just remind you that each of the books was about a woman. So I think you should be
my
sidekick and the story should be about me.”

Kioni shook his head. “Don’t be silly, you have nothing to do with slaves… it could never be about you.”

“Neither did Sofia,” Jenna argued.

“It should be called
The King Who Freed the Slaves
and have me on the cover,” Kioni stated.

“No, it should be called
The Architect and the Conceited King of Spirima
,” Jenna teased and had everyone laughing. She leaned lovingly against Kioni. “I’m sure we can figure it out if it comes to that.” 

He squeezed her tight and smiled. “Did you want to go outside or should we have the rest of the party brought here?”

Jenna looked around. “Are you hungry?”

Kato was the only one brave enough to admit that he could eat a bite.

“Excellent, we’ll do a picnic in the park. That will give the kids space to run and play. I don’t know about your children, but ours don’t like sitting still too long.”

As they walked outside Alex was soon in deep conversation with Sybina and Uma while Jenna walked with Aya.

“Thank you for inviting us all – it’s very exciting to meet a king and a queen.”

Jenna laughed. “It’s just a title, Aya, I’m just Jenna underneath the crown.”

“I know, but still…”

“To be honest, I think we’re more excited about meeting you all, since we feel like we know you from reading your stories,” Jenna said.

Aya smiled. “I think a lot of people feel that way.”

Jenna nodded. “I can imagine. What made you decide to tell your story?”

Aya was thoughtful for a moment. “The first years after it all happened, we were still healing and rejected all offers of movies and books. Aston was probably the most resistant to the idea, but for me and Kato it became important to tell our version after all the rumors and false stories that were going around, and now that it’s done I think that for all of us it’s been almost therapeutic to get our stories out.”

“You are so brave, Aya, and I want to thank you,” Jenna said resolutely.

“Thank me? For what?” Aya asked.

“If you hadn’t been strong enough to convince Kato to help you escape, things might have come out different. You started a chain reaction by pushing Kato.”

“I don’t know about that,” Aya said modestly.

“But you did. You pushed Kato, who then killed the general and freed Aston and Sybina so they could free all the prisoners, who then took down the Masi headquarter and ended the war. It all goes back to one strong woman. You!”

Aya was clearly flattered but waved her hand. “You give me far too much credit. It was mostly the guys who made the difference.” She looked ahead to Kato and Aston, who were talking to Zurry and Kioni.