Royal Blood and One Betrayal : Book Two Read online

  Royal Blood

  And One Betrayal

  Simone Nicholls

  Copyright © 2020 by Simone Nicholls

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter One

  Isabella

  The air was thick. Coated with frustration and anger as we sat in the dining room. The table covered with old battle plans, maps and blueprints. Placing my head in my hands as my father threw another chair in frustration out the already broken window.

  “We wait for the funeral, then attack, they will all be at the one place.” My father roared through the room, filled with our defence guards, Liam and Chase. Lifting my head up from my hands and sitting back in the chair, I watched Liam cross his hands.

  “We’re not doing that.” Liam said firmly, not pulling his eyes away from the maps in front of him. “They deserve to put her to rest in peace.” Liam pulled another map across the one that Chase was studying. I was thankful, for once, that Liam was the one shoving reason down my father’s throat. I had been failing all night.

  It had only been a few hours since we returned from the Griffin’s Land and my father spared no time calling in our defence wolves.

  We were rusty, our plans and ideas were off beat. Our small time of peace has caused us to get lazy. The doors cracked open and one of our guards poked his head in, clearing his voice. “Nick has returned.” As soon as he had announced those small three words. Tension coated my every muscle.

  “Bring him to us.” My father ordered while pulling up a chair from the ground and pulling it to the head of the table. The doors broke open and Nick entered, his face stern, his body covered with blood.

  I rose from my chair and watched with sadness as he approached. “Where is she?” His voice was rough as he asked.

  “With her family, Nick.” I answered his question slowly with a softness in my voice.

  Shaking his head, “I have to be with her, she has to come home.” His fists clenched as he spoke. Darting my eyes between Liam, Chase, and my father. How were we to tell him he couldn’t see her? How could we tell him that he was to not attend the funeral of the love of his life?

  Walking towards him and standing in front of him, I lifted his head up with my hands. Locking my eyes with his, they leaked with pure grief and heartache. “The Griffin’s have declared war. You can’t go to her.”

  Nick stepped away from my touch and threw his head towards my father.

  “Why?” Nick strolled towards the table and brought two fists pounding down on it. “Why!”

  “They are under the impression we killed Sophia.” My father leaned back in his chair as he spoke directly to Nick. “Now you tell me, Nicholas, why my throne is being blamed for a murder we did not commit. You tell me why we return to war! Who killed her?”

  The anger within the air only thickened as my father yelled at Nick. I watched Nick’s back tighten.

  “We were attacked within their grounds, freedom fighters. It was sudden. We had no protectors with us. We were still on their grounds, for god’s sake.”

  Nick ran a hand through his short hair, as his face tightened with pain, remembering. “Her injuries, she was in so much pain. They slammed her head against the ground, over and over again. I attempted to get to her, but I had to fight through seven wolves. As soon as I killed one another one would come, keeping me from Sophia. By the time I got to her, I just ran her to the castle. Delivering her in the arms of her mother. And then I left.”

  Every eye was on Nick as he spoke his story. Tears now streamed down his face. I now understood Connor’s headache and why it had stopped so suddenly. Her death had ceased the pain. Nick placed a hand over his chest as if it was breaking.

  “And I left to track.”

  “Because you couldn’t take the pain?” I asked softly behind him. He turned his head to me slightly.

  “Because I didn’t know what else to do. I did what I knew I could do.” Nick fell into the chair that I was sitting in before.

  “We need to declare war on them, wipe them out.” Nick yelled, while glaring at the table, “I only killed maybe twenty plus, more need to die.”

  Looking at my father, everyone knew in the room we did not have the ability or the wolves to fight two battles. We could not declare another war.

  “We should wait.” I spoke directly to my father. “Perhaps the Griffin’s won’t attack, they were consumed with grief.” I shifted my weight as I spoke to the room, voicing my opinions. Chase eyed me for a moment before he brought his attention back down to the map that him and Liam stood over.

  “I remember the pain I experienced when I nearly lost you, Isabella.” My father rubbed his chin, staring out into the distance as he spoke. “We will wait for them to make the first move.”

  Closing my eyes and letting a small sigh out, that was all I could ask of him. Just to give them time to understand their own actions and perhaps things would return to normal. Though I suppose peace was never normal.

  “In the meantime, we should prepare.” Chase said seriously, the fun loving Chase disappearing as he took his role as a protector. “The castle’s protection should be increased tonight and all packs notified of the threat.”

  My father nodded his head at Chase’s ideas, “Agreed.” My father rose from his chair, standing behind Nick as he placed a hand on his shoulder. “No war yet son, you need to mourn. I promise, in time, revenge will be provided.”

  Nick’s eyes were glassy with tears as he continued to glare at the table.

  “Isabella.”

  Pulling my eyes away from Nick and letting them drift up to my father’s voice. “Yes?”

  “Come, we need to talk.” My father gestured his head towards the door and began to stroll out of the room. Following in his steps, I snapped a quick glance at Nick, as he stayed frozen in the chair. While the guards, Liam and Chase returned to the plans, maps and discussion.

  Closing the door and following my father up the hall. “What do we need to talk about?”

  “Not here, Isabella.”

  Nodding my head and understanding, my father wanted to speak to me in private.

  Sitting on my own bed, it has been awhile since I had been in my room. It was spotless and looked unlived in. My father sat next to me, letting out a low sigh as he stared out my windows that lead out to my balcony.

  “War is coming, Isabella and I need you to be prepared for the worst.” He did not turn his attention back to me as he continued to take in the view of our land.

  “They might back down, realize they have made a mistake. The script could still be possible. We could go back to peace.” I fiddled with my fingers in my lap as I spoke with such hope.

  “King Griffin will not back down. He is blinded with pride.” He stated confidently.

  A small smile twitched at my lips, “A lot like you, father.”

  My father shifted his weight on the bed. The dull hum of the light bulb above us the only noise in the room before he finally spoke again. “Connor will take the throne soon, there is nothing standing in their way
of a new King.”

  Frowning and letting my eyes drift up, “Does it matter if he does?” I was well aware that my heart fluttered at the mere mention of his name. I blanketed the feeling of missing him as soon as it arose because I knew I could not dwell here in self-pity.

  “A new King means new leadership. New hope.” My father’s voice was thick as he spoke.

  “So you are afraid our people may want to follow him?” I asked, confused by his line of thinking.

  My father shrugged his shoulders, “I am more worried about what this means for you, what I am leaving you with.”

  My eyebrows furrowed together, “I don’t understand, father.”

  “When you take over ruling Isabella, I am leaving you the responsibility of war. The duty to send many out to meet their death. A death they will experience to keep you safe. The guilt never leaves. It stains your skin. It’s something I did not want to put you through.”

  “There is still a chance that won’t happen.” I said, hearing my own pleading within my tone. “The script could still be done. Things”

  “Isabella, I need you to be prepared. When you turn eighteen, it is still my plan to hand the throne to you.”

  My mouth opened. There was no need to. He was still able to rule. It didn’t need to happen so soon. “But you can still rule, there isn’t a need for me to take over.”

  My father looked at me with pity in his eyes as he rose from my bed. “It has already been set in motion, sadly I cannot stop it. Originally it was planned for you to begin your ruling with Connor along your side. Now you must do it alone. Until you find your mate. Then he will help you rule the kingdom to freedom.”

  Opening my mouth and closing it again. I was experiencing shock and sadness at the same time. I was shocked that I was to be ruling the kingdom on my own, and I was deeply sad that I was not to do it alongside Connor. My father saying that out loud just rubbed salt over the fresh wound of loss I was feeling without Connor.

  “Goodnight Isabella.” Brushing his lips across my forehead and heading towards my door.

  For the first time in months, my father was allowing me to seek my true mate. But for some reason, I longed for Connor. How could this be?

  After now being free of the script, I now longed to be bound by its strings. My father closed the door softly. Leaving me in the room to dwell on my thoughts of Connor and on of being a Queen with no King.

  I needed to talk to him, throwing the blankets back and sitting up in my bed. It was now officially one in the morning and after remaining in my room all day after my father left me; I had attempted to sleep, but it wasn’t coming.

  Placing my feet on the carpet and scooping up my silk dressing grown, I covered my short nightie and walked to my door. Opening it, I glanced up and down the empty corridor.

  Stepping out and tightening the strings of the dressing grown around me, I walked in the direction of Chase’s room. I knew he had what I needed to be able to get in contact with Connor. Smiling as I remembered Connor grumbling at the taxi driver, the way he entered the kitchen with his bed-head and cocky grin. The way he jogged down the stairs to rescue me from the floor after my trip over Nix.

  Stopping outside Chase’s door and closing my eyes as I remembered Connor holding my hand and the way he kissed me with such fire at the lake. Bringing a closed fist to Chase’s door, I tapped on it softly.

  Chase opened the door wide. Standing fully dressed, the lights in his room on, I saw the maps that covered his bed. “Hey Chase.”

  “Is, what can I do for you?”

  “Um, well I am here to ask a favour.” I shifted my weight from foot to foot, sending him a large smile.

  Shaking his head he gestured his hand for me to come in. Walking in, I pushed the map aside clearing a place on the bed.

  “So what is this favour you want?” He asked while walking to his desk and turning off the music playing.

  “I was wondering if you could show me how to send an electronic message?”

  Chase turned and facing me he frowned, “Do you mean a text message?”

  Nodding my head, I couldn’t remember the name of it exactly. “Could you show me?” I asked.

  Chase brought his arms up, crossing them and narrowing his eyes; “You have never wanted to send one before.”

  “Well I never wanted to contact Serenity before.” I lied and was actually surprised that I said it so smoothly. Chase opened a drawer pulling out a new phone and he walked towards the bed, pushing the maps to the back of his bed.

  “I didn’t know Serenity had a phone.” Chase frowned slightly as he unwrapped the phone from its packaging.

  Liam and Chase kept up with technology. I did not.

  Taking in a deep breath, I just needed him to show me the first few steps and then I could do the rest.

  Chase cocked his head to the side and grinned at me, “You really do live in the stone age Is.”

  Rolling my eyes. I knew Connor had a phone, because his number had been written in the diary in my father’s office.

  “Ready to take some notes Is?”

  Punching Chase lightly on the shoulder, “I don’t need notes.”

  Chase rolled his eyes at me and shot me a smile before he began his lesson.

  Sliding the phone to be unlocked, I brought up a message thread like Chase had taught me. Suddenly it dawned on me. What did I want to say to him?

  I slowly began to text across the screen.

  Dear Connor-

  If I was able to write to you directly I would, but due to recent events I knew I wouldn’t be able to send you a hand-written letter. So this will have to do instead.

  Thank you for what you did today or it may be yesterday now. I know that it would have been hard for you to deny your father’s commands the way you did.

  I don’t know what to write, I feel stupid for even contacting you in the first place. Actually, I feel even more stupid for contacting you through a message. This is actually the first one I have ever sent, so excuse my writing structure. I’m unsure how you are meant to structure an electronic message.

  I’m so sorry about Sophia- I wish I could be by your side in these hours of grief. But I know that wouldn’t assist the situation or help you in any way. You need to be with your family.

  I promise you, Connor, that we had nothing to do with her death. I would never let my father put you through such pain, such as losing a sister. I can’t begin to understand what you are going through.

  Not to mention we had a treaty and my father sticks to his words. We did not kill her.

  But those words will bring you little comfort, and I’m sorry for that.

  I miss you Connor and I know that it is very unlikely we will see each other any time soon. And I know it is silly of me that I even write to you saying I miss you, because your commitment to me is now over and.

  I suppose we return to enemies.

  I can’t explain it, nor can I tell you why- I just miss you and wish things could be different.

  -Isabella

  My finger hovered over the send button. Chase had told me messages were meant to be short, and this message was not. Before doubt could take full control over my actions, I hit send.

  My eyes locked on the blue text now.

  My heart beat increased as I thought, what did I do now?

  Wait for him to reply? What if he never replies? Or what if he doesn’t even use this phone number? He had just lost a sister, I doubt he was thinking ‘oh lets go check my phone to see if I have a message from the princess of the throne that my father thinks killed my sister’.

  God. I was an idiot.

  Rolling on to my side once again, I stared at my bedroom door. It was now close to five in the morning and I still hadn’t slept. Though I had attempted it, I had thought calming thoughts, but nothing worked and here I was still awake after hours.

  Glancing at the phone which I had tossed on the floor, I reached down and scooped it up. I knew that there was little point
in looking to see if I had a reply from him. But the mere slim chance drove me to look at the phone.

  My eyes widened when it flashed with a message. My heart thumped in my chest. He had received it! But better yet, he had actually replied!

  I paused before I slide the screen open.

  Should I even open it? Dragging a hand through my hair. But if I didn’t, I would never know. So I unlocked the phone and read the message.

  Here I was thinking you didn’t know how to type. I don’t know why, but reading his words made me smile, and my fingers slowly typed across the letters.

  Sorry, new to this. You got my message then? I wasn’t sure if it was a complete dumb question or not, but I had no idea how the internet worked.

  Yes. He replied.

  And you believe me? I asked. About Sophia’s death. I added, so he knew what I was talking about.

  I watched grey bubbles pop up in the corner of the screen before I read the words. I don’t want to talk about it.

  Rereading his line over and over again. He didn’t want to talk about it, so why was he replying to me? What was there to talk about if we were to not talk about our sudden war? Or the death of his sister?

  The phone buzzed in my hand and I looked down.

  Are you ok?

  I should be asking you that question. Are you ok? I sent back.

  Fine. His one-word answer worried me. Remembering his grief when I left him and his tears, I highly doubted that he was just fine after everything that was happening. Sighing, I didn’t know what else to say. Now are you ok?

  Fine. I replied.

  Our conversation died there. A few minutes passed and I somehow knew that this is how it would be between us. The distance was already creeping in and I didn’t know why it tightened my heart with sadness. Sighing, I told him what I was thinking, opening myself up to the hurt that I knew may come, but hoped wouldn’t.