Page 55 of Iron Unicorn

“It’s highly unlikely. Prior to my relocation to Texas, work had been particularly busy. Stress is taking the blame for my illness.”

“All right. I’ll still confirm it anyway. If I don’t have a confirmation in hand, Daphne will freak out. She wallowed for days over having popped you one good while taking you out.”

She would, and I rolled my eyes over the drama the Montana royal family managed to create. “The Texans are expecting us to have a dispute.”

“I mean, we can put on a show for them if they expect it. My sister likely expects me to freak out over her nose. If she needed the operation to be able to breathe, I would have been dragging her kicking and screaming myself. I was only against it for purely cosmetic reasons.”

“Her nose needed significant alterations for non-cosmetic reasons,” I confirmed.

“If I wallow and grovel, do you think she’ll let me off lightly?”

Why was he asking me? “I would just like a swift departure from the depths of self-deprecation, and I’m willing to get into a fight with you over it. Frankly, Your Majesty, I don’t care ifyouget off lightly.”

Rather than get angry, the king laughed. “Good. That’s how it’s supposed to be. So, tell me, Terry. How long have you loved my sister?”

“As friends?”

“That’s a good start.”

I considered it, shrugged, and found only one reply: always. From the day Sabina had left my life and Olivia had swept in, I’d held nothing but love and admiration for the woman who had put aside her life for the sake of mine. The acceptance part of grief had been a long time coming, but I recognized I’d, along the way, let my wife truly go. I still harbored some regrets, but they were of my failings rather than hers. “When a woman like Olivia comes around, Your Majesty, love in some form is the default. She’s just that sort of person. She has always been beautiful.”

“Even with her crooked nose?”

I struggled to restrain my irritation at his question. “Of course.”

“Don’t bite my head off, Terry. Most don’t share your opinion.”

“Well, they’re wrong.”

“And you’re appropriately biased in my sister’s favor. I’m sorry for digging up graves here, but Sabina’s death hit you quite hard. You weren’t bonded with her, but she was your companion.”

“We would have ended up getting a divorce. She wanted what I couldn’t give her.” While I regretted my feelings, I took the time to explain how I felt our marriage would have ultimately fallen apart with the majority of the fault being with me.

“And Olivia?”

The woman would drive me crazy. Aware she’d been unstable and held on by a thread, I peeked into the bedroom to check on her, listening to her steady breathing. “She knows precisely what she’s getting herself into. She knows I have responsibilities to New York.”

“Responsibilities she’ll ultimately be helping you with on a daily basis. She adores Rachel. Having Olivia permanently stationed in New York would be a huge boon for both our kingdoms. And everyone knows you’re Montana’s gift to the New York royal family. Olivia will understand when you can’t tell her about something relating to New York—just like she will keep secrets about Montana from you. It will be a balanced relationship. I think you’ll be fine, and you’ll retire should things not go as you want. And don’t take that as a slight against your work ethic. It’s just reality. You’re getting older, and so is Olivia for that matter. The instant she decides to pursue the relationship, you’re going to be treated like a stud. She wants children, I know you like children and wouldn’t mind one or two, and time says she’s only getting one or two if she hurries up and gets to work.”

I crossed my eyes at the reality of a king informing me I’d be treated like a stud in a relationship involving his sister. “I’m sure Olivia can handle any such matters as she sees fit.”

“Maybe I should tell her that she should be a bit more aggressive. Your patience should have limits!”

I considered his complaint, smiled at the sleeping princess, and left her to her rest, sitting on one of the armchairs in the connecting room. “If it helps her adjust after her surgery, I can be as patient as needed. She’s exhausted, and I’m not the one she needs the reassurances from. Perhaps you should bring Daphne as well?”

“I’ll grab her on my way out the door. Make sure you have your suppressor and be ready for a scuffle. I’ll warn my agents. You can handle the Texans.”

“If by handle you mean ignore, I can do that.”

The king chuckled. “I’m sure my agents can handle the situation. I’ll even make sure they understand I’m consenting to our scuffle. Just try not to break my nose. The last thing I need is an operation right now, and they’re still fussing over my sinuses.”

Damn it. His Royal Majesty must have started snoring again. “How bad is it?”

“That I’m having any snoring at all has tripped the triggers of everyone in the palace with the exception of my wife. She likes it. It’s soft, and it is a comforting sound for her.”

“Well, if you’re snoring, you’re clearly alive,” I reminded him.

“Just keep my sister together until I can get there, please.”

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