Cold Flame

by Susan Copperfield

  “Can I alternate them, so I don’t get bored?”

  “Do you really think, with your current tolerance for eating the same thing every day, you might actually become bored with what you’re eating?”

  Damn. The woman must have taught Terry some of his tricks. “Maybe.”

  “I’m sure you’ll develop a healthy interest in variety given some time. I’ve even managed to convince His Royal Majesty of North Dakota he won’t perish should he not have either of his original staple foods for an entire month.”

  The pride in the woman’s voice startled me. “I could probably live for years without touching macaroni and cheese ever again.”

  Dr. Stanton stared at me, and I worried she’d cry. “It might be a miracle. I had to ban macaroni and cheese out of the palace. And even then, he’d find someone to smuggle some in for him. I had to put him through a detox program to get him to stop eating it.”

  “That’s extreme.”

  “It happens. Honestly, it was his comfort zone, and it took him a great deal of time to become comfortable with variety. Fortunately, he’s rather open about his past problems. Should you want to have a talk with a fellow desperation connoisseur of macaroni and cheese, I recommend you speak with him.”

  “I’d probably tell him he was out of his right mind and he’s a lot happier without that crap,” I admitted. “I am a New Yorker despite being a bad one.”

  “He does have a soft spot for some New Yorkers, particularly your brother. I’m sure he can handle your opinion without issue.”

  “My brother is possibly a demon thinly disguised as a human. His attempt to put me anywhere near New York’s crown has something to do with my opinion. Only a demon would convince our parents that I should have a crown.”

  “Your education, empathy for others, and work ethic have a lot to do with his push to make you New York’s next queen,” Dr. Stanton replied, and she made a notation on her clipboard.

  “That thing says I’m a lunatic, doesn’t it?”

  “It says you have self-esteem issues that need to be addressed prior to your coronation and managed afterwards. It’ll help me find a permanent therapist for you.”

  “Can you add a note that I’ll need a whole new detail, preferably consisting of people who aren’t New Yorkers? I also need a note I need to keep Terry.”

  “I’ll make a note that removing Terry from your detail will likely lead to a royal-level flameweaver talent having a meltdown, which is generally not advised.”

  “I approve of this use of my talent. Normally, it just wants to kill me if I lower my guard.”

  “That is a concern, one that will need to be addressed. What exercises are you doing to control your talent?”

  “I attempt to light water on fire while I shower. For the record, it doesn’t work.”

  “You know what? Keep doing that. If you start lighting water on fire, let me know. Until then, we won’t break what’s working. I think I have enough of the basics done for today to figure out a treatment plan. Let’s retrieve your rats and your prince, then we can start on the next phase of today, which involves figuring out what you can eat without making you sick. It’s time you had something to eat. Also, starting tomorrow, I am expecting you to eat several times a day. I will recruit your prince to aid in my efforts, as I find it’s much easier to make other parties do my dirty work for me. I get the results I’m looking for that way.”

  “You’re ruthless, Dr. Stanton. Maybe you should rule New York.”

  “I am wholly unqualified to handle that job. And anyway, I prefer working with monarchs so they can do the reigning. I find it surprisingly satisfying to work in the background while others shine. And I believe, given time, you’ll shine. I think you’ll do a fine job of capturing the hearts of your people while still helping to maintain New York’s position of strength within the Royal States.”

  I turned to Vince and said, “I think my doctor needs a doctor.”

  Vince shrugged. “You’ll get used to it. We all do, eventually.”

  As the hospital really didn’t like kittens or rats in their hallowed halls, Ethan cared for the animals in the back of Vince’s SUV under Terry’s watchful eye. Somehow, I’d earned my agent’s ire, and he shot a glare my way.

  “What did I do now?”

  “You conned me into getting you spoiled rats. You’ve had them for less than a day, and they’re already spoiled. And don’t get me started on His Royal Highness and his kittens.”

  His Royal Highness ignored the RPS agent in favor of the black felines, who chased feathers attached to a stick across the vehicle’s back seat. “I don’t see a problem with a man playing with kittens, Terry. You’re going to have to give me more to work with than that.”

  “He’s been complaining about the duration of your testing.”

  “I’ve been complaining about the duration of my testing. And? Only an unreasonable person would not complain about six hours of waiting around doing nothing. He’s probably starving.”

  “His Royal Highness had lunch not long after you went in for testing. It kept the complaints minimized for ten whole minutes.”

  “Really, Ethan? You could’ve at least waited two hours before bothering Terry. Thank you for watching over my pets, but if you scare Terry off, I’m going to be mad. I need my rat guy.”

  “Your rat guy will be safely contained in California, Rachel. I already told you I would pick a fight with His Royal Majesty of Montana over him. When a respected doctor says you need to keep your agent, you need to keep your agent. Anyway, don’t worry about it. Montana has a habit of losing RPS agents to other monarchs. Kingdoms tend to send replacements to Montana for training so the tradition can continue without interruption. His Royal Majesty likely knew he’d lose Terry to you permanently. I mean, he’s been following you around the Royal States for years. When was the last time you visited Montana, Terry?”

  “It’s been a while,” my RPS agent admitted.

  “See? It’s no problem. We’ll just steal your agent and transfer him at our leisure. Right now, his placement with Montana benefits us. I’ve never gotten to hold an RPS agent hostage before. It’ll be fun.”

  I twisted around to stare at Dr. Stanton. “Dr. Stanton? I think you have another patient here. He thinks kidnapping a Montana RPS agent is fun. I’m concerned.”

  “This is because you’re a sensible woman. He’ll return to his senses soon enough. Your Royal Highness, as my patient seems absolutely unconcerned about how sick she makes herself, feed her anything she wants that isn’t macaroni and cheese. Try to pick something tolerably healthy. I have a list of suitable meal replacement drinks she should have in the morning and evening at a minimum. Expect her to become lethargic. This is common. I will check in on her tomorrow. To minimize unnecessary hysterics, should you be concerned, ask your agents before you contact me. Should you wake my babies, I will be most displeased.”

  Ethan scowled, and to my amazement, he relented with a nod. “Understood, Dr. Stanton.”

  “Excellent. Agent Pattens, try to make certain your ward gets some sleep tonight when she isn’t caring for her rats. I do understand she has obligations to them, but a long-term lack of sleep could hamper her recovery.”

  “If it becomes a problem, we’ll find a solution, even if it is taking them to an emergency clinic for evening care while she rests.”

  “I’ll be fine,” I promised.

  Everyone took a turn glaring at me, and I scowled at their unified front. “I’ve been doing just fine up until now, and it’s not the first time I’ve had to nurse baby rats.”

  “It’ll keep for today,” my doctor announced. “Don’t stress her, Your Highness. A good dinner and some time to settle and relax is what she needs. I’ll have the medical leave documentation drafted tomorrow once the labs are in.”

  “Why would I stress her?” Ethan demanded.

  “You’re an empath, Your Highness. This means you’re a worrywart with hovering tendencies. Rac
hel is not accustomed to people hovering, so try to control yourself until she has a chance to adapt. If in doubt, ask Agent Pattens. He knows how best to handle her.”

  While I resented that I needed someone to handle me, I couldn’t argue with my doctor. From the beginning, Terry had managed me like a champion. I was worried when I was dumped head-first back into the royal life of my childhood, the expectations of others would overwhelm me, leaving me adrift and alone in a crowded room.

  “I’ll be careful,” he promised.

  I wished him the best of luck. He’d need it. For all I did to break the mold, I was a New Yorker. We always found a way to make a mess of things. Always.

  Thirteen

  I have no idea what I’m doing.

  For the first time since moving to California, I had a space I considered my own, decorated with the type of furniture I expected in a luxury home. The largest of the bedrooms served as a haven for my rats and Ethan’s cats, a wise decision in my opinion. The kangaroo rats, once they grew up, would have a spacious habitat, one larger than the rat suite Snookums and Flamingo would share. Cleaning the warren of plastic tunnels would test my patience, but my babies deserved only the best, so I’d make the time.

  Ethan followed me inside, releasing the kittens and showing them their litter boxes and their basket of toys before hovering while I settled my rats into their new homes. In some ways, his attentiveness bothered me.

  Someone like me shouldn’t have mattered to someone like him.

  “You’re a stalker, aren’t you?” My damned New York mouth would be the end of me one way or another, and I worried I’d spend the rest of my life fighting the compulsion to apologize for everything.

  “I could be called that, I suppose. But I’m a friendly stalker. That counts for something, right? As long as you’re all right with my stalking of your person.”

  “Californians might have as many problems as New Yorkers.”

  “I’m not going to dispute this. Are the babies okay?”

  “It looks like it. I think the runt is a greedy little pig and needs hourly care because she’ll get hungry faster than her sisters. I can’t see anything actually wrong with her.”

  “That’s good. You’re going to check on her every hour during the night, aren’t you?”

  “I am.”

  “If you don’t wake up for whatever reason, I’ll make sure one of the agents makes certain they’re checked on. I expect your rat guy will have to do any evening calls; the RPS agents won’t risk your rats, so they’ll have qualified or trained people handle their care. I expect my entire team will be taking lessons on rat and cat care.”

  “Cats are easier than baby rats. They might be easier than adult rats, too—I’m not really sure. I’ve never had a kitten before.”

  “Neither have I. I have no idea what I’m doing.”

  “Clean their litter boxes twice a day. I’ve smelled soiled litter boxes before, and you can’t leave that sitting long or it gets nasty. On this, I’m going to be spoiled. Every morning and every night, you will hike your ass here and clean their litter boxes. All of them.”

  “I find your terms to be acceptable. I’ll even be a gentleman and crash on your new couch.”

  “People who are supposed to be sleeping here sleep in bedrooms. The office can be turned into your bedroom, or you’ll just have to move into my bedroom. I’ve never had a bedwarmer before.”

  Ethan chuckled. “You won’t hear me complain about your conditions.”

  “That is because you’re the lusty prince.”

  “This is true. I’d pay the rent, but apparently, you already goosed my uncle for the condo. Well done, by the way. That was masterful negotiations.”

  “I didn’t do anything for that, Ethan.”

  “You upgraded your condo to include a third bedroom, and you used pet rats to do it.”

  “They deserve their own room.”

  “I don’t think New York has any idea what it’s getting into with you. You’re going to take the kingdom by storm, the palace will be transformed into a rat sanctuary, and our cats will rule what the rats do not.”

  “You need a therapist for wanting to go to New York.”

  “If the therapy happens in New York, and you allow me in the palace, I’m okay with this. I figure I need to be direct with you so there are no misunderstandings about my intentions. I’ve no interest in ruling California. My brothers are equally qualified, and in some ways, I think Thomas would do a better job than I would.”

  “Yet you want to go to New York.”

  “You would be ruling. I would be supporting your reign. I find this job far more appealing than being the primary reigning monarch. There are no downsides for being your consort in New York. There are a lot of benefits.”

  “There are a lot of downsides. First, you have to put up with me. Second, you’d have to live in New York. Third, you need therapy. That’s not a downside. That’s simply a fact.”

  “While these are true statements, I don’t view them as downsides.”

  “Are you insane?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  I did a final check of my rats and peeked out into the hallway and the living room area, which had an infestation of RPS agents and royalty.

  In plural.

  I’d seen enough pictures of the Californian monarchs on the television this morning to recognize them, and they’d cornered Terry, who stood his ground.

  The queen sneezed, and she heaved a sigh.

  “She’s really allergic, isn’t she?”

  “She’s going to be sneezing for hours after she leaves. It’s her own damned fault for refusing to take allergy medication.” Ethan slipped past me and stepped into the hallway. “Mom, why would you even come here? You could’ve taken allergy medicine. But no. You’re as stubborn as a New Yorker.”

  I snorted at that, but I couldn’t complain as he told nothing but the truth.

  “So funny you should say that, considering what I’ve been told,” his mother retorted. “It seems we’ve left an unfortunately gaping hole in our refugee system, as it would’ve been nice to know we were harboring a runaway royal.”

  “That would have defeated the purpose of offering sanctuary to anyone who qualified for the refugee program. Frankly, thanks to her, we now know the refugee program needs to be overhauled for the safety of the refugees. I spent most of my day today at a hospital, Mom. Something that is our shame because she shouldn’t have been in this poor physical health just from having a pair of pet rats. Not that having no pets would’ve improved her situation much. You should be worshipping the ground she walks on for exposing the issues with our system. She aced the test, and she’s in horrible physical condition. Frankly, she’s skin and bone. Dr. Stanton is filing for her medical leave, and I’ve decided the palace is too gaudy for my delicate sensibilities, so I’m moving here.”

  The king rested a hand on his hip and gave Ethan a disconcerting dose of the eye. “Ethan, you can’t do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “This is not your home.”

  “I have an invitation to move in, so as of several hours ago, this most certainly is my home.”

  “Several hours ago, this was an unowned, unfurnished condo.”

  “I work fast.”

  “No, my brother works fast, and you just happen to be an insufferable opportunist.”

  “Yes. But in good news, I’m resolving all of your New York problems through happy marriage. Unfortunately, in exchange for resolving your New York problems, you’re going to have to find a new heir. Since I will have to pick between California and Rachel, I’m warning you now that I’m picking Rachel. I will not be staying in California without her, and New York ultimately needs her.”

  “Well, that was surprisingly blunt.” Ethan’s father shrugged and sat on my new couch. “All right. You have to sell it to the congress in a closed session. New York is going to be here knocking at my door the instant they learn she’s here, so yo
u’re going to have to take steps.”

  Ethan fell for his father’s trap and headed into the living room. “What steps?”

  “If you want to keep her, you’re going to have to marry her before New York claims her. You’ll need to officiate the marriage through our congress and Montana. As you’ve already acquired an RPS agent from Montana, I expect that arrangement will be easy enough to make. You’ll need to present a sufficient case to our congress to convince them to deal with the upheaval this will create.”

  “Simple. I’ll pitch it as a permanent alliance with New York, and we get to snooker New York in the process. They won’t be able to protest her marriage to me. They revoked her detail. If they wanted any say in her situation, they wouldn’t have abandoned her. Unlike the New York monarchs, I’m not a fucking idiot.”

  The queen joined the king on the couch, and the monarchs gave their son a double dose of stink eye.

  Terry strolled over, came into the room, and caught both kittens. With a smirk promising trouble, he went into the living room and handed both kittens to Ethan. “Your children, Your Royal Highness.”

  The queen sneezed.

  “I recommend you visit an allergist, Your Majesties,” my RPS agent suggested, his tone mild. “Her Royal Highness will likely require a support dog to help her through the upcoming months. Dr. Stanton, I believe, is already filing paperwork for such a thing to happen, assuming an appropriate animal can be found.”

  In an act of masterful manipulation, Terry captured the attention of the king and queen. Ethan took advantage of the situation to disappear into the kitchen with his kittens.

  As I didn’t want to be left alone in the bedroom, I scurried to the kitchen. While I believed the royals noticed me, they pretended not to.

  I appreciated their consideration; had either acknowledged my existence, I expected I would’ve tried to hide under my new bed.

  “While they can be assholes at times, they’re nice assholes.” Ethan smiled and sat at the table, placing both kittens on his lap. “Also, I think now is the time to warn you that your agent is going to be a menace until he’s convinced your health is not at any risk. He’ll hover, and unless we get more people on your detail, he’ll work himself sick, which will create a fun situation. Right, Vince?”