Endless Night (Fate's Intent Book 3)

  Prologue

  Trever

  Everything must start out small. Even the smallest pebble creates a ripple and from that ripple, it grows and grows. Being apart has only frozen that ripple in time as if the chill of war had stopped it. The air seemed colder now that the Kalu Assassins were forced to return home without the Great Seni Fighters accompanying them but not everything was as it seems.

  We watched them, followed them and made sure this would end how we wanted it to; how it was intended to.

  Chapter 1

  Jaylyn

  Home—

  I was heavy with sorrow and regret. I sat up on my horse that we retrieved from the farm on our way back through and was looking at Dorlin ahead of us. “We made it all the way back and nothing.”

  Adele touched my shoulder as some kind of gesture of comfort but I would not find it here, not without Troy. “Let’s not go over it again. If they come, they come. If they don’t—well, perhaps it’ll be better for them.”

  “Adele!” I whipped my head around in a panic. That most definitely wasn’t comforting me.

  “I’m just thinking about what would be best for them. This isn’t a time to be selfish. You know what could happen if they came here.”

  I lowered my head with what lingering hope I had left in seeing Troy again. We made it all the way home with no sign of them. Why didn’t he follow? Where was he?

  “I would never want Zayden hurt because of me.” She went on. “Maybe you should just think the same.”

  “And then what?” Ruby asked. “Go on like none of it ever happened? That’s not going to work, Adele, especially now.”

  “We’ll have to try our best. No one is to suspect a thing. Our story has to seem real.”

  “But you know they already know.” I tried to explain, still not mentioning to her that they have already been in Seni; she still didn’t know.

  “We can’t just assume that. Let’s just go through with the plan. From here on out, the Great Seni Fighters are dead. Understand?”

  I fought to hold in tears and answered with Ruby to what had to be done. “Yes.”

  “Now, let’s go.” Adele started us forward once again towards the city.

  Our arrival was played as normally as ever. We were let through the gates with praises that we had returned from another successful mission and took the long silent stroll through the streets.

  Some people welcomed us back along the way while others gave us nothing but stares. Our roles as Assassins have always gained mixed emotions. Some respected us for keeping their city safe while others feared us and were sure to stay away. Then there was that other group, mostly made up of young girls that wished they could be us because we’re not treated like the average woman. We had earned a kind of respect that no one else could get. No one saw us as just bearers of children or potential wives. We were our own person.

  We reached Balwin Manor in the upper district of the city and I was just a little more thankful to be home. We’ve been traveling for days and were in a well need for rest but we wouldn’t get it just yet. After taking care of our horses first, we headed inside and just as soon as we walked through the door, we were met anxiously by General Balwin who gave Adele a long hug. “I give thanks to all that you’ve made it back.”

  “Yes, father.” Adele replied with a flat tone as she hugged him back.

  “A little later than I would have hoped but I’m glad to know all of you are safe.”

  We all stood in the main hall of the manor without a word. I figured if he knew, he would have been angry and mentioned it but he never said a word. I thought it was a bit odd since the three that negotiated the terms of our release were close with the General. Why hadn’t they said anything? Or if they did, what game was he playing?

  “It was a long trip.” Adele said.

  “Yes. I’m aware that it would be. So you know, the Queen understands also since you’ve missed the banquet.”

  “We’re sorry, father. We meant to be here.”

  “I know but there’ll be another. There always is. Perhaps you should go see her before you get too comfortable from settling in. She’ll want to know how it went.”

  Adele looked at us and we just shrugged our shoulders. Neither of us knew what to do or if it would even be a good idea to see the Queen this soon from returning.

  “All right.” Adele said while she started to turn back to the door. “It’s best if I don’t even sit until then because I’ll never want to get up.”

  General Balwin smiled with a nod. “Of course. She’ll be delighted to see you.”

  Adele rolled her eyes to the thought and we left Balwin Manor together. “Great. We shouldn’t be doing this right now.”

  “This is going to go well.” I muttered.

  “Just remember the plan. We’re not going to linger.”

  I agreed. I just wanted to get this over with and spend the rest of this time waiting for Troy. He had to come.

  Chapter 2

  Adele

  We made it to the palace just up the street and was escorted inside to the Queen.

  “Your majesty.” We bowed our heads.

  Queen Arianna sat stiff, her brown eyes on us in almost disappointment but her voice managed to portray more approval compared to her look. “Adele. Ruby. Jaylyn. Good. I assume your mission was a success if you are here standing before me.”

  “Yes, your majesty. It went just as planned and it is done just as you ordered. There is nothing we can’t handle.”

  “Oh, I know, Adele, believe me and I am pleased to hear that it went well. The world now belongs to us. You should be more enthused.”

  “We are, your majesty.” I said, fighting a smile. “It’s just been a long trip for us.”

  “Of course, you may retire from me to rest. I’ll inform you if anything else comes up for you to do.”

  “Of course, your majesty.” We bowed our heads again and turned to leave.

  I was glad that was so short. I was beyond tired as it was. Going there seemed completely pointless to begin with just to tell her that we made it back. We were in need of rest from our trip but keeping my mind off the events in Seni would deem to be difficult. It was all I could think about, all my mind would let me drift to during the walk home.

  Thankfully, Balwin Manor wasn’t too far from the palace and we managed to walk up to our rooms in the west wing undisturbed.

  I was even more thankful that my room was the first door on the right and I practically walked in with my eyes closed. They just didn’t want to stay open any longer.

  “Adele?”

  My eyes unwillingly shot open from hearing a familiar voice. “Ryon! Hey!”

  He was sitting on the edge of the bed and stood up with his blue eyes curiously on mine. “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah. What are you doing here?”

  “I heard you got back. I wanted to see you. Is this okay?”

  “Ah—” My mind jumped to Zayden but I remembered that I had to keep everything seeming normal. “Yeah. Of course it is. I’ve missed you.” I stepped closer to him and gave him a hug and a quick kiss as I would normally do. “You haven’t been watching me?”

  I was curious to know because I knew what he could do but he laughed. “No. We were quite busy here ourselves. I didn’t get the time.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  “But I’ll admit it has been awfully lonely around here without you.” He lifted my chin and leaned in for another kiss.

  I wasn’t ready for this at all.

  “Ah, Ryon, please.” I moved around him before our lips would have met. “I just got back. I’m pretty tired. Can we not jump into things so quickly?”
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  He looked at me strangely and I hoped that I didn’t fuel his need to look into anything I’ve done but he seemed to go with it. “All right. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah. It was just—a long trip.”

  “Okay. Want me to go so you can get some sleep?”

  “Yes. Please. Just for now. I want to sleep for a day.”

  He laughed. “All right. I’ll come back when I have time to.”

  “Good. I should feel better then.”

  “I hope so.” He started out the door, getting ready to close it behind him.

  “Good to see you!” He left and I just fell back on my bed. “This is going to be harder than I thought.”

  It really was. Trying to stay happy like I would normally be around him was tormenting. I didn’t know how much longer I could keep it up and it only just begun.

  Chapter 3

  Ryon

  My long strides took me downstairs quickly.

  “Did you see her?”

  The General came at me out of nowhere but I was still angry to hear Adele’s lies. “Yes. She wants to rest for now.”

  “It was a long journey she just made.”

  “Please. You know that’s not it. She lied right to my face!”

  “Calm yourself. You know the plan. She’ll come around. She just needs time.”

  “Maybe we don’t have time.”

  “Keep looking into it and see where they’ve been when you can. In the meantime, find Kole and meet up with Trever. We’re not quite sure how they’ll come yet but we have to be prepared for anything.”

  I nodded and with a quick turn from the General, I left and retrieved my horse from the stables on the east side of the manor. I wasted no time to get away down the street. My mind was seemingly stuck on Adele’s lie. I knew better. She wasn’t fine and I knew why.

  No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get it off my mind. I wanted to. I raced through the streets and came upon Trever’s house to the right. I secured my horse outside and went right in without any invitation. “Trever!”

  He stepped out of the kitchen with a mug in hand and signs of a lingering sigh on his voice. “What happened?”

  “They’re back.”

  He paused and started to smile while he took a sip from the mug. “Really? All of them?”

  “Of course. You knew they wouldn’t have stayed if Adele couldn’t.”

  “Well, then my sister must be extremely emotional right now.”

  “Sounds like good news to me.” Kole walked out of the kitchen with a similar mug in his hand.

  “Don’t count on it.” I muttered, still angry about all of this. “I only saw Adele but she didn’t want me there.”

  “Well, that’s Adele. Jay’s much more vulnerable to giving in, especially when we explain how they really are.”

  “Just be careful.” Trever advised. “You don’t want to say the wrong thing and piss her off instead.”

  “I know that.”

  “So, what’s the plan now?” I asked.

  The room was still. I had my eyes on Trever, waiting for the answer. “That’s going to depend on how they choose to arrive. Hostile or not? However it is, the Queen can never find out that they’re still alive. We’ll have to be the ones to greet them first.”

  “And until then?”

  “We do as we normally do. Don’t talk about them, don’t mention them and definitely don’t let the girls know they’re actually coming. I want them to be genuinely surprised. Did Adele seem like she knew we were there?”

  “No. Not a clue.”

  “You mean they actually listened and didn’t end up telling her?” Kole laughed. “Surprising.”

  “It’s nothing to laugh about because she’ll find out soon enough. Now, you know what to do. This day is finally upon us and we will take it respectfully. Am I clear?”

  The question was more specifically addressed to me and my eyes shifted back to Kole. He widened his just a little bit and nodded, knowing that I shouldn’t argue this right now with Trever. I agreed but didn’t want to. I wished none of this was happening and they both new it.

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Let them rest tonight. We’ll meet there in the morning like we stopped in for breakfast.”

  We started to leave as requested but there was a knock at the door before we could even reach it.

  I looked back and Trever’s curiosity passed us quickly to answer the door. He opened it casually and Red and Jay were standing on the other side.

  “Oh, hey. You’re back.”

  “You probably already knew that we would be.” Red said. “May we come in?”

  “Of course.” He stepped aside and they both entered.

  “Well?” Jay asked.

  “Well what?”

  “Where are they?!”

  “Where are who? You’re right here.”

  Jay’s eyes narrowed.

  “Awe.” Kole whispered with a little humor. “I think she believes he was actually going to come for her.”

  Her eyes found him and her face softened with disbelief, enough that she couldn’t speak.

  “Don’t say that to her!” Red snatched, her eyes turning red. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “Nothing.” Kole sighed, seeming to become a little more mellowed and I knew what he was about to do. “I was just telling her the truth and I’m sorry. I’m sorry that they did that to you and made you believe that you had something with them. That’s just what they do and they’re probably doing it to a whole new group of women right now.”

  Jay was left standing placid like she didn’t want to believe it but she rushed into Kole’s arms nonetheless.

  He made that look all too easy and smiled at me then spoke with words of comfort. “It’s all right, Jay. It wasn’t your fault. He made you see what he wanted you to see. You couldn’t have known any different.” She was crying but never said a word. “Come on. You want to come home?”

  Jay nodded and Kole started to lead her to the door.

  “Jaylyn!” Red shouted. “Really? You’re going to believe that?”

  “Let her go. It’s okay.” Trever said.

  Red sighed and we watched them leave the house completely. “What’s really going on?” She looked back at us but our faces remained blank.

  “Nothing.” Trever said. “What did you really expect to come from this? If they came here, it would be for your death. You both can’t exist in the same place.”

  Red let go of her anger quicker than I thought she would and it was slowly being replaced by sadness. “Adele keeps saying something like that.”

  “And she’s right to. She’s just trying to protect you.”

  “I know. I just thought that maybe—never mind.”

  “Are you going to be all right? You’re welcome to stay here.”

  “Yes, I know. Thank you. I just may but probably tomorrow. I want to tell Adele what we’ll be doing. Maybe some time apart from each other would be best to get over this.”

  Trever nodded and Red started to turn.

  I followed her. “I’ll walk you back. I want to stay close to make sure she’s going to be okay.”

  “She still doesn’t know that you were there.”

  “I know. I didn’t plan to mention any of it to her.”

  “Good. You still shouldn’t.”

  “I won’t.”

  “All right.” Trever called. “See you tomorrow.”

  Chapter 4

  Adele

  I shuffled out of my room. It was early in the morning. My eyes were moist from my waking tears. I dreamt of the last time I saw Zayden but it was more like a nightmare. I was almost glad to be awake now and made my way downstairs.

  Everything was still quiet like everyone was gone. There wasn’t a sound echoing from anywhere. I gathered something simple to eat and took it into the dining hall where I ate it alone at the long table.

  It was almost peaceful but my thoughts couldn’t keep it that w
ay. My mind constantly drifted. It made me feel lost, undecided about my life. Everything seemed to have changed since I’ve been to Seni. I didn’t know what to do, what I could do. I knew what I’ve been telling the others but it was just to stray away from what I was feeling. I couldn’t live if I couldn’t see Zayden again. He was everything to me and I just wanted it back but I didn’t know how.

  My heart almost skipped a beat when I heard another sound around me and I jumped lightly in my chair. My eyes immediately found movement by the door and I saw Ruby step in with a bag in her hand.

  “Morning.” I muttered, looking back down at my food like nothing was wrong.

  “Hi.” She replied in a low tone.

  “Jaylyn up yet? She usually is.”

  Ruby stopped several paces in front of the table and just shook her head. “She’s not here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She’s gone.”

  “Where?”

  “Kole’s, I’m guessing.”

  “What’s the bag for?”

  Ruby paused again and it was clear that she was upset. “We thought it would be best if we—well, parted for a while. You know, so it’s easier for us to stay normal. Being around each other will just make it worse.”

  “Okay.” I took an uncomfortable glance down at my food to the topic of this conversation. “I can understand that.”

  “It was too hard for Jaylyn to stay. She left last night. I just stayed behind so you could be told.”

  “Okay. Hopefully it won’t have to be long.”

  “Yeah. I hope so too and I’m sure you can find us if we’re needed.”

  I nodded and neither of us could seem to get out anything else to each other and Ruby left.

  I sat still and heard the door close. I was truly alone now but it didn’t seem like it helped much. My mind was being my worst enemy and wouldn’t leave me in any kind of peace. I felt the coming days hitting hard already. I only hoped I could survive them.

  Four days went by and I didn’t know if it was working at all. At least it wasn’t for me. I spent most of my time alone and my nights were spent next to Ryon just so I could get some sleep but it still seemed restless. He held me in his arms like I liked but it wasn’t the same. He wasn’t Zayden. I couldn’t find the strength to be with him intimately because my last experience still haunted me and I knew he started to notice.