Page 25 of The Prince of New York

Well, that would cause me problems, especially considering the discussion held in the hospital. However, that Madelyn endured abuse as well might become a bridge between us.

She likely understood far more than I wanted her to.

“They liked lower caste people,” I murmured.

“They did, more than they liked their own children.” Melody sighed, leaned over, and gave me a hug. “I’m sorry. I really am. Madelyn was shocked to find out how abusive they were. Also, because of the severity of the abuse accusations, Rachel pulled in Will to have everything confirmed. I’m sure Terry or someone in the RPS will brief you, but I was nominated to give you the starter information.”

“But where will she go today?”

“She won’t be left alone when off palace grounds, and she’ll have extra RPS agents practicing their shadowing techniques, so she’ll be protected. Try not to worry, Ian.”

“You just told me there’s been some asshole abusing her, and you want me to not worry?” I huffed, which made my head hurt worse. Rubbing at my temple did nothing to ease the discomfort. “How long does it take for these meds to actually do something?”

“It takes about ten minutes. You’ll be all right. But yes, I do want you to try not to worry. Terry is keeping her safe. You know Terry is going to pull out every stop to make sure she gets out of this situation better off than she started. Try to focus on the fact she was actively trying to get palace duty, knowing she would be safe here. Maybe not specifically with you, but it’s a good first step.”

“But she’s in a relationship with another man.”

“Not for long. That bridge has been thoroughly burned. The only reason she’s still in that situation is because she did not have the financial ability to leave, and she didn’t think anyone would believe her if she confessed about being abused.”

“How bad is her situation really?”

“It’s bad enough that Terry is leading the charge. When Madelyn wants to tell you the specifics, she will. I don’t feel breaking that confidence will do either of you any good. You need to know she has been abused so you use a gentle hand with her. You’re going to have to let her take the first steps for most everything, and I’m sure Terry is going to arrange for a therapist for you both. The therapist will help her cope with her trauma. At the same time, they will coach you on how best to support Madelyn without making her trauma worse. Fortunately, you’re good at handling people, so I’m confident you’ll be able to navigate through this. In a way, the existence of the bond with you has likely been her saving grace through this.”

I tensed. “What do you mean?”

“You showed her kindness, you showed her freedom, and you showed her how it’s possible for people of different castes to be friendly with each other. I suspect she felt betrayed by your rank, but she left the palace because her employment contract had come to an end, not because of anything you did. Terry reviewed her post-contract file, and there was nothing but positive feedback from her about working in the palace—and it was mentioned in her file that she had worked with you. That’s not her fault, nor is it yours. But you gave her an example of what a good man looks like. That didn’t save her from falling in with a bad one, but I suspect it did help her identify she needs to get out. And if her financial situation had been better, I doubt she would have dated him in the first place.”

“Remind me to push my sister about financial reforms,” I grumbled.

Melody smiled at me. “I’ll do that. Be honest with me. Are you upset she was dating someone else?”

I raised a brow. “I am upset he is an abuser. I am not upset that she has free will and lived her life as she saw fit. A potential bond is not a prison for her. I only decided to make it a prison for me because that was a choice I made. I fell in love with her, and it’s not her fault she isn’t in love with me back. I’m not going to even pressure her. This is a me problem and not a her problem.”

My friend heaved a sigh, raised her hand, and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m telling Dr. Stanton this, and she’s going to start screaming, Ian. She’s going to start screaming because this is almost as bad as Adam dancing around Veronica initially. The only improvement is your heart, as unlike Adam or your sister, you are not at any risk of having a heart attack. Thank you for that, by the way. You’re in decent health, so that’s something.”

“You call this concussion being in decent health?”

“That concussion is why you’re not in acceptable or good health. So, what are you going to do?”

“The same shit as normal and pretend nothing has changed?” I eyed her. “This is a trick question, isn’t it?”

She glared at me. “You’re going to sleep off the concussion, eat, bathe, use the bathroom at the appropriate intervals, and resist any urges to deal with the ex-boyfriend on your own. You will not follow Madelyn around like a lovesick puppy.”

“She’s being paid to follow me around,” I reminded her. “I even let her grill me in the hospital to her heart’s content.” After a moment of hesitation, I asked, “Is breaking out of the palace out of the question?”

“If I let you get into the condition where you climb out of the window because you’re that fevered and want to cool off in a storm drain, Dr. Stanton is going to deal with me. If she has to deal with me, she’s coming after you next.”

I shuddered at the thought of the woman pulling out all the stops. “I’ll do my best to behave, but please don’t let me get that fevered again.”

“I’m going to do my best, but I know you. You’re going to have a fever. But can fevered you outsmart two tigers, two doctors, and a woman motivated to make sure her position with you isn’t compromised so she continues to have housing at the palace? That is the question.”

“I’d hire her as my wife without hesitation,” I informed Melody.

“You are not issuing her a job offer to be your wife, Ian. That didn’t work for Will, and it won’t work for you.”

“Will didn’t actually tell her he wanted to hire her as his wife. I would be upfront about the position.”

“No.”

---