I truly couldn’t think of a bloody thing to say. I was completely overwhelmed and desperately needed to talk to Dax. But the crowd was cheering, which meant the teams were back on the ice, and Lennox glanced in that direction.
“We’re missing the game, boss.” She tapped her watch impatiently and this time it was King Erik who stuck his tongue out at her.
This would never happen in the British royal family. At least I didn’t think so.
“Look, I know I’ve thrown a lot at you, and you and Dax haven’t talked yet, so go back and enjoy the game. Think about things, let them percolate. There’s a reception at the palace tonight and perhaps we can chat again then. Is any of this acceptable?”
“It’s all…very generous.” I nodded. “You’re right, I do need to talk with Dax. He didn’t tell me any of the details, so now we have to put it together. I’m actually very excited about some of the options you mentioned, but I don’t think I can give you an answer right now.”
“Of course not.” He got to his feet. “I just wanted you to know where we stood. And if you have any questions at all, just find Natalia—the young woman who escorted you up here. She’s a Royal Protector-in-training, which is essentially what Dax will be the next two years.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your talking to me.”
“But please, while you can mention the potential of starting an astronomy department at the university, things like that, don’t say anything about the Protectors. Dax’s role here will not be public. Your immediate family will probably have to know, but the reality is that no one will know what he’s doing until he’s through his training and officially becomes a Protector. Until then, the public perception is that he followed you here while you become a big shot at the university—or whatever you choose—and he’s going to start a hockey program at the new school.”
“I see. Yes, I understand.”
“And, Dr. Campbell?”
“Yes?”
“Once you become part of my family, that’s exactly what you are. You’re afforded most of the same privileges and one hundred percent of the same protections. Dax pledges an oath to me and my family, but you fall under that umbrella. I hope that makes sense.” I’d never seen so much sincerity and depth of emotion from a virtual stranger, and I couldn’t do anything but nod.
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
“And in private, it’s Erik.” The King of Limaj winked at me and I almost fainted.
34
Dax
It was a fun, high-scoring game. Though it still counted as part of the regular season, no one wanted to get hurt and we wanted to put on a great show for the fans here in Limaj since they had very little in the way of professional sports. There was a full house today, despite the frigid temperatures, and as I skated out onto the ice for my next shift, I let my gaze wander up to where the WAGs—and Isla—were sitting. I spotted her easily because she was almost always on her feet. She had a royal blue ski cap on her head and her winter coat was unzipped, revealing the Sidewinders jersey she wore beneath it.
I hadn’t seen her since arriving in Limaj, but we’d texted and would meet up after the game. There was a meet and greet happening for Limaji fans, but we’d be able to see our families before that. Though two opposing teams didn’t usually hang out together after a game, we were doing just that today. King Erik had financed this entire event, beyond our normal salaries and team expenses, and the only thing he’d asked of us was that we make a show of solidarity, how we could be rivals professionally but off the ice we were all friends.
Of course, it was easier with a team like the Blizzard because Toli’s brother Sergei played for them and his wife, Danielle, was the sister of another one of my teammates, Zakk. So there was no serious animosity amongst us, and while I wanted us to beat them, I didn’t have an issue, even if we lost. We weren’t going to, though, and when the puck hit the blade of my stick, I wound up and put it right between Aaron Ferrar’s legs. The Blizzard goalie was amazing but I’d seen a shot and taken it. Too bad for him.
“Yeah, baby!” Ian was on the ice and grabbed me in a big hug, followed by a handful of my other teammates. I skated back to the bench, running my glove along the gloves of my teammates before hopping over the boards and sitting down.
“You’re on fire lately,” Tore said to me, grinning.
“Well, somebody has to be,” I quipped.
He laughed.
We beat the Blizzard 6-5, and it was a good game, the most fun I’d had on the ice in ages. Maybe it was because I was retiring, and I was enjoying every minute of every game, but it was also the outdoor venue and a crowd of super-excited fans. Many of them had never seen hockey before but had come just because it was new, exciting and different. There were a ton of kids here, too, which made all the difference to me. They were the ones who added to the excitement. Once kids were invested, the parents inevitably followed.
As we skated back to the locker room, the hall was lined with reporters from around the world, along
