Null and Void

by Susan Copperfield

  Jessica smiled, opened the briefcase, and pulled out a stack of papers. While far smaller than the one I’d signed for Mireya’s education, the sheets frightened me more.

  I hadn’t thought it possible.

  The queen sent them coasting across the table, and I slapped my palm onto them to keep them from flying off the edge. The front page was emblazoned with the Texan royal seal, and I flipped it over.

  It didn’t take long to read through the ten pages, which outlined the terms of their betrothal. If the agreement survived five years, on Mireya’s fifteenth birthday, she’d become Prince Adam’s wife and his equal in every way. As the proposers of the agreement, the Texan royal family would give Mireya a betrothal gift worthy of a queen, which included a property for her new family, a small herd of ten horses consisting of one stallion and nine mares in foal, and a percentage of the royal family’s wealth.

  I had no idea how much ten percent of the royal family’s wealth was, but I had no doubts my daughter would make the most of every penny of it.

  Three pages of clauses preventing the parents of the betrothed couple from gaining any financial or political wealth from the betrothal agreement amused me. No matter which way I turned the agreement around, it worked out the same.

  Only Adam and Mireya benefited from the agreement, and all benefits were paid by the Texan royal family.

  “Isn’t this a little too generous?” I asked, looking up from the sheets.

  “Trust me, my advisors said the same thing. But, Pat and I are agreed, and we convinced congress to agree as well. The terms have already passed, and we have the signed motion waiting for your signature. Once made public, the only two who can break the agreement are Adam or Mireya. It’s very rare someone in my position gets a chance like this, Mackenzie. I won’t make my parents’ mistake. They wanted nothing to do with Pat, and he almost paid for his love with his life. I won’t do that to Adam, and I won’t do that to Mireya.”

  If I signed, the one to have full control over my daughter’s future would be my daughter.

  I didn’t have to think about it at all. There was no greater gift I could give my daughter than the chance to choose for herself, and she could back out at any time. “How long can we keep this under the radar?”

  “It’s a secret congress knows, so of course, everyone knows, but everyone’ll pretend they don’t. I expect we can keep it from the public for a few months.”

  “What about Mireya’s father?”

  “Tough shit for him. The agreement bars all parents from nullifying the contract without permission from the betrothed, and at time of signing, you’re the only parent with custody. If he wanted a say in who got to marry his daughter, he should’ve been here.”

  Ouch. “He’s not a bad person,” I protested.

  “I suspected as much. I can’t see you having taken someone to bed otherwise. Trust me, I get how it works.” Jessica chuckled, relaxed in her seat, and waved away my concerns about Dylan with her perfect hand. “If he wants a say next time, he should show up, lure you back to bed, and stick around this time.”

  I flushed head to toe. “Jessica!”

  “Ah-ha! You’re still hung up over him. I knew it. I was wondering after what Mireya had told me. You still have a crush on her father.”

  If my face heated any more, I’d spontaneously combust. “That’s not—I mean—”

  “Busted!” the Texan queen sang out. “Don’t worry about it. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably be the same way. Your daughter’s incredible, and I have no doubt he did his equal share of contribution.”

  “The reality isn’t all that,” I warned, my face still burning.

  “Tell me about him.”

  I slumped, sighing. “He had a crush and wanted to live out a fantasy. He was a gentleman, the kind they turn into movies, too perfect to be real. He paid a charity forty-eight million to live out his fantasy. We used birth control, but it failed. That’s where the story begins, and that’s where it ends, too.”

  “Except he was your boss for three years before the auction, so this was no stranger who swept you off your feet. It was a man who worked hard to earn your affections.”

  Ouch. I flinched but nodded. “It’s hard not to respect someone like him.”

  “With forty-eight million to spend on a fantasy, he’s no null. Do you know his rank?”

  “He wore a platinum pentagram.”

  Jessica’s eyebrows shot up towards her hairline. “Mackenzie, do you know what that emblem means?”

  “He’s an elite who has killing authority. Only an idiot would attack him.”

  “I wear a platinum pentagram,” the queen replied.

  I blinked. “Pardon?”

  “Adam wears a platinum pentagram. Pat wears a platinum pentagram. Laurette and Carl wear gold and platinum pentagrams. Douglass wears a platinum rosette, while Lane wears a platinum starburst. Douglass’s second oldest child wears a gold and platinum rosette. Lane’s oldest child wears a platinum rosette.”

  The blood drained out of my face as I pieced together the general meanings of the symbols. “He’s a member of a royal family?”

  “No one told you? He was either the head of the royal family or the heir of the royal family. What on Earth was he doing working with a small firm in… where was it? Baltimore?”

  “Annapolis. I just thought the symbol meant he came from a strong elite family. The last time I looked into it, I gave up; there were just too any symbols to make sense of them all, and since no one made a big deal of it, I didn’t think it was that important.”

  “Even smaller than Baltimore. What was he doing in a backwater city like Annapolis? Did he tell you?”

  I swallowed and thought back on my time with Dylan. “He said he wanted to experience the world for a while—see it from a different perspective, I think. He disappeared after the auction.”

  “He likely returned to his kingdom. New York’s royal family is infested with blonds and brunettes. There’s no one in the family with hair as dark as Mireya’s. Good. Serves the bastard right for running off and not coming for you and her sooner. The instant the official announcement comes out, I bet her father’s going to come crawling over to get a piece of the pie, and I’ll enjoy rolling up the contract and spanking him with it.”

  “Uh, I think I can handle any—” I snapped my teeth together.

  Jessica leered at me. “I’m sure you can.”

  “He’s not a bastard.”

  “I know. I’m just angry you had to raise a girl like Mireya on your own. He probably stayed away on purpose.”

  “What?” I shrieked, then I clapped my hands over my mouth.

  “Don’t get defensive, Mackenzie. Think about it carefully. You’re a null, and when you came to Texas, you were brought in specifically to champion null rights. It turned out you were pregnant. Had he given any indication Mireya’s his child, she would’ve been sucked into the system. You would’ve lost your grounds and motivation for championing null rights. The best thing Mireya’s father could have done was stay away, if he cared about you and the rights of people like you. You were in the perfect position to serve that cause. And you have, without a doubt. Texas is now the world leader of human rights. We have you to thank for that, although I’d rather if you didn’t champion rights from the hospital in the future.”

  “I’m grounding that little brat for the rest of her life,” I muttered.

  Jessica laughed. “Good luck with that. You’re going to need it.”

  “I’m sure I can come up with something. I’ll make her play outside without a book in sight. Maybe that’ll teach her not to con the congress in the future.”

  “You’re going to need a lot of luck with that one.”

  “I really doubt he’ll come for either one of us.”

  “That’s possible. He’s a royal, so it’s probable he’s already married with other children. If that’s the case, this will be to his benefit as well, assuming you never have a bloodlin
e test done on her—or if you do, you seal the results. A bloodline test would confirm the identity of her father within a few days. All royals are registered for this reason. There are very few single monarchs.”

  I groaned. “Adam thinks I should date Montana’s king.”

  Jessica tossed her head back and laughed. “Now that’s quite the proposal. If you decided to take a king for yourself, he’s not a bad choice. Everyone in the Montana bloodline are empathic leeches to some degree, so if you win him, you’ll keep him for life. The auction’s a serious step for him. He’ll be playing for keeps. It’s part of why he and his sister are game for betrothals. Both are confirmed empathic leeches, so they’ll be able to tell if someone’s after their wealth or after them. They’re strong enough leeches they’ll eventually bond with their partner, too.”

  “Well, I’m not a good choice. My cold urticaria will kill me one day. It’s just a matter of when. I’ve gotten lucky so far, but not even the preventatives will stop it. All it’ll take is one missed dose and an air conditioner. The only reason I’m alive right now is because Senator Forester knew I needed the pen and was with me. I’ve gotten the lecture enough times to know I have a one minute window to get treatment before my throat’ll close too much for a tube to be effective.”

  Jessica blanched. “While I knew you had a close call, I hadn’t been aware it was that serious.”

  “Mireya hasn’t realized just how serious it is, and I’d appreciate if you didn’t burst that bubble for her yet.”

  In reality, the best thing I could do for myself—and her—was to sign the papers in front of me. If I did die, her future would be secured one way or another. If Jessica told the truth and a bloodline test could identify who Dylan Mason truly was, she would have options. With Mireya in control of her fate, she could lean on the Texan royal family as their heir’s future queen.

  “Do we need a witness for signing this?”

  “Indeed. You’re going to sign?”

  “I’ll sign, but there’s an addendum I’d like added.”

  “What do you want?”

  “If I die, she’s your problem until she’s either safely married or eighteen, and it survives if the betrothal agreement is broken.”

  Jessica smiled. “I’ll enter into that agreement with you personally; that can be verified today and won’t require congressional approval. I agree. What clause do you want for her father?”

  “He'd better meet your standards, or he’ll have to fight you for her.”

  “All right. We’re going to video conference in one of the witnesses, and I’ll pull out one of the school administrators. Do you have someone you want to conference in as your witness?”

  I smiled. “Senator Forester, so I can inform him I’m aware of the stunt he pulled.”

  Laughing, Jessica got to her feet, went to the door, and poked her head into the hallway. A few minutes later, a man in a suit was escorted into the room along with His Royal Majesty. I considered sliding beneath the table, but I rose to my feet.

  “Today’s going even better than I hoped,” King Patrick of Texas declared, flopping onto one of the chairs and spinning, and I swore dust billowed from his worn jeans. “Nice ta meet ya, Mackenzie. Take a load off. It’ll take a few minutes to get the young whippersnapper on the line so he can witness on his end. We’ll courier a notarized copy of the documents to him for signing. We royal idiots do try to make sure another bloodline witnesses when we stage a coup.”

  My eyebrows rose to my hairline, and I sank down onto my seat. “Royal idiots?”

  “He’s a peasant, don’t mind him,” Jessica said. “Before I took pity on him, he wasn’t much more than a boot scraping. Texas has a history of adding weird ones to the royal bloodline. Of course, he’s got an elite-level talent, but you wouldn’t believe it listening to him.”

  “I’m pretty sure the His Royal Majesty I’ve listened to is a bit more refined.” I frowned. “You’re sure he’s not an imposter?”

  Jessica snickered. “I’m sure, but that’s a good one.”

  “You’re gonna hurt my feelings, darlin’,” the king drawled.

  Her Royal Majesty rolled her eyes. “You have feelings?”

  I struggled not to laugh. “Can I be the one to call Senator Forester?”

  “Does that antique have video calling?” Jessica asked, arching a brow.

  I scowled. “Maybe.”

  Snickering, Jessica slid her phone across the table. “Use mine. You should open up with some snarling. I love listening to Lane being scolded. It’ll make me really happy. While you chew Lane out, I’ll get His Royal Majesty of Montana on the line. He owes me one for letting him participate in my auction.”

  Geoff slipped into the room, and I cast a desperate stare in his direction. “They’re all crazy, aren’t they?”

  “Yes,” he confirmed, taking a guard position by the door. “Judging from the collection of individuals present, I hope I’m the first to welcome you to the family.”

  “Hell no. I’m not joining the family. I’m just going to be the potential in-law.” I picked up Jessica’s phone and tapped in the number for Lane’s cell, tapping the video icon. “It seems I’m not technically incompetent after all.”

  Two rings later, the screen darkened before Senator Forester’s face appeared on the display. The instant he realized who he was talking to, his eyes widened. “Mackenzie? This is—”

  “When I get back to Dallas, you have a lot of explaining to do, Senator Forester,” I hissed.

  “Someone told you.”

  “That someone would be Prince Adam.”

  “That little shit,” Senator Forester muttered.

  His Royal Majesty snickered while Her Royal Majesty planted her hands on her hips. “For stage one of my revenge, I’m marrying my little brat off, and you’re hereby recruited as a government witness. I’m sure someone will assault you for a signature later.”

  “Which royal are they coercing for the other signature?”

  I scowled. “His Royal Majesty of Montana.”

  Senator Forester dissolved into a fit of helpless laughter, startling me so much I glanced at Geoff, who merely smiled. “What am I missing?”

  Coughing in an effort to suppress his mirth, Senator Forester choked out, “It’s politics, Mackenzie.”

  “Explain.”

  “It’s simple. If His Royal Majesty of Montana is willing to sign, no one anywhere will dare to gainsay the betrothal.”

  “Damned congress, voting to sell my daughter off.”

  “It’s only a sale if there’s a monetary transaction, which there’s not. We’ve seen the contract.”

  I sighed. “I was looking for some silver linings, Senator.”

  “You get to be the first one to officially address your daughter as Her Royal Highness. There’s your silver lining. Do it when you’re mad at her. The fallout should be spectacular.”

  “Okay, I have His Royal Majesty on the line,” Jessica announced, holding up another phone. Unlike hers, the display was blacked out. “No video is standard for him, Mackenzie, so don’t worry about it.”

  “Good afternoon,” a silky smooth voice greeted on the other end of the line.

  Who needed to see the man? Two words ensured I’d be going out of my way to listen when he made an official speech. “There’s nothing good about this afternoon,” I announced, determined to keep hold of the little pride I had left. I picked up the papers and waved them at Jessica. “For the record, you’re evil. I’m pretty sure you planned this, using that damned stack of paperwork as an excuse to lure me here.”

  While she could’ve been offended by my claim, Jessica grinned like a maniac. “You caught me.”

  His Royal Majesty of Montana chuckled, and his laughter sounded even better than his speaking voice, with just a hint of a rumble. “I see the mother of the future bride is already at odds with the mother of the future groom. How interesting. Is everyone present for the signing?”

  “Every
one’s present,” Jessica confirmed. “Mackenzie is the sole guardian of Mireya Little, and no other party, biological or otherwise, has rights to alter or dismiss this agreement.”

  “Witnessed,” His Royal Majesty replied.

  “Witnessed,” Senator Forester echoed.

  It took less than ten minutes to sign the papers, and if anyone noticed my hands shook, they said nothing of it. By the end, His Royal Majesty of Montana made no effort to hide his amusement, and he was still chuckling when he hung up, leaving me to wonder what I’d missed.

  “Well, that was interesting.” I glared at the papers that would either turn my daughter into a queen or transform me into the worst villain of all time.

  Senator Forester chuckled. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mackenzie. Have a safe flight home.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I replied dutifully, hanging up on the senator before sliding Jessica’s phone back to her.

  Jessica rose, gathering the signed documents and putting them in the briefcase, which she handed over to Geoff. “Now that all the signing has been completed, you can relax, Mackenzie. The children are going to be busy with their tests the rest of the day; they started the instant you handed over the paperwork. Honestly, we’re going to be hauling sleeping bodies to their room as soon as they’re done, so you can head home any time you want.”

  “I’ll leave after the testing is done for today, if that’s all right.”

  The queen smiled. “Of course it is. You’re more than welcome to have dinner with us, too. I’m sure you’re overwhelmed by now, so we’ll get out of your hair and give you a few minutes to regroup before subjecting you to anything else today. When you’re ready, someone’ll be outside to take you on a tour of the center, if you’d like.”

  I swallowed and nodded. “Thank you.”

  Either understanding I held onto my nerves by my fingertips or wanting some time to relax, too, Jessica and Pat herded everyone out of the conference room.

  I’d never thought beyond what I’d considered impossible goals, and every hope and dream I’d ever had for my daughter had been accomplished with the help of a simple pen, the kind the drug store sold in bulk.