Island King

By Nicole Delacour

He never expected his love would be rebellion.

Minos never considered marriage, enjoying whatever pleasures life offered. Even the unexpected weight of kingship fails to change him. Then he meets his brother's wife. Suddenly, a clock is ticking, but though he desires love, his avoidance of complications continues.

When an accidental meet-cute puts the perfect bride before him, Minos intends to woo her and live happily ever after.

He never calculated for her body guard.

There's a coup coming. Not everyone was happy with the empire's split. Though Arete's position required her to remain neutral, a poor first impression has her leaning into agreement with her rebellious mistress.

When Minos inserts himself right in the path of those planning his demise, Arete might just find first impressions aren't always correct, but she isn't the one the king intends to woo!

ISLAND KING is a swoon-worthy medieval historical romance with thrilling action and dazzling demonstrations of love! Includes enemies-to-lovers, secret identities, danger, intrigue, and a guaranteed happy ending!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hidden Helm Press
• Release date: Aug 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215809174

Book preview

Island King

Nicole Delacour

Island King by Nicole Delacour

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used.

Island King

Copyright © 2022 Nicole Delacour

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without prior permission in writing from the publisher

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

Chapter One

Kian stared at his wife. Stars sparked in his eyes, and the woman in his arms looked back with such fierce affection that Minos felt uncomfortable looking. They are lost in their world. Her hands folded over his, holding his palms against her gravid belly, and while Minos never wanted this — never dreamed of the sharpness of such devotion, he couldn’t help the way his eyes lingered.

All around, his brothers stood. Already, Brennus spoke with Kian’s advisors, questioning the threat to their kingdoms with Cadeyrn at his side. Far from his ship, their brother still thirsts for a fight, imagining this to be the great war like their father’s conquest, but their enemy spun out of their grasp. Like smoke, the harder they strived to grab them, the quicker those unseen foes dissolved, leaving no trace. Though the threat left him uneasy, Minos found it easy enough to focus on other things — like the way Tariel studied the fireplace as if morning its emptiness despite the heat.

Five brothers — not one of them had a chance to see the others in the last few years, yet they separated with such ease even when in the same room. Was this how they would be? Was the fun of their childhood truly gone?

Downing the rest of his wine, Minos frowned. He wanted more. Not the drama of Kian’s courtship. No one needed that. War never called to him like Cadeyrn, and unlike Brennus, duty never weighed heavily upon the king. Instead, the waves of his islands beckoned. Sapphire rolling upon the pale whites, the black, and the gold. Each island was so different — yet so much the same. He loved them. Adored the people.

It wouldn’t be so bad… Minos murmured to himself.

Cocking a dark brow, Kian glanced up from making cow eyes at his wife. What wouldn’t be bad?

Marriage.

Everyone fell silent. All their eyes honed in on Minos, judging his seriousness. When he smiled and winked, Brennus only rolled his eyes with a cluck of his tongue, continuing his conversation dismissively.

Cadeyrn, however, stepped closer. His eyes narrowed. Marriage isn’t a game.

But weddings sound so delightful, Minos proclaimed, holding his glass still to be refilled once more with sweet red wine. Drinks and food — a beautiful woman in a dress. Someone to spend the rest of your life with…

Exactly! Cadeyrn stepped forward as if thrusting a sword. A lifetime! It isn’t a decision to be made lightly.

Tariel slid into a seat between the two, folding his hands upon his lap in the way their father used to. The tilt of his head only made Minos remember the dead man all the more. They all clung to his image. An empire split just for them — but while they were perhaps suited to their realms, there would always be those seeking their father in them. For all that Brennus was the eldest, the desire to be left alone — the frustration at ruling even when they were well suited to it — belonged to Tariel. Not that anybody else would have the guts to say it.

I’m not making it lightly, Minos protested.

Before Cadeyrn could growl his reply, Tariel raised a pacifying hand. Please explain, Minos.

I wouldn’t care about marrying for love, Minos noted, which got a laugh from Cadeyrn but earned a scoff from the ever romantic Kian. Gesturing toward the black-haired king and his queen, Minos went on, Not to say that your romance isn’t one for the legends, and I am glad someone as enthralled by his own heart managed to get his head out of his ass long enough to find that soulmate you always prattled on about, but I have a bit more sense.

Snorting, Cadeyrn shook his head. Sense? Is that what we’re calling it?

Yes, sense. I would marry someone from my realm. A noble woman whose courting my advisor supported — someone who would help solidify my rule. An ally — a friend, Minos concluded with a sip of his wine.

Despite his dismissal, the heavy weight of Brennus’s gaze returned to him during his speech. The nod of approval even as his eldest brother continued to converse with Kian’s advisors left a warmth within Minos’s chest that none of his other brothers could steal away.

Kian chuckled, shaking his head. Love comes where it wills. It is rarely easy.

Which is why it isn’t love, Minos argued. At least, not the way you think of it. We’d grow into a fondness. If that were love, wonderful. If not, the trust and family we would have would be enough.

None of his brothers outside of Brennus seemed particularly impressed, but Tariel rarely argued when the other party’s mind was solidly made up, and Kian likely thought some grand design by some supposed goddess of love would punish him for his hubris.

Cadeyrn, however, fought even when he had no hope of winning. Of course, he rarely lost physical confrontations, so perhaps that made him arrogant — confused about the limitations he had off the field of battle, but nothing could change his bullheadedness. Unluckily, Minos shared that stubbornness..

You are an idiot, Cadeyrn proclaimed.

Taking a slow sip of his wine, Minos lounged back with a smirk. How?

Isn’t it obvious? the sea-faring king growled, clenching his hands into fists at his side.

Name-calling and empty questions told Minos he had won, and as Cadeyrn never admitted defeat, Minos would toy with him like a cat that caught a particularly feisty mouse.

Either you suspect, like Kian, that I am easily swayed by romantic notions and will sabotage myself by falling for somebody before I wed — or perhaps after if you think me a cad — but I’m not the one with a reputation for leaving broken hearts in his wake, Minos retorted, smirking when Cadeyrn flushed in a mix of embarrassment and rage. Or you think I am simply stupid, and because of my idiocy, I will be unable to complete this simple task without causing greater harm. I’m also not so daft as to pick a noble woman for her pretty face. There are a number of islands and a handful of royal families that could be better brought to heel by a wedding. They’d be reassured, so politically, my idea is sound as Brennus would easily tell you. So — how am I an idiot?

Stomping forward, Cadeyrn held out his hand. Would you wager on it?

How much?

Tariel clucked his tongue. That’s not a good idea.

"I think it’s a