Andi
Bíldudalur, Iceland
LIMOS AWAITED US at the tiny airstrip and I grabbed Dalton’s arm as we disembarked.
“You okay?” he asked.
I nodded. “Just a little nervous.”
“I’ve got you.”
I smiled. “I know, honey. I appreciate it.”
We followed Kade down the stairs and Kade headed to the limo in the front while Dalton guided me to the other limo. “We’re not riding with Kade?” I asked.
“Royalty rides separately,” Dalton said.
I giggled. “That just seems silly to me.”
He grinned. “Most things Kade does seem silly to me, so I get it.”
I buckled up and Dalton took my hand. “Is Kaspar like Kade?”
“Surprisingly, yes. Kaspar has been king much longer than Kade, so he’s a little more uptight.”
“I can’t even imagine,” I said, flicking my fingers beside my head. “Mind blown.”
“You’ll love Jess. She tempers Kaz.”
“She’s your friend’s sister, right?”
Dalton nodded. “Cameron Shane. At some point, you’ll meet him too. Good man.”
“You have a lot of really nice friends, Dalt.” I smiled. “It’s something I like the most about you.”
“Thanks, sugar.”
We left the airstrip and drove for a few minutes before we pulled up to what looked like one-hundred-foot, solid-wood gates in the middle of a giant rock wall. The gates opened, and the cars slid smoothly through the opening and onto a paved road between sheer rock walls. The road was just wide enough for two cars to pass one another, but had no room for a shoulder. We arrived at another pair of gates, matching the first, and they opened to allow entry.
A two-foot barrier kept the car from traveling over the edge of the cliff, while on the left, more rock wall was visible as we wound our way up. On the opposite was a clear view of the ocean. It was almost like we were on a different planet.
The cars paused as a giant metal bridge lowered in front of us, and then we were moving again. I couldn’t stop a gasp as a giant stone house appeared before us. It looked like it had been built into the cliff. Four white-washed pillars sat proudly in front, obscuring a porch that ran the entire length of the house.
Kade’s car came to a stop and we pulled up behind it. “Now I’m more nervous,” I admitted.
“Don’t be,” Dalton said. “Seriously. It just looks intimidating.”
I leaned forward for a closer look. “Yes, it really, really does.”
A tall, imposing man walked toward Kade’s car. He was handsome, blond and his smile came quickly. The beautiful woman (also blonde with a quick smile) with him walked toward our car, rather than hanging around to greet Kade.
“That’s Jess,” Dalton said.
The driver opened Dalton’s door and he released me and climbed out, leaning in to take my hand again.
I let him help me out and then I was pulled into strong, but gentle arms for a hug. “Welcome. I’m Jesska.” She jumped away as though she might have offended. “Oh, crap. I forgot about the touching thing. I’m so sorry. I’m a hugger and it took over.”
I giggled. “It’s okay.”
She relaxed. “Oh, good.”
I smiled. Jesska was pregnant. I wasn’t sure if anyone knew yet, or if she even knew, but I saw the baby boy in her belly as though it was on a sonogram.
Jesska hugged Dalton next and then ushered us to where Kaspar and Kade were standing. Before introductions were made, however, two towheaded kids came running out, the boy who looked to be about four, slammed into Kaspar who scooped him up. “Did you escape nanny?” Kaspar asked.
“Já, Papa,” he answered.
“This is Skúli,” Jesska said, nodding to the little boy. “And this little angel in training is Liberty. We made a deal I could name the girls, he’d name the boys. Libby’s halo, however, is a little tarnished, isn’t it, little lady?”
“And crooked,” Liberty provided.
I bit back a laugh as I knelt in front of her. “Well, you look pretty angelic to me. I’m Andi.”
“Hi, Andi. Do you want to see my pony?”
“How about we let them get settled and we can take Andi down to the stables tomorrow,” Jesska suggested.
“Okay, Mama.”
An older woman appeared on the porch and rolled her eyes. “I have found you,” she said, with mock exasperation. “I was sure you were lost forever.”
Liberty giggled. “You’re funny, nanny.”
“Oh, I know,” she agreed. “Come, children. We have lessons then it’ll be time to play before dinner.”
Kaspar set Skúli on the ground, and Jesska handed Liberty off to the nanny. “Thank you, Agatha.”
She curtsied. “Not a problem, Majesty.”
“Come in,” Kaspar invited. “Your bags will be taken to your rooms.”
I slid my hand into Dalton’s and held tight. As we walked inside, I was a little in awe. The stone from the porch carried into the foyer; however, it was intermixed with river rock. Staircases up each side of the wall met in the middle and created a landing overlooking the open space. To the left were tall double doors, and a matching pair to the right. Kaspar and Jesska led us past a music room on the right, then a room on the left with a few antique-looking sofas and chairs. We arrived at a large great room with picture windows overlooking a garden with sweeping views of the ocean.
“Your home is beautiful,” I said, making my way to the windows.
“Thanks,” Jesska said. “I had to de-stuffy it. Kaspar used to be a terrible bore before he met me.”
Kaspar raised an eyebrow toward her, but didn’t comment.
“I’m right and you know it,” Jesska retorted.
“Já, elskan, I will admit the home needed to be warmed up a little.”
I giggled. “Well, you did a good job.”
“I’m going to help with the food, I’ll be right back,” Jesska said.
Dalton wrapped an arm around my waist and smiled down at me. “You good?”
I nodded, glancing behind him. Kade and Kaspar were deep in conversation, so I pulled Dalton further away from earshot. “Jesska’s pregnant,” I whispered.
“She is?”
I nodded. “I saw it when she hugged me. I don’t know if she knows yet.”
“You okay?”
“Oh, that? That was nothing.” I smiled. “Plus, it was a happy vision without any of the other senses needing to come into play.”
Dalton chuckled as he pulled me close and kissed my temple. “Good.”
“You’re right, Jesska’s awesome.” I met his eyes. “Kaspar isn’t more uptight than Kade, though.”
“Oh, he is, trust me.”
I rolled my eyes.
Jesska returned, followed by a line of staff delivering all manner of delicious looking eats. I was suddenly ravenous, even though I’d eaten on the plane.
The rest of the afternoon was spent getting to know Kaspar and Jesska and their family. Before dinner, Jesska walked me up to my room and I was struck by the total opulence.
The large bedroom had wide-planked hardwood floors, the outer walls were made of the same stone from the mountain and two large windows showed the sheer beauty of the ocean. The large, ornately carved bed, sat across from the windows so your first view would be of the ocean. There was a well-equipped en-suite bathroom and a huge closet that seemed overkill for a guest room. “It’s beautiful, Jesska, thank you.”
Jesska smiled. “It’s my pleasure. Dalton’s right next door. Your closets actually connect.”
“That’s really cool.”
“If you and Dalton want to take a walk around the property, let me know and I’ll send someone to guide you.”
“I would really just like a nap,” I admitted. “I never get to do that at home.”
“Perfect,” Jesska said. “Your bags have been unpacked, so for now, I’ll leave you to rest. Dinner’s at six, so someone will wake you around five.”
“Thanks, Jess. Your home is beautiful.”
She hugged me. “Thanks. We’re so glad you’re here.”
She left the room, closing the door behind her and I decided to take advantage of the tub. It was claw-foot and large. Exactly what I needed.