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Prologue
Ariella - Almost Ten Years Ago
I’ve read about “love at first sight” in my mother’s romance books that I often found hidden in secret spots throughout our home. But since a young age, I’ve been raised to believe that things like “soul mates” exist only in fairytales and romcoms, but not in real life. There was no reason for me to challenge what I’d been taught since not only my parents’ marriage had been arranged, but so had my grandparents and great-grandparents before them. So, it wasn’t a surprise when I discovered that the “love of my life” had already been picked out for me when I was but a mere twinkle in my mother’s eye.
However, just because politics and power grabs dictated the marriages in my family, it doesn’t mean that love isn’t present in their relationships—quite the contrary. My mother said that her feelings for my father may have started out as a sense of duty, honor, and friendship, but they eventually morphed into love. It was that foundation of friendship that allowed them to develop trust, communication, and forgiveness long before they tied the knot.
When I was fourteen, my mother sat me down and told me that I would be betrothed to my brother’s best friend, Kiernan, the Prince of Brachha. “Mother, Kiernan and I may get along great, but this isn’t like one of the romance novels you have stashed behind the cans of green beans in the pantry. This isn’t where I find my happily ever after with my brother’s best friend. If my life were going to be a story, I’d want it written so there would be a knight in shining armor who rescues me from the doldrums of ruling a nation and whisks me away to a life of normalcy. I know you always say that ‘love at first sight’ doesn’t exist, but wouldn’t it be great if it did?”
“Ariella, ‘instalove’ is for those who have the luxury to believe in flights of fancy and live life without a care or consequence. It’s not meant for princesses or princes like you and your brother, who have a responsibility to your people instead of yourselves. It’s best to get that idea out of your head now before your heart gets broken later. You will be marrying Kiernan when the time is right, and that’s the end of this discussion.”
Since the choice had already been taken away from me, I stopped worrying about falling in love or meeting the man of my dreams and solely focused on my education. While away at university, I didn’t have to worry much about entertaining any of the advances from the male population since very few were brave enough to approach me. Those who had the courage were quickly shut down by either my very intimidating bodyguards or my betrothed when he decided to grace me with his presence. When a man showed interest, Kiernan was quick to put an arm around my shoulders and let my admirers know in no uncertain terms that I was spoken for. Thankfully, he spent more time flirting with pretty co-eds than with me, so those awkward encounters were few and far between.
Once my classes for the semester ended, I returned home for the summer. I had planned to take a few online courses to help pass the time since I had been fast-tracking my education in order to finish my degree six months early. I wanted some free time to travel and take a trip to the United States for an adventure before getting stuck working side-by-side with my brother, Aaron, as he learned how to be king.
I had barely walked through the front doors of the palace before my father, Trevor Caras, King of Cothena, wrapped me up in a big hug and swung me around as if I were still five years old. I laughed and giggled, not caring in the least that I’m nearly 21 years old and a grown adult. I will always be Daddy’s little girl.
“I have great news, Ariella! I have been invited to attend a two-week trade summit in Washington DC! On my last trip to the Americas, your brother went with me. This time, I thought you might want to go and spend some time with your Pop!”
“Are you kidding? Eeeee!” I jumped up and down, squealing with excitement.
“Although we will be gone for a month, two weeks of that time will be devoted to the trade summit. Afterward, I’m all yours, and we can do some sightseeing together. I planned for us to visit some of the Southern states and maybe spend a few days in the Bahamas. After living on an island all your life, it might feel like home,” he teased.
“I’m sure there will be plenty of things to do that will keep me busy. When do we leave?”
“I wouldn’t unpack if that’s what you’re asking,” my father said with a toothy grin. “We’ll be leaving in two days’ time. There’s only one downfall, though. Due to the nature of our invitation, their government felt it necessary to assign a four-man protective detail in addition to our own private security. You’ll never be alone, much like it is here.”
I frowned at this new revelation but was still too excited to care. Our tiny Mediterranean island country, Cothena, has two primary economic resources. The first is tourism, as is the case with most of the islands in the area, but the second is pharmaceuticals. Our island is the perfect place to grow the opium poppy plant, which is used to make medical-grade opiates and opioids. As such, with our technological advancements, we have utilized the crops to produce a variety of highly-regulated medicines.
Cothena’s exports have been limited to a select few European countries, but the world market demands that we expand our operations. It makes sense that my father might become a target of blackmail or extortion if he were not closely guarded.
“I can live with that if it means spending some father-daughter time with you and seeing the United States!” My dad laughed because he knows that it’s been a dream of mine to travel abroad. Between my brother and me, I’m the adventurer of the two, while he’s content to stay on the island forever.
Two days later, as promised, my father and I touched down at Ronald Reagan International Airport in our private plane. Our six-man security detail carried our bags while we met with the four FBI agents who had arrived in two large, black Suburbans.
The moment I saw him, the earth moved, and the ground shook beneath my feet. I thought it was an earthquake at first, only to find it was my legs wobbling by the stunning sight before me. If Henry Cavill had a younger brother, this man would have been him.
The team leader came forward and introduced himself. “I’m Roger Cavanaugh.” I shook not only his proffered hand but also the hand of every other team member. It wasn’t until my delicate fingers wrapped around Superman’s that I felt the electric shock you only read about in one of my mom’s books.
His deep, rugged voice rocked my world from the inside out, and all he said was, “I’m Patrick Kent. I’ve been assigned to watch over you, Princess Ariella Caras.” The sound of my name rolling off his tongue sounded as smooth and sweet as warm, melted chocolate from a fondue fountain. Then I had to go and ruin it.
“Kent, as in Clark Kent?” I asked, trying to sound flirtatious but epically failing. My giggle was over the top and ridiculous, but I couldn’t take it back.
“More like a Clark bar, but you’re not the first to suggest the reference.” Although his face remained passive, there was a teasing twinkle in his eye that I would never forget. From that moment on, I knew he was someone special and would become a very important person to me.
Thankfully, it was the only encounter between us that was remotely awkward; everything after that was easy and comfortable. Patrick was my shadow for the next few weeks as I toured the local monuments while my father worked. He was more of a friend than a bodyguard, which made sense as two of my own were always close by.
While we were strolling by the Lincoln Memorial, I asked him, “Why are you assigned to watch me when my father is the one who needs the security?”
“You’re in the line of succession, Ari. You might be behind your brother for the throne, but you are still in a position to be used as leverage against your father. I’m here to make sure that doesn’t happen.” I nodded, unable to argue with the logic.
As we continued to stroll through the park, I could tell Patrick wanted to take my hand in his, but his professionalism and responsibilities prevented him from doing so. It was one of the first times in my life that I wished I didn’t have the title of princess and could simply be like everyone else. The two bodyguards trailing behind us are a constant reminder that will never be my life.
“Pat. How long have you been working for the Federal Bureau of Investigations?”
“A little over two years. I was recruited right out of college.”
I do the math in my head and figure that he couldn’t be more than 23 or 24 years old. “How did you get stuck with babysitting duty? Who did you upset?” I asked light-heartedly. For our private security, it’s an honor to guard royalty. But for the FBI? I’m willing to bet that we are on a very low list of priorities, even if my father is good friends with their director.
