Forsaken (book 3) (The Charmer series) (24 page)

Squeezing her hand, I walk past her and straight up to Richard who sitting alone at the bar, with a bottle of whisky for company.

"Can I have one?"

"Oh a visit from mummy," he snorts.

"Don't worry Richard," I sigh.

Trust that man to make me feel guiltily. It is a weak way out, but he doesn't know what it is like to live as the Charmer, to have heightened emotions.

"Thank you, for being here, it means a lot to us both," Ruk speaks from my side as he looks down lovingly at Mary.

Raising a brow to her, with disgust on my face, she smiles at me then looks to Richard with a look of...lust! Bitch! She thinks that I'm interested in Richard, so now she has her eyes on him!

"Mary, look at me like that again and I will break your face," Richard comments.

"How dare you! Never speak to my mate like that again or..."

"Ruk, ignore him, he has problems," Sallack speaks from our side, indicating with his hand that Richard has mental issues.

"Uh, ok," Ruk speaks suspiciously.

"This wasn't fun. Zara has begged me to dance with her so...," he turns on his heal, dragging me by my arm to the dance floor.

"This wasn't fun? Begged you to dance?"

"We got away didn't we?"

"Well...yes, I suppose," I say then hold my hand out to him.

Looking at my hand in disgust, I smile to myself.

"It's a dance," I say with a laugh, the way be is looking at my hand is as if I'm offering my hand in marriage.

"Fine."

Dancing in Richard's arms, I think about why my mother would need me to feel whole again, is there something coming, something I will need my strength for.

Without even realising what I have done until I feel Richards heart beat pick up dangerously, I lift my head from his chest.

"Sorry," I shrug my shoulders and step out of his stiff arms.

I can see he doesn't like to be touched, but I'm not sur
e if it's by my hands, or everyone he comes by.

"It's fine. I need a drink," he speaks angrily and walks away.

"I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable," I say in a sorrowful tone.

Spinning to face me, I jump back a step.

"You make me feel nothing! Got that?" He spits viciously.

"Got it," I reply with no emotions.

Standing in the middle if the dance floor, I look around at the Brothers’, Dallah, candy, and Mary. They all stand together, drinking, dancing, and Mickey flirting with every woman in sight, as usual.

Catching Mickey sexy glare, he whistles to me and calls me over with a hand gesture.

"Hey, why you all alone?" He asks in my flirty tone.

"I was looking for my friends," I joke.

"Role play, I like. Hu hum," he fake coughs, "hello, my name is Mickey, would you like bagging?"

"Has that ever worked?" I ask laughing.

"Hundreds of times!" He sings.

Rolling my eyes, Parrise steps up to me, and holds out his hand.

"Dance with me little one?"

"I'd love to," I reply honestly.

Taking his hand, I pull at it so that he comes closer.

When this song ends, I then have the delight in dancing with Angus.

Taking me by the waist, we wait for the band to pick up the next song, which is Whitney Houston I have nothing.

Angus smiles down to me mischievously as he presses me to him tightly and holds his hands on my lower back, his fingers trailing close to my butt.

Holding him whilst moving to the music, he places his head by mine and whispers to me, "sing to me sweet," he requests.

Holding his face in my hands, I wait for the perfect moment.

"Don't make me close one more door, I don't wanna hurt any more, stay in my arms if you dare, must I imagine you there..."

"More?"

"No, I don't think so," I look around to the pack members who crowd around Angus and me.

"It's a gift from G
od, use it sweet," he tells me sweetly.

"I just did," I smile to him cheekily.

"Come on Zara!" Abbey calls from the back of the bar.

"Another time," I call back apologetically.

"Yeah this is our celebration after all," Mary chimes in, bloody moron.

"After all," I repeat sarcastically
.

“What you doing tomorrow Den?”

“Nothing babe, what’s up?” he asks with a frown.

“I would just love to have a chat?”

“No fucking way!!!”

"Candy! What the fuck?"

"You meet with her and I'm gone! Me and the baby!"

"Don't threaten me!" He stands tall, scaring her a little.

"No it's fine. Honest Den, another time," I plaster on a fake smile.

Before they have a chance to persuade me to stay I transport myself back to my father’s house at the same time Richard does.

"What are you doing?" I ask in confusion, as I thought he wanted to be rid of me, not to follow.

"Your father will be longer than expected. I will stay again and head home in the morning," he tells me coolly.

"Well, ok. Good night, and goodbye...you know I'm glad you came with me. I have a few things I want to say, and you need to listen," I explain strongly, "I want to thank you for all you have done for me. No matter what the reason is, I wanted you to know that I appreciate you being there for me. Second, I'm sorry if I angered you for getting close earlier, I had lost my concentration. Third, don't say a single word, no sarcastic remark, no belittling me, just take my thanks and we leave it there. Fourth, yes a fourth. I am here; I will always be here if you need anything. I owe you a lot and I'm willing to repay you. But lastly, I regret what I did to you, from the bottom of my heart. I don’t believe you belong in hell; I want you to believe it too. No matter who told you that you were not good enough they lied.” Taking a deep breath I smile as I say, “Ok I'm finished, goodnight," I say to him before walking out of the room and to my own bedroom.

An hour later, I'm woken to the cries of a broken Richard. Without a second thought, I walk along the dark corridor to his room, open it gently and close it quietly before making my way to him.

Walking around the bed, I climb on top and lay myself down. Lacing my arm around his waist, I press my body up against his back, instantly quieting his cries until they finally come to a stop.

I don't know if it's because of my Charmer powers or simple contact that makes him sleep better, whatever it is, it’s a gift.

I know we are not best friends or even friends if you were to ask Richard, but we seem to comfort each other in our time of need, without understanding or even realising we had.

Chapter 21

Looking up at the descriptive ceiling, Richards movements jolt
s my gaze to him.

"You're in bed with me again?
Little desperate?"

"Who knows," I reply and make no move to get up.

"What you doing today?"

"Where is my father, h
e said to meet him at home, where is he?" I ask, ignoring his question.

I have once again not
slept; I couldn't, not without knowing my father is well.

"Soon," he replays coolly and leans his arm out of the bed to take hold of the phone.

"What are you doing?"

"
Shhh," he says.

Pressing a single button, he clears his throat and speaks clearly.

"Bring us breakfast Alfred...yes...with me...none of your business...no...Fine...no...Yes...yes....stop, it is too early for so many questions," he says annoyed and hangs up the phone.

"What was that?" I ask in shock.

"Me on the phone," he explains mockingly.

"No, that was you being rude, not to mention lazy."

"It is his job, let him do it."

"Jeez, you are unbelievable. Would it really hurt you to pretend to be nice, just one time?"

"Yes it would," he snorts at himself.

Shaking my head when I hear he knock at the door. Richard shouts Albert in and smiles to him kindly, causing both Albert and I to look at him suspiciously.

"Thank you Albert," he grins.

"What are you doing?" Albert asks with a frown.

"See it's wasted on him. You may go."

"You didn't have to do this Albert," I tell him gently.

"My job is to take care of the guests of this house. Enjoy breakfast," he smiles lovingly to me and turns his lip up to Richard before leaving.

"Happy?" He asks sarcastically.

"Ecstatic," I reply I the same manner before taking the tray from his hands and placing it on my lap.

Whilst we sit up in bed, eating breakfast and drinking tea, my father appears in the room.

"I don't think I want to know," he states, looking at us in bed together, eating from the same tray.

"Probably best Eric," Richard jokes.

"Where have you been, I have been so worried?"

"I know child. I'm sorry I have been away when you needed me most. However, I'm here now, and I will be with you," he tells me sweetly before he sits on the edge of the bed.

"You leave today?" My father asks Richard, watching him closely.

"Yes, thank goodness,
" he shrugs his shoulders.

"Good. I'm
going. Zara meet me in an hour?

“Yes,” I smile.

Sitting in bed, in complete silence after my father leaves us, I turn my head to Richard, and smile sadly at him.

Who would have thought I'd be sad at the fact of not seeing him again.

"I think I might miss you," I smirk at him.

"Hum, I'm sure," he laughs.

"No, I mean it. I have liked getting to know you. Will you be back to v
isit?" I ask him in a series tone, wanting a serious answer.

Turning to face me, he sighs deeply before meeting my gaze.

"I will," he tells me, his eyes scanning my face, as if taking in every tiny detail.

"Will you be ok?"

"Do you care?"

"Yes," I nod my head.

"You shouldn't."

"Too late," I smile.

"If you need me, for anything...then go to someone else. I have had enough drama to last me ten years," he tells me coolly, but it is just a front, I can tell he doesn't mean to be harsh; this is just him dealing with unwanted emotions.

"Ok," I wink at him, and then hold out my hand for him to shake.

"What is that?"

"Well you don't do hugs," I laugh.

"You want to hug me?" He raised a brow.

"Strangely, yes," I admit.

I feel saddened at the thought of not seeing him for however long it will be. I know it's for the best, but we have been through so much together, the good the bad and the ugly.

Taking the empty tray from our laps and placing it on the floor, he sits with his arms open.

Smiling happily to him, I slip closer to him and hold him tightly in my arms. His arms come around me slowly, and nervously.

"Take
care Richard," I breathe into his shirt, closing my eyes wanting to remember the smell and feel of him.

"Zara?"

"Um?" I question, lifting my head to look him in the eye.

His eyes shine beautifully as a light frown creases in his brow. Parting his lips, he goes to speak but stops himself. Receiving a weak smile, I kiss his cheek and hold his face in my hands, lingering cheek to cheek; I'm not surprised at all when he vanishes from my arms, leaving me completely alone.

Snorting a laugh at his leaving method, I take a moment to myself before getting ready for the day, the day that will be upsetting to us all, but for the best.

After spending many hours with my father, Sallack, Angus and Dallah, talking about what is best for us all; they sit and watch me closely after my decision is set in stone.

I have decided to go away, train to be the person I was born to be. Now is as good as
time as any. I am feeling free; I have no pain in my heart. Also the Brothers’ and Dallah are all happy in their life, and Den has a new life, new family heading his way. All I have to do now is to tell Den.

“Im coming!”
Dallah screeches.

“Where?” asks Sallack.

“With Zara, I need to train with her; I do not know my full potential,”

She tells him gently, but with need
for him to understand.

“Dallah,
you don’t have to do this,” I tell her warmly.

I know that she has been taking this badly, and she is making rash
decisions.

“3 years Dallah! You are not going!” Sallack yells with power, and in doing so, causing us to look at him very closely for his strange behaviour.

“I am going. Julian and I are not together. I need time to think about my life, my choices. Im not asking, Im telling you all that I am going!” she yells back.

I have a feeling that I am not the only person in the room that wants to give these guys some space.

Offering my hand to Angus, whist Dallah and Sallack have a screaming match, I transport us to the kitchen of my father’s house, as I know he transported himself here only moments before we did.

“They have it bad!” my father laughs, Angus also laughs.

“What do you mean? You think they like each other?”

“No child, I know,” he winks at me.

“Well...I never...”

“You should go to Den, I will hold Candy of for a while,” Angus tells me with a weak smile.

“Ok, thanks. Listen, I will miss you dearly, but you know that I need to do this right?”

“I know you do, it’s just that I will miss seeing you. Anyway, go see Den and then I will be here to see you off tonight. Do not go without saying good bye sweet, promise me?”

“I promise you,” I smile to him gratefully.

Turning to speak to my father, I snort a laugh when I see he has once again removed himself from heightened emotions.

Walking up to the house I rent with Den, our first home, I let a sad sigh release when I see him in his boxers and a coffee in his hand. How I am going to miss seeing him every day. I have only spent the odd night away from him, so going away for 3 years will be hard, nevertheless a must.

“Hey babe,” Den calls.

Smiling widely, I walk a little faster until I get close to him, then I let myself go and throw my arms around him holding onto him tightly, taking in his calming scent and feeling him so close to me.

“You ok?”

“I’m really good Den,” I smile up at him as I remove myself from his warm embrace.

“Really?” he asks with a frown, not
believing a word I speak.

“Honestly I good. Will you sit with me?” I point to the swinging chair.

“No,” he says coolly, shaking his head.

“Why?” I ask in a small laugh.

“Cos I know where this is going, bad news,” He finishes with a sigh when he sees my face fall.

“
It is good news in the long run Den, please sit with me,” I ask again.

Placing his coffee cup on the table, he runs his hands through his raven messy hair and flops down onto the chair. His blazing green eyes meet with mine, his questioning
, and mine with regret for the news I bring.

Sitting down beside him, I smile sweetly to him before lifting his hand and placing it on my lap wrapped in both of mine.

“I am going away for a while, I won’t be far, but I will be away for a while...”

“How long?” he cuts me off, and asks suspiciously.

“Three years...let me finish please Den,” Nodding his head with building anger in his eyes I carry on, “I will be away training, becoming the person I was born to be. I need strength and I need power if I am to live this life. I cannot come to visit you, or you me. Where I am going is not known by others, I do not even know myself, I will be picked up by a friend of my father’s and taken to the secret location. I know this is hard to take in, trust me I do, but you have to see where I’m coming from. Every time somebody gets the chance to hurt me, they succeed, I don’t want them to, I want to fight for my life and win. Fight for what is right and what is good.”

“No,” he stands and crosses his arms across his chest.

Snorting a laugh I stand to my feet and step to stand before him.

“Im going Den, I wasn’t asking your permission. Look
these three years will fly by. When I come back you will have a beautiful child, a beautiful home and family. Give me that image to go away with?”

“You are my family! Why am I not good
enough for you?”

“Not good
enough! You’re being serious? You are a fucking dream Den, dreams don’t come true. Don’t think for one minuet that you are any less than perfect, but you are not mine. I didn’t come here to hurt you.”

“I have told you that I will leave them, leave them all. We will go away and train together,” he pleads.

“I know you have, and every time you say it, it breaks my heart. You
need
to stay here and look after the child you bought into this world, you can’t be selfish anymore Den, you have commitments.”

“I wanted it to be you,
my wife, mother of our child, my everything. Don’t let me go Zara, stay with me and we can do this together. You made me all my wrong’s right’s. I am everything I am because you loved me.”

“No, this is you
Den, all this is because of you. I am blessed to have you in my life. This isn’t a good bye forever. I will be back in three years. This, what we are going through now will change. We will stand here as separate people, with different concerns and different believes. But I will always love you, so much Den. Never will I forget what and who you are.”

“I don’t think I can babe. I
can’t watch you leave my life like this. I need you more then what you know. I’m terrified I will never see you again,” he stresses as he holds me firmly by the arms, needing me to know his fear.

“I will be safe. I Promise you I am going to be safe. These years will fly past,” I tell him whilst letting the tears of a lost love fall from my eyes.

“You are my heaven on earth babe,” he kisses my nose.

“Please let me go,” I ask with many meanings to it.

I know I love him, as much as I have fought it off, it will always be there. That is one of the reasons I need to go. I don’t want to love or be loved, not until my heart is ready and my mind is strong enough to see what is in front of me.

“Go Zara, if it is what you wish to do.
You know that there will be not one day that I think of you, miss you,” he tells me almost angrily.

“
Don’t think I won’t miss you Den! You think this is hard for you, try being this Charmer,” I finish with a sigh, “I’m sorry. I want to leave like this.”

“What do you want from me?” He whispers.

“I want what we had before coming here. I want my best friend?” tears stain my cheeks.

He runs his thumbs under my eyes, removing the falling tears.

Meeting his gaze, I instantly smile when I see the Den I know and love looking back at me.

“Go do what you have to do babe. But hurry back, I will not stop fighting for you.
Every day of my life I will fight for you. You can have this time to grow strong, not too strong though, can’t have you kicking my butt,” he smirks.