His Island,My Heart (Completed)

beneath surface

Callan

The air in the council chamber was thick with tension. A dozen advisors and key figures from across the island were gathered around the long, dark oak table.From my seat at the head of the council table, I surveyed the room. The council members, advisors, and my family were gathered, all with a stake in what was quickly becoming the most complicated matter I'd dealt with in years. Lily-an outsider, foreign to our ways and values-was the source of tension in the room, even though she wasn't here to defend herself.

Lena, my younger sister, sat to my left, her posture perfect as always. A strategist at heart, she was keen-eyed and cautious-qualities that served her well, but sometimes made her too hesitant.

Lena, was first to speak, her voice calm but laced with caution. "Callan, this is a delicate matter. She's been here a week, and we've yet to see the purpose of her presence. Why are you entertaining this?"

I leaned back in my chair, choosing my words carefully. "Because she's different. Her presence was accidental; she had no way of knowing where she was. And yet, she survived-there's something to be said for that resilience."

The Head Elder, an imposing figure who was fiercely loyal to tradition, leaned forward, his eyes narrowed. "Resilience is no excuse to bring an outsider into our midst. She could disrupt our way of life, leak secrets about our people. Allowing her further access could lead to consequences we're not ready to handle."

The council muttered their agreement, and I felt the weight of their distrust. They feared anything that threatened to disrupt our order. That was why I led them-to make the decisions they were too afraid to make.

I met his eyes, steady and unyielding. "I'm aware of the risks," I said, my voice calm, though the sharpness of my tone betrayed the edge I felt. "But the trial is still ongoing. Until she proves herself, we keep her close. If she's to be trusted, I will decide when the time comes to meet people and let her send her home."

The council members shifted uncomfortably.
Lena pressed on, her voice low but insistent,eyes narrowed. "And yet, you're already giving her privileges. She's been here for days,Trial or not, she has already been allowed access to the outer grounds, the lower levels of the mansion.The people are restless, Callan and the people are questioning your judgment."

I leaned forward, locking eyes with Lena. "I have made no decisions yet. But I will not allow fear to govern our actions. If she is a threat, we will handle it. But until then, she is a guest on our island-nothing more, nothing less."

At that, I stood up, my chair scraping against the stone floor with a loud scrreeeech. Every head snapped in my direction. I knew I was commanding attention now, my presence becoming a force that demanded respect. I had learned long ago that silence often spoke louder than words.

Lena interjected, his tone cutting through the tension. "And if she's not just a guest, Callan? What then? We cannot afford to wait until we see the damage done."

"Do you doubt my leadership?" I asked, my gaze sweeping across the room, meeting each of their eyes in turn. They remained quiet, none of them willing to speak over me.

"I've ruled this kingdom for years," I continued, my voice harder now. "I've led us through wars, treaties, famine. I've seen betrayal, and I've seen loyalty. I decide who stays and who leaves."

Lena opened her mouth to speak, but I raised a hand, stopping her mid-sentence. "If you want to question my judgment, Lena, do it when I'm not in the room. But not here. Not now. You will follow my lead."

A long silence followed. Some of the council members shifted in their seats, clearly uncomfortable with the power dynamics at play. But I was used to it. In a room full of rulers and politicians, power had a way of balancing itself. The council members, though disgruntled, knew better than to argue further. They were used to my decisiveness, even when it wasn't popular. But I could feel their doubts. I could feel the eyes on me, questioning my judgment. Was I making the right choice?
I don't know.....it's Lily's presence on our island is problem,but I knew that a single weak decision could lead to her being deemed a threat, even killed, by those more eager to protect the kingdom than to understand it.

*********************************

Later, I found myself walking alongside Lily through the grand halls of the mansion. The air outside was still and heavy, the sky overcast with a gathering storm. I'd agreed to show her more of the estate-though I was careful to maintain my distance, wary of her questions and the way she observed everything around her.

"So,how long has your family been ruling here?" Lily asked, her voice light with curiosity, but I could hear the undercurrent of caution. She was aware of my people's uncertainty about her presence, just as I was.

I paused, glancing at her with a subtle smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Longer than your history would allow you to comprehend."

Lily said, her voice light but probing, "how do you run a place like this? What's it like to rule over so many people?"

I gave her a sidelong glance, trying to read her expression. She was genuinely curious, but her interest didn't sit easily with me. An outsider like her could have many motives, and I wasn't foolish enough to ignore the possibility that she was gathering information, however innocently.

"It's not as grand as you might think," I replied, my tone flat. "It's constant work. Politics, diplomacy, maintaining peace between our people... It's never-ending."

She looked at me, tilting her head slightly. "Sounds lonely," she observed.

I couldn't help but let out a short, dry laugh. "You think that's what it is? Loneliness?"

"I don't know," she said, her eyes sincere. "I guess I just thought... with all the power, you'd have everything you needed. But you don't, do you?"

I stopped in my tracks, suddenly very aware of the distance between us. "I don't need anything from you, Lily. And I don't expect you to understand."

There was a brief silence as she studied me. I felt her eyes on me, but I didn't turn to meet her gaze. My people were waiting for answers. The council would be watching me every step of the way, waiting for any sign of weakness.

And yet, here I was, still unsure about the woman beside me. I couldn't let my guard down. Not yet.