The Isle (Chronicles of the Irish Princess Book 1)

I woke up in my room. I knew that the spell had been too much for my body. Kai was lying next to me reading. Wuthering Heights, it was his favorite classic novel. He could feel that I was awake, but he was in too good a place to stop. I smiled at him and got up.

"Leah, you need to rest."

"Kai, I promise you I'm fine."

"You aren't. You're pale and freezing. Please lay back down."

I ignored him and headed toward the bathroom. My steps weren't shaky, but I was. I could feel my body trying to regain the energy it needed to get to walk. Kai was soon at my side and helping me to the bathroom.

"That spell was foolish to do. It was too much." He said frustrated.

"Malakai, Please stop. I need something to eat. That would be helpful."

"What do you want, I can have someone bring it."

He was standing on the other side of the closed door. At least I could be alone for this. I could feel him smirk at my inner comment and stuck my tongue out at the door.

"Very mature."

"I thought so. Ummm...... can they make pizza?"

"Really, that’s what you want?"

"YUP! With stuffed crust and ham and bacon. Please."

There was silence on the other side of the door. I was just finishing washing my hands when I felt this wave of heat come over me. I sat on the floor hoping not to pass out. I could feel my eyes gloss over and lost sight from them.

Daughter, be warned trouble is near. But you are strong. Believe there is good. Stay close to family. They will be your support.

I got flash images of blood and water mixing together. Then I felt someone grab me and I screamed. Opening my eyes I saw Kai kneeling in front of me. He looked about as freaked out as I should have.

"What did you see?"

"Everyone needs to meet us now. I need Luca."

As soon as I said that he came rushing in. "You okay? What the hell was that about. And why was it so cryptic."

"You saw?"

"And heard. Our minds must connect on their own with that stuff."

They helped me up and back to the couch. A guard came in then with the maid who was delivering my food. He saw the trouble on Luca's face and waited for the maid to leave before asking.

"Sir?"

"Please send word to the King and Princess Emelia. We need them immediately."

"Right away Sir."

Everyone crowded the small space that made up the sitting area. My father sat on the other side of the couch snagging a slice of my pizza. I smiled, it was his favorite too. Aunt Emeila and Don stood off to the side of the chair that Sarah was sitting in. Father looked at me and tried not to let the worry show. He knew that something was up.

"I take it uncovering that tree was no accident. Has the Goddess contacted you," He was talking softly, but we all heard him.

"She has, but this time was different. They were just images like pictures or freeze frames from some movie. But I saw blood and water. I think it was a warning. I think it was about you daddy."

He coughed then, I worried about the cancer attacking his body. "I'm alright, just a tickle. If this is her doing then I should warn you, Aideen can alter the mind also. She can get inside your head."

"It wasn’t Aideen, it was Meera, I know her voice."

"I don't doubt that, but you need to know that she has that type of power also."

I gave him a weak smile. "Everything is going to be fine."

I was lying to them, to myself. I was lying to protect us all. Things were going to get bad, really bad. I just didn't know how or when. I was hoping that the images were not at all related to my father's potential death. I thought he had enough strength to fight it, even if everyone said it was terminal. He was stronger than the cancer. He had to be. My greatest fear was losing him, I wasn’t ready for that.

Later that night I sat up on the couch watching the rain fall outside. There were a couple of slices of pizza left. I picked one up and nibbled on it not caring that it was cold. Kai was in the shower but I couldn't really hear it over the rain on our balcony. I felt Sarah outside the room, but let her knock anyway. I got up and went to the door. She came and sat with me stealing the last slice.

"What's on your mind?"

"I think that you and Kai need to wait to be married. Something bad is gonna happen. I can feel it."

"Yeah, me too. But the Council is impatient. I doubt they'd let us wait."

Sarah, rested her hand on my leg. "Tomorrow we are going to the dress shop. We'll find your dress and maybe we will even look at some for me in the future. We'll have a complete girls day and go to the shoe shop and get manis and pedis in the salon. Alex can manage us, I already checked. He actually was wondering if he could come with, for inspiration."

"As long as you take a couple guards with you, I have no problems." Malakai said tossing his damp towel back in the bathroom.

"Alright, Girls day with the gay stylist it is."

Once Sarah left Kai and I climbed into bed. Having him next to me at night was so normal now. I couldn’t really imagine sleeping without him. Instinctively I tucked into his side as his arm wrapped around me. He started to rub my arm and I was instantly relaxed.

"Funny to think a few months ago I had no clue about any of this and I was just looking forward to being out at the ranch."

"I just realized your birthday is coming. I haven't even thought of what to get you."

"Well we have been a bit busy."

"Yeah but this birthday is a special one."

"I guess, but I'm already the princess."

He looked at me seriously, "Leah, you're turning 18 and I, a wolf, am your mate. You'll get your wolf marks."

"My what?" When I thought about I, I remembered the night he showed me the symbol on his arm. Looking at it again, I noticed it was more native than before. "Kai, this looks different."

He studied his mark. "A little I guess. Huh, wonder when that happened."

"Maybe it's because I'm getting mine soon?"

"Possibly, or something is going on with the Ponca. I should call Chief tomorrow while you're out."

I nodded curling back into him falling asleep shortly after.