Although it made Cobalt uncomfortable, the doctor looked him over shortly after. She instructed him to take double the amount of his medicine for two days, and to stay in bed and rest. Then she left after giving him more notes on how to take care of his fever, stuff he already knew.

The king, with his arms crossed looking very proud of himself, looked over to Cobalt once she was gone. “Was that so hard?”

“You're very demanding.” Cobalt groaned, rolling onto his side.

“I suppose I can be.” the king chuckled. “I would like to see you when you're feeling better.”

Cobalt looked at him with a slight glare.

“You don't want to?”

“I have work still, you know.”

“I can ask for you to have a reprieve.”

“Please don't.”

The king's smile widened. “Then I'll expect a visit from you in a few days.”

“I have a condition.”

“Oh?” the king tilted his head to the side.

Cobalt rolled over to the wall opposite the door and pointed at the wall. The king followed his finger. He hadn't noticed it before, but there was another dresser and a window with some more small plants.

“Take one of those with you today.”

“Why?”

Cobalt rolled back to face him. “It's my condition. It'll be your job to care for it, water it, and keep it alive. It's pretty hardy. No one else can do this though.” He raised his voice to make sure the king heard him. “No one.”

The king tilted his head curiously as he walked over to the plants. “I see. But what will this be to measure?”

“Every time we meet at the palace, I'll check on the plant.” the alpha explained. “If at any point during our negotiations the plant gets into a state near death, or dies, the negotiations – no matter how far along they are – will abruptly end.”

The king turned on his heel right away to look at Cobalt with a serious look. “Excuse me?”

“You want kids. Prove me to me you can care for something.”

“Elaborate for me.” The king crossed his arms.

Cobalt sat up a bit. “If that plant dies, that tells me that you have no interest in caring about me as a person. My plants, and my books, are important to me. And if you can't keep one alive for me--”

The king lifted his hand right away. “Say no more. I understand.” He walked over and picked up one of the plants, a spider plant with leaves that had pale white stripes on the lush green. “If it's important to you, then I will care for it.” He stepped over to Cobalt's bedside. “I have one last question before I leave.”

“Yes.... My King?” Cobalt asked nervously. The king didn't look irritated, but he was still afraid he'd pissed him off.

“Next time we meet, I'd like to find out which of your glands remains by scent only.”

Cobalt felt his cheeks flush not from the fever.

“Do you consent?”

“Can... I take back my consent... If it becomes too much?”

“Of course.”

Cobalt snuggled more into his blankets. He suddenly was very aware he was just in his underwear under the blankets. “Don't... try to corner me. I don't like it.”

Right away, the king moved away from him. “I apologize.” He sighed. “But I do still have this interest.”

“I'll... let you know when we meet.”

A small smile came onto the king's face. “That'll do for now.” He held up the plant, “I'll take good care of this.” Then he turned and left the bedroom. “Feel better soon.” He popped his head back in briefly, “Cobalt.” And then he was gone.

Cobalt held his breath, all stiff and tense, until he heard the front door open and close. And then Mrs. Kowalski lock it.

Then he let out a breath all at once.

He groaned and yelped, hitting his fits against his mattress on either side of him like a child. “Oooooookaaay!” He groaned. “So the king insists on flirting with me in these negotiations that I can't even figure out how to talk my way out of!? There has to be a better alpha for him than me! I'm barely an alpha! Barely!”

He groaned and rolled onto his side. His eyes slowly moved up to the bowl of cool water. His chest grew tight thinking about how the King was taking care of him all afternoon.

“But... he's the king. The King!” He sighed, pushing his face into his pillow. “What happens if I can't get him pregnant? If we don't actually get along? I'd... just feel horrible.” He groaned. “Like I've led him on...”