The Isle (Chronicles of the Irish Princess Book 1)

Luca about fell over when he saw me, which was the reaction that Alex was hoping for from him and Kai. I smiled and spun around for him. He took my hand and spun me once more.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you, you don’t look half bad yourself.”

Like all Irish royalty it was no different we had powers. The guys wore uniforms that sported various pins and colors. Unlike the past Irishmen he did not wear a kilt. Instead he wore pants the same color as his suit and sported our crest colors on his left shoulder. He did not wear a hat, but a crown.

“What on earth is that on your shoulder?”

“A tartan, it’s the crest but in a blanket like item.”

“Are you ready?”

“No.”

We walked through the doors much like the first day we came. Everyone was lined up in either side of us and as we walked past the bowed to us. Up near their thrones King Oran and my father stood. King Oran was joined by Malakai, his successor. He smiled at me and was holding my sash, something he knew he had to do and was told he got to put on me.

Our attention turned to the Archbishop who was left of my father in his hands he held a ball like thing and a staff. I was told they were made to represent the Royal duties held to us. As we came up the stairs to the thrones the archbishop held them out to us. Luca and I stood and faced each other and held the items between us.

“Do you solemnly swear to uphold the law and justice of this realm while working to keep the secret of our peoples? Do you solemnly swear to take action against all enemies foreign and domestic, if so say we will.”

“We will,” Luca and I responded.

The archbishop took the totems back and turned us to the crowd. “By the power vested in me by our great goddess and the Kings I hear by pronounce you as Her Royal Highness Princess Leah and His Royal Highness Prince Luca.”

Everyone began to clap and cheer as Kai and my father slipped on our sashes. Father dismissed everyone to take a small break into the corridors as the staff prepared for dinner. I took that time to pull Luca and Kai aside to tell them what was going on.

“What do you mean cancer?” Luca sounded alarmed. “He is that sick?”

“Yes brother he is. The type of cancer he has is affecting his brain and bones. The source of his magic. It’s corrupting it and killing him. He needs us. Our guidance. Our aid. I don’t even think he knows he’s sick or that it is effecting him.”

“Leah, he could be cured right?”

I looked down. “No…. We didn’t catch it in time. He maybe has a few months left.”

“Months?”

“Maybe less. If I could properly assess him I would know. But without his consent I can’t do that. I won’t.”

“What are we going to do then?”

“I’m going to talk to him. He made me promise him a dance tonight. That’s my chance.”

“And when talking doesn’t work?” Kai asked.

“We get my Aunt and uncle and pull him away from the party.”

Luca left in pursuit of them to tell them my plans.

“Leah, what are you doing?” Kai asked.

“I’m trying to save my fathers life. And spend as much of the time he has left with him making him happy again. Don’t get in my way Kai. Just hold my hand through it.”

He took my hand then and kissed it. "Things are changing again, aren’t they?"

"Yes," I admitted quietly.

Sarah's father came up to us after dinner. I was sitting with Kai at my table. From his approach it was clear he wanted to talk business. I hoped that I could persuade him to wait until tomorrow. After, I had answers.

"Princess Leah, allow me to introduce myself properly, I am Prince Scott, Malakai's uncle, Sarah's father."

"It's nice to meet you, sir."

"Sarah tells me that you are a very powerful young lady?"

"I suppose I am." I told him. "I know that there is something private you'd like to talk to me about concerning the kings."

Prince Scott looked between Kai and myself, "She's as good as you told me, boy. I am here on behalf of some of the packs, but I can see that tonight might not be a good night to discuss this. I wouldn't want to ruin your party."

"I should be available tomorrow afternoon, you could meet us in the spell room."

"Would we have privacy there?"

"Yes. Though I will tell you that your daughter and my brother will be present."

"Are they aware of what is going on?"

I nodded, "We are very aware."

"Tomorrow at 2 then."

With a nod I watched him walk off back into the party. I had only been officially a Princess for about thirty minutes and I was already using my political powers.

As promised my father and I took a few spins around the dance floor. One song in particular was a slower song. He held me close to him and whispered in my ear.

“I love you Leah, you’ll always be my little princess. Even if you don’t want to take the throne from me one day.”

“How’d you know I was thinking about that?”

“Oran and I discussed the possibility soon after we learned you and Kai were mates. We knew it could mean that you wouldn't want my to take my place. If I would have known you were going to be his mate, I wouldn't have ever changed the rule. But I didn't, and I wanted you to have your chance to use your power for good. I knew that I trusted you to take over as much as I did your brother. Knowing that I decided to let you have it if you wanted it."

"You talked about it with him?"

"I did. I know that neither of us will be going just yet, so, I will give you time to decide. Talk with Malakai and your brother about it. Talk with whomever you need, just know that no matter your decision, I love you."

"I love you to, papa." I began to cry.

"What is wrong my child?"

"I am afraid of losing you again," I admitted. "What if something happens? What if you get sick and I can't fix it?"

He pulled me aside from the people, out onto a balcony off the room. I felt Kai and Luca move about the room closer to us, watching and trying to listen. I was able to shut them out of my mind, but knew that Kai's wolf hearing would still pick things up if he was close enough.

“There’s something you know, something you can feel?”

“I don’t know. I’ve had nightmares of your death for days now. It always ends the same. Me holding your hand and you take your last breath. Papa I can’t sleep at night!”

“Whoa whoa.. Leah just calm down some. You aren’t going to lose me. Not for a while. How long have you been dreaming like this?”

“Since we got here,” I told him. I wasn’t lying either, until now I never told anyone.

“Leah, I need you to sit down. Before…..”

I dropped to the ground unconscious.