Blue Blood

One-Shot

“Sex in a cup for the beautiful lady.”

I smiled as he handed me my cup of coffee, “Thank you.” I relished in the smell of the brewed java. I brought to my lips, tasting the sweet dark chocolate of the mocha drink.

“Light with two sugars. Just how you like it, babe.” Zacky sat in the plush loveseat next to me.

I scanned over his dark brown hair that he recently dyed back down closer to his natural color from the bright blond streaks when I first met him. His silver snakebites glistened in the sun through the café window. His bright tattoos contrasted against his pale skin, peaking out of his short sleeve shirt.

I flicked his septum piercing, giggling when he scrunched his nose up in annoyance. I leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. I curled up to his chest and smiled as he wrapped an arm around me protectively.

I tapped his nose and squealed as he went to playfully bite my finger. He brought it to his lips laying a gentle kiss on it.

Zacky leaned his head against mine, inhaling the fresh scent of my shampoo. The delicate smell of orchids filled his senses. “I love you, Annalie,” he said softly only for my ears.

“I love you, too.” I leaned my head on his shoulder.

He growled playfully in my ear, “I love it when you talk. That accent drives me crazy.”

I laughed softly at how he adored my Swedish background. “Maybe I should take a vow of silence,” I teased.

“Never,” he glared.

“What else to you love besides my voice?” I pouted.

Zach shifted to look at me better. He smiled adoringly, always enjoying this little game they played. “Your eyes are the most unique shade of blue. Your lips are always so soft and velvety. But most of all, I love your heart. It is the most loving and giving.”

“You know just what to say,” I melted as he played with my hair. He knew it was my main weakness and continued to run is fingers through the long golden locks. “The guys would give you hell if they only knew.” I teased about his band mates.

“You wouldn’t dare.” He shrugged, sipping his coffee. “You like to listen to me talk like that way too much.”

I smiled to myself, knowing it was true and only liked to give him a hard time. I rested comfortably in his arms as we sat in the café in a comfortable silence, watching the people walk by as we drank our coffees.

“I couldn’t imagine that,” I heard him comment and click his tongue.

“Imagine what?” I absent-mindedly played with the hem of his t-shirt.

“Being royal,” he scowled at the cover of the LA Times that was lying out on the table in front of us. I looked at the familiar faces in the picture that took up most of the front page. It had been all over the news that the royal family was visiting the states, specifically California for their holiday. “So many responsibilities. Probably very little privacy, even more so then me,” he exclaimed.

I looked around the room at the people that were trying to blend in and sighed. “Always being watched over,” I agreed. “You every move scrutinized.”

He nodded, pulling me closer. “And, way too many restrictions that I could never find myself associated with one of them,” Zach laughed.

I forced out a chuckled. “I’m sure they would like you. A refreshing personality.”

He scoffed and rolled his eyes, “I’m sure.” Picking up the paper, he scanned through the first paragraph. “Huh, they’re from Sweden,” he remarked. “What’s it like living in a country with a monarchy?”

I laughed, knowing he was thinking more of the stereotypes that typically went along with an absolute monarchy. “It’s a constitutional monarchy so the power is limited. It’s kind of like here though the succession is hereditary. You have the Prime Minister as well so it is all divided up.”

He finished off his coffee and set it on the table, along with the paper and stretched his arms above his head. “Want to go walk along the beach?”

“I’d like that very much.” I smiled, pleased at the change of subjects. I stood up first and helped him stand, laughing as he gave me a hard time. Out of the corner of my eye I saw another customer in the café finish coincidentally as well, keeping a safe distance away.

Zacky linked our fingers together and swung our hands childishly. “I can’t wait until it warms up,” he shivered. “Winter sucks.”

I laughed at him and rolled my eyes. “Oh love, you don’t know what winter is.”

“Coming from the lunatic in the short sleeve shirt.” He pulled at the purple v-neck tee that clung to my body.

“You have been spoiled by the California weather.” I chuckled. There were few people at the beach, because it was their winter. Though, I will not deny that I do enjoy its emptiness. It was so much more peaceful this way.

He kissed my hand before wrapping his arm around me as we walked down the boardwalk.

Out from an alcove in a break from the shops, dozens of flashes went off. I buried my head in Zach’s chest as he wrapped his arms around me protectively. “Hey back off.” He glared darkly at the paparazzi pulling us out their site.

We were hounded as they called me instead of my famous boyfriend. “Duchess!”

I peeked over his shoulder to see the same man from the café as well as a few other men stopped the paparazzi from following us.

Zacky didn’t stop until he pulled me under the famous pier and held me close as he leaned against one of the many large pillars to catch our breaths. The incoming tide soaked our sneakers though we made no attempt to escape the salty waters.

“I’m sorry.” We both apologized to the other simultaneously.

He looked at me confused before he realized it had not been his face that they were after. He looked at the woman in front of him that he had fallen in love with and realized that he was now looking at a stranger.

I saw the change in his face and shook my head, feeling tears sting my eyes. “Should I bow?” He scowled.

“Zach,” I whispered.

He shook his head and put his hand up, not wanting me to come any closer. “Those people in the news, are they relatives or something?”

I sucked in a breath and nodded. “They are my parents, the King and Queen of Sweden.”

“Fuck, Anna.” He ran his hands through his hair, clearly frustrated. “Is that even your name!?”

“Of course it is,” I glared.

“What’s your full name?” Zach asked quietly.

I nodded and swallowed. “Annalie Kolina Vallonia Maj, Crown Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland.” I tried to touch his arm, but he pulled it out of my reach. “I have never once lied to you, Zach.”

“No, you’ve just never trusted me.” Zacky couldn’t even look me in the eyes and just stared at the cold water around our feet. “How could you even tell me that you loved me?”

“Don’t you ever doubt my love for you,” I said sternly, through clenched teeth.

“I’m not cut out for this, Annalie.” Zach shook his head, not being able to wrap his mind around this new information. “I need some time.” He stopped when he saw me following. “Alone.”

I nodded and watched him walk away. I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and leaned on the pillar. Tears pouring down my cheeks as I tried to swallow my sobs.

A voice cleared their throat. “Your Royal Highness.” I looked to see the same man from the café as well as the one who made sure the paparazzi was blocked off.

“Hi, Erik.” I smiled softly and wiped away my tears.

He wrapped an arm around me, handing me a handkerchief. “Don’t worry, he still loves you.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” I dabbed the silk material around my eyes, sliding down my sunglasses.

“Do you need a ride?” Erik asked, already knowing the answer.

“Zacky drove,” I said quietly, letting him guide me away from the pier. A black Lexus sedan with dark tinted windows drove up in front of us.

“Ma’am,” Erik opened the back car door.

I slid in, ignoring the flashes and shouted questions, onto the other seat followed by Erik. “Where to Ma’am?” The driver asked.

“Wherever you feel content. I just want to drive around for a bit.” I leaned my head out the window. My heart clenched as I saw the café where Zach and I were just sitting moments ago. “I really do love him.”

“I know, Annalie.” Erik gave my shoulder a small squeeze. “You’re mother would have loved to meet him.”

I laughed. “She would have. She would love to hear how we met. How we just clicked, like she and dad had.”

It was always my favorite story my mother had told me when tucking me into bed. My parents had met during the Olympics. They were the ones who had changed the rule my great grandfather had believed in and enforced; Royalty must marry Royalty. I was incredibly proud of them.

We had been driving around for a couple of hours through the different neighborhoods. When my brother had first learned to drive we used to do this when I was upset. I always loved looking at the different homes and their architecture. And, of course it gave him the opportunity to try out his new license.

“Are you ready to go home, Ma’am?” I heard the driver ask.

I looked to see Erik waiting for my response as well. “Do you think we can make a quick detour?”

Erik nodded. “Whatever you desire, Annalie.”

I gave him the address to where I figured Zacky would be. “I can’t let him get away, Erik. Not because of this.”

“He loves you, Annalie.” Erik reinforced. “He is crazy about you.”

“He was. I don’t know if he will be able to forgive this.” I looked out the dark tinted window to see the sun beginning to set.

“A love like yours will not diminish overnight.” Erik said wisely.

I swallowed as we entered the familiar community, hoping that Erik was right. I could not imagine my life without Zacky at the moment.

The car drove into the circular driveway, stopping in front of the entranceway. Erik stepped out of the car and helped me out. I told him to stay with the car as I went up the front steps.

I twirled the ring on my right hand. It was an open heart with small round brilliant diamonds. It had been a gift that Zacky had given to me a while and it had not left my finger since. I bit my bottom lip as I raised my hand to right the bell.

“Just a minute,” I hear the masculine voice call from inside.

The door swung open and I looked up into the warm eyes of Zach’s best friend. He would come here if he were to go anywhere in order to escape or in need of advice. Well, either here or his parents. They would be my back up plan.

Brian looked down at the small woman that his friend had been contemplating how to make his wife up until today. He had come to him not to long ago doubting everything that he had come to know over the last year.

“He’s not here, Your Highness,” Brian crossed his arms over his chest and leaned in the doorway, blocking it off from me.

I rolled my eyes. “By the way you’ve just addressed me, I would say otherwise.”

“Do they always follow us?” Brian asked, looking past me at the man standing outside the expensive car. He had guessed that by the stance and build of the man standing outside the car that he knew that he probably had a position of protection.

“Always,” I nodded. “Not like a hovering over your shoulder kind of way. But, always a few paces behind.” I ducked under him and entered his house.

“Anna,” Brian called after me. “Leave him alone. You’ve messed him up big time.”

My heart broke hearing this, but it made me only want to find him harder. I scanned the living room as I went through the kitchen and out the backdoor. I saw him sitting on the end of the diving board, letting his bare feet hang into the pool. I walked softly over and sat behind him.

“How could you keep something so big like this from me, Anna?” He murmured not looking at me. “Are you embarrassed by me?”

I leaned my head on his shoulder and frowned when he tensed up. I went a step further and wrapped my arms around his waste and kissed his shoulder. “Never, I am proud of you and always feel so empowered by you.”

“Then, why didn’t you tell me?” He moved his feet slowly through the cool water.

I chose my words carefully. “I loved the normality you gave me, Zacky. And, you said so yourself that there would be even less privacy.” I raised my arms to wrap them around his neck. “Then, I didn’t tell you because I saw a future with you. I was wrong though.”

Zach felt his heart drop hearing this. Did I think that there was no longer a future with him?

“I was wrong in that I should have told you from the beginning.” I sighed, feeling more tears fall from my eyes. “I am so very sorry, Zacky. I hope you can forgive me. I don’t think I could lose you.”

“You won’t lose me, Annalie,” he said softly. “This is just a lot to swallow.” He went to shift on the diving board to face me only to fall off. I laughed as he landed with a big splash. I saw him allow himself to sink and knew he just wanted to be rescued.

I didn’t even bother to take off my sneakers and just jumped in. He looked at me under the water and held his hands to me. I kicked my way closer and grabbed them with mine as he pushed off the floor of the pool, pulling us to the surface. It was the just what we needed to break the tension.

He wrapped his arms around me and kicked his feet to keep us both afloat. I ran my fingers through his hair. “So, what does this mean?”

“Nothing.” I shrugged. “We continue just as we have been. You just know everything now.” I looked into green eyes and shook my head. “I should have just told you sooner.”¬

“Alright,” he nodded, speaking softly. “We’ll get through this.”

“Of course we will.” I confirmed, smiling that I did not lose him. “You know my mother wasn’t born into this either. She came into it by marrying my father.”

“So, she’s a commoner, like me?” He rubbed my side.

“That word comes with such a negative connotation, but yes she was just like you.” I leaned my forehead against his as I continued to play with the small hairs along his neck. “She can’t wait to meet you.”

I saw the fear reach his face and retaliation ready to leave his lips. I silenced him with a gentle kiss before he could. I felt him lick my lip ever so lightly before pushing past my parted lips.

I pulled away laughing when I heard Brian in the background complaining about us trying to get it on in his pool that he had just had cleaned.

I turned back to back to look at Zacky, only to be met with his lips. He ran his thumbs over my cheeks and kissed my nose. “I love you, Annalie. Miss Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland.”

I laughed at his pronunciation and felt my eyes tear as he accepted me back in his life. I knew we would be okay. “I love you too. Mr. California, who does not know what winter is.” He chuckled and captured my lips with his once again.