Rising Sun (Fate's Intent Book 9) (5 page)

“Well—” Wyatt said, breaking the short silence. “You two must be anxious to get back home. I imagine it was a long trip with the little one.”

“Ah, yes.” Zayden replied. “But we managed without any problems.”

“Glad to know. I trust you can show yourselves out. I have some catching up to do with my Queen and our new twins.”

This was it; the part I didn’t feel right about. I didn’t want her to have to stay here at all but my theory on it was right. “Of course. You have a right to know you’re family and we hope that it brings you many great joys.”

“Thank you.”

“Remember, you can come visit us anytime.”

“I know.” Meg said. “Thank you and thank you for bringing me here.”

“Our pleasure.” Zayden smiled. “We hope to be seeing you again soon.”

“Of course. Same for you.”

“Well, all right.” Zayden said with a long breath while turning to me. “You ready?”

I shared a look with Meg and nodded. I didn’t have a choice. “Yeah. I suppose I am.”

“It was good seeing you, Wyatt.”

“And you. Don’t hesitate to plan a more scheduled visit sometime so you may stay longer.”

“I’ll remember that. Thank you.”

“Have a safe trip back.”

“We will. Congratulations on the new members of the family.”

“Thank you.”

We walked away towards the doors of the throne room and I let my worry show through my quiet voice. “Zayden! I don’t feel right about this!”

“Don’t start anything, Love. Wyatt does have the right to his family like you said. She’ll be okay.”

I glanced back at Meg and Wyatt just as we walked out the doors and everything seemed fine. They were both smiling while looking down at the twins, Meg was even holding one again but she didn’t even take a glance up at me.

I still didn’t understand it as I left with Zayden. The whole situation just seemed unusual and I didn’t know what to really think of it as we started our day’s journey back across the sea.

Rift was glad we were back like he was pacing the whole time and he stayed right at my feet while we settled in. I was shaky and just couldn’t get these thoughts out of my head.

“I still don’t feel right about this, Zayden.” I said, sitting down to feed Seth.

“I already told you, Love. It’ll be all right. It wouldn’t have been a good idea to start anything.”

“But it didn’t seem odd to you? She seemed so—so willing to have to stay.”

“I’m sure it was just to make him happy because he does have that right and forcing her to stay may have led to him canceling everything. We didn’t come all of this way to let that happen.”

“No and we surely didn’t come all this way to put our son into an arranged marriage!”

Zayden laughed to my sudden change in tempo. “I know, Love. That wasn’t the plan but we needed something else.”

“Why did it have to be that? He’s going to hate us when he gets older and falls for some girl and then we tell him he can’t be with her because he’s already engaged! You hated it when it happened to you.”

“Yeah, but I changed it.”

“So, what are you saying? You think Seth will change it too?”

“Well, no. Maybe just pushing him into it isn’t the best idea. That’s why I hated it so much. It just kind of happened.”

“Then what’s your plan?”

“Well—we get them to meet early so when the time comes, they’re not total strangers.”

“Zayden.”

He laughed. “What? You don’t think that’ll work? Think about it, Love. Cadence is going to be your successor and Seth will be mine. What’s more right than having them end up together like we did?”

“How about letting him choose? You chose and if you want your choice to still be the right one then you’ll agree with me.”

Zayden laughed again as he leaned closer and kissed my head. “All right. I guess we’ll just see what has to happen. That won’t be for a long time. I mean, look at him. He’s not worried about girls yet.”

“Of course not and I hope he never has to be worried. Were you like that?”

“What? Me? Oh, no. I was a fast acting ball of fire when it came to girls at a young age.”

“Okay. I’m putting my vote back onto worried. Worried, I can handle.”

Zayden laughed. “Don’t be like that. I wasn’t so bad. I turned out all right. All those experiences just seemed worthless when I met you so hopefully Seth is like me and will drop it all when he sees Cadence.”

I sighed again. “Zayden, please don’t. I don’t want to guarantee that will happen.”

“And why not? Something wrong with her family?”

“No, of course not. Well, besides her father being a complete psycho. I know that she’s royalty and you feel it makes sense that Seth should be with her but I don’t want it to just be because of that. I want him to find someone on his own before deciding where his future will go.”

“If you ask me, it’s pretty obvious.”

“Zayden, you know what I mean. Do you even realize how much like your father you’re being right now? It’s weird so stop.”

“All right. We’ll deal with this when it comes time. If you still feel the same way then we can make up something to call it off. Better?”

“A little but I know what you still think.”

“Don’t worry about it. We have a few years before we really have to.”

I laughed. “A few?”

“I don’t want to get into the numbers. I don’t want to start feeling old too early but it’s a long time.”

“I agree. I don’t want to imagine him as anything other than a baby.”

“I know you don’t but you know it’ll happen. All babies grow up at some point.”

“Even when that happens, he’ll still be my baby because I’m not going through that again.”

Zayden laughed. “One is enough. That’s all we really need.”

“I’m glad you agree.”

“Always with you. He’s our only future.”

Chapter 10

Zayden

The sounds of rushing water coming in the distance was soothing but the sights of the great water surging over the stone was much more. Adele’s breath was deep with relief. I know she’s been waiting for it. “We’re home.”

“I know just how you feel. It’s good to be back.”

“Promise me we can stay home for a while.”

“I’d gladly like to promise that but if my father needs me, I won’t have a choice. I chose this life to have you. I can’t take that back now but you won’t have to come. I’ll take Troy and Darius myself and be back in a few days.”

“Okay but I guess we don’t have to worry about that yet. Hopefully he’ll give you a few days.”

We walked our horses into the stables and settled them in for the rest they deserved before going inside. It was quiet and we tiptoed towards the lounge.

“Hello!” Adele called.

Ruby and Jaylyn were sitting on the couch with Troy and Bryce.

“Adele!” Jaylyn shouted with joy. “You’re home!” She bounced up to her feet and tried hugging her quickly but carefully since she was still holding Seth.

“I missed you guys.” Adele said, hugging Ruby as well.

“We missed you a lot more.” Ruby replied.

“Where’s Darius?” I asked.

“Oh, they went that way.” Ruby turned her head towards the kitchen.

The door opened with Darius walking out, holding Dirk’s hands so he could walk.

“Awe!” Adele smiled. “Look at you! Are you walking?”

“He probably will soon.” Darius said, picking him up so they could reach us faster. “We were just working on the strength in his legs.”

“Isn’t it just—swell?” Ruby sighed sarcastically.

Adele laughed. “Don’t be like that. He’s growing beautifully. You should be thankful for that.”

“Yeah, I guess. Well, what happened on your trip? Not that I really care but it gets me away from this.”

“Oh.” I said, sharing a quick look with Adele. “It went well.”

“Yeah. Just swell.”

She didn’t sound happy. I knew why and now everyone else was about to find out.

“Uh oh.” Jaylyn muttered. “What happened?”

“Nothing.” I said. “Everything went fine. Got there to kind of a surprise to see Wyatt as King but he went with our plan and Meg and her daughter will live.”

They seemed just as astonished as we were to the news but Adele gave them another reason to be while her eyes were still on me. “Though he left out the part where he condemned our son so that will happen.”

I laughed. “Condemned? Love, really?”

“Yes, really!”

“What are you talking about?” Troy asked.

Adele was getting heated and just pointed towards Troy so I would answer and I did. “It was going well then it wasn’t going well and we needed something else so Wyatt would agree. I merely offered the possibility to unite our children through marriage.”

“You what?!” Everyone shouted. Their voices all expressed mixed levels of disbelief; their eyes wide to show it.

“Thank you!” Adele hollered.

“It’s not a big deal. I can get him out of it if I need to.”

“I can’t believe you did that.” Jaylyn said in awe.

“Something had to be done and with the way Wyatt’s mind was working, I knew what it had to be.”

“Does no one around here ever think of me?!” Ruby’s voice was raged. “I’ll have to accept her sooner or later as an Assassin but there’s no way that little mistake will ever be a part of this family!”

“I apologize but that choice isn’t up to you.” I said.

“It will be Seth’s.” Adele added. “I’m not pushing him into anything.”

“Fine.” Ruby muttered. She took Dirk from Darius and started heading towards the stairs without another word.

No one knew what to say after that. Ruby’s anger about this seemed it wouldn’t go away and maybe it never would. She hated it so much that none of us could really understand.

Chapter 11

Ruby

Was I really alone here?

I was in my feelings at least and I just tried to forget about them for now. Dirk helped. He made me happy and watching how he’s grown had been the greatest pleasure. Motherhood was something I never thought I’d experience or enjoy this much. My son was everything to me and no matter the changes happening around us that would never change.

I sat up in my room on the floor with Dirk crawling around in front of me, trying to find his way to his feet. “Look at you. You really just want to get up and walk don’t you? Here. Stand up.”

I took one of his hands to help him balance on his feet and he smiled and giggled, bouncing with joy.

“Careful!” I laughed. “Don’t want to fall.”

Dirk stopped as if he was listening to my direction. It was the first time that I’ve really seen that. All this time it’s been Darius who was encouraging his walking since I was sensitive about him growing up but this seemed different. I felt excitement in being able to teach him something and he just continued to stand there like he was ready to listen.

“Take it slow.” I advised, slowly pushing my fingers from his little grasp. “One step at a time.” Dirk thrashed his arms, saving himself from falling and proudly stood on his feet alone. “There you go.” I moved myself back on the floor to get some space between us. “Now come to me.” I held out my hands and Dirk reached out his without moving. “Come on. You can do it. Walk.”

I was coming around to Dirk’s accomplishments and when he took his first solo step, my heart raced and my face became flushed.

Darius was suddenly next to me and joined me on the floor. “That’s it. You’re doing it. Come on.”

Dirk got a big smile on his face to see his father and took three more steps before falling in my arms. “You did it!” I tickled his sides to make him laugh. “You walked!”

“Get him to do it again.” Darius said.

He got up and sat himself on the floor away from us and I turned Dirk towards him. “You want to go get daddy?” Dirk giggled and swung his arms in the air. “Well, go get him.”

I made him steady on his feet and he walked all the steps he needed to get to Darius. “That’s my boy! You’re officially a walker!”

“I wouldn’t say that completely. He won’t be able to everywhere.”

“This is only the beginning. He’ll get there but I’m glad to see you not so depressed about it.”

I smiled and watched Dirk try to climb all over his father as he always does. “I know I won’t really be able to stop him from growing up. It’s just hard to believe that he’s done it so quickly.”

“I’m proud of him. He’s an amazing kid.”

“Of course he is. Look at his parents.”

Darius laughed. “I guess you’re right. His mother is the most amazing woman.”

I smiled and crawled towards them. “And it doesn’t hurt that his father is naturally brilliant at everything he touches.”

“Mmm. He sounds dreamy. I’d like to meet him.”

I just smiled to his humorous tone and leaned into his lips with my own. “Is this you trying to deny that you’re his father?”

“No. I just wanted you to admit you were talking about me.”

“You know I was.”

We kissed and shared the moment together, watching our son play around on the floor and stand up on his own for a few steps before falling happily to his bottom and doing it again. It all seemed so perfect. Our lives were finally going in the same direction and we couldn’t ask for anything more.