Free Daughter of a Monarch by Sara Daniell Page A

deal.” I take one of my hands from his back and wipe my cheeks.
    “Want to talk about it?”
    I do, but I don’t want to worry him with my problems. “I’ll be okay.”
    “Damn right you will, because you’re going to tell me everything going on in that beautiful head of yours.”
    I sigh in defeat. “All right, but feel free to tell me to shut up when you’re done listening.”
    We sit in the sand. I pull my knees to my chest and rest my chin on them.
    “I’m scared for my family. What if they die because of me? This is all so screwed up. Terre is in danger because of a hidden princess. A half-breed. And when, if, Terre finds out about me, can I honestly blame them for being pissed? I mean, if I felt that my family was in danger because of some kid that could destroy everything, I’d be highly upset too. I would want the threat destroyed.”
    “But their predictions aren’t true. You’re learning control. With more time, I think we can prove them all wrong. Then maybe you can live freely and out in the open.”
    “I don’t think you’re being realistic, Isaac. I have good days, but more bad days. If one thing sets me off, I cause a huge mess. God, I hate my parents! Why didn’t they just tell me? Why didn’t they help me from a young age?” I sit up and cover my mouth. I can’t believe the word ‘hate’ left my mouth. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
    His forehead creases as he scrunches his eyes at me. “Yes, you should have. They were wrong for not being more careful. And then they hid your mom’s pregnancy. They hid you and took a childhood away from you that you will never get back. Instead of preparing you, they lied to you. You have every right to be pissed. I’m furious, A. I have no respect for them.”
    I raise a brow. “Excuse me?”
    “Come on. You have to realize that you’re not the only one who is mad at them.”
    “Of course I’m not the only one, but that doesn’t make it okay for you to talk about them like they are trash!”
    Isaac rubs his forehead and sighs. “I didn’t. I was just agreeing with you that what they did was wrong. They could’ve handled it better.”
    I stand. “We all make poor decisions. They were just trying to protect me!”
    He stands only inches from me. “Oh, yeah? And look where that got you! Now you’re contradicting your own words!”
    I want to slap him and scream in frustration. “Don’t get me started on your dad!”
    He scoffs and puts his hand to his chest. “My dad? My dad did nothing but love your mom! He could have interfered in your pretend perfect life and put a hell of a kink in your mom and dad’s fairytale, but he didn’t! Even after he found out your father knew the risks of what getting your mother pregnant could cause and didn’t even tell her! Your father is a selfish piece of shit! So, don’t you dare bring my father into this!”
    My mouth falls open. I clutch my chest. It feels like my heart has stopped, and I think I forgot how to breathe.
    “Aislin, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you that.”
    “My…My dad? He knew?”
    “Your uncle Harim and my father did some research after they found out your mother was pregnant.”
    I stumble backwards until I’m caught by a large rock. I sit down. “You’re lying. My parents said no one knew about me.”
    “My dad and your family here are good at keeping secrets. And they didn’t do it to protect your father, that’s for sure. They wanted to protect your mother and you. Harim and my father have been researching this since the moment they found out about you.”
    I start crying. I don’t know what to say or how to control the magic building inside me. This was the problem with my abilities. I lost control when I was upset beyond reason. It doesn’t matter how much progress I make. Until I can get a hold on my emotions, I’ll never be able to have control.
    I need to release my frustration, and Isaac needs to move. The waves are getting larger, and the sky