The Isle (Chronicles of the Irish Princess Book 1)

Monday came quicker than I had hoped for. As we thought her boss bailed her out. But he delayed the trip until after the hearing, per judges orders. I sat in the room unsure of what was going to happen. My mother was at the stand crying and telling the judge all of the lies she could think of. Under oath meant nothing to her.

When Luca took the chair the judge was amazed at how different it sounded. My aunt and uncle were never called up. But the judge was watching them closely. As if they were telling him more about the truth in my brothers words. Then it was my turn. My hands shook as I climbed into the chair my feet unable to reach the ground.

“Miss if you could, please tell us what you remember.”

I took a deep breath and began, “Where would you like me to start? With the number of times we were secluded as children or just recently, when she tried to kill the only family I have left. Because as children we were brought up in a very strict home. We were bullied at school and she never did anything to change it. My brother was born with a medical allergy to ammonia. I myself am allergic to penicillin and most narcotic pain medicines. However my allergens are harder to add to common things we hold in life, such as perfumes. A few nights ago my mother came by my aunt's house, which for her is an hour drive from her home in the city. She came without notice and with no real cause as until that night she never took that much interest into our birthday. None the less she stopped by to give us our “presents” as she called them. Saying something about a business trip and not being home for our big day.”

“How is this relevant?”

“Overruled,” the judge said. “Keep going my dear.”

“We refused to open them which made her furious. I at the time was unsure of her intensions with us and something in my gut told me to not open my present. She didn’t like this. When my brother tried to calm her down and walk her out, he passed out. It was only after I ran to him past our mother who stood there doing nothing, that I smelled it. She had laced her perfume with ammonia. Just enough that it couldn’t be detected unless you were close enough to hug or touch her.”

“Would you care to explain what happened after that,”her lawyer poked.

“Words of an unkind nature were spoken against my mother and I slapped her for what she had done to her son. Luca is the only family close to me that I have left. I love my aunt and uncle, but Luca is my twin. I would do anything to protect him from harm. It may not have been directly self defense. But I hardly think that my reaction to her actions are relevant to what she did to him.”

The judge looked at me, “Thank you for your statement, please have a seat.”

I rose from the stand and found my place next to Malakai. He took my hand and gave it a silent squeeze. I knew that meant it was ok and he was there for me. As this was a family custody case, there was no jury, just the judge. He would be the deciding factor in all this. He had called for a ten minute recess to come to a conclusion. I had hoped that what I said was enough for him to make the right decision. She belonged behind bars. Or at least under restrictions involving being around us.

We all stood as he entered the room. My heart was racing. I could feel it getting ready to explode from my chest.

“I believe it in the best interest that these children be placed under the full custody of their aunt, Emilia Rose McDade-Fowler. I find the defendant, Jennifer McDade, mother of Luca and Leah McDade to be guilty of attempted murder in the first degree and sentence her to 5 years in the county jail. Case closed. Court dismissed.”

I could hear her screaming from across the room as the cops drug her away. I filtered them out as my family and I exited the courtroom. When we pulled back up to the ranch there was a mysterious car sitting in the drive. I felt all of the wolves tense as we got out. I saw Sarah and Kai exchange glances.

“Malakai what is he doing here. He was told of the plan.” My Aunt seemed angry.

“He was. I’m unsure myself. Guess there’s only one way to find out.”

“Asshole.” Aunt Em muttered.

We walked in to see a man in a nice suit waiting in the living room.

“Yes well Emilia, this asshole, is here to save the children. Because Jennifer never made it to the county jail.”

“Father what are you saying,” Sarah spoke.

“I’m saying it’s time to pack your things. It’s time to leave Oklahoma behind. It isn’t safe for anyone anymore. And it’s high time you all came home. Kings orders.”

“Which king?” Kai asked.

“Both,” the man replied.

I looked between Malakai and Sarah’s father. I seemed to be the only one who hasn’t figured it out. When I finally connected the dots things slammed into their places.

“So wait, you mean she’s coming after us? We need to leave, like pack everything up and leave. How much time do we have? Wait what about Juju and Huck? I won’t leave them behind.”

Sarah’s Dad opened his mouth ready to say no.

“I won’t either Dad. C’mon Leah we gotta go pack.” She took my arm. “Kai make sure the animals get packed up.”

He nodded at us as we ran upstairs. I could hear her dad start to yell at Emilia.

“Really? The animals? Emilia I thought you were going to take care of this. You know the Kings will object.”

“I think you’re underestimating that girls ability to get people to do things. Her father is going to do anything to keep her happy Scott. Anything. She is the most powerful of her kind since the beginning of time. Let’s not have you forget one day she will be your queen. Best you start respecting her now.”

Kai jumped in through the window scaring me.

“Jesus, Kai.”

“Sorry baby, I needed to pack too. Don’t worry. Huck and Juju are ready to fly with us. They’ve been tranquilized and crated. Don’t worry, things are gonna be alright.”

“When are we leaving?”

“Not until morning. It’s too late to leave now. We need daylight to keep you safe.”

One last night before everything changed. One last night before things got complicated. I walked out of the house and to the barn. Stella was waiting for me. One last ride. She whinnied at me and snorted. She knew what I was thinking. I smiled at her and hopped on. It wasn’t pleasant to ride bareback. But I couldn’t risk anyone stopping me. I needed this. I needed this moment with my girl.

“I’m gonna miss you Stella.” I said to her as we sat in the grass under the apple tree watching the sunset. “You’ve always understood me. You’ve been my constant in all this shit. I feel like I’m leaving my little girl behind. After almost 7 years together. You’re my baby. You’re my girl. I’ll always love you Stella. Always.”

“It’s not like she’s getting left behind.” A voice said from behind us.

I looked and saw my uncle standing next to Fury. I was surprised that he came out after me.

“She’s not? But how?” I looked down. “Are you mad?”

“No. I knew where to find you. You and Stella would always come out here after a bad day. That hasn’t changed darlin'. But I did want to talk to you. About all this. I just figured you wouldn’t be ready until we got this far.”

“Oh.”

“Sweetheart, I know that none of this is going to be easy. You’re afraid of leaving, of your mom, of the wolves, the simple fact that your father is alive. I know that it’s making things hard on you. But listen. Nothing is going to be better until after the storm passes. So hold on to yourself because it’s gonna get rough.

“But you’ve got me, Em, Kai, Sarah, all of us. Remember that. It’s not just you and Luca. We are here for you. Always. Just like we’ve been this whole time. Yeah we might all have different approaches and reactions, but we love you all the same. Well except Kai. That’s another thing. Don’t let your insecurities and all that shit get in the way of you two. He was designed for you and you for him. You two are stronger together.”

“But what about the bond?”

“What about it? Don’t be nervous. Take it slow. I know that all the tension built up isn’t really helping that, but try and go slow. You know as well as I he won’t move until you’re ready. He won’t care what the wolves or your father think. He cares about you and you alone.”

I smiled at him as we headed back to the barn. “Thank you Uncle Don. Really. It means a lot to me.”

“You’re my niece and I love you. Don’t be afraid to come to me if you need to talk.”

“I won’t.”

I lay in bed that night thinking about what he said. He was never one to say much. When he did it was always thoughtful or important. In this case it was both. Sleep began to take me as Kai’s breathing got deeper. Tomorrow was a new day.