A Curse of Shadows

“Princess Isla had dinner with Grayson tonight, Your Majesty,” he reports with a neutral tone, his gaze steady. “And your father awaits outside. He refuses to leave without speaking with you.”

My father. The man whom I’ve always trusted above all others…except I haven’t gone to him about Isobella’s, I mean Isla’s—I’ve asked others to address her with her new name, yet I can barely manage the task—return to Polaris. He wished for me to take a chosen mate, one who would at least produce an heir for our kingdom, but I never could. Something I know disappointed him.

Now, I expect him to question every aspect of my mate’s return, infuriating me—and I’m not ready for that. I need to find my composure again, not be even more riled up.

“And your mother is with him, Your Majesty,” Malimorte adds, adjusting the lapels of his royal-blue vest over the white, long-sleeved collared shirt, his choice of attire while on duty.

Though I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him not working. I know he takes time away from the castle at least once a week. Yet the man is elusive, keeping his thoughts and feelings private and sticking to the shadows. Almost in a meek way, but my wolf senses Mali’s strength and that’s enough for me, even if others don’t always agree.

I know Malimorte would die for those he cares about and after two hundred years as my advisor, I have no doubt that I’m one of those people.

“Send them in,” I instruct, turning toward the bar cart to prepare three drinks. Intuition tells me this will be a night for strong spirits.

He disappears back out the door without another word to me and I take the tray of drinks to the sitting area of my master suite. The front area of my living quarters consists of a large, rock fireplace, two couches, a desk for me to work at when I don’t feel like being bothered, and a sitting area where I normally have dinner by myself. Also, where I sit now, waiting for my parents to enter.

I position my mother’s wine and my father’s whiskey on the table, nearest to the two seats across from me before taking a long drink of ice-cold water. Much to my father’s dismay, I’ve never been a fan of his aged whiskeys, or any alcohol, for that matter. The bar cart I keep stocked is merely for guests.

When my parents enter, I rise from my chair and smile at the two people who gave me life. “Mother, Father.” I nod, stepping forward as my mother’s arms spread out and her light blue eyes fill with love and concern.

I settle into her embrace, the familiar scent of lavender and sage enveloping me, momentarily comforting. “I’m glad to see you’re doing well, considering.”

“Considering what?” I query, my head tilting in a mix of confusion and apprehension as they exchange a loaded glance.

“Well, there’s been talk. Isobella is here to reject you,” she says, her voice a soft blow to my already fragile state. The mere suggestion jolts through me like a physical assault, confirming my deepest fears.

Isla doesn’t want me and I only have four weeks to salvage the connection that once defined us. My wolf bristles at the thought, a primal reminder of what’s at stake. We’ve weathered her absence before; the notion of enduring it again is unbearable yet unavoidable.

“That’s not accurate,” I say calmly. “Isobella has been reborn and her name is now Isla. She doesn’t recall her time here and, from my understanding of the situation, believes that she is human.”

My father’s dark-cobalt eyes widen beneath his greying brows. “I know I had my suspicions, but to know that she actually chose to forget you… It’s shameful. When does she leave? We must consult the gods about finding you a new mate.”

My jaw tightens and fists clench, anger and defiance stiffening my posture. “I’ve told you too many times to count, I don’t want a new mate, Father. Isla is still mine, and she’s not leaving.”

He starts to protest, but I cut him off. Composure is a luxury I can’t afford at the moment. “You heard wrong,” I state firmly.

Mother’s hand presses gently against my chest, her touch a balm to my simmering fury. “It’s okay, Son.” She then addresses my father. “Gideon, I warned you.”

Now, I understand why my mother is here.

“Don’t Gideon me, Sosheena.” He stands taller, like the king he once was. “We’ve known for centuries now that Isobella abandoned our son. Why am I the only one who is capable of accepting this and who is ready to move on already?”

I roar, unable to contain the beast of my anger. “She didn’t abandon me!” I take a step back, distancing myself from my mother’s presence. “Just because Isla doesn’t remember doesn’t mean it was her choice. Something must have gone wrong. Why else wouldn’t she have been reborn on Lunara?”

My father shakes his head and lowers his voice. “Not in a millennium have I ever once heard of a reincarnation going ‘wrong.’ I’m not trying to hurt you, Asher. I’m trying to protect you. Why must you fight me on this after all this time?”

“She is mine, Father,” I seethe, staying several feet away from him. “And I am hers. I always have been. I don’t care what you think you know or what anyone else has told you—my mate didn’t choose to leave me. I know that more than anything else in this world.”

Now, if only I’d remembered that when she first arrived, this situation wouldn’t be as screwed up as it seems to have become.

My father holds his hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry, Son. For all of it. I didn’t realize that’s how you perceived my opinion of Isobella.”

“Call her ‘Isla,’” I insist, seeking at least this small concession.

“Isla,” he agrees, nodding. “I can do that, but more importantly, I need you to know that I would have loved nothing more than for centuries of happiness between the two of you. You shared a love that was stronger than anything I’ve ever seen between two wolves so young. Anything I may have ever said was done so out of love and protection for not only you, but our kingdom.”

I can’t deny the truth in his voice. I know he’s always had my best interest at heart. Yet I’ve allowed myself to believe that’s been true with everything other than my mate, considering how many times he’s wished for me to replace her, as if that would be an easy feat.

Maybe I owe him an apology as well. There’s a reason I’ve avoided my father since yesterday and realizing that it has nothing to do with him and everything to do with me is almost paralyzing.