Jack jerked again and, to no one in particular, he mumbled, “Our gift is telepathy. I don’t know how to stop it. She’s nervous and scared,” he smirked, “and she thinks I’m hot.”
I was pretty sure two of the Kings heard his rant, and I whispered even quieter, “Concentrate on building a wall around your thoughts. For me, it was trees, but for you, try imagining a wall of water. A wall as tall as the sky is high, all around your mind. Explain this to her through your gift. It’ll probably be a wall of fire for her. You’ll still be able to hear her if she wants you to, and vice versa. You need to pay attention in here, and her distracting you isn’t helping.” It was harsh, but the truth.
He nodded slowly, and went still. He must have been communicating with her at first, because after a minute, he gazed blindly at the floor, somewhere far off in his own mind. He started panting quietly — it wasn’t easy to do at first — and maybe ten minutes later his large body relaxed against his chair. He wiped his brow, grinning at me sheepishly, and whispered, “Thanks.”
I nodded, and went back to what they were saying in front of us.
The President had given a press conference two days after our attack on the beach, and much of his comments were the same here. The Mys community had the full cooperation of the United States of America law enforcement. The Kings and President were now speaking about a joint effort between the Com CIA and the Mys MSA to provide intel between the two organizations about any planned attacks, whether it be Mys against Com — this was a real possibility since, with the attacks against us, our subjects were furious worldwide — or Com against Mys. They were correctly working for peace between our communities.
Although, the President surprised the crap out of me when he looked in my direction, then back toward the Kings, and cleared his throat — almost appearing nervous, but forged on — stating gradually, “I’m not sure if you have met Philip Masterson, Congressman.”
King Fergus flicked a finger. “We haven’t, but our Prodigies have met him. Along with your son, a few months ago.”
The President nodded, smiling. “Yes, my son was impressed by the Prodigies at the meeting.” He smiled in a way only a dad could and, really, he embarrassed his son with his next words. “I think he has a crush on Ms. Cooper.”
Sitting on the other side of me, Pearl groaned softly.
I only just stifled a chuckle.
The President got back on track, saying, “What I want to talk with you four about today is unconventional by United States standards, and it’s only one idea for peace. I hadn’t even thought about it until Mr. Masterson approached me with the topic. He appears to have interest in Ms. Ruckler,” I stiffened, “and he has proposed a very unique notion for shaping a more united relationship between Mys and Com.”
He tapped his fingers, staring at the ceiling for long moments before tipping his gaze back down to the Kings. “His idea stems from hundreds of years past when two kingdoms would marry two individuals of high ilk to unite their kingdoms.” His thumb tapped again as my heart rate shot through the roof, knowing where this was heading. “He would like to build a relationship like this with Ms. Ruckler. Have the two of them marry in hopes it will show the world our two divisions can come together peacefully.”
I had no clue what the Kings’ faces looked like, but mine had to show utter shock. My friends were stiff next to me, glancing from me to the President, but kept mute like we were supposed to. I think they were as shell-shocked as I was.
The President raised his hands when the Kings continued to sit mute. “As I said, it’s merely an idea. One to think about.” He lowered his hands. “I do believe it’s a fairly brilliant proposal. Mr. Masterson is an upstanding man in the United States. An up-and-coming man, really. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day he ran for President.” He glanced to me, then back to the Kings. “I’m no matchmaker, just the backer, but I do believe they would make a fine political couple.”
He had said backer. Which meant that Philip and he were pretty decent friends. Therefore, a marriage with him right now would still be advantageous, even if he wasn’t ready — right now — to run for President. Jesus Christ, this was seriously not good.
Chiefly, when King Kincaid — my King — said, “We’ll discuss this with Ms. Ruckler.”
I almost fainted. They could not do this to me.
All three of my friends stilled further.
Pearl inhaled a giant breath, undoubtedly ready to blast them right there.
I nudged her leg and gently shook my head. Now was not the time for this discussion. If Philip was such a close friend of the President, it wouldn’t be PC to abruptly turn the idea down — and not nicely.