Novels by P hart

Dr. Renner’s office smelled of bitter coffee and old paper. Mia pushed the door open so hard it hit the wall.Renner kept writing for a few seconds before looking up. He put down his pen and straightened his white coat.“Visiting hours ended an hour ago, Your Majesty.”“I don’t care.” Mia walked to his desk. “I want William’s full medication chart. Every pill, every injection, everything he’s been given since he arrived here.”Renner sighed. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. A patient in the King’s condition requires board approval and a signed review from the panel before his records can be released.”“He’s my husband, and I’m the regent. I have every right to know what you’re putting into his body.”“I understand, Your Majesty, but I can’t release those records without approval. You can submit a request to the secretary tomorrow morning.”“Tomorrow?” Mia stared at him. “You expect me to wait until tomorrow to find out what’s being given to my husband?”“I’m following hospital rules.”

The steel doors at the end of the medical wing were locked with a digital deadbolt. Two royal guards stood at the entrance, their guns resting across their chests.Mia pulled a folded paper from her coat pocket and smoothed it against her leg as she approached them.“This is the royal spouse medical permit,” Mia said, holding up the document so the red wax seal caught the bright light. “It allows me to bring in my own doctor to treat the king without board approval.”The guard on the left had a long scar across his jaw. He barely glanced at the document.“But the orders say no visitors after eight, Your Majesty,” he said. “Especially unvetted doctors from outside the palace.”Mia stepped closer, meeting his gaze. “I'm not asking for permission. This document outranks any memo from the board. Block me, and you'll both be out of a job. Try me.”The guard glanced at his partner, who gave a quick nod. He entered the code into the keypad, and the door unlocked with a sharp hiss.Inside, th

Mia’s desk was almost empty. The only thing on it was a red folder tied with twine. She ran her fingernail along its edge, stopping at the blank lines where the treasurer was supposed to sign.Someone banged on the doors. Before Mia could answer, Holt, the head guard, pushed his way inside.He kept his leather gloves on and leaned against the doorframe, his thumbs hooked into his belt. A lazy grin spread across his face.“Morning, Your Majesty,” he said without a hint of respect. “The men in the armory want to know if they’re working double shifts tonight. The officials’ orders are still in place down there.”Mia dropped the folder onto the desk.“Those orders expired at midnight, Captain.” She came around the desk to face him. “Double the watch at the east gates, and have the armory ready for the crown’s audit by noon.”Holt stayed where he was, rolling a brass button between his fingers.“That’s going to take a lot of time, Your Majesty. The treasurer hasn’t approved the extra wages

The stone corridor behind the west hall smelled of old tallow and damp wool. Clara, Mia’s personal maid, stood against the lime-washed wall while Mia waited in the narrow passage.Dr. Halden came around the corner, his leather satchel knocking against his knee. He stopped abruptly, his boots slipping on the smooth tiles.“Hello, Dr. Halden,” Mia said.Halden glanced toward the stairwell. Sweat covered his upper lip as he tightened his grip on the satchel. “Your Majesty, I have a patient to attend to.” He turned to leave, but Mia stopped him.“The Prince’s men are in the main hall,” Mia said. “They’re waiting for you to tell them I’m unfit.”Halden pulled at his collar. “I really can’t do this, Your Majesty. If the Prince finds out, he’ll revoke my license.”“You need to sign a certificate confirming that I’m pregnant,” Mia said, holding out the parchment.Clara stepped away from the wall, blocking the passage to the kitchens. Halden lowered his eyes.“I’m not asking you to lie, Doctor

“Are you feeling better?” Eleanor asked as she walked up to Mia and Voss, who were standing beside his office door.“Greetings, Your Majesty.” Mia bowed her head in respect.“Your Majesty,” Voss greeted her, bowing as well.Eleanor adjusted her blouse and looked between them. “What exactly is going on?”“Please, Your Majesty. Let's go inside and talk,” Voss said.The wooden door to Voss's office shut with a dull click, cutting off the noise from the rest of the house.Mia sat in the leather chair near the lamp, staring at the cold tea beside her. She picked at a loose thread on her sleeve, then stopped when she made the hole worse.Voss stood behind his desk, three thick books open in front of him. He adjusted his gold glasses and turned one of the books toward Mia.“Listen carefully, Your Majesty. These three laws serve different purposes. Section Four of the Crown Charter gives you access to the council chamber. You can speak there, but you can't control their decision.”Mia folded

“Open these doors!” Mia shouted at five in the morning.She had woken up an hour earlier with a sick feeling in her stomach. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake it. Now she stood in the cold palace hallway, desperate to find out what was happening inside the council chamber.Two guards crossed their spears in front of her.“Orders from the council, Your Majesty,” one of them said. “Nobody is allowed inside during a closed meeting.”“I'm the Queen. Move out of my way.”“I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I can't.”Mia stared at him. Clara, her personal maid, had spent half the night searching through old records in the archives. Just before dawn, she had found a law that could help Mia get past the guards. Mia had read it over and over until she knew every word.“Section Four of the Crown Charter,” she said. “The Queen Consort has the right to address the council before a leadership vote if the King is absent. Do you want to explain to the King why you broke the law by stopping me?”