Melody’s shoulders slumped, and she sighed. “I know. I don’t have to like it, but I know.”
In her shoes, I would’ve run away long ago, as evidenced in having done just that when being constrained had been too much for me to bear. “Will it just be us in the box?”
“Your parents and sisters will be there, too. That’s why Dad won’t be coming; he gave up the entire box so we could all go. Honestly, he’s okay with it, as he could use the peace and quiet. He hasn’t been feeling well lately.”
“He hasn’t?” That caught me by surprise; I figured the king, who ruled because of his medical prowess, never felt ill. “He looked really, well, healthy to me.”
“He’s seventy-nine, Jack.”
My eyes widened. While I knew he had to be old enough to have Melody, nothing about the man seemed that old to me. “I thought he was in his late fifties at most.”
“He’s sneaky like that. Mom’s seventy-two.”
“Does she look like she’s in her fifties, too? I haven’t met her.”
“No, she looks older. It’s okay, though.”
“How old is your uncle?”
“Eighty-one.”
Her uncle’s age really made me wonder if he was truly the one behind the incidents; the last time I checked, the average age of death for men in the Royal States was seventy-four, although people had begun dying at older ages, especially those from the upper castes who could afford the best care in the world. “He’s older than I thought.”
“Dad had a late start with us kids, and Mom stayed fertile a lot longer than expected. Dad probably had something to do with that, since Mom wanted a lot of kids. Don’t look so worried, Jack. He’s fine. He’s just been working a lot lately, so he’ll take the evening off for some rest and relaxation while I take his place screaming at our players. Right, Danny?”
The pitcher chuckled. “Most of the curses will be at me for failing to strike out every batter on the opposing team.”
“Damn straight,” she said, bobbing her head. “Let’s hit the gift shop before the stadium becomes a zoo. I want a new jersey, and I want to see if they have any cups. I broke mine before I went to England because I’m a stupid idiot.”
I marveled at everything about her. “When I met you in France, I had no idea you were a rabid baseball fan.”
“Dad says I have to pretend I’m a professional doctor when I’m abroad. When I’m home, I’m a rabid baseball fan who also happens to be a doctor. Don’t worry, Jack. You’ll get used to it.”
I would? Stooping, I picked up my kitten and cradled her close, and Sparrow rewarded me with a purr. “If you say so.”
“I do say so. When I’m done with you, you’re going to be just as rabid a fan as me.”
“Is that a threat or a promise?” I muttered under my breath.
I hadn’t muttered soft enough, as the princess shot me a glare. “It’s both.”
Looking her in the eyes, I replied, “I wish you the best of luck, Melody. You’re going to need it.”
I gave the baseball game, its rabid fans, and the concession stands credit. The hot dogs alone might convince me to attend games without complaint, the energy in the stadium bordered on madness, and the game itself was somewhat entertaining, as long as I didn’t care I lacked a full understanding of the rules and focused on the good parts. For reasons that defied understanding, I actually enjoyed watching full-grown men fling themselves into the dirt attempting to reach a base before they could be caught by the opposing team.
Melody liked watching the batters and strategizing how players would reach the next base, and she spoke an entirely different language.
A language my sisters and parents understood.
Not only did they understand her language, they indulged in her madness with glee.
While still on guard, Kevin and Liam took turns watching the game, too, although both agents had a tendency to scan the crowds. When it was Liam’s turn to guard, I cornered Kevin and whispered, “I am still on Earth, I’m not in a coma, and I’m not hallucinating, right?”
“Why would you think any of those things?” he replied with a raised brow.
I stared at my family and Melody, who were plastered to the glass for as close a look as possible. “That.”
“I admit, after hearing about your complete lack of enthusiasm for baseball, I’d assumed your family would feel the same way, but it’s very obvious they’ve been following the games this season. You’re not in a coma, you still are on Earth, and you’re not hallucinating.”
“Well, that’s something. It’d be a pity if I hallucinated these hot dogs.”
I’d already packed four of them away, and I was putting in some serious thought on assaulting a fifth during the next break in the game. Fortunately for me, the nearest concession stand was right outside the door, and it served the private boxes above the stadium.
“The hot dogs are not a hallucination. Would you like another?”
“Am I going to get yelled at by my doctor if I eat another one?”
“I think she’ll forgive your culinary adventures for the sake of converting you into a baseball fan. You won’t miss much of the game if we go now, and there won’t be a line because everyone’s pressed to the glass to watch.” Kevin strolled to the door, and I followed him. As he had every time someone had left the room, he punched in a few numbers in the keypad on the wall, waited for it to beep, and peeked out to evaluate the situation before escorting me out into the hallway to the concession stand, which I aimed for with unwavering determination.
RPS agents, which I’d learned to identify by their suits and their pins with their kingdom’s emblem on it, stood in guard positions near the doors and intersections. I frowned, as the numbers of them had increased since the last time I’d skipped out to indulge in a hot dog. The amused woman at the stand didn’t even ask me what I wanted; she spotted me and went to work loading up a hot dog with a filthy amount of sauerkraut and onions before handing it over with a grin.
“You’re a lifesaver and a mind reader,” I said, accepting what might rise to be one of my favorite foods, a single step down from steak and lobster.
“An extra for the road?” she asked.
I glanced at Kevin.
“Make it two extra,” the RPS agent said. “Just for the pleasure of Her Highness realizing her patient ate seven hot dogs.”
“I better add a plate of nachos to your order. Coke?” she replied.
I surrendered. “Why not? Thanks.”
While she prepared the order, which would be charged to Melody’s tab, I watched the RPS agents, counting the variety of emblems they wore. I spotted six different kingdoms in attendance, including Montana and Texas. “Hey, Kevin?”
“Yes?”
“Montana and Texas are really here?”
“His Royal Highness of Texas is several boxes down, as is his fiancée. I doubt you’ll meet them; they’re trying to stay out of the limelight today. They’ve been on circuit, and they’re quite tired, so the RPS has been asked to keep things quiet for them. They’ll leave last to avoid interacting with anyone. I’m sure you’ll get to meet them at some point, likely in Montana.”
“Circuit?”
“They’re introducing themselves formally to the monarchs of the Royal States without the interference of their parents. Security is particularly tight because of their presence. His Royal Majesty of Montana would, bluntly spoken, go ballistic if anything were to happen to his daughter.”
“I’d noticed security seems to be fairly tight.”
“There’s usually some form of incident or another at these games, so why take any risks? The only downside to being up here is that we have to leave last, too, to make certain we minimize any risks for Her Highness.”
The woman presented a tray with my extra hot dogs, nachos, and soda, grinning at me as I claimed it from her. “Enjoy the rest of the game, sir.”
I hoped I would, but I couldn’t help but wonder at the increase
d security, when less than half an hour ago, the RPS had been half in number and far more relaxed. With no other choice in the matter, I returned to Melody and my family, deciding I’d take out my worries on an obscene amount of food while trying to make sense of the game they enjoyed so much.
Chapter Thirteen
The baseball teams decided they would not accept defeat without a fight, and there were six extra innings before the home team finally opted to end the game with a home run. According to the shrieking in the room, my family and Melody were pleased with the conclusion of the game. I scratched my head while observing the fans seated beyond the outfield scramble to secure the game-winning ball.
Leaning closer to Kevin, I whispered, “Is this a good ending to the game, then?”
“The only way it would’ve been more exciting for Melody was if someone had stolen home.”
I frowned. “That’s possible?”
“It’s one of Her Highness’s favorite plays, but it’s rare.”
Huh. I regarded the diamond below with a skeptical look; players from both teams had tried to steal a base, but none had succeeded, something that had excited the fans in the stadium as much as infuriated them to the point of yelling at the players. Melody took the top spot as the one most likely to yell, and to my shock, my mother came in as a close second. “Are six extra innings normal?”
“No, not really. Most games are over after the tenth or eleventh if there’s extras. They played hard, smart ball. And you got to squeeze in two extra hot dogs, so it’s not all bad, right?”
My final tally of hot dogs came in at nine. I’d munched my way through three fully loaded plates of nachos, two large sodas had fallen prey to my appetite, and if Kevin hadn’t stopped me for fear of Melody’s wrath, I would’ve gone for a pair of corn dogs, too.
The corn dogs were on my list the next time I was convinced to attend a game.
I regarded my empty tray with a sigh. “If only I’d gotten two corn dogs, too.”
“You would’ve had a heart attack trying to cram those in. I’d relax and digest for the next while, sir. We’ll probably be here an hour before the place is cleared out enough that we can head down to the garage. If you don’t mind me imposing, I’ll have you do a sweep of the parking garage for explosives.”
“I’ll do what I can.”
“Thank you, sir. Once we’re in Montana, I’d like to coordinate a test to find out just how sensitive you are to various explosives.”
“I’m sensitive as in I have a strong dislike for them and being anywhere near them when they might explode,” I muttered.
“We share similar feelings, sir.”
“I’d be highly concerned if we didn’t.”
To my amazement, Melody and my family remained glued to the glass, chattering about the game they’d just watched. The cats slept on a large dog bed tucked in a corner, leaving me to either keep Kevin company, join Liam near the door, or stage some form of escape, which I doubted would happen with so many jumpy RPS agents around.
I still wondered what sort of incident had put everyone on high alert; no matter how hard Kevin attempted to play down the situation, I knew better.
Something had happened, something that had brought out the RPS agents in droves to protect their principals, and they didn’t want their principals to know about it. Why else up the defenses in the hallway without adding to the staff inside the suites overlooking the ballpark?
Within a week, I’d be even more paranoid than I already was, and all things considered, that would be quite the accomplishment. As I had since unleashing my magic, I questioned my decisions, but the truth stared me in the face and refused to go away. The longer I stayed with her, the more I realized I didn’t really care if I was bonded to her or not. Melody had brought something into my life I hadn’t realized I was missing, and I didn’t want to lose that—or her.
Before her, I’d never seen a way for my heritage to become an asset.
She had changed everything.
Taking Kevin’s advice, I relaxed in one of the suite’s chairs, which did almost as good a job of lulling me into a half-asleep daze as Melody’s tricky armchair. The hot dogs I’d consumed took some of the blame for my nap, while boredom claimed the remainder of responsibility for my lethargy.
I woke to the gentle pawing of a kitten seeking attention, and without bothering to open my eyes, I petted Sparrow, who purred and decided my fingers made for an excellent toy.
“It’s time for us to get going to the airport,” Melody announced, and she poked my shoulder. “Enjoy your nap?”
“Your Highness, he was awake for the entire game,” Kevin said, and his exasperated tone implied Melody had been dismayed to discover my sleepy state.
“All six extra innings of it,” I mumbled, stretching my legs while careful to avoid dislodging my kitten. “And I even witnessed the home run that had you all squealing.”
“You family left twenty minutes ago. Kevin wanted to give you a chance to sleep off your various indulgences.”
“You could lure me to another game with the promise of hot dogs,” I confessed.
“That’s a start. I’ll take what I can get at this point. I’ll even toss in a bribe of a corn dog.”
Either Kevin had snitched on my interest in trying a corn dog or she’d been paying closer attention to me than I thought. “Can you add in forgiveness for over indulgence?”
“I could be talked into such a thing.”
“I ate too much.”
“I guessed that from your collection of empty wrappers and your incoherent state. Fortunately for you, you need the extra calories to recover from exertion, so while I would’ve preferred you eat something healthier, it’ll do. I’ll save the healthy foods for when we aren’t attending a baseball game.”
“That’s a strong sales pitch for attending future games.”
“I’ll take that as a start,” she announced, straightening and staring down her nose at me. “Think you can handle a walk down to the garage? We need to get to the airstrip. If we leave now, we’ll be right on time.”
Melody had, from the very beginning, struck me as surprisingly punctual for a doctor, so I picked up my kitten, placed her on my shoulder, and got to my feet. Sparrow settled on her perch, her purrs intensifying as she got a better view of her domain. “In my defense, Kevin told me to relax. I was just doing as told.”
The RPS agent chuckled. “We have plenty of time, Your Highness. And yes, I’ll accept any blame for this situation. I was told to make certain he ate. I made certain he ate.”
Melody sighed. “We’re going to be late. Anyone expecting you to be alert and ready to go after eating nine hot dogs is a lunatic. You’re going to get on the plane and pass right out again. That’ll help pass the time on the flight; we’ll be in the air for about five hours, but we’re taking a smaller plane today, so we have to stop for fuel.”
“A smaller plane?”
“It’s a six seater, but it’ll be me, you, Kevin, and the pilot. Liam’s going to escort your family over. The rest of your agents will meet us in Montana. My father needed the big jet for a business trip, and my uncle’s headed off somewhere tonight, too, so he got dibs on the spare. That’s all right, though. I like the small plane. It’s fun.”
“Prop or jet?” I asked.
“Jet. It’s fun, but it doesn’t have the fuel capacity to do a straight run to Montana, so we get to make a pit stop. I haven’t asked for our itinerary, but the pilots usually like flying over Canada, and the landscape is really pretty.”
While pretty, Canada had a lot of nothing between its pockets of civilizations. “And the plane has a survival kit?”
Everyone laughed, even Melody, who snickered so hard she had to wave at Kevin to get him to answer the question. He grinned and nodded. “I figured it would be too much to have a flight without a fully stocked survival kit for your peace of mind.”
“I can make do with just a hatchet, but anything else is a bonus. You hav
e a water sterilization kit?”
“We inquired with search and rescue what would make a good kit, and as I figured you’d be obsessive over the issue, I also inquired with extreme hikers for what they would put in their packs. I think you’ll find the collection of equipment pleasing. I even had it put in a protective case, so it has a decent chance of surviving a crash.”
Honestly, if we had a crash in a small jet, I gave us slim chances of surviving long enough to need the equipment, but stranger things had happened. I’d worked for years rescuing the lucky survivors of such crashes, although most returned home in a body bag.
It amazed me I could fly without breaking into a cold sweat, considering the number of plane crashes I’d dealt with over the years.
“Honestly, my peace of mind would prefer we didn’t crash at all.”
Kevin nodded. “On that, we’re agreed. But should there be a crash, you’re the right man for the job.”
That I was, and I did my best to pretend Maine’s royal family wasn’t plagued by incidents. When we got to the air strip, I’d make triple sure to check for anything that might count as an explosive. In some cases, it was just better to be safe than sorry.
The numbers of RPS agents hadn’t changed since my last venture into the hallway, but Melody didn’t seem to notice anything was different from earlier. She was too busy showering Mr. Asshole with her affection, carrying the old cat and cooing to him the entire trip to the parking garage. Knowing the animal’s days were numbered hurt, as only an idiot wouldn’t recognize how much the princess adored the purring ball of fluff.
I’d never had a pet before, but I already dreaded the day I’d have to let my kitten go. She rode on my shoulder happily, and I kept a firm grip on her leash to prevent her from escaping. Aware Kevin wanted me to help scan for anything amiss, I started removing the suppressors one by one until I was able to sense a myriad of liquids around me. It took time to adapt to the numerous pipes in the wall, the concentrations of beverages at the concession stands, and the subtle twinge I associated with bottles of water and other small sources of liquids.
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