The Isle (Chronicles of the Irish Princess Book 1)

It was still hard to believe that my father was alive. I spent the last ten almost eleven years thinking just the opposite. Things got rough for Luca and I because of his "death." People at school and friends of our mothers treated us differently. Almost as if they were afraid to say something about him thinking it would hurt us. But we were six when it happened. At sixteen it was getting harder to remember what he looked like. There was a picture of him with us from our first Christmas on the ranch. He had each of us on a knee and he was wearing this god awful Christmas sweater that Mamaw made. We were both wearing onesies that said 'First Christmas,' we were all smiling and he looked really happy. He had short brown hair, almost the same color as mine and deep blue eyes. His face had a few wrinkles, which I have always blamed Luca for.

Aunt Em used to tell us about their adventures from their childhood. Trips to the lakes in the state, to Ireland and the UK. They used to travel all the time, until my grandpa got sick. Then the moved to the farm permanently.

"Everything alright," Kai came up behind me and wrapped my arm around my middle.

"I just can't believe we are leaving this all behind. There are so many memories. Why couldn't the old king's son take over?"

"Your Uncle Tobias never had children. His wife died before she could conceive. He never remarried, that's what happens when you find your soulmate." He stared off, "You loose everything. You try not to think about them, and eventually the hurt goes away."

"That's so sad."

He nodded. "Don't worry it won't be like that for us."

"Why?"

"If one of us dies, the other will follow, it's kinda an insurance policy for my kind. So like if you end up dying first, the darkness inside me doesn't try to murder the rest of the world."

My eyes widened. I was still coming to terms with the fact that he and I were bound together, though not officially. IF something were to happen after the ceremony, we would both die. But it was a fate I was willing to accept. A world without Kai by my side, it would only be sad and lonely.

He rested his head against mine.

I love you Leah. I know this is tough, but I promise you that you have me. Always.

I smiled at him. I didn’t want to respond verbally. He knew I loved him back. My head rested on his shoulder and I my body relaxed.

Kai felt it and I could feel him relax too.

“When are we leaving?”

“Don’t worry about it right now. We have time.”

“Kai, when?”

“I don’t know. It could be as soon as Friday. It could be weeks. It all depends on what happens with your mom.”

“Oh… okay.”

Silently I hoped it was sooner rather than later. The sooner I could talk to my father and get to the bottom of what was going on the better. I was sick of being outside the loop. I knew that he would tell me everything. He was my father. Being a king wouldn’t change that. When my father was around I was his whole life. Anytime he came back from being on the tractor, he would come looking for me. Then we’d go back out and check the cows. By the time I was four it was basically a routine.

When he passed away, I fell apart. I may have been a young child, but things took a drastic change and it all was too quick. Within two weeks my mom had moved us off the farm and into the city. We weren’t allowed to play outside unless she was there. There were sitters and nannies and daycare after school. I hated all of it. Luca did too but he kept quiet. Until we got older. My style didn’t change. I was still the same country girl I was raised as. The city girls didn’t like that. They made fun of me. Luca tried to stick up for me, but he would never hit a girl. Then the boys stared in. That’s when Luca fought.

I didn’t realize at first that Kai had rested his head on mine and had been watching every memory that played through my head. He tensed back up and gripped my waist.

You weren’t meant to see any of that. I’m sorry.

Is that really what it’s been like this whole time?

Yes.

Leah.

Shhh please. It doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t have to go back.

Leah.

Malakai please.

He picked me up and carried me outside. We went behind the barn and I felt my pulse go up. He set me down and gently pressed me up against the barn.

“I love you. No one else is ever going to hurt you again. No one.”

“I love you too.”

“Leah I mean it. No one. Including me and Luca. It’s not going to happen. You are my life.”

His face was serious. But his eyes were glowing a bright green. That was the part of him that told me that he wasn’t lying. I never doubted him. I trusted Kai with my life. Like I have since the day we met.

I slipped my hand under his shirt to calm him down. Slowly the glow faded from his eyes and the returned to their normal green hue. Kai held me close, his face resting in the crook of my neck. He took a deep breath in and slowly blew it out his mouth. I shivered from the thrill it gave me.

What did you just do?

I scented you. It tells other wolves you are mine. One day it won’t just be that. My mark will rest here. He kissed my neck. Until then when we move to Ireland I will being doing this every day before you leave the room.

Are there really going to be that many wolves at court?

Unfortunately. Your father placed a lot of trust in my people. Something I am always cautious of. Not all of the people there like him. But because he is the king of all supernaturals they respect him. And many of them suck up to him to keep their money intact. Just whatever you do, please don’t leave my side unless you have to. I don’t trust hardly any of the other packs. And each pack has a representative in court. Because having my grandfather there wasn’t enough for the last king and your father has yet to reconcile that part of the laws.

Wow… this is like a real monarchy. With another monarchy added on. I would have always thought that the king of wolves would be Romanian because of all the legends that surround it. But I guess I would prefer to live in Ireland than Romania. The winters aren’t as bad.

Oh… well to make things better the magic on the island makes it paradise. Sunny and 75 every day.

“Really?” I asked aloud.

“Yeah, it’s a side effect.”

“What else is different?”

“The clothes you’ll wear. They’ll be more formal. But not often you’ll have dresses that are long. Maybe just for big parties. Like your welcoming. And the holiday balls. Honestly you won’t need to pack many of your normal clothes.”

“Who will wear them? I don’t want to be thrown back into the Middle Ages. I thought things might be a little more like the tv show I watch.”

“Don’t start freaking out. Your clothes will all come with us. But only put in a suitcase what you know you’ll wear a lot. Especially summer clothes. Just relax Leah. It’s not the Middle Ages it’s just a monarchy that has some traditions. Think more like The Princess Diaries.”

“Okay.” I sighed.