A Royal's Love (Unit Matched #1)

by Mary Smith

  I met the girls at the diner. I was famished and ordered almost everything off the menu.

  “Why are you so cheerful? Did Christmas come early?” Amaya smarted off at me.

  “Something like that.” I bite down on my lip trying to rein in my smile. “Gia, tell me everything that happened when I left.” I turned the attention to her.

  “Well, Graham and I talked a little bit, and he took me home after the party,” she informed us.

  “Did he kiss you?” Amaya asked.

  “No,” Gia barked at her. “We’re newly Matched. Have you and Oliver kissed?”

  “Trust me, he’s trying, but I keep avoiding it.” Amaya sipped her water.

  “You two haven’t kissed yet?” I found that odd because they’ve been Matched only a couple of weeks less than Thaddeus and me.

  “Sorry to rain on the sex parade that you’re in, but no we haven’t.” Amaya sneered at me.

  “Hey, there’s no need to be upset with me, and how did you know?”

  “Please.” She rolled her eyes. “I know that look very well.”

  “What look?” Gia and I said at the same time.

  “The I-got-sex look.”

  I giggled. “I didn’t know I had a look, and how do you know what that look is?”

  Amaya shrugged. “I just know.”

  I was about to question her further when Gia gasped lightly.

  “Well, our girl’s day didn’t last long,” Amaya added. I turned to the direction she was looking. Thaddeus, Graham, and Oliver just walked into the diner.

  “Now isn’t this a table of lovely Matched ladies?” Graham teased sitting next to Gia putting his arm on the back of her chair.

  Thaddeus kissed my cheek and he sat next to me, and Oliver sat next to Amaya.

  “I remember I have somewhere else I have to be.” Amaya jumped up from her seat.

  “Hey.” Gia touched her arm, and Amaya yanked it away.

  “Don’t you dare try to calm me,” she yelled.

  “Amaya.” I leapt from my chair. “Don’t speak to her that way.”

  She narrowed her eyes at me before walking away. I chased after her with Thaddeus and Oliver behind me.

  “Amaya, stop. Talk to me right now.” I ordered once we were outside.

  She turned on heels staring at me. “You want me to talk?”

  “Yes, what is happening with you?”

  “How about you, Thaddeus?” she looked over my shoulder. “How talkative should I be?”

  “Enough.” He gritted his teeth at her.

  “Don’t take this out on him, Amaya. Tell me,” I said in a softer tone. “I can help you.”

  Amaya, my Protector, my best friend, got right in my face and yelled, “You don’t know anything. Even when it’s right in front of you.”

  Thaddeus jumped in between us, and Oliver grabbed Amaya by the arm dragging her away from me towards her car.

  “What was she talking about?” I asked him.

  He shook his head. “I think she’s still dealing with being Matched to Oliver.”

  There it was, again. That same feeling I had before. He was hiding something from me.

  “Thaddeus?”

  He faced me. “Come on let’s hang out with Graham and Gia.”

  I couldn’t read his expression as we walked back into the diner, but I knew I was missing something.

  When I sat down Gia asked me what the deal was with Amaya, and I had no clue what to say because I didn’t know. I caught Graham make a face to Thaddeus, but I let it go because my concern was with Amaya and how to fix her.

  October

  Chapter 15

  The Pain of the Truth

  Amaya’s attitude seemed to change the very next day. She blamed it on the stress of school and her new training regimen. I’m sure that she was right because I knew that she was as busy as I was, and it was hard on her too.

  For the next several weeks, Thaddeus and I tried to see each other as much as possible, but it wasn’t much. Thanks to Mr. Edwards I’m able to intern at a local doctor’s office in the city. I’ve been working at the bank when I wasn’t there or in school.

  “Aren’t you the sexiest teller in all of Unit Bank?” Thaddeus walked up to my window.

  “What are you doing here?” I smiled at him.

  “I had to talk to your dad about some business stuff. When are you off?”

  “About thirty minutes.”

  “Want to grab dinner?”

  My stomach turned. “No, food. No, thank you.”

  “What’s wrong?” he looked concerned.

  “A few classmates have had the flu, and I think I caught it.” I rubbed my temple because my head was pounding.

  “Do you need me to get you anything?”

  “No, I think I’m going to go home and sleep. I have to work at Dr. Stevens tomorrow. I think I need rest.”

  He looked a little sad. “If you need me, call me. I’m going to be home working, okay?”

  “Okay, love you.” I smiled at him.

  “Love you.” He winked.

  ~~~

  I woke up on Thursday realizing another mild stone is staring me in face. Today was the official end of our decision period. Thaddeus and I had been together for three whole months.

  After I got ready, I headed down the stairs to leave for school.

  “I’m leaving,” I yelled to my parents.

  “Xaviera, come here first.” My dad’s voice boomed from his home office.

  I turned the corner seeing Thaddeus, Mr. Edwards, my mom, and Dad in there.

  “Um, hi,” I said uneasy looking at everyone.

  “Thaddeus has made his decision,” Dad said, and I wasn’t sure by the tone if it was good news or not. I quickly glanced at him, and I saw him give me a small wink and relief filled me.

  “Did you think he was going to say no?” Dad teased me.

  “Well, you all were looking at me like I was in front of a firing squad,” I joked back laughing.

  Thaddeus came over to me, hugging me tightly. I thought that I would only ever feel safe in my dad’s arms, but Thaddeus was where I was home.

  I loved him and he loved me.

  “There is a small issue.” Mom’s words broke our happy embrace. “Thaddeus?”

  “Right.” He took a deep breath. “I’m leaving for New Orleans next Friday.”

  “Oh, that’s right.” I hung my head. I knew that already because he told me.

  “That means we need to have the ceremony this weekend,” Mom announced.

  My mouth dropped. “You want my ceremony in two days?”

  “Well, you’ve never been one for large parties, so it could just be the Edwards, the girls, and us,” Mom suggested.

  “I think that sounds perfect.” Thaddeus squeezed my hand.

  “I think so too.” I smiled up at him, ready to start a new chapter in my life with my Matched.

  ~~~

  “So, let me get this straight, your ceremony is on Saturday?” Amaya’s eyes were as wide as a quarter, and Gia’s were the same.

  “Yep.” I bite down into my sandwich.

  “Wow.” Amaya breathed out. “It’s going to happen, huh?”

  I looked at her strangely. “Are you surprised?”

  “I, um.” She shook her head. “I guess I didn’t realize that my decision period ends in a couple of weeks.”

  “How are Oliver and you doing?” I asked reaching for her hand.

  She shrugged. “I need to get used to the idea of being Pushed Back.”

  Gia and I looked at each other with sad faces. Amaya picked at the salad in front of her. She cleared her throat and put on her best fake smile. “What are you going to need help with?”

  “I have no idea. I need to figure what Mom and Mrs. Edwards has planned.”

  “Xaviera, when did you start eating mayonnaise with your fries?” Gia pointed down to my plate.

  “Oh, I don’t know, I just wanted it.” I passed it off as I finish
ed inhaling the sandwich. I was hungrier than I’ve ever been before, and it was so good.

  When we were finished, we headed off in our different directions. I had a few spare minutes and took a seat outside on a bench.

  Fall was upon us in Vermont. I looked up and saw the leaves changing. I hated snow and winter, but there was always something about the fall.

  This really was a new chapter in my life, and I was starting it with Thaddeus.

  ~~~

  Mom, Mrs. Edwards, and I all agreed to have a simple dinner at the end of the ceremony. It would be easier on everyone, and we wouldn’t be rushing to get everything done. Mom was going to let me wear one of her dresses, and I was skimming her closet with Amaya on Friday night.

  “You’re awfully quiet, what’s wrong?” I asked pulling a couple of dresses.

  “I’m a terrible friend.” She went and sat down on my mom’s chair.

  I giggled. “No, you’re not.” I went over to her kneeling in front of her. “You’re my best friend, my Protector, and you’re my rock.”

  I had a bright smile on my face until Amaya raised her head. There was something about the tears and hurt in her eyes that made my heart race. My face dropped.

  “Amaya?”

  “I’m sorry.” Her voice was small, and I could feel the fear in it.

  “Amaya.” My voice was firmer.

  “I’ve wanted to tell you for months, since you been Matched, but I couldn’t figure out the words.”

  I stood up taking a step back from her. There was a ringing in my ears as I tried to consume the words that she was saying. The hairs on the back of my next stood up.

  “I was seventeen. I had already made up my mind up to leave Unit. I was out in the city, alone, and I saw Thaddeus.”

  There was no air in the room, and the world had stopped spinning.

  Thaddeus?

  Amaya?

  “We started talking and one thing lead to another. We were kissing, and then…”

  I gasp covering my mouth with my hands. The tears fell from my eyes.

  “And then…stuff happened,” she finished.

  “Did you…did you have sex with Thaddeus?” I prayed that I was wrong that my worst fears were not about to become true.

  “No, but a lot of stuff happened.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I shouted at her.

  Amaya hung her head, and I heard her sobbing. I needed to leave. I couldn’t be around her. I ran out of my parent’s room, down the stairs, and out the door. I ran with every inch of power in my body to Thaddeus’ house.

  I needed to hear it from him, hear the words from his mouth. I had to see his face. He had shown me love before and now I wanted to see the truth.

  I made it to the Edwards’ house in record time and burst through the door.

  “Xaviera,” my mother growled. “You don’t bust through a door like that. What’s wrong?”

  I ignored her and looked at Mrs. Edwards. “Where’s Thaddeus?”

  “He’s downstairs with the boys.” Her face was as confused as my mothers.

  Before she could finish her sentence I ran with all my might to the door that leads to their basement. I knew there was a gym down there.

  At the bottom step I saw Oliver by the fridge with Graham and Thaddeus was laughing next to him.

  “Hey.” He smiled at me, but it quickly faded. “What is it?”

  I stalked right up to him, and even though he was several inches taller and bigger than me I shoved him with all my might, but he didn’t even move. “I hate you. I hate you more than I’ve ever hated anyone else in my life,” I screamed as loud as I could.

  “Whoa.” He put his hands on my shoulders, but I shrugged him away.

  “Don’t touch me. Don’t come around me. Don’t ever speak to me again.”

  “Princess.” Mom and Mrs. Edwards appeared behind me. “What is going on?”

  “Xaviera, talk to me.” Thaddeus’ face was hurt, but I couldn’t tell the truth from a lie.

  “Amaya told me everything,” I screamed at him, feeling the ground begin to shake. I saw it right then in his face. His face dropped. “Yep, she told it all to me, Thaddeus. How could you do this to me? She told me that you and she kissed and…” I couldn’t finish the words as the room gasped.

  “Thaddeus Jax Edwards,” Mrs. Edwards exclaimed.

  “Xaviera.” Mom spun me around to face her. “Tell me what she said. Right now.”

  “Amaya was at the house helping me pick out my dress. She told me that Thaddeus and she had broken the rules.” I was sobbing so hard. I could hardly breathe.

  “Thaddeus.” Mrs. Edwards stepped up to her son. “Don’t you dare lie to me? What the hell is going on?”

  He dropped his head, and I knew instantly. “It’s true. I kissed Amaya a few years ago, but I’m not seeing anyone but my Matched now.”

  “She was my best friend, you’re my Matched, and you both lied to me,” I yelled at him.

  “We need to get to the bottom of this right now. First.” Mom looked at me. “You need to calm yourself down. Do you understand? Graham, call Gia, pick her up, and take the Princess home. Canessa and I are going to the Roberts’ right now. Oliver you’re coming with us. Thaddeus, call your dad and the King, have them meet us at Amaya’s house. We’ll figure this out, but I need you to remain calm.” Mom’s voice soothed me.

  I nodded not looking at Thaddeus, and I left with Graham. He bolted into Gia’s house and came out with her. Instantly, she calmed me, but my broken heart and pain was there. I didn’t say a single word when he dropped us off. I went inside my house and locked myself in my bedroom. Gia sat at the end of my bed with my hand in hers to keep my emotions down.

  ~~~

  I’d fallen asleep and when my mom woke me up it was dark outside. I couldn’t move. My whole body ached. She brought up some soup, and when I asked what happened, she said we’d talk about it later.

  I figured that meant the truth came out, and it was true. Mom said she called Dr. Stevens’ office and told them I was ill and wouldn’t be there tomorrow.

  I fell back asleep crying over the loss of my Matched, my Protector, and my life that I knew.

  ~~~

  I opened my eyes, and I could feel the coldness outside seeping through the walls. I rolled towards the window and saw the snow on the ground. Gia was curled up in a chair next to me still gripping my hand. My heart was still broken, even if she was continually calming me.

  “Xaviera,” Gia’s soft, tired voice said my name quietly. “Are you awake?”

  “Yes,” my voice croaked.

  “Your mother asked me to get her when you woke up.” She released my hand and left my room.

  The tears started rolling down my face the moment I was alone. The pain was deep in my soul. My Matched lied to me. My best friend betrayed me, and I didn’t know how to process it all. I pulled the cover over my eyes and sobbed harder.

  Chapter 16

  Lies or Truths?

  The hot shower washed away the grime I felt on my skin but didn’t get rid of the hurt or pain. Yoga pants and a hoodie were the best clothes I could find. I didn’t even bother with makeup or doing my hair.

  It was the first time I’d left the bed, in three days.

  I should have already had my ceremony.

  I should have been starting my life with my Matched.

  With Thaddeus.

  “Gia,” my voice croaked. “Go home. You need some real rest.”

  My dearest friend hadn’t left my side since Graham picked her up the other night.

  “I’m fine.” She gave me a sad smile. “Why don’t we get you some Lucky Charms?”

  I knew that she was trying her best to cheer me up, but it wasn’t helping. By now everything was taken from me; Thaddeus, Amaya, school, and my internship. I wouldn’t be able to graduate, and I didn’t know what I was going to do about that either.

  “I’m fine,” I repeated more firmly to her. “I order you t
o go home and rest. If you want to come back later you can.”

  Gia nodded hugging me. “I need to talk to the Queen first. Call if you need anything.”

  “I will,” I promised her.

  When she left I looked around my room. This had been my safe haven for so many years, and now I felt like a stranger. I sat on the window bench looking out on the land behind our house. There was almost a foot of snow on the ground, and I wondered if I had done it or Thaddeus. I felt the pull on my heart strings, the pain of thinking his name and face. I wondered if I asked Dad to banish them, if he would.

  Banishment was something that was an extreme rarity in Unit. I’ve never seen it done in my life, and I knew that Dad hadn’t either. Once you were banished you couldn’t come back to Unit. However, the worst of it all was that you couldn’t speak to anyone in Unit either.

  No one.

  I shook my head of the thoughts. I couldn’t do that to Amaya or Thaddeus, no matter how mad or hurt I was feeling. She was my Protector and best friend. Thaddeus was…well, I didn’t know what he was right now.

  “Xaviera,” Mom’s voice pulled me away from my thoughts.

  “Hi, Mom.” I turned to her standing in my doorway.

  “Why don’t you come downstairs?”

  I shook my head.

  “Xaviera.” Even though her tone was softer there was firmness in it, and I knew not to argue the point. I followed her to the kitchen where Oliver, Graham, Gia, and Mrs. Edwards were all sitting at our table.

  “Gia, I told you to go home.”

  “I told her to stay.” Mom guided me to a seat across from the four of them. Mom took her place at the head of the table. “We need to talk.”

  “I don’t want to hear about it,” I told her.

  “Xaviera, Gia felt something when she was trying to calm you. Oliver is a stronger Controller, and I want him to see if he feels the same.”

  I looked at my mother with a strange and confused expression. “What?”

  “Princess.” Oliver stood coming around the table. “I’ll need to hold your hand.”

  I placed my shaky hand in his. His tender touch calmed me and relaxation overtook me.