He nodded. “You’re going to be joining these Royal Protectors? Is that what I’m to understand?”
I stared at him. “How did you—”
“Did you think people could be digging into my Isla’s life without someone getting wind of it? I’m the Duke of Halloway. Once someone came to Edinburgh and started asking questions, word got back to me. I spoke to Sandor and we had a nice chat.”
“Did you tell Isla?” I demanded.
“Of course not. I didn’t know what it was about and I had to make sure she was safe before I did anything. I needed to talk to Sandor and then to you before I said anything to her.”
“Please,” I said warily. “I love her, but we have to work it out between us, without outside interference. I’m asking you, man to man, to let me handle this.”
He met my gaze, his eyes slightly narrowed. “All right, lad, I’ll keep what I know to myself, but if you muck it up, you’ll be hearing from me.”
“I know, sir. Thank you.”
I held the necklace in my hand after he left, and stared at it. The diamond had belonged to Isla’s grandmother and now it had made it to me, to give to her. Even though we weren’t back together and I didn’t know that we would be. This was so damn complicated and I had to make sure I handled it perfectly or I’d lose her, and I was so close to having it all. I’d once thought hockey was the golden ring, but the truth? The golden fucking ring was Isla.
33
Isla
I’d learned to love hockey after years of watching Ian play, but being with the WAGs in an outdoor arena brought it to a whole new level for me. Not to mention having not just Ian out there, but Dax as well. I’d brought both his jersey and my brother’s, but in the end had worn Dax’s. It was freezing cold and a light snow was falling, so it was truly a different experience, and I loved it. Having Mum, Granddad and the lads with us added an extra layer of fun, and despite my odd conversation with Dax the other night, I was having a blast.
During the first intermission, someone I didn’t recognize approached me with a smile. “Dr. Campbell?”
“Yes?” I looked up curiously.
“King Erik wondered if you’d join him for a few minutes.” The young woman was smiling but seemed pretty intense. Though she was in a heavy coat since it was so cold, she appeared to be in a uniform of some kind. Like a bodyguard.
“He, er, wants to talk to me?” I was thoroughly baffled.
She nodded, smiling. “Yes, but don’t worry; he’s quite friendly.”
Her accent held a hint of British, but it was obviously book-learned and not her native tongue, telling me she worked for the royal family.
“Of course.” I slowly got to my feet since it didn’t seem prudent to turn down a request from the king.
“I’m a bit confused,” I told her as we walked through the stands of the football stadium that had been converted to an ice rink for the event. Even in a small country like Limaj, football—what people would call soccer in America—was hugely popular and this was a beautiful venue for any sporting event.
“Don’t worry. King Erik is lovely, very down-to-earth.”
“But why does he want to talk to me?” I asked, though it was mostly rhetorical.
“He didn’t share that with me. I was merely tasked with going to get you.”
“Are you native?” I asked curiously. “Your English is quite good.”
She nodded. “Yes, I’m from a town up north called Ferdinbrag. But I went to university here in Hiskale and then a couple of years in the military.”
We went up an elevator to a floor that required her to use a key card, and when we stepped off, we were in a huge, luxurious suite. I recognized Queen Casey, who smiled and waved, and Lennox, who called out a greeting.
“There’s no need to bow or curtsey,” my escort said under her breath. “They’re very informal in these types of settings.”
“But what do I call him?” I whispered back.
“Your Majesty,” she replied out of the side of her mouth.
I nodded, suddenly nervous.
“Dr. Campbell.” A gorgeous man who looked to be in his mid-thirties got to his feet, holding out his hand.
“Your Majesty.” I nodded, shaking his hand and hoping he didn’t see my hand trembling a little. I’d never met an actual king before and despite coming from a titled Scottish family, this was totally different. He was also so good-looking, it was a bit distracting. I’d never thought of royalty as hot, but King Erik checked all the boxes.
“Would you mind taking a walk and chatting with me?” he asked, his green eyes twinkling with delight. Whether it was at my discomfort or something else, I didn’t know, but his smile was infectious.
“Of course. I’m just not sure what we have to talk about.”
He motioned with his hand and Lennox moved from where she’d been sitting to join us.
“Go ahead and show her your ring,” he said, playfully nudging her. “You’ve been showing everyone.”
I couldn’t believe she stuck her tongue out at him, but then she waggled the fingers of her left hand in front of me, showing off a gorgeous sapphire ring. “Sandor and I got engaged on Christmas Day,” she said. “The king seems even more excited about it than I am.”
“I’m just excited my needy cousin will finally have someone else to annoy on a regular basis,” he quipped.
“Congratulations,” I told Lennox, still confused about everything but trying to be polite.
They were laughing as we walked out of the suite and down a back hallway to what appeared to be a makeshift office.
“So, I’m sure you’re confused,” King Erik said, sinking into a chair and motioning for
