A Guiding Light_A Royal States Novel Read online

Ian poked me in the shoulder. “I’m calling bullshit. To turn five hundred into millions, you had to pick good stocks, get lucky, hope they paid out, sell, then buy new stocks. It must have taken you years to get traction, and one heavy loss could have ruined you. That’s why people say it takes money to earn money.”

  “I researched my investments first. That’s just smart. Whenever I got any extra money, I invested it, and I diversified what I was investing.”

  “Five hundred dollars a month for three years?” Ian poked me again. “Was that your budget?”

  “I found some other money here and there, but generally.” The last thing I needed was my doctor finding out I’d been skimping on meals since I’d been fifteen.

  Dr. Stanton cleared her throat, and I tensed as the realization sank in I couldn’t fool a smart woman like her. “Mr. Smith.”

  I cracked open an eye and glanced in her direction. “I’m about to be crucified by my doctor, aren’t I?”

  “Please tell me you haven’t been eating macaroni and cheese since you were fifteen.”

  “I’d be lying if I told you that.”

  Veronica hung her head, and then she laughed until she slid to the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks.

  Alarmed, I got my arms under me and sat up. “Veronica?”

  She rolled over and beat the rug with her first. “My father’s going to have to beg you, who had five hundred in starting investments, to release your stocks. This is so beautiful.”

  Ian snickered. “Tell Adam I’m right. If your father has to beg while you’re pregnant with Adam’s child, it’s even better.”

  Veronica beat the floor some more, and she giggled until she hiccupped.

  “Don’t be alarmed by Her Royal Highness, Mr. Smith,” my doctor ordered, and I thought her timing was impeccable, as I was ready to do just that. “It’s a common response to the removal of long-term stress. She’ll regain her dignity soon enough, I’m sure. It’s best to let her get it out of her system.”

  “This is beautiful,” Veronica gasped. “So beautiful.”

  While I thought Veronica was beautiful, even when reduced to writhing on the floor giggling like a lunatic, I worried everyone had lost their minds. “I fail to see what’s so beautiful about this.”

  Ian thumped my shoulder. “It works like this. North Dakota is going to face a great deal of scrutiny for the mismanagement of the kingdom’s economy. When it’s revealed that the cast-out consort bailed the kingdom’s banks out, His and Her Majesty’s leadership will be questioned—as it should be. When Dr. Stanton confirms your rank as an elite-level leech and your actions are brought to light, it will reinforce your intellect and virtues. Every kingdom in the Royal States wants an elite-level leech as the consort for its heir. No one will doubt your commitment to Veronica, and as you did what was best for your kingdom despite having every reason to seek revenge, you’ll be an unassailable choice for the throne.”

  Dr. Stanton bowed her head. “I just want to know how I got involved in this mess.”

  Snickering, the New York prince hopped to his feet and sat on the couch beside my doctor. “I think you’re more upset because you know I’m right, and that puts you in the uncomfortable position of being an accomplice.”

  If looks could kill, my doctor would’ve murdered Ian without remorse. “While the political atmosphere here is concerning, I’m more concerned about my patient’s health, which isn’t exactly ideal.”

  Veronica stilled, her body tensing. “How so?”

  Dr. Stanton’s gaze landed on me, and she waited.

  “You may as well tell her. She’s going to find out anyway. Ian’ll talk the instant he thinks you won’t.”

  “Very well. Your Highness, stress, depression, and malnutrition are the three biggest concerns at the moment. It’s expected for someone in his situation. He simply hasn’t had the support you have. He has no family, and as far as I can tell, few to no friends. More importantly, he’s a concentrated leech who is only projecting. If you’re planning anything strenuous, including the takeover of a kingdom, I recommend the issues with your bond are resolved first. He simply won’t be stable during the transition, through no fault of his own. He’ll need time to adapt to the barrage of your emotions, and you’re going to have to learn how to control your emotions until he’s able to distinguish which are yours and which are his. If at all possible, it would be wise if Mr. Smith participated in any scheming from the sidelines.”

  Ian smiled, and he reminded me of a shark, all teeth and ready to bite. “I can work with that. And what will your role be, Dr. Stanton?”

  “What has been done to my patient and his bond is criminal. I will build the required medical file for the case to be pursued in court. As soon as his attuned suppressors arrive, I’ll do a full talent evaluation. If my suspicions are correct, my patient is more than a leech.”

  I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “I already told you I have an illumination talent.”

  “No, Mr. Smith. I’ve been working with the talented the entirety of my career. You’re far more than just a guiding light. What, however, I’m not sure, but I intend to find out.”

  I found everyone’s lack of concern over the talks of treason amusing. Dr. Stanton’s concerns about my head’s collision with the floor started a two-woman war, and I was the grand prize. Veronica didn’t want to let me out of her sight, which I appreciated a great deal. Dr. Stanton wanted to drag me to the nearest hospital and run me through even more tests.

  While they engaged in yet another verbal battle, I did what I should have done years ago: I filed my official will online, paying two hundred for the convenience of avoiding an in-person appointment at the court house. I kept it simple, granting Her Royal Highness of North Dakota executive control over my estate, giving instructions she was to keep the maximum number of stocks allowed by law, and then distribute half of the remaining stocks to charitable organizations of her choice in North Dakota. The other half would be liquidated and distributed to needy families and individuals, poorer education districts, and organizations Veronica felt needed a cash influx. I made a point of setting guidelines for the liquidation of stocks directly in my will to prevent another crash of North Dakota’s market.

  While I hoped my head remained firmly attached to my shoulders, I wasn’t going to hold my breath, not after considering Ian’s scheme and Veronica’s willingness to take the crown from her father. No matter what I did, I’d get caught in the crossfire.

  Doing nothing might get me killed. Participating might get me killed, but at least North Dakota might be ruled by more capable hands. Veronica had been born to rule, and she’d worked hard, even when we’d been children. I’d worked hard, too, although my hard work hadn’t panned out.

  That I might have to take up the mantle of Veronica’s king worried me. I could play the stock market. I remembered some of the game of politics, but everything I knew had been relevant too long ago. The Royal States had been a fledgling coalition then, freshly minted despite the rise of monarchies shortly following the eruption of magic.

  If I let Veronica and Dr. Stanton continue snarling at each other, I might be killed long before anyone could actually accuse us of treason. At the rate they were going, something—or someone—would get broken. “Enough, please.”

  They ignored me, and Ian snickered.

  The benefit of having a deep voice came into play when I wanted to get someone’s attention. With a deep breath, I could roar a single world with the rumbling boom of thunder. “Enough!”

  I loved the sound of silence.

  “There are two RPS agents here who are likely qualified to decide if a trip to the hospital is mandatory. I realize my heart is a legitimate concern, but unless—”

  “What’s wrong with your heart?” Veronica demanded.

  While I was grateful she wasn’t fighting with my doctor anymore, I had to fight against my urge to recoil at the sharpness of her tone. Her expression helped; her tone portrayed anger,
but her worry showed clear on her face.

  Dr. Stanton cleared her throat to catch Veronica’s attention. “He had a heart attack when we were testing his talent’s limit. There was minimal damage, and one of my associates, a cardiovascular surgeon, believes it’ll heal without complication. It was a calculated risk, and I had the appropriate staff on hand throughout the initial evaluation. As we’ve pinpointed his limit, future tests will be much safer.”

  Veronica’s attention locked onto me. “You had a heart attack.”

  I held my hands up in surrender. “It’s not my fault.”

  Dr. Stanton sighed. “The incident was fully documented and witnessed by three doctors, myself included. It’ll be a foundation point in our case. We also have substantial evidence of emotional trauma directly due to his separation from you, Your Highness. Taking him to the hospital for additional testing might help support the case, especially if we can verify any symptoms of separation anxiety.”

  “Can you take him tomorrow?” Veronica whined her question, something I hadn’t heard her do before, not even when I’d hooked her through the arm as a child.

  “Tomorrow is ideal, as it’ll allow him to further establish his bond with you, although it might strengthen any separation anxiety issues—a good thing for our case, but something I’d rather minimize for his comfort. I expect you’ll handle the situation better than him. Should he begin receiving through the bond, call me—and layer on the suppressors until it’s at a tolerable level for both of you. These are incremental suppressors: five of these is the equivalent of one of the ones he’s currently wearing. I recommend you remove both of his suppressors and experiment with the incremental ones. Record both of your reactions. If you’re concerned for any reason, call me.”

  Ian snickered. “And if they decide to try to make a little heir?”

  The damned New Yorker darted out of my reach before I could strangle him. “Damn it, Ian!”

  “Don’t be a prude, Mr. Smith. Have you been taking any birth controls, Your Highness?”

  “No.”

  “Should you decide to engage in any activities potentially resulting in an heir, I recommend coming to my office within the next week or two to discuss the appropriate diet and acquire vitamin supplements. While I expect you know this already, no alcohol, and I recommend against taking any medications without a doctor’s approval first.”

  “I don’t drink,” Veronica replied, and she glanced at me.

  I lifted my hands in surrender again. “I might not be a good example of basic nutrition, but I don’t drink, either.”

  “You’d fall over drunk after a sip,” my doctor muttered. In a clearer voice, she said, “Good. If tolerable, I’d remove the suppressors for the entirety of the evening. There is the possibility they might interfere. It isn’t unheard of for some men to enjoy certain enhancements due to their talents. Take His Royal Majesty of Montana as an example. I expect he will have a very large family due to his bloodline’s talent.”

  “I’d be okay with competing against them for the most children,” Veronica chirped. “I don’t suppose there’s a way to naturally encourage the development of twins, is there?”

  My face flushed at the idea of having one child with Veronica. I’d been hoping for a conservative three, uncertain of if Veronica wanted children at all.

  “I’m not authorizing any sort of treatments, Your Highness. Twins can cause extra complications, so why not try for one first? Should you want additional children after the first, and you discover you’re having difficulties due to your age, we can potentially make arrangements. But for now, try to take a more natural approach.”

  Veronica grinned. “Anything else?”

  “No, although I recommend that His Highness of New York and his agents relocate for the evening. In fact, Your Highness, when was the last time you had a physical? It wouldn’t do if a visiting dignitary to North Dakota had any troubles with his health.”

  “Not recently enough, it seems,” Ian replied, bouncing across the sitting room towards the bedrooms. “I’ll just go get an evening bag and tell Zach and Peter we’re required elsewhere.”

  “Excellent. Once I’m finished with your physical, I’ll take you on a tour of some of our medical facilities. I think you’ll find them interesting.”

  Chapter Nine

  It took over an hour for Ian, his agents, and Dr. Stanton to leave, and I heaved a relieved sigh the instant they were out the door. “This is ridiculous, Veronica.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. Ian means well for us, this time at least.”

  The reality of our situation sank in, intensifying my headache. “New Yorkers are tricky. Care to elaborate?”

  “He’s like us. His loyalty was tested too far. Ian’s in love with someone, and if he can push our relationship, he has grounds to pursue the woman he wants.”

  I arched a brow, unable to imagine Ian settling down or committing to a woman. “Ian loves someone? Really?”

  “He does, she has no idea he loves her, and he doesn’t want to lose his chance with her. She’s from a lower caste. Unlike you, she’ll never develop a stronger talent. But, he doesn’t care. He loves her.”

  That Ian wasn’t the only one taking a lot of risks interested me. “If he’s not careful, he’s going to land in a lot of hot water.”

  “It’s worth it to him. He understands there’s zero chance of having a healthy relationship with me or my sisters. He’s not going to take another man’s woman, and he doesn’t want my sisters. He’s in love with someone else, and we all know it. And, frankly, we’re done with politically arranged marriages. My brothers, too. My father’s a fool. After what he did to us, no one in the family trusts him.”

  “With good reason. However, he is still the king.”

  “And he shouldn’t be. His judgment is impaired. Going along with Ian’s plan is the best thing for our kingdom—and for us.”

  I still had trouble accepting there was an us. Her reentry into my life changed everything, and she took it all in stride, as though we hadn’t spent eighteen years apart. If I hadn’t known better, I might’ve believed we’d parted ways yesterday, ready to pick up where we’d left off. “This is a lot to get used to,” I admitted.

  “It’s fine. It’s to be expected, really. I’ve always had the advantage. I’ve always known your heart. You’ll need to time to adapt and settle. I expect that. I know better than to believe some fairy godmother is going to wave her wand and make everything better. We’re going to have problems, but I’m glad we have them now, and I’m glad we can work through them together. The first thing we need to do is figure out how to open your side of our bond.” Her smile promised trouble. “I like the idea of removing the suppressors and making some noise—and should we do more than make a little noise, even better. We’ve waited a long time, and I see no reason to play by anyone else’s rules. We can talk about it, or…”

  With an arch of her brow and a smile I could only think of as a leer, Veronica waited. I didn’t need a manual to figure out what she wanted. I raised my hand.

  She laughed. “What?”

  Who needed to think about the options when I finally had the chance to do more than think about Veronica and a bed? “I pick ‘or,’ please.”

  “Excellent choice, Adam. Excellent choice.”

  We were awkward and inexperienced, but my talent made up for everything we lacked. For most with my talent, it didn’t take intimacy to break down the walls dividing us, but when they did fall, I couldn’t tell where I ended and she began.

  There was only us. The relief and the escape from the unrelenting loneliness undid me almost as much as Veronica’s eagerness for more of my touch. One thing made the most difference: she needed me as much as I needed her. The old wounds would take time to heal, but I could live with that.

  Veronica would help, and I didn’t need words, not anymore.

  Every time she touched me, the cold, tight part of my chest warmed and relaxed. The combination was
as wonderful as it was exhausting, and ultimately, Veronica slapped the suppressors around my wrist because we couldn’t look at each other without getting ideas—ideas I enjoyed a great deal, especially since she did, too.

  No wonder Dr. Stanton had sounded like sex was sacred for a leech.

  It was.

  I’d have trouble if another man even looked at Veronica. I’d always been the jealous type, but I hadn’t gotten a dose of her side of things before.

  She was the jealous type, too—and a worrier.

  I never would’ve believed her calm, cool exterior could hide so many emotions. Worry, jealousy, and anxiety battled for top spot, and I discovered I could distract her from all of it with a single touch. I liked trailing my finger along the length of her arm, stroking the pale scar from where I’d hooked her as a child.

  “That talent of yours is something else, Adam.” She hesitated to break contact, but her exhaustion won, and she burrowed under the blanket and stretched with a soft groan. “I’m so tired.”

  I grinned for many reasons, including I’d known she was beyond tired before she’d said a word, and that I was the source of her current state. “I’m going to blame this one all on you. You’re beautiful. How could I resist?”

  “Guilty as charged. I didn’t want you to resist.” She freed a hand and patted the bed beside her. “Come sleep. You’re tired, too.”

  I did as I’d dreamed of for too many nights, pulling her against me so I could bask in her warmth. I sighed and allowed myself to relax, taking comfort in her presence.

  My talent told a quiet truth: she needed me as much as I needed her, and she filled the gaping hole inside I’d battled alone for too many years.

  If I needed to take over an entire kingdom to keep her and to keep from experiencing the drowning sense of loss again, I would.

  I woke before Veronica, left her sleeping peacefully, and tried to locate my sense of normality. I began with checking the news, fearing the nightmare waiting for me. The first outlets I tried seemed quiet, reporting the crash had stabilized as much as they thought it would.