The Isle (Chronicles of the Irish Princess Book 1)

It had been a few weeks since we arrived on the island. In that time frame we learned that there was a small number of the wolves who had also noticed the change in the leader, ones who wanted things to go back to normal or change the course of leadership. I’d been working a lot with Aunt Em and Luca, trying to unlock our link to each other and learning some defensive spells. She was also teaching me more about the abilities I had and how to use them to sense what was up with many different creatures. We were trying our best on the link, we had memorized all the steps and knew to clear our minds. Though we weren’t getting it right because I was using the time to sift through her mind while she was focused on us.

I thought she had been paying attention to Luca in his spell today when I tried it and I was wrong.

“Leah, if you have something to ask me please just ask. You don’t need to search my mind.”

I froze unable to answer her at first. “It’s personal. And I could get in trouble. I’m not sure I should.”

She walked over to a candle and lit it. “There now it is just us three. No one can hear us. You are my niece, practically my daughter as I’ve tried to be there the last ten years. Please don’t be afraid.”

“Do you think that my father is in his right mind? Or the Wolf King?” I sighed. “Something just didn’t feel right when we got here. There was something off about the power in the room.”

Aunt Em sat there quiet for a moment. “Leah….”

“Please don’t turn me in!” I cried.

“I agree with you, something about the kings were different. Off even. Your Uncle and I talked about it that night. We’ve talked with Sarah’s father also. He said that it started up about a month ago. And has been getting worse and worse. He had tried to handle it on his own. But couldn’t. When your father found out about your mom and what she did he freaked out and forced Scott to come get us.”

“You… you know,” Luca sounded surprised.

“Yes and whatever you are planning you must know that we have your back.”

“Even if it means getting rid of our father.”

She nodded. “There's a possibility he is sick and it’s messing with his power. You children should know that not even our power can stop a mortal illness like cancer or heart problems. And both run in our family. Cancer is what killed Tobias. Though he never went crazy, King Oran sure didn’t act like he is now. The man was strong and stern. I never have seen him so grand and happy. It seemed off.”

“Do you think the problem could be more mentally related,” I asked hesitantly.

“If you are asking me if there is a possibility of a mental disorder in your father aside from extreme paranoia, the answer is a solid maybe. Without testing, I’m not sure we can know. I know that Jackson won’t go willingly either.”

There was a knock on the door preventing the conversation from going further. Aunt Em blew out the candle and opened the door. My father stood on the other side.

“Jack… can I help you.”

“I was just coming to check on things. Have they figured out their link yet?”

“We’ve just about got it father,” Luca spoke.

“Good try harder. Without that link you two are lost in a battle.”

“Yes father.”

Just as quick as he came he was gone again. We waited a few minutes more before relighting the candle. Once it was lit I took Luca’s hands and we worked on the link. Father was right, without the link we would be lost.

Luca… can you hear me?

“Yes I can hear you.”

I’m not speaking Luca. Think what you’re gonna say.

Ohhhh okay. Hey wait! We got it. Can we let go of each other now?

I let go of his hands. Better?

We looked over to Aunt Emilia. “We got it.”

“Good. Just make sure you are aware of your thoughts now. Because if you drift too far without a wall the other person will see in their mind all that you see.”

I looked over at Luca. “She means you. I do not want to see your dreams about Sarah. Kai taught me about walls. I’ve been working with him on my thinking face and walls. You should do the same with Sarah. They understand these bonds a bit better.”

“Yeah well just so we are clear, I don’t wanna know what you think about of Kai either.”

Emilia blew out the candle. “Go, you’re free for the day. You’ve accomplished much.”

Luca bolted out of the spell study. I stayed behind wanting to talk with her about some wolf stuff. “Aunt Em, can I ask you about something?”

“You want to know more about the bonding ceremony.”

“How’d you know?”

“I was the same way with my grandpa. My mother, like your father found love in someone from the human realm. Brought him into the culture and began a family here. Your great-uncle Tobias ended up with a member of the Serbian pack, until her death just before their ceremony. She would have turned 75 this year. But a rogue member from her pack was in love with her, though she was not his mate and decided if he couldn’t have her no one could. Tobias hadn’t thought about doing their ceremony until they were both 25, but they preformed our ceremony at twenty. They spent five years together.”

“What was her name?”

“Ljiliana, we called her Lily. She was beautiful, long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She made everyone smile. Even your great-great-grandfather. Tobias lost so much when he lost her. For years he hated himself for not doing the ceremony right away. Because of it they never had children. Never a chance to produce and heir. He knew one day the crown would fall to your father.”

“Why is it always a king? It’s not like all of Britain’s monarchs were men. Why our ours?”

“The last time a woman sat as Queen our power was almost destroyed. Her name was Wilhelmina and she was corrupted by the spirit of Aideen.”

“How?”

“She went up on the throne unmarried and the people who followed Aideen managed to corrupt her.”

“So Luca is next in line?”

“Well not exactly, your father abolished that rule when he began. On your behalf. He knew that you’d be powerful. Somehow he knew and he wanted you to follow him. As the eldest of the two you would procure the throne first, unless that is, you decide to turn it down. Either way, one day you’ll be a Queen.”

My head spun as the reality of that set in. I would either be the Queen of all Supernatural beings, Queen of wolves or both. “Is there a possibility of me being queen of both?”

“I suppose. I don’t think there are any laws that defect this. But would you want to be? Knowing that your children would also have the combined rule? Would you want that pressure?”

“I’m not sure I want it at all.” I sighed. “I don’t have a choice though. One day Malakai will be king. Maybe my father shouldn’t have taken the heir from my brother.”

“You can give it to him. Abdicate it all to him. Then you’d only have one rule to have.”

“I should talk to them both about it. Shouldn’t I?”

“I think that wise,” Emilia responded.

“Does it hurt? Bonding?”

“No, it’s blissful. But it is different. You’re a strong girl. Believe in yourself that’s half the battle.”

“Thanks Aunt Em.”