Chapter 16

Her wolf was so amazed at this act of affection that it didn't even get mad, it was simply confused.

Isla was instantly addicted to the gentle way his lips moved against hers.

She had never been kissed before, nor kissed anyone, but his lips guided hers in the intimate art.

Her hands clasped his cheeks in a desperate attempt to keep his face near hers.

Isla suddenly realized what was happening and how inappropriate it was.

She jumped away, pushing him back and wiping her tear streaked cheeks frantically with the back of her hand. Her lips were tingling from his tenderness, and she wanted nothing more than to return to the strength of his arms, but she was the Princess, and her wants could not come first.

"Sir Mikel, someone could see us." She smoothed her dress and took a deep breath through her nose.

Her back straightened and she wiped a wavy tendril of hair back from her face.

Mikel straightened up and nodded, bowing slightly.

Sadness filled his eyes.

"Of course, My lady. I'm sorry."

There was a crease between his brows and she could see him clenching and unclenching his jaw.

Isla's face softened, but there was nothing she could say.

She simply filled her gaze with everything she felt, which was very confusing.

She wasn't sure how to deal with it.

The line disappeared, and his eyes softened, but his jaw was still clenched.

"I'm here whenever you need me. Always." He lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles just as someone cleared their throat behind her.

She started and pulled her hand away from Mikel, even though it was an innocent enough gesture.

Harry stood in the doorway with his arms crossed.

His long black hair was plaited and tied with a green ribbon that matched the color of his cape.

"My apologies, am I interrupting something?" He glanced between Mikel and Isla suspiciously, though she noticed that his mouth was twisted in an amused sort of way.

"Not at all. We were just getting some fresh air. Sir Mikel offered to accompany me," Isla informed the king.

She hoped that her eyes were not red and puffy nor her lips swollen, and that if they were, it was not noticeable in the candlelight.

She curtsied to the king, her wolf growled at the wolf hunter, but it was half-hearted; she was still subdued from Isla's emotions.

"Well, my apologies for assuming something," Harry responded, dipping his head.

"Though, Princess, you should be paying your attentions to your guests, not your father's knights, should you not?"

"Of course, my lord," Isla whispered.

Of all people who could have discovered her out

there with mikel, it had to be Harry.

She just hoped that he hadn't seen anything that he shouldn't have.

"Speaking of guests, may I have a dance?" Harry held out his long, pale fingered hand in invitation.

Isla nodded and took his cool hand in her gloved one.

As Harry led her back into the stifling ballroom, she glanced back at Mikel. He had turned around and was looking out into the darkness.

He looked relaxed at first glance, but Isla could see that his shoulders were hunched and his knuckles were white from grasping the balcony so hard.

She hadn't realized she'd offended him so horribly when she pushed away from him. But he had to understand her position as princess.

It wouldn't be terrible if they had a relationship that was more than friends because he was a noble, but she needed to marry for an alliance.

Mikel and his family were already loyal to her father and the kingdom, and though they were wealthy and powerful Athena needed a king's power and wealth.

"Did my sons get a chance to dance with you?" Harry's smooth, soft voice pulled her away from her thoughts of Mikel.

"I believe that they did," Isla answered slowly. In all honesty, she wasn't entirely sure who she had danced with.

The faces had blended together, but she knew Harry's sons and she was almost sure that she had danced with at least one of them.

"That's alright if they didn't. They're a bit young to marry anyway, if you ask me. You need a man who is older than you," he said easily.

It was innocent enough, but the way he stated it sounded like he was insulting her.

He was implying that she couldn't take care of herself or a kingdom, let alone someone younger than she.

Isla said nothing as she pondered this.

"How has your party been?"

"Absolutely lovely. Thank you for attending with your family," Isla smiled her most cordial grin at him.

He kept a straight face.

"It was what was expected. Besides, I've known you since you were an infant. I wouldn't miss celebrating this milestone with you."

"That is most kind of you, my lord," Isla curtsied slightly.

"I am apparently not the only one who is excited to celebrate with you."

Isla looked around the room, noticing the flushed faces and bright smiles.

Yes, she supposed everyone was having a good time, as far as she could tell.

"It appears so, my lord. I'm glad that everyone is having a good time."

"That knight is older than you, is he not?" Harry wondered while he swung her around the dancefloor.

Isla tried to figure out what he was getting at, while trying to catch up with the sudden topic change.

"I think that he is, yes."

"A shame he's not royalty."

"Well, he's a noble and a knight. He's my father's best knight. I don't think that he minds that he's not royalty," Isla replied slowly.

"I guess that your affair will have to end soon."

Isla blinked and her wolf came to life with a growl.

"I beg your pardon."

"Your affair with the knight? He's a handsome lad to be sure, and he may be a noble, but your father would never allow it to continue if he found out about it."

"My lord, I believe that you are mistaken."

"Unless my eyes deceive me, you were in his arms only moments ago, my lady."

So he had seen them.

There was no point in lying.

Harry's black eyes were filled with a challenge, and he had obviously seen Mikel comfortingI'm Isla, but she had no idea what Harry was trying to do.

"He was simply acting as a friend. I found myself needing comfort."

Except that friends didn't kiss friends like that.

"So you run into the arms of the nearest knight?"

Isla was so taken aback by the inappropriateness of his comment that she stopped dancing, but he gave her arms a rough jerk and she was forced through the motions.

Her wolf was furious now.

What Harry was suggesting was unacceptable and the wolf was ready to defend against the rude man.

Isla was almost ready to let her.

"That is not at all what happened," Isla struggled to keep her voice steady.

"Mikel is a good friend, that's all."

Harry smirked, and continued to drag her around the room.

This was the longest she had danced with anyone; suddenly no one seemed to want to cut in.

Perhaps it was because Harry was a king and he was intimidating enough as it was.

She looked around frantically, trying to catch the eye of someone who could save her from the uncomfortable conversation.

"If anyone else had seen what I saw, it is likely that you would have been labeled something much less desireable than 'Princess.'"

Isla's gaze was snapped right back onto his long, slim face. Her mouth popped open into an "oh" before she snapped it shut. Her temper flared and it was fueled by her wolf's indignation. She had to fight back the audible snarl that nearly escaped her lips.

Damn, why was the full moon so close?

She was so insulted and angry, along with her wolf, that it was nearly past the restraints of its cage.

How dare Harry insult her honor in such a way?

She was a princess, and he was a guest in her castle!

"I'd like to remind you that you are a guest here, my lord, at a party celebrating my birthday. A bit of discretion and respect would be much appreciated. My lord," Isla answered in a steady voice.

She raised her chin and set her mouth firmly.

A corner of Harry's mouth twitched as he leaned forward and whispered in her ear.

"It's not even your real birthday," he said quietly.

What did that even mean?

Isla leaned away from him as another flash of anger sparked through her.

"Excuse me? I believe you are mistaken once again. Today is the twenty-first time I've celebrated my birthday on this day."

"Ah, that you've celebrated it. Today is simply the twenty-first anniversary of the day your father came to pick you up from my castle," he said slowly, as if she were dumb.

Isla blinked at him in shock but then the indignation returned full force.

Her wolf's roar was deafening within her head; it was too much for the confines of her mind, and it leaked slightly from her mouth in the form of a growl.

She also knew that her eyes had flashed a glowing blue, as they tended too when she was really worked up about something.

The growl and the eyes had lasted for only half a second, but Harry had noticed.

And it apparently meant something to the king.

"I knew it," he chuckled.

"I knew it."

Tbc.