Chapter 209

The Prophet King’s residence was a mansion on a hill overlooking the city with a manicured lawn and a high wall. Two Danites in a black SUV led their convoy, and two more followed behind. The afternoon sun was bright.

“It’s a nice house,” Cherish said, looking out the RV’s window. “It looks like a castle.”

“It’s a fortress, Cherry,” Savannah said, sitting next to her. “A very pretty fortress with a lot of guards.”

They drove up a winding driveway to the mansion, where a butler in a black suit and a white tie was waiting for them. He bowed as Louis and the women stepped out of the RV.

“Mr. Collins. Ladies. Welcome,” the butler said. “His Holy Majesty is expecting you. Please, follow me.”

Louis glanced at Yamamoto and García, who stood by the RV, their hands on their rifles. “We’ll be inside.”

“Yes, sir,” Yamamoto said. “We’ll be right here.”

They followed the butler into the mansion, their footsteps echoing on the marble floors.

“His Holy Majesty is in the solar,” the butler said, leading them down a long hallway lined with portraits of Mormon leaders in old-fashioned clothes. “He will join you shortly. In the meantime, his wives would like to welcome you.”

The butler opened a door to a spacious sunroom with a view of the city and the Great Salt Lake. Six women were sitting on a set of upholstered sofas, knitting, reading, or chatting. They were all dressed in modest but elegant pastel dresses. They looked up as Louis and the women entered.

“Welcome,” said a woman in a blue dress. She was the oldest of the group, perhaps in her late forties, with a kind face and weary eyes. She put down her knitting. “I am Sister Sarah. The Prophet King’s first wife. These are my sister-wives.” She gestured to the others. “Sister Mary, Sister Hannah, Sister Abigail, Sister Naomi, and Sister Leah.”

The other women nodded or smiled, their expressions polite but reserved.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Louis said, extending his hand. “I am Louis Collins. This is my family.”

Sister Sarah took his hand with a gentle grip. “The pleasure is all ours, Mr. Collins. We have heard much about you and your remarkable journey. You are a blessed man.”

“I’m just a lucky man.” Louis nodded, trying to sound diplomatic.

Sister Sarah looked at the women. “You are all very brave. The Prophet King told us what you have been through. It is a miracle that you are all here.”

“We are here because we look after each other,” Angelique said. “And we never give up.”

“A lesson we all must learn,” Sister Sarah said, her gaze lingering on Angelique’s face. “You carry yourself with great dignity, Princess Angelique.”

Angelique inclined her head. “Thank you, Sister Sarah.”

The women exchanged greetings, their voices polite. Louis took a seat on a sofa, the others settling around him. He felt the sisters’ eyes on them.

“So, what do you all do?” Sister Mary, a woman in her late thirties with a serious demeanor, asked. “Besides saving each other’s lives.”

“We’re having a gap year,” Gladice said, lounging back. “After we finish it, we’re going to the University of Hawaii.”

“Gap year?” Sister Naomi, a young woman with bright eyes, asked. “What’s that?”

“A year of travel and fun before college.” Gladice winked. “To see the world and have parties.”

Sister Naomi’s eyes lit up. “Is it true that you go to parties with men?”

“Always,” Gladice said, winking. “It’s the best part.”

Sister Naomi blushed. “Oh. Okay.”

Sister Sarah’s smile was gentle. “It must be a very different life. The one you live.”

“It is,” Angelique said. “But we are happy.”

“I am glad to hear that, Princess,” Sister Sarah said. “Happiness is a gift from the Lord.”

Maeve scoffed. “If he exists.”

Sister Abigail, a woman in her early thirties with a sharp face, looked at Maeve. “You don’t believe in God?”

“No,” Maeve said. “I’m an atheist.”

Sister Abigail’s lips tightened. “Then what do you believe in, Miss Fyres?”

“I believe in my gun, my family, and myself.”

Gladice laughed. “I love you, Mae-Mae.”

Sister Abigail looked at Gladice, then at Maeve. “You are a strange family.”

Louis shrugged. “We get that a lot.”

The Prophet King entered the room, with Rachel trailing behind him. She saw Louis and smiled. “Brother Louis.”

“Rachel,” Louis said, nodding.

The Prophet King looked at the women. “My dear wives. I hope you are making our guests feel welcome.”

“We are, Your Majesty,” Sister Sarah said. “We are learning about their very interesting life.”

The Prophet King smiled. “I am sure you are.” He looked at Louis. “I am glad you could come, Mr. Collins. I wanted to show you my home and my family. To show you that I am a man of faith and family, just like you.”

“Except I am not a man of faith, Your Majesty,” Louis said.

The Prophet King’s smile didn’t waver. “You are a man of destiny, Mr. Collins. That, is a form of faith.”

“I’m a man of my own making,” Louis said. “And I’m accountable for my own actions.”

“As am I,” the Prophet King said. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, ladies, I would like to speak with Mr. Collins and the Princess in private. ”

“My family will stay with me, Your Majesty,” Louis said. “We have a rule. No one gets left behind.”

The Prophet King looked at Louis, then at the women. “A wise rule. Then all of you, please, follow me to my study. We can have a more private conversation there.”

He led them down another hallway, to a large room with a mahogany desk, a fireplace, and a wall of bookshelves. The Danites stood guard outside the door. The Prophet King gestured to a set of leather armchairs.

“Please, be seated,” he said. “Can I offer you some water? Or some juice?”

“We’re good, Your Majesty,” Louis said. “We had a late lunch.”

The Prophet King sat behind his desk. “As you wish.” He looked at Louis, then at Angelique. “So, what do you think of my proposal, Mr. Collins?”

“We are open to that idea,” Louis said. “But it depends on your cooperation and sincerity.”

“I am sincere, Mr. Collins,” the Prophet King said. “You entered my kingdom with a caravan of men, weapons, and vehicles. And Rachel mentioned that you have a way to fish in the Pacific. I would be a fool to be anything but.”

Louis felt a knot in his stomach. He tried to keep a calm expression. “My methods have served me well, Your Majesty. So have yours.”

“What do you know about my methods, Mr. Collins?” the Prophet King asked.

“I know you’re a pragmatic man, Your Majesty,” Louis said. “You decided to cut ties with Common Roots and Lumen Path as soon as you learned about our arrival. You sacrificed Sterling. You offered us a trade deal. Because you know that we are more powerful than you. So you want to be on our good side.”

The Prophet King leaned forward, his hands clasped on the desk. “Your honesty is refreshing, Mr. Collins. I admire that. You are not a politician. You are a leader. A doer. You also have a sharp mind and a strong will.”

“I’m glad you think so,” Louis said. “Now, let’s talk about your sincerity. To what extent are you willing to cooperate with us? And what do you expect in return?”

“I am willing to give you full access to all the information we have about Common Roots and Lumen Path,” the Prophet King said. “I am willing to help you find Brother John and the elders of the farm too, if they are still in my kingdom.”

“In return?” Louis asked.

“In return, I want the trade deal I proposed,” the Prophet King said. “I want you to be my advocate with your father. I want to build a bridge of trust between our two states. You will be the one who holds it.”

“Then I’d like to propose an addition,” Louis said. “We want an embassy here in Salt Lake City as soon as possible. A proper one, not a trade office. And we’d like to be the ones who choose the land and the architect for it.”

The Prophet King raised an eyebrow. “That is a bold request, Mr. Collins. You are asking for a piece of my sovereignty.”

“An embassy is a standard diplomatic practice, Your Majesty,” Angelique said. “It shows mutual respect. And it facilitates communication.”

The Prophet King looked at Angelique, a small smile on his lips. “You are a skilled diplomat, Princess. I can see why your father chose you for Mr. Collins.”

“He did not choose me for him,” Angelique said, her tone even. “I chose him.”

“Even more admirable,” the Prophet King said. He turned back to Louis. “Very well, Mr. Collins. You can have your embassy on one condition.”

“Which is?” Louis asked.

“That my Kingdom will have an embassy in Sacramento,” the Prophet King said. “And that I will be the one who chooses the land and the architect for it.”

“Certainly. That seems fair,” Louis said.

The Prophet King leaned back in his chair. “I am glad we could reach an agreement, Mr. Collins. I believe our two states can prosper together. And I believe our meeting was divinely orchestrated.”

“I believe it was politically orchestrated, Your Majesty,” Louis said. “But the result is the same.”

The Prophet King laughed. “You are a cynic, Mr. Collins. But you are a reasonable one. I like that.” He looked at Angelique. “I can see why you fell in love with him, Princess. He is a rare combination of strength, intelligence, and charm.”

“I agree, Your Majesty,” Angelique said, a faint smile on her lips.

“I’m also a man of action, Your Majesty,” Louis said. “And I don’t like to waste time. So, let’s talk about our next steps. I want your men to find Brother John. I want to get him. Alive.”

“They are already looking for him and his friends, Mr. Collins,” the Prophet King said. “I have a good feeling they will find him soon. He can’t hide forever. Not in my Kingdom.”

“I hope you’re right, Your Majesty,” Louis said.

“I am,” the Prophet King said. “Now, the formalities are over. Let’s enjoy the rest of the afternoon. I have prepared a small tour of my home and a light dinner. After that, we will have a wedding rehearsal. I would be honored if you would all attend.”

Louis looked at Angelique. She gave a slight nod.

“We would be honored, Your Majesty,” Louis said. “Thank you.”

The Prophet King stood up. “Excellent. Now, let me show you my home. I am proud of it. I hope you will find it interesting.”

He led them out of the study and into the hallway. “This is the Great Hall. As you can see, it is decorated with portraits of my predecessors. The prophets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are a source of inspiration for me and my people.”

Louis looked at the portraits. He saw a lot of old men in black suits, with solemn faces. He didn’t find them inspiring. He found them boring.

Angelique stepped closer to the portrait of a man with a long white beard. “Joseph Smith. The founder of your church.”

The Prophet King smiled. “Indeed, Princess. A great man. A visionary. A martyr for the faith.”

“He was also a polygamist, wasn’t he?” Angelique asked, her tone neutral.

“He was,” the Prophet King said. “So am I. It is a sacred principle.” He looked at Louis and the seven women. “I can see that you are also a believer in that principle, Mr. Collins. In your own way.”

“We have our own principles, Your Majesty,” Louis said.

Gladice laughed. “We’re not married, if that’s what you’re asking. But we are a family. A happy, horny family.”

“Glads,” Angelique said, sighing.

“What?” Gladice asked. “I’m just being honest.”

The Prophet King’s smile tightened for a moment. “Honesty is a virtue, Miss Simington. But so is discretion.”

“I’m not a discreet person, Your Majesty,” Gladice said. “I like to live out loud. I like alcohol, and parties, and a lot of sex.”

The Prophet King looked at her, then at the others. He cleared his throat. “We all have our own path to the Lord. And our own temptations.” He gestured to a door. “Let’s move on. This is the dining hall. We will have dinner here later.”

They followed him into a large room with a long table and high-backed chairs. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling.

“We try to live simply, Mr. Collins,” the Prophet King said. “But we also believe in beauty and order. The Lord’s house is a house of order.”

Louis thought of Theodore Hargrove’s plantation. That was also a house of order. He frowned. He looked at the Prophet King. “I’ve had enough of my share of houses of order, Your Majesty. I think I’m more of a beach person.”

The Prophet King’s smile was patient. “The beach is a beautiful place. A place of recreation. But you can’t build a kingdom on the sand. You need a solid foundation. You need a rock. And the rock is the Lord.”

“I don’t need the Lord, Your Majesty.” Louis said. “My family is my rock. So is my country.”

The Prophet King’s smile faded. “You have a strong foundation, Mr. Collins. But it is a worldly one. It can be shaken. And it can be broken.”

Louis sighed. “Let’s not have a theological debate, Your Majesty. You can have your beliefs. I can have mine. But we can still do business.”

“Indeed, Mr. Collins,” the Prophet King said. “Now, allow me to show you my children’s schoolroom. They are eager to meet you.”

He led them to a room filled with desks, maps, and books. A dozen children, ranging from toddlers to teenagers, were sitting at their desks, studying under the supervision of a stern-looking woman in a grey dress. They all looked up as the adults entered.

“Children,” the Prophet King said, his voice warm. “We have guests. Please, greet them.”

The children stood up and recited in unison, “Welcome, honored guests.”

“This is my son, Ephraim,” the Prophet King said, placing a hand on the shoulder of a boy of about fifteen, who had a serious face and a watchful gaze. “He will be my successor. He is a bright boy. And a devout one.”

Ephraim looked at Louis, his eyes curious. “Are you the son of the Supreme President of the Dominion?”

“I am,” Louis said.

“Is it true that he allows men to marry other men?” Ephraim asked.

“It is,” Louis said. “And women to marry other women. Or people to have many lovers, if they want.”

Ephraim looked confused. “Why?”

“Because that’s what they choose to do,” Louis said. “As long as they pay their taxes and don’t cause trouble, no one cares.”

“That is not God’s law,” Ephraim said.

“No,” Louis said. “It’s my law.”

The Prophet King’s smile was strained. “Ephraim is still learning about the ways of the world. He has a strong sense of right and wrong. He will be a great leader one day.”

“I’m sure he will,” Louis said. “Have you considered sending him to study abroad? To see the world?”

“I have,” the Prophet King said. “But he is not ready yet. He needs more grounding in the faith and in our ways.”

Ephraim’s eyes were on Angelique. “Princess Angelique, is it true that your father is the exiled King of Navarre?”

“It is,” Angelique said. “But he is also a citizen of the Dominion.”

Ephraim looked at the Prophet King. “I have read about the Bourbon dynasty. They are Catholics. They believe in the Pope.”

“I am aware of that, son,” the Prophet King said. “I am sure the princess can defend her own beliefs. If she needs to.”

“I don’t need to, Your Majesty,” Angelique said, her posture relaxed. “I don’t care about the Pope or about the doctrines. What I care about is my family and future. I am free to choose both.”

Ephraim looked at her, then at Louis, then at the other women. He seemed confused, and a little scared. “I don’t understand.”

“You don’t have to, Ephraim,” the Prophet King said. “Not yet. The Lord will reveal the truth to you in his own time.” He clapped his hands. “Now, children, back to your studies. We will see you at dinner.”

The children sat down, their eyes still on them. The Prophet King led them out of the room and into a garden, where flowers were blooming and a fountain was splashing. The air was fragrant with the scent of roses.

“This is my sanctuary, Mr. Collins,” the Prophet King said, gesturing to a stone bench under a willow tree. “A place where I can be alone with my thoughts. And with the Lord.”

“It’s beautiful, Your Majesty,” Donya said, her eyes wide.

“Thank you, Miss Al Madani,” the Prophet King said. “I am glad you appreciate it.” He looked at Louis. “Do you have plans to have children, Mr. Collins?”

Louis shrugged. “No.”

“Why not?” the Prophet King asked.

“Because I don’t want any,” Louis said.

“Don’t you want to have an heir?” the Prophet King asked.

“I’m not in a hurry to produce one. My father’s still young,” Louis said. “Besides, I can’t imagine any of them becoming mothers. Or wanting to be.”

The Prophet King looked at the women. “I see. You are all focused on your own lives and pleasures. A very modern, and very selfish, way of living, if I may say so.”

Savannah stepped forward. “We take care of each other, Your Majesty. That ain’t selfish.”

“We are not hurting anyone either,” Willa added. “We are just living our lives. The way we want to.”

The Prophet King’s smile was thin. “I hope you find the happiness you are looking for, Mr. Collins. Your family too. But I have my doubts.”

“I’m sure you do,” Louis said. “But you have your own life to worry about and your own kingdom to rule.”

“That’s true,” the Prophet King said, rising. “But I’m always willing to offer guidance and exaltation to those who are willing to receive it.”

“Thank you for the tour, Your Majesty,” Angelique said. “It was very enlightening.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Princess,” the Prophet King said. “Now, let’s get back to the others. My wives would be pleased to hear your worldly tales before dinner. It would be a nice change from the usual conversation.”

He led them back to the sunroom, where the wives were waiting for them. They served them lemonade and cookies.

“Tell us about the Dominion,” Sister Naomi said, her eyes bright. “What’s it like?”

“It’s a paradise, sweetie,” Gladice said. “Beautiful beaches, with a lot of naked hot people and amazing parties. With the best food and booze in the world. You should visit us sometime.”

Sister Naomi blushed. “We are not allowed to travel abroad without a special permission from the Prophet King.”

“Then you should ask him for one,” Gladice said. “I’m sure he’d be happy to let you go for a good reason. Like a pilgrimage to the Church of the Eternal Orgasm.”

“Glads,” Angelique said, sighing.

Sister Abigail looked at Gladice, her expression disapproving. “You are a wicked woman, Miss Simington. You have a bad influence.”

“If you say so, Sister Abigail,” Gladice said, grinning. “I don’t care if I’m a bad influence. I’m not here to convert you or save your soul. I’m just here to have a good time.”

Sister Abigail looked at the Prophet King, her eyes pleading. “Your Majesty, I cannot listen to this. It is blasphemy.”

The Prophet King’s smile was patient. “Patience, Sister Abigail. We must learn to tolerate other views. Even the ones we don’t agree with. That is the mark of a true follower of Christ.”

Sister Abigail lowered her eyes. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sister Mary cleared her throat. “So, what are your plans for the future, after your gap year? Are you all going to get married?”

Louis looked at Angelique, then at the others. “We will see about that, after we take down everyone involved with our kidnapping.”

Sister Mary’s eyes widened. “You mean you are going to kill them?”

Louis shrugged. “That’s an option. A very likely one.”

Sister Mary’s face turned pale. She looked at the Prophet King, her expression shocked. He placed a calming hand on her shoulder. “They have been through a lot, Sister Mary. Their views are shaped by their experiences. We must not judge them too harshly.”

“I’m not judging, Your Majesty,” Sister Mary said. “I am just concerned.”

“Don’t be,” Louis said. “We’re not here to judge you either. We’re here for a short visit, and then we will be on our way.”

Rachel, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “Brother Louis is a warrior of the Lord. His actions are righteous. The blood he spills is a holy offering.”

Louis sighed. “Thanks, Rachel. I guess.”

“You’re welcome, Brother Louis,” Rachel said, her face glowing.

Sister Leah looked at Cherish, her eyes soft. “You seem to be a gentle soul, Miss Nowak. Are you also a believer?”

“I am,” Cherish said. “I believe in Jesus and God.”

“Then you are on the right path,” Sister Leah said. “I am glad to meet you. You bring a light to your group.”

Cherish smiled. “Thank you, Sister Leah.”

Sister Hannah, a quiet woman with a gentle smile, looked at Louis. “Forgive me for asking, Mr. Collins, but is it true that you were held captive by the heretics of Dixie?”

“It is,” Louis said. “For a while.”

“That must have been terrible,” Sister Hannah said. “To be in the hands of such evil people. Their souls are lost.”

“It was not a pleasant experience,” Louis said. “But I survived. And I got stronger. I found my family during the journey.”

The Prophet King smiled. “He is a testament to the power of faith. Even a worldly one.”

“Like I said, I was lucky.” Louis thought of Hargrove. Of Vance. Of Jennifer. He pushed the memories away. “We all were.”

Sister Naomi’s gaze was on Maeve. “What about you, Miss Fyres? Do you have any stories to share? You seem to be a woman of action.”

Maeve looked at her. “I was a mechanic in the People’s Army of West Virginia.”

Sister Naomi gasped. “You were a communist?”

“Yes, I was,” Maeve said. “Not any more.”

Sister Naomi stared at her. “We fought them in the old days. Shortly after the Collapse.”

Louis looked at her. “Tell me about the war.”

The Prophet King’s smile faded. “That is a dark chapter in our history, Mr. Collins. A chapter of violence and apostasy. We do not speak of it often. We prefer to look forward. To a brighter future.”

“I am interested in the communist part,” Louis said. “Where did you fight them? What was the outcome?”

“They were trying to spread their godless ideology across our borders. We had to defend our faith. We fought them in the mountains and valleys. We drove them back. And we secured our borders with the Lord’s help.” The Prophet King paused. “I lost a brother in that war. He was a good man. A righteous man.”

“I’m sorry for your loss, Your Majesty,” Angelique said.

“Thank you, Princess,” the Prophet King said. “He is in a better place now.”

Louis thought of Daniel Lee, the shooter from Nevada that almost killed him during the protest at BYU-Idaho. “I was targeted by a communist shooter a few days ago in Idaho. Does the name Daniel Lee mean anything to you?”

The Prophet King’s brow furrowed. “No, Mr. Collins. It does not. But there are many factions. Many rogue actors. The world is a broken place. Evil is everywhere.”

“Can you be specific of the communists that had fought you, Your Majesty?” Willa pressed. “Where were they from?”

“They were a splinter group of the old Communist Party USA,” the Prophet King said. “They called themselves the People’s Liberation Front. They were based in Denver. They had supporters in the Rockies and Nevada. They were defeated, and their remnants scattered. Some of them probably joined the People’s Army in West Virginia. Like your former comrades, Miss Fyres.”

“Or they became lone wolves,” Louis said. “Like Daniel Lee.”

“It is possible,” the Prophet King said. “It was a tragedy that a young man would be so lost and so filled with hate.”

“Or so brainwashed,” Maeve said. “By a different kind of faith.”

The Prophet King looked at her. “Perhaps. But I am not here to judge or condemn. I am here to heal and build. That is what we will do together.”

“You are not too bad for a theocrat, Your Majesty,” Savannah said. “I’ve seen worse.”

“I appreciate your candor, Miss Ellington,” the Prophet King said. “I try to be a good ruler. I do not always succeed. But I try.”

Louis looked at Joseph Taylor. He was a puzzle. A charismatic leader, a devoted family man, a ruthless politician, and a pious fraud. He was not like Hargrove. He was more subtle. And more dangerous. “Can I ask for one more thing, Your Majesty?”

“Of course, Mr. Collins. What is it?”

“I want you to provide us all of your intel on the remnants of the People’s Liberation Front after the war. Including names, ranks, known locations, and their current activities if any. All of it. Consider it a gesture of goodwill for our agreement.”

The Prophet King was silent for a moment, then he nodded slowly. “You are a very shrewd negotiator, Mr. Collins. I appreciate that. We have our historical records, but they are not perfect. Some of these records are classified. However, we will gather what we have, including a list of known deserters and sympathizers. I will send it to you before you leave the city.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Louis said, crossing his leg. “I will put a good word for you in Sacramento.”

The Prophet King smiled. “I appreciate that, Mr. Collins.”

“I would also like to bring Mr. Sterling back to Sacramento, if you don’t mind,” Louis said. “I have people who can get more out of him.”

“By all means,” the Prophet King said, with a dismissive wave. “He is no longer my concern.”

“Excellent,” Louis said. “Then I will need you to open your airspace for our plane. And to grant us landing permission at your airport. So we can take him back.”

The Prophet King leaned back in his chair. “Your request is granted, Mr. Collins. Your plane can land. Your men can do their job. Your embassy will be built. I will have all the arrangements made. I am a man of my word.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Your Majesty,” Louis said, taking out his phone and texting Yamamoto.

Prep Sterling for transport. Arrange for a flight tonight. The king has cleared our landing.

A reply came back a few seconds later. Understood.

A butler appeared at the door. “Your Majesty, dinner is served.”

“Excellent,” the Prophet King said, standing up. “Please, join us.”

A butler appeared at the door. “Your Majesty, dinner is served.”

“Excellent,” the Prophet King said, standing up. “Please, join us.”