Royal Blood and One Forever : Book Three

by Simone Nicholls

  "Fine passing them off to someone else!" Liam shook his head at me, aggression in he's eyes. "You are Queen now, the sooner you come to terms with it, the sooner we can begin to build our kingdom back together."

  "And how will Connor fit into our Kingdoms rebuilding?"

  "You shouldn't be asking me that." Liam gestured he's head towards the large doors, which led out to the courtyard "You can ask him."

  The bubbling of nerves began to rise in my stomach, and for once I would admit I was scared of what might happen. Could Connor and I finally get a happy ending?

  I faked confidence as I strolled out into the courtyard. The wolves flanking Connor's side weren't getting even a slight glance from me. Why would he feel the need to bring so many guards with him, I didn't know. But I was relieved that he was this in human form, this would make the conversation easier.

  Connors eyes were ranking up and down my body, a slight confusion in his eyes. The Blackmore guards, or should I saw my guards were behind me, ready if needed. This wasn't a scene of two lovers meeting again, like it should be.

  "King Griffin." I lowered my head slightly. All I wanted was he's comfort, not formalities. "Thank you for coming."

  "I'm not sure how to address you." Connors voice was harsh, direct and not even one hint of kindness could be noted in it. "Isabella, Princess Isabella, or Queen? Tell me which one should I choose."

  The tension between us was thick, and I could see a raging within he's eyes. Was he angry that I took my blood back without talking to him? After everything I had put him through it was understandable that he would be mad.

  But enough with the past, our future mattered and I had a feeling that these next moments would frame it. Connor stood in front of me, different from the Prince I fell in love with him. But he was, and would always be, my other half.

  I had experienced life without him, and I didnt want to travel that path again. "Connor." I took a step closer to him, I noticed the slight edginess in his guards as I did. "You can call me whatever you wish." A small smile spread across my lips.

  I noticed the confusion in Connor's jet black eyes disappear. The softness that I knew was within him, began to surface on he's face. He's unwavering love for me, now not hidden.

  "Isabella..." Connor's voice was lowered slightly, and I didn't care what he was thinking, my doubts were clear. He was my earth, he centered me- without him I was nothing.

  I was going to do what I thought was best for me and for the future of Blackmore throne. It was time for the new dawn but most importantly it was time for me to be happy once again.

  "I love you Connor."

  I ignored the shock gasps from the crowd and I flung my arms around Connor's neck clinging to him as if he was my life support. He was still for a few moments, not sure how to react. It was as if he was making a silent decision and as time slowly passed I began to think, perhaps he didn't want this. But then as if he had made he's mind up, he's arms embraced me.

  "I love you more Is." he whispered sweetly in my ear, and as the words registered a flood of happiness and pure bliss covered my body from head to toe.

  For the fist time I experienced what it felt like to be with the man you loved, knowing that no mattered what happened we would have a future together.

  After all, it was fair to say- nothing could or would pull us apart again.

  Epilogue

  Connor

  One Year Later

  “I had it first!”

  “No. I had it first!”

  “Dad!” May and Cooper hollered at the same time.

  I looked up from the palace’s paperwork, to see my two children bickering. They had every toy and device in the kingdom, yet they both wanted the electric thing that Chase had given Isabella.

  That’s when the door to the study bursted open and they both let go of the device. The screen smashing.

  “Do not move either of you,” I said, getting up and not even glancing at whoever just bursted in. Who caused them to drop it. They both had an awful habit of getting hurt. “If either of you end up with glass splinters, your mother will murder me.” I walked towards them.

  “Or she could murder you for another reason. . .”

  I glanced over my shoulder, slightly annoyed. My eyes landed on Ryan and Chase. Chase had his normal causal smirk on his face. It took some time before I could hold a conversation with him without Isabella present. Now we tolerated each other. Ryan and I, however, got on a lot easier.

  Ryan and Serenity now living within the Kingdom’s grounds were trailing on them to begin with. However they had adapted to it, much easier than last time—according to Isabella.

  I plucked May off the ground and then Cooper, moving them away from the broken glass.

  “He didn’t bite,” Ryan said to Chase and I looked back at the two. Chase had this smirk on his face. I knew the smirk too well. It came when he knew something I did not, or he was testing my patience. Lord knows, the man lived to test my patience.

  Placing on the children on the ground, I noticed how they were now silent. Silence from either of them never resulted in joyful times. I gritted my teeth and looked at Ryan and Chase.

  “Why are you two here? I thought you had things to do, Chase,” I mocked him. Because when I asked him to look after Cooper and May this afternoon, he gave me a line of he had things to do. Again, the man lived to test my patience. Because the only thing he had to do was eat the kingdom out of food.

  “Lips are sealed,” Chase smirked and walked around my desk to sit in my chair. When he dropped into the arm chair, he lazily put his feet on my desk.

  “Get your feet off my desk!” I snapped at him while pointing a finger. “One day Chase, you will push me too far and I will. . .”

  My words dried up because the children were looking at me with wide expressions. They loved Uncle Chase, there was no doubting that. How many times Cooper and May have escaped their beds to play those stupid video games with Chase and Liam is unaccountable.

  And Chase always seemed to do these video nights, the night before I am meant to be in solo care of them. I knew for a fact, he fed them candy and I wouldn’t put it past him to organise these video nights before my days with them on purpose. May and Cooper did not function on little sleep, and right now was a pure example of it. They would fight and bicker with each other.

  Chase looked at me smugly. “Like I was saying, my lips are sealed.” He causally picked up my pen and to my utter horror started drawing on my paperwork!

  “Well they can remain sealed and seeing as you are no longer busy with things. You can take May and Cooper to the hall for lunch.” I watched as the horror that could match how I felt when Chase started drawing on my paperwork, flashed across his face—at the thought of having to supervise the monsters he had created today.

  Chase groaned. Ryan however remained amused. For some reason, everyone seemed to get enjoyment out of Chase and I bickering.

  I saw his mouth open and just as I went to challenge any argument he had. Pain ripped through my body.

  My eyes widened.

  “Where’s Isabella?” I asked, cutting Chase off before he spoke.

  They both frowned.

  I looked at my two betas, and neither of them had an answer. “Do neither of you know where our Queen is!”

  Pain ripped through me again.

  “Is something wrong?” Chase sat up, alert.

  Isabella and I had a clear understanding that our minds were always to stay open and linked. However right now, I searched for her and found only emptiness.

  “Go, we’ve got the kids,” Ryan said as I moved to leave. I recalled Isabella not well this morning. She had been withdrawn the last few weeks, and there was no explanation. However, I felt reassured that it wasn’t my doing—I was questioning that now as I stormed through the castle in search of her.

  Bursting open our bedroom door, I see her sitting on the edge of the bed. Tears dripping from her eyes.

  “What have
I done?” I said quickly while walking to her. I took her hands in my and knelt down in front of her. If there was one thing I was certain of, it was only I could cause Isabella sadness.

  The stress of merging two kingdoms was only now easing and as I looked at Isabella I wondered had I neglected her to the point of this sadness?

  “I’m pregnant,” her words were low and then slowly her eyes lifted up to meet my shocked filled ones. “It is terrible timing, with everything going on. Not to mention May and Cooper have only just adjusted to. . .” I silenced her concerns with my lips.

  My own happiness flooding my veins. I not could feel her nervousness about telling me.

  Pulling back, I leant my forehead against hers.

  She sighed softly, “What are we going to do Connor? The Kingdom is adjusting, we are adjusting. . .”

  I can’t wipe the smile from my face.

  “Why are you grinning?” She huffed and now she had let her shield down, I felt her hormones controlling her actions and words.

  “Because I love you,” I said, keeping my eyes locked with hers. Cupping her face. My love for her was all consuming, and I know it would last forever.

  For it was one commitment that brought us together.

  One betrayal that torn us apart.

  And now, it was one forever, that we would live.