Royal Blood and One Forever : Book Three

by Simone Nicholls

  "You have said enough." I heard something shatter on the other end of the receiver, "I can't keep searching for you."

  "You're searching for me?" I frowned, "You have a country to rule Connor, your time is important."

  "You're telling me, that you haven't been dodging my trackers?" his disbelief coated his words. "Don't lie to me."

  "I'm not lying. I didn't know."

  "I told you I wouldn't stop looking for you."

  "And what would you do if you found me?" I wanted him to say something, something that would drive me to forgive him, to run across the ocean back to his arms. Anything, Connor, just say something. Say something that wiped the past, erased the pain.

  But as he remained silent, I knew there wasn't anything he could say. Sometimes it was better to say nothing.

  I heard Connor exhale slowly, it muffled the receiver for a moment before I heard him clear his voice.

  "I am going to return the country to war. Your father is leaving me with no option."

  "Explain?" I closed my eyes tightly. I could hear the need for him to talk to someone. I couldn't believe that I was strong enough to have a conversation with him, after everything. It was only now that I realized how far I had come. "Tell me what is happening."

  "Your father." He spat the word father, "Has been stealing land away from us for years now and I have been letting him."

  "Why?"

  "Because, I didn't want to go to war." He was keeping something back, not telling me something, but I let it go.

  "Have you spoken to him about it?" I clenched the lawn chair arm tight.

  "Yes, he told me he was taking back what is theirs." Conner sighed, "That was about a year ago, since then I have been selecting parts of our land to surrender to him."

  "Your father wouldn't be impressed." A small smile twitched at my lips as I threw of the old King Griffins reaction to this.

  "I'm King now." Connor's voice was short and snappy. I had just touched on a sore subject.

  "Well Connor, if my father is leaving you no option, then you have to do what is needed."

  "You hate war." His voice was low.

  He remembered that? Was he keeping the war at bay because of me? I wasn't even there and yet I was influencing his ruling. It was like he was ruling, as if I was by his side. He knew my view on the subject, so he was using it as some sort of direction.

  "You told me once that you would do anything for your country." He was silent so I continued, "Your country is everything to you, so why would you let my father take it from you?"

  "You know I would give anything to keep you happy." Connor's pain whipped my flesh, inside and out.

  "Letting my father have your land won't make me happy." I got up from the lawn chair and walked down the back steps, my feet sinking into the soft grass "Connor you have to rule with a clear mind, you have too. . ."

  "Do it without you?" he offered, "Like I should have been doing for years?"

  He knew what he had to do. Was he waiting for my permission to let me go? As much as I hated saying it, I couldn't help the feel of his love for me. So why did fate let this happen? Why did Melissa have his child! Why!

  "Yes you do." I inhaled slowly. He needed to hear this. "I told you a long time ago you would be a great King. I meant it Connor. So start being that King."

  Connor and I fell silent, both listening to each other's breathing. Just for a few moments, we let our wolves hear each other. We let ourselves get lost in the other's deep breathing.

  "Thank you." He finally said, "I miss you."

  "I miss you too." I fell down to the damp grass, crossing my legs.

  "Tell Nick to come when he wants."

  "I will."

  "Don't let it be another five years till you contact me again, okay? Even if it is just to say you're breathing."

  "Okay." I whispered, "I will try."

  Silence again, either of us wanted to end the conversation even though it had come to the end.

  "Goodbye Isabella." His voice was so low, pure agony mixed within his tone as he said those words.

  "Bye Connor."

  I ended the phone call and closed my eyes, just letting the tears drift down my check slowly. I turned the phone in my hand before flipping it back open and pressing redial.

  "Hello?" he answered on the second ring and my lips twitched up at that.

  "I forgot to say I love you," Truth and pure honest coated each word as I spoke them, "and always will Connor."

  "It's nice to hear that," His voice soft, "I'm always here, if you need me. Sorry about snapping at you before."

  "You were hurt. It's okay, it had been awhile."

  "Stay save Is."

  I nodded my head, even though he couldn't see it. He didn't need to say it, because I felt it. His actions, his tone and his search for me only proved one thing. He loved me.

  He needed me to say those words, so he could stop hunting me, so he could let go. As much as I didn't want him too, he needed to rule. I ran my finger down the long scar on my arm. I had given up my commitment to rule.

  Melissa didn't know how lucky she had it, having him. As much as I pretended to be blind to my love for him, my pull to him; it was there and if she wasn't in the way, I would have him. Because the pain not being able to have your mate, isn't something anyone should experience.

  I turned my head to the side and looked up at my bedroom window. His son slept in my bed, and I kept this from him. But how much longer could I? Time was running out and I knew it.

  Connor would be speaking to me again sooner than he expected. I just hoped that Cooper wasn't taken from me, because after all he had royal blood in him. The throne had a right to him, both thrones, and that was what I feared the most; losing Cooper, like I lost his father — to the throne.

  Chapter Ten

  Connor

  Just like every night I awoke suddenly, being pulled from my sleep as I saw the same images. Little flashes of Chase, Isabella, and Nick. It was strange, it was as if I was looking up at them. I scoffed to myself and pulled the blankets back; me looking up at Chase. Like that could ever be possible.

  Isabella, however I would always look up too, in a matter of speaking. Melissa slept silently beside me, like always she didn't notice me awaking suddenly.

  Rolling my eyes and sighing slowly, what did Melissa notice? If it didn't involve her, she didn't care. I didn't bother getting up quietly, or make an effort to make my departure from our room quiet. Because I just didn't care if I woke her.

  Closing the bedroom door and pulling a t-shirt over my head, I suppose I had things to deal with, anyway. I yawned slowly. But I wish these dreams would go away. They weren't nightmares; they were confusing, and who can rest when they are confused?

  "Connor?"

  I nearly walked into Tyler. What was he doing here this late? Especially in this wing of the castle.

  "I was about to wake you." He looked slightly relieved that he didn't have to. "Someone is here to see you."

  "It's late, tell them to come back." I grunted before walking around him. It was the early morning hours, I didn't care who it was. Right now I was barely functioning, so I wasn't in a fit state to have a conversation with whoever it was.

  "Well, I would, but it. . .” Tyler walked beside me and I slowed my pace to look across at him. "It's Queen Blackmore."

  Stopping immediately and turning around to face him, "What did you say?"

  "Queen Blackmore is here. To see you." Tyler crossed his arms. "She won't leave, either. I attempted to get her to come back, but royalty are stubborn."

  "Where did you leave her?" I shot over my shoulder before I broke into a slow jog up the corridor. Had something happened to Isabella? Why would she be here otherwise?

  "Study." Tyler shouted behind me before I rounded the corner and began to sprint.

  My legs moving in longer strides, driven by the one thought which was blinding my mind. Isabella could be hurt.

  Pulling my study door
open abruptly, Queen Blackmore jumped to her feet and looked across at me. Her eyes solid with determination; her eyes memorising me as they locked with mine for a split second. Closing my eyes tightly briefly before I slammed the door behind me. I cursed her for having Isabella's eye colour, or Isabella having hers.

  "Queen Blackmore."

  "Connor."

  "It's King Griffin." I took the arm chair across from her, as she slowly lowered herself back to the one she was sitting in moments ago.

  "My mistake." She smiled and the similarities between Isabella's and hers couldn't escape my notice.

  "What can I do for you?" I leant back into the chair, keeping my eyes level with hers.

  Her husband was slapping at my face wanting a war but yet she sat here and I couldn't help but wonder if he knew she was here.

  "It is more what I can do for you." Her voice was a soft velvet ripple, enchanting.

  "Well then, what is it you can do for me?" I arched both eyebrows. There was little she could ever do for me. There was one thing, and I knew she wasn't here to tell me that.

  "My husband is a great man." She sighed. "A great King." A small smile traced her lips and I remained silent, because I did not see King Blackmore as either of those things. "But his eyes have been blinded by pride and his actions could be viewed as. . .”

  "Selfish?" I offered.

  "Perhaps." her small smile now gone, "He loves his throne, he lives for his people and in some ways this has made him make mistakes when it comes to his family."

  "The throne always comes first." I shrugged my shoulders, "Every royal family knows this."

  Queen Blackmore nodded her head, "Yes." Her eyes left mine and she stared out the large open bay windows, "I feel like I am betraying him by telling you this, but I see no other way. . .”

  "Telling me what?" I leant over in my seat. I saw the regret flash across her face as he had an intent debate.

  "Do you like having a family, Connor?" Queen Blackmore looked back at me, "Are you a great dad?"

  "I try, but I wouldn't use the word great." My face turned stern. I was more focused on what she shouldn't be telling me. A question about my family at this point was unimportant.

  "Do you love your wife? You've been with her for, what, nearly six years now?"

  "Yes six years." I muttered and then pushed myself back in my chair. Six years without my mate wasn't something you forget easily.

  "Six years without Isabella would be painful." Her voice coated with pity, "I know how I have struggled."

  "At least she would contact you." My voice a low growl, as she knew nothing about the pain I felt and the word 'missing' did not describe what I felt with Isabella not here.

  "I haven't spoken to my daughter since her birthday." I noticed the tear fall from her eyes, "Which is why I am."

  It was like she had suddenly been reminded why she came here in the first place, and she twisted in the chair to turn her body to face on to me. Her face was determined and her eyes screamed it at me.

  "Melissa is a roach, a liar, scum, Connor, you can pick your own words for how you see her. But I see her as that a roach who is wearing the crown that should be Isabella's."

  "Are you here to lecture me?" I scoffed, "Because Mellissa is my wife, best keep that in mind."

  "Melissa is a roach." She growled, "And if I see her, you won't have a living wife."

  "Are you threatening our Queen?" my eyes narrowed. Did I care for Melissa, no. But I trusted her more than any member of Isabella's family. Because when the lines were drawn, the Blackmores were the enemy. Isabella was different.

  "Isabella is your QUEEN!" she roared and I didn't know she had it in her to roar at such a level. "Or have you forgotten who your mate is?"

  "I suggest you get to the reason why you are here." I snarled, my temper barely under wrap.

  "Your wife and her lies is why I am here." She spat. "But perhaps Isabella is better off without you."

  "Perhaps she is." I clenched my fists. "Perhaps she is better without you and your controlling husband."

  Sorrow, pure sadness soaked her face and she nodded her head. "She is better off without us." She glanced back at me. "You however, you she needs."

  "She doesn't need anyone." I got up from my seat and walked around the desk to stare out the window. I couldn't just sit there, I had to move.

  "Isabella loves you Connor."

  "I know."

  "And you love her?"

  Crossing my arms, I arched an eyebrow at her, "What do you think?"

  "Then there is something I must tell you." She got up from her seat and looked me level in the eye from across the room. "Your daughter isn't yours."

  "Of course she is." I scoffed. "Or else I would know."

  "How?" She rose an eyebrow to prove her point. "The royal blood isn't active in her, she isn't of age, you can't hear her thoughts. So how do you know?"

  "Melissa wouldn't lie to me, not about this."

  "She had the help of a great man." Her voice was bitter. "She was guided into this, and she has lied to you."

  "Get out." I pointed to the door behind her. "Your family has never helped me before, and I don't expect you too now. So you can keep your lies and leave."

  "I'm not lying and you know it." She looked slightly smug. "Tell me Connor can you feel anything from your daughter? She doesn't even look like you."

  "Appearance doesn't matter." I narrowed my eyes. "Why are you here?"

  "I want my daughter back and you can get her for me."

  I grunted and shook my head. "You are at a dead end, if you think I can find Isabella."

  "Can't you?" She crossed her arms. "Because once your secret is out, I am sure she will come to you."

  "What secret?"

  "May is not yours"

  "Oh you mean the lie you want me to create." I rolled my eyes. "Your throne lives on that, don't you? Lies and deception."

  "May is not yours!" her little hands curled into tight fists. "Open your eyes, Connor!"

  "There is a connection there, I can feel myself beginning to establish a connection with her. I feel the nagging pressure as her mind is ready to connect with mine."

  She opened her mouth and closed it suddenly. "That doesn't make sense."

  She looked surprised and confused as she thought over what I just told her. I couldn't help but shoot her a smug look before walking to my study arm chair and seating down in it.

  "Unless. . ." She gasped and I looked up at her. Her face pure shock and her eyes coated in realisation. "Unless Isabella has a child."

  "Your theories are annoying me." I grunted. "Is there anything else you want from me?"

  She wasn't listening, instead she was now smiling slightly and looking proud. Pride ripped through the air around her.

  "You are a father." She smiled at me. "But May isn't yours."

  "Right."

  I exhaled slowly. Just keep your clam Connor and I suppressed the pride I felt of being a father to Isabella's children because then I felt guilty, May was my daughter. Shouldn't I feel just as proud?

  "Nick is coming to visit." I clear my throat and caught her attention. "Any day now he will arrive, I am sure he would be more than happy to help you find Isabella."

  "I doubt that." She sighed. "But thank you for telling me."

  I nodded my head briefly and watched her turn away to leave. She was wrong, May was mine, Melissa wouldn't lie, not about this.

  "Connor."

  I looked up at her as she opened the door, "Congratulation." She grinned before closing the door. I stared blankly at the closed door.

  Isabella's mother must be losing her sanity, though living with such a man as her husband I could see why. Isabella wouldn't keep a child from me, she didn't hate me that much and I wasn't that lucky; to have a child with her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Isabella

  I opened the front door, drenched from the pounding rain outside. Closing the door, the yelling caught my attenti
on at first. Placing the grocery bags on the table, I walked into the lounge room.

  "I don't care." Cooper snapped, "I hate it."

  I looked at Chase as he frowned at Cooper. "It's a cartoon show buddy, don't get so upset."

  Cooper hurled the remote across the room and ran out of the room, pushing past me in the door frame.

  "What was that about?" I asked Chase, while watching my son dart up the stairs.

  "Yogi bear again." Chase shook his head. "He always gets worked up about it."

  I sighed and pulled my wet coat from me. Why did that show upset him so? I didn't know. But it did. Chase and I thought that maybe it was the relationship between the bears, but then Nick overheard Cooper telling Ryan that he wished his dad was as cool as Yogi Bear.

  At the time I was told I couldn't stop laughing, picturing Connor as a bear. But now the situation was getting worse.

  "I can go talk to him." Chase offered and made a move to get off the couch, and I shook my head.

  "Don't be silly, I will." I shot him a small smile before leaving the room. "Enjoy the quiet time." I sang over my shoulder and took the stairs two at a time.

  Ryan and Serenity were at Anne's for dinner and Nick had left to see Sophia. It was easier for me to refer to visit as going to see Sophia, than it was for me to say he was going to see Connor.

  I knocked on Cooper's door, which was covered in pictures of Yogi Bear and my favourite sign in the middle 'I bite.' When he choose it, I thought he was joking but Cooper didn't joke when it came to things he wanted.

  When he didn't answer, I cracked the door open and saw the small bump under the blankets in the middle of the bed.

  "I wonder where Cooper is?" I sighed before creeping up to the side of his bed and then launching myself on top of him. There was some muffled laughing and then I pulled the blankets off him.

  "There you are." I smiled at him, but my smile disappeared when I saw his teary eyes. "Cooper what's wrong?"

  He sniffed and slowly pulled himself up onto his big bed and sat in the middle with his arms crossed. Moving to sit beside him, I wrapped an arm around his shoulder. Pulling him in tight to my side.