Page 6 of Jon’s Desert Prince Dream

“Ladies in waiting,” he explained with a shrug. “You get used to it. Well, I didn’t, but that’s because Brandon insists on assisting me in the bath himself. He’s not happy when other people put hands on me. So that worked out.”

“Oh.” Pieces filtered together to form an overall picture. “You were brought to the palace because you’re a Medium?”

Mack set everything on the pool’s edge, then straightened, his brown eyes studying me curiously. “You can see I’m a Medium?”

“Yes. You’re quite powerful, to the point you can exorcise. I rarely see people with that level of talent.”

“Ho, damn, your eyes are very good.” He lit up in a smile. “Now I understand why Donovan’s this anxious. Yes, I was brought here initially because of my talent. I wasn’t enslaved, like you, but I was under a beast of a work contract that pulled me all the way here despite my wishes. Turned out to be a blessing, though, as after I arrived I realized I could ask for help, get out from under the contract. I reported my situation to Donovan, who brought me directly here. Then I met Brandon, who basically swept me off my feet, which was how we got married. I should warn you, this family only knows how to forge ahead. Don’t let them overwhelm you; they will do that without realizing.”

“I…had a feeling. Thanks.” I looked around the room better and the obvious hit me. “This is his room, isn’t it.”

“Took you this long to realize?”

I whimpered. “I… Shit, how am I supposed to respond to this?”

Mack laughed again, enjoying my dismay. “Jon, I can tell you’re from Orleansa like me, so I can hazard a guess over your reaction. Let me explain something. Psychics in Tennoa are treated like the gods’ gift upon humanity. We’re literally bestowed with divine power, that’s how they see it. So you? You’re a walking gift. It’s why Donovan’s jumping through hoops trying to please you. He really, really wants you to stay.”

I knew part of that, but had to ask, “Divine power? They really think I have divine power?”

“You, me, and every psychic. We’re almost celebrities to them? Or like minor nobility? It’s hard to explain because our culture doesn’t have anything to equatable. But you’re in a situation where you actually have more value than a prince of this land.”

My eyes nearly left their sockets. Some part of my brain froze, unable to comprehend, and yet words still tumbled out of my mouth. “I’m more valuable than a prince?!”

“I’m not overstating when I say that.”

His lines said he believed his own words completely but…but…seriously?!

“When Brandon first met me and I told him what I could do, he was incredibly excited. There was no living with him for, like, a month, as he took me to all the most haunted places in this country. Worse than a child at the toymakers, I tell you. Donovan’s going to be worse, I can see it now. He’s oscillating between being completely giddy and absolutely enraged at the Orleansan king.”

“Wait, wait, so if he knew that our situation back home is so bad, why is he so mad now?”

“Final straw,” Mack explained with splayed hands. His lines were all evil giddiness, though, pumpkin orange twining with bright yellow. “Tennoa’s been arguing with the Orleansan asshat for years, and we honestly thought our last message was direct enough to get it across: We will not do business with a country that enslaves anyone. So to be offered not only people, but psychics, well…”

“It’s like a slap in the face when Tennoans think we’re divine.”

“You got it.”

“So, Prince Donovan’s campaigning to be my anchor…”

“Not surprising,” Mack said with a nod. “You’re very much his type.”

“This doesn’t make sense. Of course I can see everything I need to know about him, so me thinking of him in that way is understandable, but…he can’t see me the same way. How does he know we’re a good match?”

Mack’s head tilted a little as if I’d just asked a silly question. “Jon. Do you know that the two of you are a good match? You can see that?”

“I can see our compatibility. I give it amazing odds we’d be great together.”

“He doesn’t need to see to believe it,” Mack pointed out. “He knows you’ve read the compatibility, and it must be good, because you’re not turning him down. Remember, this man fully believes your talent is a divine gift, so whatever you say to him, he’s going to believe.”

“In other words, because I know we’ll be a good match, he’s already sold? Without needing to test the waters or anything?”

“Correct.” Mack lifted a finger as he added, “Speaking as someone who has walked this path, I must say choosing Donovan would be an excellent choice. I know him very well, and he’s fully as protective as his brother, and just a sweetheart all around. You’ll be well loved and protected by choosing him as your anchor.”

Awe slid through me, warm as sunshine. The idea of someone trusting in me, in my abilities that much, accepting all of me instead of being afraid of me was breathtaking. It was all I’d ever wanted and thought I’d never have. And for that trust to come in the package of a man like Prince Donovan? It’d be worth battling my insecurities.

Changing the topic, I said, “Share the snack with me. Tell me your story.”

“I’d be happy to. I’m going to put my feet in the pool too. I’m hot.”