Chapter Eight

The following morning, Taylor indulged in quite the breakfast.

There were pancakes, fresh fruit, bacon, sausage, and plenty of milk and juice. Even if she didn't eat another thing, she'd already had more food than she had most days. Some weeks, actually. It felt nice not to worry about where her next meal was going to come from.

After eating, and getting ready for the day—including another diapering after her shower—she said, "Where are we going, sir?"

"Back to the island," Ireneo said.

"Isn't General Assembly still in session?"

"Yes. But I want to get home. Eventually. Someone wants to steal my kingdom. I will leave diplomats here, but there is little we can do in New York. Unfortunately, this is not a political threat we are facing. If it were, I could plead my case to the General Assembly and build a coalition.

"It is best I am with my people, where I can protect the island. I've already alerted my military, so they're increasing security. The island is fine until I return. Right now, I am more worried about you. It is best I get you away from here and somewhere safe."

"Me?"

He nodded.

"Do you think they want to kill me?" she said, her voice shaky.

"They more than likely believed you'd die in the blast. Since you survived, you are, to state it bluntly, a loose end. They might want to…tie up…that loose end. The city is a big, dangerous place. Even with me and my men protecting you, there are too many uncontrollable variables and circumstances in which they might get to you. I have a better idea, somewhere they cannot possibly reach you."

"Your island?"

He smiled. "Eventually."

Standing there in the spacious main room of the posh suite, Taylor said, "Do you think they'll…like, attack you and try to hurt people on your island?"

The king smiled reassuringly. "No, my dear. They tried to kill me. So they are clearly serious in their endeavors. But an all-out assault on a sovereign nation—no matter how small we are—would draw too much attention. These are not political revolutionaries. This is a big corporation that wants the island for themselves. It's valuable real estate. Tourism there is worth billions over the course of a decade. This is about money. Not politics. But, as I stated, my troops have increased patrols. The island is fine. From physical threats."

Taylor could hardly believe what she was hearing. "A business would do this?"

Ireneo smiled. He stepped closer and gently stroked her cheek. "My dear, businesses around the world do things like this all the time. Not every corporation is bad. But some are. When greed takes over, they'll do whatever they deem necessary to maximize profits. In this instance, they think Isla Solara is their ticket to riches. Or more riches. For some, they never have enough."

"You know who it is?" Taylor asked.

"More or less. Now we will find the proof. And keep you safe. That's why it's imperative we leave at once. I want you out of New York," he said. "Come now, little one. I have a surprise for you. We are traveling home—to your new home—in style.

"You're going to love this."

***

Hell's Kitchen was not the place Taylor expected Ireneo to take her.

But there they were, along the Hudson, smack in the middle of the city. There were five 1,000-foot-long berths that could accommodate giant ocean liners, but only two of them were in use at the moment.

"What are we doing here?" she asked.

"My dear, this is the Little Star. A cruise ship unlike anything you've ever experienced."

She laughed. "I've never experienced any cruise ship."

Ireneo chuckled. "Fair point. Then perhaps I should say this is unlike anything even your imagination could conjure. This is a cruise ship exclusively for Littles and Bigs. And it's going to take us home."

"Whoa! We're sailing all the way from New York to the Caribbean?" she said.

"Yes. It will only take a little over a week. We won't have any stops and can move quickly," he said. "The ship has two weeks before passengers board, so we will have the whole thing nearly to ourselves. Just us and a few new friends."

Taylor's jaw hung loose as she looked from the king to the massive vessel. She was going on a private cruise? How in the world had this happened? Twenty-four hours ago, she never would have believed it.

"Come along, my dear," Ireneo commanded, stepping toward the ship. He stopped walking and turned slightly, casting a smile over his shoulder when he realized Little Taylor was still standing there, in awe. "Are you coming? Or shall I have you cuffed again?"

Taylor snapped out of her trance and hurried toward the king and the ship.

She didn't know what to expect, but she had a feeling this was going to be wild.

And fun.