“Hi, I’m Summer, and I think we could get along very nicely.” I held out my hand to shake with him.
He kissed the back of my hand instead.
What the hell was I supposed to do when some stranger kissed my hand? Slapping him probably wasn’t the right response. Freezing like a deer in the headlights wasn’t right, either, but it was a step up from slapping him.
“I’m Bradley Hauser, and I’d like to apologize on behalf of the rest of my family. You have done us a huge favor.”
“Landen’s asleep, and I’m not sure an invading army of elephants will be enough to wake him up at this point. What’s wrong?”
“There’s been an altercation between one of His Majesty’s former advisors and one of his victims.”
“Who started it?”
“We believe that the woman was provoked, but we’re uncertain of how to handle it. While on the surface it looks like she attacked him, her claims he goaded her are concerning.”
“Well, duh. What were you expecting? Men to lose their wealth, positions of power, and freedom to do what they want without trying to get some petty payback? I’m not saying what she did or didn’t do was right, but when cornered, it’s natural for someone to fight back. It’d be a good way to make his case look better in the courts. Montana has someone here who can tell the truth, right?”
“He’s with her, but she’s clammed up. He believes she’s afraid to speak to him because he’s a man.”
“Are you surprised? Landen isn’t going to change that problem, for the record. In fact, she might be even more afraid of him than an import from Montana.”
“Then it’s fortunate I’m actually here to ask if you’d help, Your Majesty.”
Did I need clothes to deal with the problem? I frowned, shrugged, and hoped Landen’s bathrobe sufficed. I slipped out of the bedroom, released his feet, and closed the door behind me. “Okay. Lead the way.”
We didn’t have far to go. Several doors down, Bradley knocked before letting himself in. “His Majesty is still asleep.”
I followed him inside and added, “I hope I’ll do instead.”
The dark-haired man from the night before sat on a couch, and a younger woman stood in a corner, and I could see her shaking from across the room. I frowned, touched Bradley’s elbow, and when he looked at me, I nodded towards the door. “You may look a little too much like your brother.”
His eyes widened. “Shit. I hadn’t thought of that.” Dipping into a deep bow, he fled like hell chased after him.
I’d hoped for him to get the message he should leave, but I hadn’t expected him to flee. I blinked, closed the door behind him, and sighed. “I have no idea who you are, but thank you for sending for me. I’m pretty sure there are more idiots in this kingdom than anyone knows what to do with.”
“Of course. Valerie isn’t convinced I’m well-intentioned, and I’m unwilling to force her to speak about what happened. I’d rather not have something like this processed through the courts without validation first. It would be ideal if the case was a presentation of fact, already verified, rather than a spectacle.”
“Right. Good morning, Valerie. Pretend he isn’t here. He’s just going to listen, and if he opens his mouth without being asked, I’ll gag him. If he needs to say something, he can write down his questions on a piece of paper. If any lies are spoken, he can write them down for later discussion. Ideally, you’ll only have to tell us once, but I expect the old lechers infesting this castle will try their best to make things difficult.”
“I can do that,” the pretty man replied.
“I don’t know your name.”
“William.”
“William’s not going to do a single threatening thing, and he’s going to be a quiet couch ornament until you’re done telling us what happened, Valerie. If he frightens you, I’ll make him stand in the corner while we sit on the couch.”
“I’m not frightened of him. He’ll just tell me I’m lying when I’m not,” she spat.
“If he does, I will pound him into a vaguely human-shaped smear and hide his remains in the wall.”
William leaned back and chuckled. “I have no doubts she will. I would appreciate it if you didn’t, however. I have a little one on the way, and my daughter would cry.”
“Congratulations.” I smiled at the thought of something as pleasant as a new child on the way. Having children had always seemed like an unobtainable dream to me. I couldn’t have a child without a man in life.
Now that I had a man in my life, one who needed an heir and wanted a daughter, I’d have to do a lot of reevaluations of my future. The daughter part of the equation was all on him, but I was game for one or two children.
Maybe Landen had a council of wretched advisors, but I refused to believe he’d tolerate anyone hurting his child.
“You’ll really do that?” The suspicion in Valerie’s voice bothered me.
“I’ll do the same to you if you’re lying and try to blame him. I’m a believer of equality, so I really recommend against lying. But he’ll tell me if you’re omitting the truth—and I’ll ask you why. While I might be a bitch, I try to be fair, and just because he’s a man doesn’t automatically make him guilty, no matter how much you may believe that’s the case. I get it.”
Her eyes narrowed to slits. “How could you?”
I walked a pair of my fingers through the air. “Maybe because I’ve been in your shoes, wore them out, and tossed them away before figuring out not all men are created equal. Unlike you, I have a talent that makes it damned hard for a man to touch me without invitation. I enjoy burying anyone who tries their luck neck deep and letting them stew in their piss for a few hours before releasing them.”
“How charming.” Her disapproval startled me.
“I recommend you don’t lie, because however much being a victim hurts, unfairly making someone else a victim doesn’t change what happened to you. William came here from Montana to help you. Wage your war against the right people. Fighting against the people trying to help you does nothing but ruin your chances at getting the justice you need. From my understanding of the situation, those with the talent to tell the truth from the lies are not common, so he might be the only one available to help. Don’t waste your chance. Unless you want to be run over coals in court? Because that’s what they do. They’ll try to blame you for what he did.”
“She’s right,” William said. “This is really the best way to get the justice you need. Alaska’s court system won’t treat you fairly without unassailable proof you’re the victim. I’m the only one with the right talent to give you unassailable proof, but you need to be completely honest with me. And if you’re lying about the assault, I recommend you reevaluate your accusations before they go to court, because these cases will all be tried in the presence of multiple people with the appropriate talents. Justice will be served, and it’s blind to gender. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
“That’s not—”
I snorted. “Please tell me you’re not going to say fair. It’s fair. If he provoked you, if he used your fears as a victim against you trying to sink you in court, we need to know.” I tried to think of the worst thing someone could say to a victim to provoke them, and one possibility bothered me the most. “But he didn’t threaten you, did he? He threatened someone you love. A younger sister, perhaps?”
Valerie burst into tears, her body shuddering from the force of her sobs.
“And you didn’t want your loved one dragged into court, because she might be a victim, too,” I concluded.
While beyond words, Valerie jerked her head in a nod.
“Truth,” William reported, his voice soft. “I can promise you this much, Valerie. No child will be subjected to the cruelties of court. There are ways to handle the situation, in private. A better man than I will have to stand witness, because I can’t promise I’ll be gentle, kind, or merciful to any man who abused a child.”
I wondered at William’s talent, that
he could tell the truth from something as simple as a nod. Grabbing the box of tissues from the coffee table, I took it to Valerie. “I’m being honest with you, Valerie. I’m an asshole. I’m about as diplomatic as a stick in the face. But if you need help, I’ll find someone who can help you. I’m like William. I have a tendency to get violent.”
I had a violent streak a mile wide, and while I hadn’t killed anyone with my talent yet, I figured it was only a matter of time before I went too far.
“Anyone who approaches her bedroom is at high risk of experiencing her talent personally,” William said in a wry tone, which I interpreted to mean I’d wrapped him in stone at some point, too.
Oops.
“Sorry about that.”
William waved away my apology. “When someone with a strong talent is heavily drugged, things happen, and His Majesty refused to keep the suppressors on you for longer than necessary. He doesn’t care if you flip his castle upside down. Fortunately, you limited your castle rearranging to trapping individuals until His Majesty convinced you they weren’t a threat.”
I sighed. “I must’ve been hell on wheels.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s an expected hazard. When I’m sick, they layer on every single suppressor they can find until I’m on the mend. The stronger the talent, the more precautions they take. I’m surprised they only stacked on three, but they were attuned to your earthweaving talent. Do you want to handle the questioning? You’re likely the best one. I’ll record the conversation and only speak when clarifications, falsehoods, or omissions have been made. I will verify the truth after every question has been answered.”
“Valerie?”
“I’ll do it,” she whispered. “With one condition.”
“What condition?”
“Your word my sister will not be put on trial.”
“She will be questioned, in private, and the truth verified, but as long as she’s below the age of fifteen, she will not be required to appear in court, and the recordings will be sealed,” William promised. “I will repeat this promise when we begin recording the questioning session.”
“Then I agree. She’s below the age of fifteen.”
I claimed an armchair for myself, sitting on the edge and making sure Landen’s bathrobe was securely tied. “Please sit. The sooner we begin, the sooner you can put this behind you.”
Chapter Sixteen
It took two hours to learn the entirety of Valerie’s story, and William caught her attempting to make several omissions involving her sister. When the woman’s day in court came, I hoped Alaska had reasonable self-defense laws.
That Valerie’s sister was ten stoked my rage so much I’d need a long walk to cool my temper. I wanted to crush something, but I forced myself to stay still while listening to her describe the moments leading up to her slapping her harasser.
“I know nothing about Alaskan law,” I admitted, “but if self-defense laws don’t cover this, I’m going to be having a few words with His Majesty.”
William checked his phone. “According to—”
The door banged open, and a rumpled, annoyed Landen wearing boxers stormed into the room. Before he could say a word, I held up a hand. “You forgot your pants. Try again.”
He came to a halt, his mouth dropping open.
“Pants, Landen. You’re interrupting important business. If you’re going to interrupt, at least do so properly dressed.”
“You don’t have any clothes on at all!” he howled.
“Bathrobes count as clothes. I’m fully covered. What’s the problem?”
“You weren’t in bed.”
What had I gotten myself into, letting him trick me into marrying him? “Go get dressed, have breakfast, and come back when you’re not so snarly.” I pointed at the door, and as I’d had good luck snapping my fingers at him yesterday, I did so. “Knock instead of invading next time, too.”
Landen scowled, but he turned around and stomped out, slamming the door behind him.
“He woke up grumpy,” I observed.
Shaking his head, William set his phone onto the coffee table. “He has a protective streak worse than mine. Expect him to come back in five minutes dressed but rumpled. As I’d been trying to say, according to Alaskan law, self-defense rules will apply, and there’s sufficient weight to the accusations to add to the case against him. We can address the details in the upcoming week. Valerie, speak to one of the guards and have them give you an armed escort home.” William slid a piece of paper and pen across the table. “Understanding all accusations will be verified, write down the names of anyone else who has threatened you or your family to keep you silent. Restraining orders will be issued as necessary.”
I held my breath.
“There’s no one else.”
“Good. Go home. If you think of anything important to your case, please contact us.”
“I will. Thank you.” Valerie curtsied, and then she fled from the room. Unlike Landen, she closed the door quietly behind her.
I sighed. “Is this what you’ve been dealing with since you’ve arrived? Questionings like that over and over?”
“Essentially.”
Someone knocked at the door, and I got up to answer. A fully dressed Landen scowled, and I answered his grumpiness with a smile. “Good morning.”
“Summer,” he complained. “You left bed.”
“I was dealing with a situation. The situation has been dealt with. You can feed me breakfast now.”
William chuckled. “Sorry, Landen. I borrowed her. One of the women was provoked, and she didn’t trust me—or any man—to question her. Summer helped handle the questioning while I verified the truth. I’ll follow up as needed.”
Landen stepped into the room and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. “Next time, leave a note, please. I was worried.”
I could get used to someone caring where I went and what I did, and I leaned against him. “Worried enough to go stomping around the castle in your boxers, apparently. Try to have a little dignity next time.”
“You’re going to drive me crazy. Are you all right?”
I had the usual headache, but it wasn’t any worse than it had been, which I considered a victory as I’d skipped breakfast along with my morning dose of medication. “I’m fine.”
“She’s lying.”
“Another headache?”
I twisted in Landen’s arms and shot the annoying but pretty man a glare.
“Summer?”
The worry in Landen’s voice made me sigh. “It’s just a headache, Landen. It’s not that bad.”
“She’s telling the truth this time.”
Landen squeezed me. “Maybe breakfast will help. Have you taken your medication yet?”
“All signs point to no,” William said.
“Would you like to join us for breakfast?”
“Sure. I’ll fetch the others, too. They’ll want to know about this incident, and they’re itching to meet Summer. It’s as good a time as any. When?”
“Give us an hour. Summer needs to get dressed.” Landen relaxed against me and kissed the top of my head. “I can’t believe you ran around the castle in my bathrobe.”
“I didn’t run. Running is too much work before breakfast. You needed the sleep.”
“A piece of advice, Landen. When your lady’s being considerate, even if you’re upset because you wanted to wake up with her next to you, thank her. Some fights aren’t worth having, and this is one of them.”
“Are you speaking as a man who was just kicked out of his own palace after annoying your pregnant queen?”
“Possibly.”
“All right. I do appreciate the extra sleep, I just prefer waking up with you next to me. I was worried.”
“I’m going to worry you a lot,” I predicted.
“I’ve resigned myself to the inevitable. For some reason, I expect I’ll be running around the castle in my boxers a lot in the future, as your bathrobe is too small for me.
”
William laughed. “There’s an obvious solution to this. Buy a second bathrobe. I have three, but I only get to wear one of them because my wife and daughter steal the others. And don’t expect to get to keep your old one because you suggest she picks the new one, because she’ll just keep taking your favorite because it’s your favorite—that’s why she’ll want to wear it. In good news, you’ll only have to buy robes for yourself because she’s going to take yours for the rest of your life.”
“He’s probably right,” I admitted. “Yours is comfortable.”
“All right, all right. You win. Will you please put some clothes on? Please?”
Laughing, William rose from his seat and headed down the hallway towards the bathroom. “I think he’s jealous. Main dining room, Landen?”
“Main dining room,” Alaska’s king confirmed, releasing me, placing his hands on my shoulders, and steering me towards the door. “Thank you for handling that affair.”
“She was right. You needed the sleep, and she handled everything just fine. She may not have any understanding of politics or law, but your queen’s sensible, direct, and honest. You chose wisely.”
“He didn’t choose me,” I corrected, allowing myself a smug smile. “I bought him for a quarter.”
Landen shoved me out of the room while William snickered.
My little headache grew into a dragon, one that breathed fire in my skull. I struggled through even the littlest of tasks. Standing drove spikes through my eyeballs deep into my brain.
I sat on the edge of the bed, and my frustrations boiled over and spilled out as tears.
“Summer?” Landen grabbed tissues from the nightstand and wiped my cheeks. “What’s wrong?”
“Headache,” I gasped.
His expression turned neutral. “I’d been warned you’d get them. I have some painkillers for you, but they pack a punch. You’re going to be sky high until dinner.”
Closing my eyes helped a little, and I breathed in deep. “You can’t trick me into marrying you twice.”
The Captive King Page 21
