Promise

Isabelle


Kaden, I, Cassandra, and others were going somewhere. Currently, I didn't know where we were going, nor I had bothered to ask since the scenery and calming winds that were coming through the window of the car were something I hadn't relished for long.

Carter was driving the car and Cassandra was sitting beside him. I and Kaden were sitting in the back, the whole time I could feel his gaze that was fixated on me since the start.

"Where are we going?" I asked, glancing back at Kaden.

"To the lake," He answered, "The scenery there is beautiful especially in the evening, I'm sure you'd like it."

"How far is it?"

"Not much, it might take only a few more minutes to reach there."

I nodded and settled my gaze outside the window again. It felt nice as if I was getting closer to nature. A few moments passed that slowly turned into minutes before Carter stopped the car. Kaden helped me get down and held my hand as we walked towards the place.

There weren't too many people to make me feel uncomfortable and I didn't know why but soon as anyone saw Kaden they bowed, some even left the place soon as possible.

"Why is everyone bowing?" I asked him as he lead me to a bench closer to the lake, Carter, and Cassandra walked their way to the other side of the lake with a camera in Cassandra's hand as she clicked pictures.

"What do you think?" He playfully questioned.

"You are a king?" I could remember the faint of me and my parents bowing to the ruler of the castle kingdom when everything was fine.

"Not exactly, but yeah my father is a king."

"So you are a prince?" My lips parted in surprise and my brows rose in astonishment.

"Yes," He chuckled at my excitement.

"This is your kingdom?" My excitement built even more.

"No, this is not my kingdom but people respect me since they know me," He replied.

"Then why do you live here?"

"I'm not interested in fulfilling the royal duties yet, that's why, "He began, "I still have a few more duties left to do, I'll take you to our kingdom once everything gets fine and settled."

"Really?"

"Yes, Angel," He pulled me closer, a frown suddenly settled on his face as his skin came in contact with mine, "You are cold." He commented.

"Oh, maybe because of the winds but I'm fine," I smile but my assurance didn't work because the frown didn't recede from his face.

He suddenly opened his Jacket and let it rest around me, the jacket effortlessly covered me. It smelt like him as if it was completely made out of his scent and it only made me huddle into the fabric eleven more.

Before I could understand anything else, he pulled me close like he always does, and wrapped his arm around me.

"Have you ever visited a lake before?" He asked after a few minutes.

"In my childhood," I admitted.

"Then?"

"All I saw was four walls and a small window that barely let the sunlight come in let alone fresh air." My voice began trembling as I remembered those horrendous memories.

As if he'd noticed the change in my mood he gently squeezed my arm, "It's okay, you are safe now and I'm not going to let anyone take you away."

"But it can make you fall in danger..." My tongue formed the words on its own.

"Trust me, Sweetheart...if only anyone in danger is the people who are trying to hurt you." He spoke, his eyes darkened as if there had hidden something else I hadn't met yet--Someone feral and dangerous who was going to break every boundary to fulfill the words he'd just said.

I didn't say anything instead I rested my head against his shoulder as the sun slowly settled in the west.



****


"Where are we going?" I asked as we headed to the car, we'd spent a few hours at the lakeside.

"To the restaurant for getting our dinner," Cassandra informed.

"What's a restaurant?" I questioned and Kaden was the one to respond.

"Well, it's a place where you can purchase food cooked by chefs who are experienced in cooking."

"You don't have chefs in the mansion?" My curiosity took over.

"We have but something having food outside is fun, you get to spend time in a different area and atmosphere," He spoke, not even a hint of annoyance there in his voice as he opened the car door for me.

I got inside the car and just like prior he sat beside me, he didn't allow me to take off the Jacket, and his sweet gesture caused the butterflies to spread everywhere in my stomach.

I couldn't deny I liked Kaden very much, I didn't know the definition for the feeling I had been developing for him but it was new. I wanted to see myself with him in the future but was I going to be able to do so? What if Kaden changes his mind and stops helping me? I would be pushed back to the same hell.

Would he also fall for the greed for power once he knows my identity? Would he also become like one of those who once killed my entire family only so that they can captive me and gain access to the power I was blessed with?

"We are here," Kaden's voice broke the chain of my thoughts.

I shrugged my thoughts away and took his hand as he lead me outside the car and close to the building, there was a small crowd of people and a few kids running by outside.

Kaden walked inside the restaurant with me and took a seat, Cassandra and Carter sat opposite us. I could see both of them taking an interest in the photos they'd clicked of the sceneries around the lake.

A beautiful woman came towards our table and stood in front of us, "May I take your order please?" She smiled at everyone but her eyes stayed longer on Kaden and me where her gaze hardened.

I shrunk back into the seat, trying to somehow avoid her gaze, I saw Carter noticing it and passing a message to Kaden through his eyes. Kaden Jaw tightened but he didn't say anything else.

"I'll take Beef Stroganoff," Cassandra spoke not entirely paying attention to the woman.

"A Frito pie for me," Carter added.

"Do you have anything in mind Angel?" Kaden softly asked and I shook my head.

"Okay, two platters of spaghetti and meatballs for us. And yes, bring a dessert you can recommend."

"For you? Of course, I will bring the best de...." She started in her overly excited voice but Kaden cut her off in the middle.

"It's not for me, it's for the beautiful girl beside me whom you have been enviously glaring at for the past few seconds without caring about the consequences it might bring for you." His voice was extremely harsh, almost dangerous. I had never heard this tone of his except for the day he rescued me.

His eyes darted at her as if he was going to pounce at her.

Fear became evident on her face and she gulped.

"Your this move could get you in such danger you can't even think of," Kaden tried to stand up but I quickly grabbed his head, his head instantly turned around to look at me.

I gently shook my head, my own fear clouding my eyes--The fear of something terrible happening.

"Angel it's fine, I was just..." I didn't let him finish.

"Please," I pleaded with my eyes, tears slowly gathering around my eyes. I didn't someone to get hurt. I didn't want Kaden to hurt that woman either.

He sighed in defeat and sat beside me, his gaze turning softer again, "Okay, I'm not doing anything. Don't cry," He leaned in and kissed my forehead.

"You can go now, next time keep this in mind." Carter dismissed her and the woman fearful walked away.

"Don't hurt anyone, please." I found myself whispering to Kaden as he cupped my face wiping the tear droplet that'd managed to slip.

"Okay, I won't hurt anyone," He said, "Now stop crying," His soothing voice again worked its magic and I found myself calming down.

"Promise?" I asked.

"I promise, I won't hurt anyone unless they try to hurt you." He smiled and a small made its way on my own lips.