THE HEIR
Book Two in The Ordinary Series
Chapter 1
The bed shifted slightly, gently nudging me awake. Not ready to let go of the night, I brought my knees up curling my body a little tighter and tucked the pillow further under my head. I could hear Jordan’s heavy, rhythmic breathing next to me. I smiled. I felt safe and completely content.
A cool breeze floated across the room whisking my hair. Eyes still closed, I brushed the hair from my cheek and turned over to seek refuge with Jordan from the sudden chill. I reached for him, but he wasn’t there. I opened my eyes. The bed was empty; the sheets cool to the touch.
Confused, I propped up on my elbow and searched the room. His clothes from the night before were carelessly tossed over the chair in the corner. The large dresser with the ornate mirror loomed ostentatiously across from the bed. Man, I wanted to get rid of that thing.
The bathroom door was shut. I lay back down and strained to hear him. All was quiet. I stifled a yawn and rubbed my eyes. I reached my arm out again to Jordan’s side of the bed, but the soft, cool sheets that I had touched moments before were sticky and wet. What? Confused I sat up and stared at the dark, red blood covering my hand.
“Jordan?” I shouted. I scrambled to the side of the bed, eyes glued to my trembling hand. I stood up to head for the door, but something didn’t feel right on my feet. I shrieked and jumped back into bed. I hesitantly peered over the edge of the bed unsure of what I would see. It felt familiar, yet out of place.
Grass? There was grass on my bedroom floor.
“Jordan?” I shouted again. I looked behind me at the pool of blood, where Jordan should have been, and slowly slid off the bed. My feet touched the cool, slightly damp grass, and I tore my eyes from the blood intending to find Jordan, but my room was no longer there. I was standing in a field. The sun was so bright it hurt my eyes. I squinted and propped my blood-free hand over my eyes to block the sun. I spun slowly trying to figure out where I was and what was happening. The bed was gone. The room was gone. Jordan was gone. I felt the devastation of that knowledge settle over me and took several steps backward. My chest hurt.
“I warned you,” a voice boomed from nowhere and everywhere, startling me.
“What? What do you mean? Who is this?” I searched for the source of the voice.
“I warned you,” the voice repeated.
“Of what? Where is Jordan?”
“I warned you.”
“Stop saying that!” I screamed. “Jordan?”
“Ms. Everell?” The muffled voice of Sebastian, my stalker as I like to call him, sounded through my bedroom door.
It took me a minute to orient myself. My heart pounded and I was hot. So very hot. I threw the covers off. “Yes, Sebastian. I’m fine.” Sebastian didn’t sound panicked this time. I guess he’d grown accustomed to my nighttime outbursts.
“Are you sure, Princess?”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course I’m sure. Didn’t we talk about calling me that?” I climbed out of bed and headed for the attached bathroom kicking the small pile of white pillows I had stacked there the night before. The cool marble floor felt refreshing and startling at the same time.
“Yes…but I thought we agreed you liked ‘Princess’ better than ‘Your Highness’?”
“Well, yeah,” I hollered, while searching through the sink drawer for my toothpaste, “but I like Natalie even better.”
“It just isn’t going to happen, Princess.”
“You are impossible.”
“I’ve been told that before,” Sebastian chuckled. “Are you up for good or heading back to bed?”
“I’m up,” I mumbled through a mouth full of toothpaste. I finished brushing my teeth and slowly walked to the shower. I opened the glass door and reached for the faucet. As I did the image of the blood on my hand flashed briefly in my mind. I suppressed a shiver and turned the water on hoping to wash away this overwhelming feeling of doom that seemed to have taken up residence in my soul.
I finished showering but didn’t feel any better. I found some clothes to wear and brushed my hair, all the while involuntarily replaying the dream through my mind over and over again.
I pulled my hair into a messy ponytail and put some eyeliner and mascara on. I didn’t feel like much else. My parents told me to pretend my security detail wasn’t around and live normally, whatever that means, but I hadn’t been able to do it. Walking around with wet hair and no makeup didn’t seem to be a part of my life anymore. And, honestly, it wasn’t just the constantly hovering security. I felt gawked at and scrutinized at all times…as if the Kingdom was watching for any imperfection they could find.
But, that was a small price to pay to be with Jordan. It had been almost a month since he proposed. I still can’t think about that night and not be overcome with emotion. I thought my life was no longer going to be my own, resulting in me sacrificing almost everything, but most importantly love. I would have done it, but I’m sure grateful I didn’t have to. Yes. I will gladly run a Kingdom and be surrounded by security the rest of my life to have Jordan by my side.
“Well, that will have to do,” I said to no one as I rubbed the dark circles under my eyes. With a deep sigh, I clicked the light and quickly made my bed. After I retrieved the last of the toppled, white pillows that had somehow made it almost halfway under the bed—maybe I should have been a soccer player—I opened my bedroom door.
“Sebastian, would you like some breakfast this morning?”
“Ok, ok. That’s it. I draw the line at making breakfast for another man,” Jordan replied. He was sitting on the sofa, feet crossed on the coffee table in front of him with one hand in his pocket and one tucked under his head, looking absolutely adorable.
“Well, if you would stand outside my door day and night, I would make you some, too,” I said, hand on my hip.
Jordan stood and walked toward me, eyebrow raised, “Yeah, but then you’d call mea stalker and probably press charges and that would really put a damper on our engagement.”
“Valid point,” I replied lifting my arms around his neck as he wrapped his around my waist. He gently kissed me. “What are you doing here so early?” I asked, the joking tone gone.
“Sebastian called. Don’t be mad. We are all worried about you.” He led me to the sofa and we sat down next to one another. I lifted his arm around me and curled up next to him, my head on his chest. I closed my eyes and breathed him in hoping to memorize his smell, the weight of his arms around my body and the way he leaned his head against mine.
“He said it seemed especially bad this time.” Jordan lifted my chin and I shifted slightly to look at him. I shrugged not trusting my voice. “Nat, you can talk to me. You know that, right?”
“Of course I do.” I ran my fingers over his stubble. “But, there isn’t much to tell. I don’t remember my dreams. I just wake up terrified.” I felt a tinge of guilt lying to him, but I couldn’t say the words out loud. I couldn’t.
“Nothing at all?”
He could see right through me. I lowered my head resting again on his chest. “Nothing.”
“Natalie, I can help you. Please let me. Talk to me and we can—”
“Really, Jordan. I don’t know what to say. I’m sure they will stop as soon as we are married.” I sat up and put a smile on my face trying my best to shove the dream as far back in my mind as it was possible to go. “I think having you next to me is all I need.” I leaned in and kissed him. “I’m sorry you are up so early. But, since you are here, do you want to talk about your family?”
“Nope.” He stood and headed for the kitchen. “How about that breakfast. I still feel a little jealous over the whole making breakfast for another manand I think you should make it up to me.”
“Ok, but I’m saving the steak and eggs for Sebastian.”
He turned to face me, hand over his heart, feigning pain. “That stings, Natalie. Stings.”
I laughed out loud happy to have the air around us feel a little lighter. We giggled as we made what were supposed to be eggs in a basket, but our eggs did not want to stay in our bread basket. We ate them all anyway.
“Seriously, Natalie! How can two people make such a gigantic mess?” Jordan said staring at the kitchen.
“That is a really good question!” I leaned over and rested my head on his shoulder taking in the disaster. I kissed his shoulder and sat back up. “I got this. You better get going. You’re already late and I can’t imagine the Prince is going to be too happy about that.”
“The Prince is just as worried about you as I am.”
“Pfsst. You guys worry way too much.” I grabbed our plates and took them to the kitchen.
“Maybe. But shutting us out isn’t going to help.”
“I’m not. I’m ok.” The dark feelings from my dream were creeping back in and I shook my head slightly. “Really.” I didn’t sound convincing, even to myself.
Jordan remained quiet as I scraped and rinsed the dishes loading them into the dishwasher. I was careful to keep my back to him, frustrated our enjoyable breakfast was looking like it was going to end with me right back where Jordan found me. He made it easy to forget the fear and anxiety the dreams left me with. That was the reason I was sure they would stop after we were married. If only we could hurry that up.
“Jordan,” I said turning to face him leaning against the counter, “we do need to talk about something.”
Jordan leaned his elbows on the counter looking hopeful. “Anything. What is it?”
“I want to get married as soon as possible.”
His head dropped and he let out a breath. “I know where you are going with this and I’m doing the best I can, Natalie.” He stood and headed to the living room.
“I know you don’t want to face him. I am trying to understand that, but, I want to marry you yesterday, but we can’t until your dad—”
“I know Natalie,” Jordan interrupted grabbing his pen off the coffee table. “I know he needs to come forward and present me to King Everell.” He tucked the pen in his pocket. “I’m well aware of the law, Nats,” he added a little more softly.
I grabbed the kitchen towel off my shoulder and tossed it on the counter. I crossed the room and stood in front of him and reached for his hand. “Wouldn’t it be better to just get it over with?”
“For me, sure.” He ran his free hand through his hair. “It’s not just about me, though. My father left and never even looked back. We were disposable to him. How do I ask my mom to stand there with him and his new wife in front of the entire Kingdom? How do I ask my sisters to stand there with him and his replacement family?”
I wanted to tell him I understood, but we both knew I didn’t. I nodded instead and squeezed his hand. “Are you sure there is no other way? King Everell won’t budge on this?” He shook his head. “Why is it soimportant? It makes no sense to me.”
“It’s tradition. Essentials are all about their traditions. When a member of a royal family marries someone who is not royal there is a ceremony that must be done. And probably more importantly, the King is worried there is still too much unrest and disbelief that we amalgamated and this is another opportunity to reassure our Kingdom and those around us.”
“So,” I said not knowing how to phrase what I wanted to say without sounding like an insensitive brat, “what do we do then? Our alternative is to wait 5 years, Jordan.” He looked down at our hands. I leaned in trying to get him to look at me. “5 years.”
“Is that so terrible?”
My mouth dropped open. I couldn’t help it. “What?”
“We would still be together, Natalie. It’s not like we would never see each other. We manage pretty well right now, right?”
“Jordan, you can’t be serious? You want us to wait 5 years to start our life together?”
“No,” he said dropping my hand and turning away from me. “It’s not what I want!” he said forcefully. “I want to spend every second with you. I want to give you my last name and put a ring on your finger and move into that absurdly large castle they are renovating for us.” He turned so quickly he startled me. He took a step toward me and pulled me close resting his forehead against mine. “I want to look into your eyes and kiss you, goodnight each and every night. I want to go grocery shopping with you and fight over who has to clean the bathroom this week. I want you to be the first thing I see when we wake up in the morning.” He kissed me and in that kiss, I felt his desperation and his torment. My heart broke for him and my anger towards his father grew.
“I’m sorry, Jordan,” I said barely above a whisper. “I know I can’t possibly understand, but I am here for you. I won’t push you and I will do my best to accept your decisions.” He wiped a tear from my cheek with his thumb resting his hands on the side of my face. He kissed me again, tenderly this time. I hugged him tightly wishing we could stay right there forever…for both our sakes.
“I’ll figure this out, Natalie. I just need a little more time.” I nodded not trusting my voice. I really did believe my nightmares would stop when I could sleep next to him. No, I didn’t believe it. I knewit. While I wanted to be understanding and supportive, the thought of more nightmares almost seemed unbearable. I was beyond exhausted. I immediately regretted telling him I’d be patient.
Jordan led us to the door, but before he opened it, he turned again searching my eyes. I am convinced that man can read my mind.
“You know,” he said softly, “I have some research I need to do. I can work on it here. It’s Friday, so you don’t have any classes. You could sleep.”
I thought for a moment. “Will you wake me before you leave?”
“Promise.”
“And you’re sure it won’t mess up your workday too much?”
He led me to the couch and gently pushed on my shoulders. I plopped down and he headed toward my room. “Not at all. I can work just as well here as anywhere,” he said over his shoulder. “Well,” he added after he came back in carrying the afghan my mom crocheted for me years ago and my pillow, “at least when you are asleep. When you’re awake you are quite the distraction!”
I smiled as I lay down on the sofa and he draped the blanket over me. I loved that blanket. It was like a piece of my mom was always with me. Even when she was hundreds of miles away.
I could barely keep my eyes open. I hadn’t slept more than a couple hours at a time since the dreams started a week and a half ago, except when I had dozed off accidentally when I was with Jordan. With him near, I slept like a baby. A dreamless, content baby. That’s what I needed. Jordan.
Jordan grabbed his bag and pulled out his laptop. He sat down on the other end of the sofa and pulled my feet onto his lap. He pulled off my socks and gently began tickling my feet. Sounds completely weird I know, but when done properly, it is heaven. For as long as I can remember my mom and I have tickled feet. It runs in our family, she always says. I’ll never forget the first time Jordan walked into the room to find me and my mom sitting with our chairs pulled close, one leg of mine propped on her, her leg propped on me, pencils in hand tickling each other’s feet. His face! Mom and I giggled and offered to include him. He has yet to take us up on that offer.
“Jordan?” I yawned.
“Hmmm?” he asked, eyes still focused on his laptop.
“We will never fight about the bathroom. Obviously, you’ll be doing them. I am, as you know, a princess.” Jordan’s laughter chased my worries away and I quickly fell into the welcome arms of sleep.
I woke with a start.
“It’s ok.” A warm hand on my leg calmed my beating heart, “I’m right here.”
“Thanks for not leaving.” I sat up rubbing my eyes. “What time is it?”
“Umm,” Jordan said looking at his watch, “12:10.”
“Haha. Very funny. What time is it really?”
“Seriously. It’s 12:10. Wait, you’re right. I lied. It’s 12:11.” He stretched and closed his laptop.
“Oh, Jordan. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to sleep that long.” Truthfully I couldn’t believe I had slept that long. That meant I had a 7-hour stretch of sleep without a dream. Not one.
“Don’t be sorry. You needed it.” He leaned over and kissed my forehead. “I’m starving. Want to go to lunch?”
“Sure. I think I’m hungry, too.” I absentmindedly placed a hand on my stomach.
“Good. Julia is waiting. She texted a bunch of times. I finally told her you would call her when you woke up.”
I playfully slapped him. “I thought you meant with yousilly!”
“It’s Friday. Julia gets you Friday. It’s in the custody agreement.”
I gently hit my head with my palm. “Oh yeah. That’s right. You two and your custody agreement.”
He stood and began packing up. “I need to get some things done anyway. Can I take you to dinner?”
“I’d really like that.”
Jordan flicked his wrist and the pen and notepad that had been on the coffee table lifted through the air tucking gently into his messenger bag. Another flick and it zipped and flew to his outstretched hand. “I’ll call you later, okay?”
I nodded and walked the short distance to the door. I flicked my wrist, unlocked the bolt and opened the door. The door swung too fast slamming into the wall. “Oops,” I shrugged.
Jordan laughed. “You’re getting better!” He quickly bent and kissed my cheek. “I’ll call you in a few hours. I love you.”
“Love you, too.” I watched him until he turned the corner out of view. With a sigh, I turned to find Sebastian looking at me with one eyebrow raised. “What?”
“You know what, Princess.” He smiled.
I sheepishly peeked around the corner at the wall I had flung the door into and let out a sigh. “Nope! You’re make-shift door stop held this time. There will be no plastering in your near future,” I replied triumphantly. Sebastian feigned shock with his mouth open and hand over his heart. “Very funny.” I did my best to shoot him a dirty look, but he just laughed.
“Is there anything you need, Princess?”
“Yes. For you to call me Natalie.” Sebastian’s watch dinged and he pointed down the hallway to the Essential with him. The Essential nodded and quickly walked down the hallway and turned the corner.
“Done. Anything else, Princess Natalie?”
I groaned and walked into my quarters. “I’ll be meeting Julia for lunch soon. I’ll text you the details,” I said with a smirk, over my shoulder.
“Now you are just pushing my numbers!” Sebastian said as I flicked my wrist closing the door again with a loud bang. I winced. Sebastian hadn’t spent much time in the Ordinary world and when he had, he certainly wasn’t a fan of Ordinary technology. He is the head of my security detail and it didn’t take long for me to absolutely adore him. He takes his job very seriously and makes me feel safe. And, I really feel like he likes me. Like I’m not just a job to him. He has become my friend. Because I do spend time in and out of the Ordinary world some of that technology has become necessary and that included a cell phone. He hates that thing.
“Buttons. Sebastian. I’m pushing your buttons,” I smiled and hollered through the door.
