A strategic retreat was in order, and I stammered a thanks and bolted for the safety of the elevator while my royal charge laughed at me.
Damned brat.
“That old lady completely flustered you. You’re not going to be fit to rule over our hotel room at this rate.”
“She thought I was your father!”
Under no circumstances would I mention she thought I was handsome.
“I didn’t want to mention this earlier, as I didn’t want you to feel old, but technically, it is biologically possible.”
I shot him a glare. “Do you even know how old I am?”
“You turn thirty-three in two weeks, on October 28. My sister has it written on her envelope along with a few other things. You left eighteen years ago on October 27. You knew who I am because you can’t help it. You watch every bit of news you can about my sister.”
“I think you’re a stalker, kid.” Arriving at our room spared me from being the focus of the prince’s attention. He bounced inside, his eyes wide. The lack of a kitchen ensured we’d be eating out until I found a more permanent home for us. In a pinch, I could use the microwave. We couldn’t afford to take advantage of the hotel’s free breakfast. Someone might recognize him.
“It’s better than your couch,” the prince declared despite having only taken a brief nap on my couch. “Aren’t the beds a bit small for you?”
Ah, the curse of being too tall for my own good. I couldn’t remember the last time my feet had stayed on the bed when I stretched out. I slept curled in a ball for the sake of my sanity. “What bed isn’t too small for me?”
“The one in my sister’s room.”
I slapped my forehead. “Not happening, Marshal.”
“Why not? You’d like her bed.”
“We aren’t discussing this.”
“Why not? I bet it’s where you’d like to be.”
“Why are you pushing so hard?”
“The kingdom will need an heir once my sister becomes the queen, and that’s your job. You can’t provide her with an heir unless you’re sharing her bed. It’s a matter of basic biology.”
“You’re the devil.”
“But I’m the devil who is on your side. You’d make a good brother-in-law. Prince Ian? He’s an idiot. He’s a nice enough idiot, but he wouldn’t know how to charm a girl even if he tried. He needs his parents to stage a hostile takeover of other kingdoms to get a woman to even consider him. It’s a good thing he won’t be the heir of New York. His kingdom would fall apart.”
“Maybe you should go help New York solve their heir problem instead of worrying about your sister.”
“It’ll work itself out. They just need to wait a while.”
Seers. My life would be infinitely easier without one in my life. “Why don’t you lay off for a while? What you want to happen isn’t going to happen just because you want it to happen.”
“No, it’s going to happen because you’re going to make it happen—and I’ll be making certain my sister helps to make it happen, too. Honestly, I’m worried it might be entirely up to my sister. You’re even more stubborn than she is. This is what you want, isn’t it?”
More than my next breath, but I couldn’t afford to hope for that future. It was difficult enough making it from day to day. “Just drop it, please.”
“What do we do now?”
I sighed, already developing a headache over the mountain of work I’d have to do to make any of my plans bear fruit. “I’m going to make certain my paperwork is in order. You’re going to learn how the stock market works. To do that, you’ll be reading. Take notes. There’ll be a test.”
Marshal groaned.
As I liked a hands-on approach to learning, I forced Marshal to read a single book on the stock market before loading my preferred simulator and setting him loose. Watching him lose fake money amused me. Like so many, he made the mistake of snapping up the stocks of popular, expensive brands.
In a few years, he might make enough to do something, but if any one of his ventures failed, he’d be out of luck and cash.
Buy low and sell high wasn’t his style, and he was about to learn from his mistakes.
“If I could ban you from being involved with the kingdom’s financial well-being, I would. That’s awful.” Reaching over his shoulder, I fast-forwarded the simulator a year. He lost most of his money, and the stocks that weren’t losses had marginal returns at best. “The idea is to make money.”
“I guessed that much. I don’t get it. They’re all popular!”
“Buying a stock when it’s popular isn’t going to help you much. You need to buy the stocks when the company is in a slump but you anticipate they’ll recover. The highest earnings come from high risk investments or buying into a promising startup. I invest in banks often; bankers are greedy, so it’s a safe bet they want to grow their stock values.”
“Except our banks are going to collapse.”
I sighed over my inevitable losses and the future of storm weathering I’d have to do. Add in the ridiculous number of shares my fledgling corporations would acquire during the banking sector’s fall, and I’d have a constant migraine. “For the record, I’m doing something highly illegal using your talent to game the market.”
“All I told you was that New York’s going to sell in bulk.”
“It still counts as insider trading.”
“Huh. Really? But no one from New York told me. It’s okay. I’ll pardon you.”
I snorted. “You’re not the king. You can’t pardon me. You’re not the queen, either. That’s a double dose of being unable to pardon me.”
“When you become the king, you can pardon yourself.”
“It doesn’t work that way, kid.”
“It should. You’d be the king.”
Ethics would be next on my list to teach Marshal. With some luck, by the time he returned to the royal family, they wouldn’t recognize him—and he wouldn’t be a dire threat to his family’s fortune. “Doesn’t work that way.”
“Why not?”
“The king and queen are supposed to be examples for everyone else to follow.”
“But you’re doing it to help a lot of people.”
One day, the prince’s innocence would shatter, and he’d learn helping people by doing the wrong thing for the right reason still had consequences. I expected to pay for my schemes—if I lived long enough to pay the price. When I began my work to undermine New York, I’d have all my cards laid out on the table.
The house I’d build at the waterfall wouldn’t be for me. It’d be a gift for the woman I’d never forget, given to her along with the revival of her kingdom following the banking sector’s collapse. I’d live in it and bask in the memories until I finished my job, but then I’d hand it all over and walk away to resume living in solitude.
No matter what Marshal said, no matter how hard he tried to make me believe I had a chance, I knew better.
Once burned, some bridges couldn’t be rebuilt.
Gambling every penny I had wouldn’t even cost me much. I found no joy in the money I’d made one gamble at a time over eighteen lonely years.
For a while, I’d love the home as much as I’d hate it. It would be everything I had wanted for us, a dream I’d touch for a while without ever obtaining.
“Adam?”
“Helping a lot of people is why I’m doing it, Marshal. In the end, it’ll be worth the price I’ll pay.” I allowed myself a grim smile. “Anything worth doing is worth doing well, and when I’m done, the entire world will know how one man bought an entire kingdom only to give it back to its rightful owners, its people—and its rulers.”
“You make it sound so final.”
To remind him of my mortality, I crossed the room, picked up the orange bottle containing my medications, and gave it a shake. “I’m already on borrowed time. Unless I convince a local doctor to renew the prescription, this runs out in two months.”
“But you can go back to you
r other doctor, can’t you? It’s not that far of a drive.”
I could, but I was so damned tired of living a half life, one where grief chased me every day. The shelter my pills provided wouldn’t last forever. “It was never supposed to be a permanent solution. It’s better this way.”
Marshal flinched, but then he lifted his chin and glared at me. “So prove you can be a good king without the magic they want. Your leech talent is strong. You qualify because of it. Royal families want strong leeches in their line. It protects the line of succession.”
The desperation in the prince’s tone hurt. “Why do you care so much?”
“I’ve dreamed of you since the day I was born. It’s always been you. I knew you from the very beginning. My sister’s envelope only confirmed you were the one I dreamed about.”
I gaped at him, his words chilling me. “But why?”
I never wanted to see such a sad expression on a child’s face ever again. “If we knew why, it wouldn’t be magic. That’s what you tell your doctor once a year when he asks you why you’re bonded to a person you refuse to talk about. I never see your doctor. Only you. But I hear him sometimes. He told you sometimes we can’t help who we love, and that’s not magic. That’s you. You love my sister.”
“More than my next breath,” I whispered.
Shit. I had not wanted to confess that to him. It occurred to me he already knew; I told my doctor the same thing every time. I loved her more than my next breath, and I always would.
Always was a terrible, lonely word. Forever was as cruel a word, too.
“Why do you stay away?”
What point was there in hiding secrets from someone who could see into my past and future like Marshal could? I hadn’t told anyone about my talks with Dr. Berriner, and he hadn’t, either. That’s why I’d picked him, not because he was a great doctor, but because he valued the privacy of his patients. “It’s because of my talent. She has to want it as badly as I do. Otherwise, it’s a prison without escape. She’s the future queen, and she needs a king her kingdom can accept. That man isn’t me.”
“But it could be. Prove them wrong.”
Never again would I underestimate the stubbornness of a child on a mission. Like his sister, I was willing to bet he could out-stubborn a rock. I sighed. “And how do you propose I do that?”
“Don’t kidnap her. I’ve been told that won’t work.”
As I’d considered that a time or two, my face flushed. “Any other pearls of wisdom?”
“I wouldn’t hold North Dakota for ransom.”
“Already not part of my plans.”
“Good. Give her the stocks for her birthday and admit you did it.”
I snorted and shook my head. “Too easy.”
“What? Why?”
“Have you ever met your sister?”
“Duh.”
“What’s her favorite game?”
“Chess.”
“She likes it best when she’s one move from check but it’s still anyone’s game. No, Marshal. If I were to play that game, I’d have to convince her I was a challenge worth winning. We haven’t seen each other in eighteen years. People change.”
In truth, it didn’t matter. I was an empathic leech, and we were all one breed of cat. Until the day she wanted me as much as I needed her, I’d never be happy. I wouldn’t be happy rolling over, either.
I wanted it all. I’d forgive and forget so many years of loneliness, but I needed to be more than a passing fancy. She’d never been just a passing fancy to me.
She’d been my everything.
If Veronica actually wanted me and it wasn’t my talent manipulating her, she needed to prove it. I hadn’t been the one to give up on us first, but I wouldn’t be the one to revive what had died at the hands of her family and mine.
The first step wouldn’t be mine.
“It would help if she knew she’s being challenged,” the young prince mumbled.
It occurred to me he was right, and I spent a few minutes mulling the problem over. “You might be right, but how the hell am I supposed to do that? I refuse to go crawling back like some beggar. I wasn’t the one ditched.”
When he smiled, I worried. “She likes puzzles. Make her a puzzle. You’re the prize if she solves it.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“You’ll own North Dakota’s entire financial sector. Be greedy for once in your life.”
“You already told me I couldn’t hold North Dakota ransom, Marshal. At least be consistent.”
“If she asks you to buy her, it’s okay. It’s also not kidnapping if she wants to go.”
“You’re a twisted little devil.”
“I’m also right. Challenge her. Give her a chance.”
“I think you have this the wrong way. I was the one who wasn’t given a chance.”
If Prince Marshal rolled his eyes any harder, he’d hurt himself. “Whatever you say.”
I scowled. “What do you mean by that?”
“You bonded with my sister. Doesn’t that take… you know?” He cleared his throat. “Hanky panky?”
“No.” Maybe I’d stolen a kiss or two while we’d been fishing, but we’d been too closely watched for anything else. “For the record, there was zero hanky panky with your sister—or anyone else for that matter! No.”
With a grin bordering on the demonic, Marshal pointed at me. “You’re a virgin.”
Since killing a prince would lead directly to my own execution, I restrained my urge to throttle the damned brat. “I’m a leech,” I reminded him.
“My sister better figure things out soon or there won’t be any heirs. You two are getting old.”
Why me? What I had done to deserve Marshal’s invasion of my privacy and home? I’d been born topped the list. Hooking a girl in the arm and catching her took a close second. “You’re evil.”
“I don’t want Ian for a brother. If I have to be the devil to get my way, so be it.”
“You’re supposed to be twelve. You’re not acting your age. Act your age.”
He waved away my complaints. “We grow up young in the royal family. You should know that better than anyone else.”
I flinched at his direct wielding of the truth. I did know. I couldn’t remember doing any of the things I’d seen children in Hettinger do. I’d had one vice: fishing.
Most days, I regretted having gone fishing in the stream surrounding the castle while my parents had met with the royal family. Everything would’ve been different. I would’ve been in the castle, bored out of my mind. Veronica would’ve been exploring the castle grounds.
We never would’ve met. A talent like mine meant I would’ve bonded to someone, but it would’ve been someone—anyone—else. Things would’ve been different. Every elite family had weaker talents, but they were nurtured to see if they’d grow. I hadn’t had the chance.
I hadn’t been what anyone needed.
The past wasn’t Marshal’s fault, no matter how much his words stung. “First, you want me to help North Dakota recover from impending financial doom. Since that wasn’t enough, you want me to convince a bunch of talent sticklers I should be their king. And if that wasn’t enough, take two, you’re calling me old.”
“You could have two or three kids before you’re over the hill and on your way out to pasture.”
I had the perfect weapon against the young prince: his mother. “How old was the queen when she had you?”
He shuddered. “We never talk about that.”
“And why not?”
Still shuddering, he sliced a finger across his throat. “Wrath of Mom.”
“I think my point stands. Do you have any other demands, Your Highness?”
“Pizza.”
Thank god for small favors. “I can do that.”
“If you agree to give my sister a fighting chance, I’ll go home tomorrow.”
“Got what you wanted, so you’re going to escape while you can?”
“I’m pret
ty sure only my sister could love you and your stupid snore.”
I sighed. “Or kill me in my sleep so she doesn’t have to listen to it. I hope you realize you’re probably going to get me executed.”
He rolled his eyes again. “Just tell the lady downstairs my mother sent for me. I’ll even visit you if you’re feeling lonely. Just tell me what challenge to give her.”
“This is going to be a disaster,” I predicted.
“I won’t tell her anything about you, if that helps—except that you whistle in your sleep. She needs to know that. It’s awful. You whistle.”
“How flattering. If she can find me, I’ll hear her out. That’s all I can offer you.”
Anything else would be too much of a risk. It was already too much of a risk.
“Deal. I do have one question.”
“What?”
“When did you become a giant? My sister never mentioned anything about you being a giant.”
“Seventeen.”
“Oh.”
I sighed, wondering how I’d prevent the inevitable, and if I’d be able to survive a meeting with Her Royal Highness. “If she wants me, she needs to find me, and you can’t give her a single clue. She’s the one hunting ghosts.”
Marshal put on a show for the hotel staff, convincing everyone he wanted nothing more in his life than to be with his mother. To support his act and cover my dismay I’d once been that way, until I’d been thrown away, I held a faked conversation with his mother on my phone, using one of my secondary lines and the answering machine to make it look like I was actually talking to someone.
I agreed to drop the brat off and, aware of everyone watching me, escorted him out of the hotel. Questioning my sanity, I stuffed him into my pickup and drove across the city to one of the parks meant to make a bad part of town look a little nicer. It hadn’t worked, and I second-guessed his choice of locations before it bothered me enough I asked, “Are you sure you want me to leave you here?”
“It’s daytime, I can hide here. I’ll call his cell phone. He’ll love it.”
His Royal Majesty would go ballistic, but I’d let the young prince learn that fact of life on his own. “I’m not responsible if you get kidnapped or murdered.”
A Guiding Light Page 4
