Page 44 of Her Royal Rebellion

She waved him off. “I appreciate it, but I don’t hold anyone responsible except Marius. I don’t think ill of Suruso or it’s people.”

That seemed to make him feel much better. “Your grace and mercy will be made known, Your Highness.”

“Alec, I appreciate all you’ve done to help, but I need one more favor. We need a ride.”

He called over his shoulder to a tall man waiting near a black SUV. “Of course. Alex will take you wherever you need. We will take care of the rest of your men as well.”

“Thank you, Alec.”

I led Isla to the waiting vehicle and the moment we pulled away from the house, she seemed to relax. Her hand found mine, and she slipped her fingers between mine. For the first time ever, I didn’t care if anyone saw.

17

Isla

Seven. That was the number of people we’d met so far and the number of people who witnessed Logan holding my hand without a care in the world. Did he realize he was doing it or was his mind distracted from the events of the day? Either way, I wasn’t going to point it out. Having him touch me in public was new and exciting, but it also felt right. He had a way of making me feel safe and protected, but more importantly, valued. Like I was something to be cherished. He felt like my equal.

So many men had tried to control me or claim me or twist me into what they thought I should be. They wanted me to be a pretty trophy to stand by their side, to be seen but not heard.

Logan was the first man to ask me for my opinion and listen to it. He made me feel like I mattered. It was ironic that he made me feel like we were on even ground when he thought that was the biggest obstacle in our way. He worried my title made me out of his reach, but he was so very wrong. I was going to find a way to explain this to him. It was time to lay it all out and hold nothing back.

A driver I didn’t recognize was waiting for us when we landed. He simply smiled and drove us the short distance to my home. The cottage was located on the western coast, overlooking hundreds of foot cliffs. My grandfather had gifted it to me so I’d always have a place of my own. Aiden and Rowan each received larger manors, but I loved my modest home. It had been my grandparents’ favorite place to escape, and I appreciated the appeal in a way my brothers never did.

The second I saw the white-washed fence, my entire body relaxed for the first time in weeks. The grey building with the sloped roof called to me.

“It’s stunning,” Aiden whispered as he leaned forward to see out the window. My heart swelled at his reaction. I wanted him to love this place as much as I did. I wanted it to be our home. A place we could come to escape the world and find peace.

The driver parked in front and I opened my door and hurried out before he had a chance to move. Logan followed after me, chuckling. “A bit excited?”

“You have no idea. It’s been months since I’ve had a chance to visit.” I pushed open the front door and beamed. Someone had come through and opened the windows so the salty ocean air filled the space.

Logan stepped up next to me. “It’s bigger than it looks from the outside.”

“Five bedrooms, four baths, but most importantly, this.” I took his hand and led him through the main hall to the other end. The entire back porch was made of glass windows that could slide open and gave view to the cliffs. I’ve spent countless hours sitting out here. It’s where I do my best thinking and daydreaming.

“This is stunning. I had no idea.” Logan leaned against the window and looked out. “Can we stay here forever?”

I slid next to him and rested my head against his arm. “Yes, please.”

“I can see why you wanted to come here. It’s so peaceful.”

“It’s the only place that is purely my own. It doesn’t belong to the crown or my family. It’s all mine.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, it was my grandparents’ vacation home. Before they passed, they gave Aiden, Rowan, and me a property. Aiden’s manor is near the palace in Ballivaughn and Rowan’s is in Scotland. Neither of them understood why I was so excited to get this home rather than their large estates, but they never loved this place like I did. My grandparents brought us here once a year while we were growing up. It was the only place I felt like I could be myself. I was just a child, not a princess. They didn’t care if I played in the mud or came to the dinner table covered in dirt. I was free here.”

He turned to face me and took my hands in his. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”

I smiled. “You’re the only person outside our family I’ve ever brought here. I usually come alone, or with Carolyn.”

He smirked. “She’s not family.”

“Maybe not technically, but I think of her as an older, wiser sister.”

“I’m honored.” He stared into my eyes, and I felt something shift. This was the first time we’d ever been truly alone. After everything that happened in the past twenty-four hours, he was the only one I wanted to be with. He made me feel safe. When I woke up in a strange place, alone and confused, I knew he was coming for me. I never felt too afraid because I knew it was only a matter of time. When I was able to call Cian, he assured me Logan was on his way. I just had to be strong until he arrived.

“Logan, I don’t know how to thank you.”