Despairing Tides (Fate's Intent Book 12) Read online

  “If you think so. You can help yourselves to food, if you’d like and it’s supposed to be a nice day so the pool is always an excellent choice. Located on the bow.”

  “I didn’t know you had a pool on this thing.” Rory said.

  Jinx smiled. “That’s because the last time you were here, you were locked in the brig.”

  “Yes, I remember but not this time.”

  “Don’t tempt me.” Jinx said as he took a step closer. “You’re forgetting that I’m the captain of this ship and if you once address me again in a manner that displeases me, you can bet your ass I won’t hesitate to send you back down there where you belong.”

  “Go ahead and try.” Rory stood up and clenched his fist, drawing his sword as his eyes glowed white.

  Jinx laughed. “Cute.” He grabbed Rory’s right wrist, pulling his arm up behind his back and shoving him down onto the table as he put the sword end to the back of his neck. “If they didn’t need you so badly, I’d be more than happy to kill you now with use of your own sword but because of that I suggest that you put it away before you get yourself killed with it and if I see it drawn again I will make sure the rest of your stay here is an unpleasant one.” He let him go and started to walk out of the galley passed our fathers. “My lords.”

  “Captain.” They said at the same time.

  Rory stood up and traded his sword back for his hand. “I really hate him.”

  “Now, you really better stay out of his way.” Bryce laughed. “He really does want to kill you.”

  “The feeling is mutual.” Rory muttered as he sat back down. “So, what are we doing?”

  “At the moment, sitting.” I said.

  Rory sighed. “Yes, obviously but I didn’t come all this way to just sit around. When do we start planning?”

  “After we relax sounds good.” Bryce answered as he sat back in his chair and pulled his foot up onto it. Seth cleared his throat and Bryce looked over to see him with both eyebrows raised. “But now sounds better.” Bryce put his foot back down on the floor and sat forward. “Let’s start now and go.”

  There was a pause as Rory just sat there. “Did you even bring anything?”

  “Like what?” Seth wondered.

  “Like maps. It’d make things easier. You’re not going to know what the fuck I’m talking about if you’ve never been in there.”

  “We didn’t bring any but you can get some.” Seth replied.

  “Where?”

  “Jinx’s office.” I smiled as I pointed out the window.

  “Fuck that.” Rory snatched. “I’m not going in there. You go get it.”

  “You’re the one that wants it.”

  “Can we not be all day about it?” Seth asked in an aggravated tone. “Dirk. Go.”

  I sighed and walked out of the galley while Rory laughed. It was okay. I could get him back later.

  I went across the upper deck to Jinx’s office and knocked.

  “Come in.” I opened the door and walked over to the desk where Jinx was sitting. “What do you need?”

  “We’re starting the plan and we need maps.”

  “Well, you obviously know you’ve come to the right place.” Jinx got up and walked around his desk to the table he kept the maps on. “Which ones do you need?”

  “Just of Canbell is fine.” I said as Jinx dug it out and handed it to me.

  “What about of the palace?”

  “You have one of the palace?”

  “I do if you need it.”

  “It would be helpful.”

  “All right.” Jinx picked it up and handed that to me as well. “That should do it.”

  “Thanks.” I turned back to the door. “We’ll get these back to you when we’re through.”

  “Don’t rush it. I know what you’re using them for and I encourage it.”

  I nodded and walked back across the upper deck to the galley.

  “Get it?” Bryce asked.

  “Of course, I got it and he even has one of the palace that I got too.”

  “How’d he get his hands on that?” Zayden asked.

  “I don’t care how.” Seth said. “As long as he has them for us to use and in all honesty, I don’t really want to know how he got it.” We started to agree and I handed the maps to Seth. He opened one of the city and looked over it. “This part will be simple. Getting there is only a quarter of our problem.”

  “And the rest will be mine.” Rory pulled the map in front of him. “I assume you plan on getting Meg first so for that we’ll have to get in my way.”

  “And you’re sure you can get us in?” Troy asked.

  “Of course, I’m sure. They’ve done it once they can do it again.”

  “Yeah, except for I’m the only person here who went in last time.” Bryce said. “The others aren’t here.”

  “That’s why I’ll be going this time.” Rory replied. “But before we talk about any of that I need to know when you plan on doing this.”

  “As soon as we dock.” Seth insisted.

  “Now, easy. I know you’re anxious to get her out of there but you have to think about everyone else here.”

  “He’s right.” Zayden cut in. “We have to do this when it’s best for us. We cannot risk life, understand?”

  “And hers?”

  “They won’t kill her.” Troy said. “They’ve already proven they need her.”

  “Yeah, thanks for reminding me.” Seth muttered as he got up and started walking out.

  “Seth!” Seth didn’t reply, he just kept walking and left the galley. Zayden sighed and put his hand to his brow. “We’ll have to finish this conversation later.” He stood up and my father and Troy stood up after him. “Rory, have this stuff all mapped out with the plan and we’ll get to it tomorrow. Seth needs some time.”

  He nodded as our fathers left the galley and headed into the captain’s quarters where they were to be staying for the voyage.

  Chapter 53

  Blake

  Time was a horrible thing. I had a lot of it lately and yet I still couldn’t do what I want. I kept Cadence locked in my room for whenever I needed to blow off some of this steam and it was fun but I was sick of waiting around for what was next. It was boring and now only being limited to getting the girl pregnant was almost boring after getting a taste of the other side of her. I missed how she screamed. It was deeper and more real. My father was to blame but he always overlooked my anger. That had to stop. I was someone to be taken seriously and I had to prove it.

  My father sat behind a desk when I entered his presence but he wasn’t looking at me at all when he spoke. “No, Blake. I do not wish to join you again. It’s time for me to leave the girl alone.”

  “You can’t say it wasn’t fun, father. I remember that.”

  “And you remember what I said. Stay out of there.”

  I sighed heavily to his disapproval again. I didn’t think it mattered much. I’ve been with her dozens of times already. She had to be with child by now but my father remained strict on his goal which was what? I think I’ve done a pretty good job at ruining her already. Getting to do what I want would only increase it.

  “I wasn’t going to ask that anyway, father.”

  “Then what?”

  “What are we waiting around here for? We should know they’re coming.”

  “Yes. I’m sure by know they know I’m not her father. I expect them to be here soon.”

  “And then what?”

  He was still looking down and had yet to meet my eyes like none of it even mattered. “And then we make them work for it. They won’t be able to prove she’s not mine but Seth’s love for her will fight it.”

  My stomach ached upon the word. Love. Such a stupid emotion. Any man that succumbs to it should no longer be called one. It was shameful but there was still a way I could make her never want to love again.

  “Then let me take away all of her hope, father. I can make sure she won’t love him back.”

&nbs
p; “No, Blake. You’ve taken all the hope from her that you need to. She fears you and that’s good. It’s all we need.”

  I was only getting angered but he still didn’t see it because he still wasn’t looking. He would never meet my eyes for every long like I was beneath him. I was tired of being treated like a child and stepped forward to force him to.

  I pushed him back in his chair, pinning him there with my arm tight around his neck so he couldn’t move but he still struggled with a choking voice. “Blake! Stop!”

  “I’m sorry, father but I’m going to make you see.”

  I took the quill pen from the desk and stabbed it into his eyes, removing them while he screamed. I should have been more remorseful to hearing it like this but reluctantly, I felt nothing. His time to rule was over. I pierced the end of the quill through his throat next and the screaming withered until it stopped. He became still in my grasp and was gone.

  I loosened my hold on the once great King with the realization that I was King now. I took the crown from his head and placed it on my own. I’ve always heard about its weight of burden but this was crazy. My father’s stone crown was kind of ridiculous. I didn’t want this one. I tossed it on the floor and went to a hidden door that I knew was in this very room. It held the original Hintin crown that was worn before my father and now I would wear it. I was in charge now and I would do things my way.

  I reached for the set of eyes that sat bloodied and alone on the desk and left the room to begin my rule.

  I entered my room and placed the crown right on the stand inside the door before going over to the tattered up woman in the corner. I didn’t want it to fall off or get damaged while I took every bit of hope this girl had left and make it join my father in another place.

  I walked to her but she wasn’t as jumpy as she used to be. We would change that.

  “On your feet.” I pulled her up after I unhooked the chain and I began to drag her towards the bed.

  She was weak but she didn’t seem to fight it like she used to either.

  “Come on, Cadence. I can make it good for you. I promise.”

  She whimpered as if trying not to let me hear and I made her face the bed.

  “Knees up.”

  She looked back and was looking better worried now. “Why? Father said―”

  “Get your fucking knees up on this bed now! I don’t care what father said. You’re mine and I’ll do you how I want.”

  She did as commanded but still thought father was in charge. “He won’t be happy about this, Blake. You shouldn’t.”

  “Oh, I don’t think he’ll mind. In fact, I brought him here to watch.”

  I dropped his eyes on the bed in front of her and they rolled perfectly to look right at her.

  She screamed, reaching out her hands for them. “Blake! What did you do?!”

  Her hysteria made me laugh. “I’m King now and I say keep screaming.”

  I put my hand on her warm moist skin and spit down on her so I could slide a finger in the hole I was ready to have again. I moaned while doing it because it felt so tight just around my finger. It hardened me instantly to think of how it would feel on my eager dick. I took it out and spit again, letting the two join together.

  I got just the tip of it in and let out another moan. “Oh, fuck. I missed this.”

  “Blake! Please stop!”

  “Yeah, keeping saying that.” I slid myself inside her farther and her screams were a pleasure all their own.

  It felt so amazing. I could never go back to just trying to get her pregnant. I’m not the one that cared about that goal. He’s dead and my goal was just to ruin her completely for her precious Seth. I think I was doing a pretty good job. Every time she screamed, I smiled wider to think of what I’m taking away from that stupid Prince. He’ll regret ever let her out of his sight because when I’m through with her, she’s going to be so emotionally shattered that she won’t be able to love anyone.

  I could only hope I was here to see his face when he realizes it.

  Chapter 54

  Seth

  I secluded myself from everyone for the night and was left to my thoughts alone. That was always a bad idea but none of them could really help. I was so anxious to just get there and free Cadence from this curse bestowed upon her before it was too late. I was well aware of the psychological damage this could cause if we didn’t make it in time. We will only have one opportunity to get it right and if we fail, I know all too well of what could happen. I could lose her forever. Just the thought made me succumb to sadness in an instant but I was left alone to carry this burden alone.

  The next morning, I was found by Jinx while laying next to the pool just as the sun was rising. He came right over to give me some words of comfort like I direly needed.

  “Still worried about her, I see. You know she’ll be fine, don’t you?”

  “No, I don’t. I don’t even want to think what might or has already happened but I can’t seem to turn my head from it. It’s more than worried. It’s fear.”

  “Fear of what?”

  “Of losing her, maybe. The details only shade my mind but thoughts of what is to come consume my memory. Like what will happen if she’s different, if this changes her somehow?”

  “People go through trying times every day but one thing that can and will never change is who she knows she is. Being forced to spend her nights with her brother may make her appear differently on the outside but on the inside she will be the same Cadence everybody knows, you’ll just have to look for it.”

  “And if she’s not?”

  “She will be but it may take time before you can see it and you need to give her that time as long as it takes.”

  I slightly nodded in understanding. He was right.

  “Seth!” Dirk and Bryce walked up the stairs to us. “Your father wishes to see you.”

  I sighed and looked back at Jinx.

  “As long as it takes.” Jinx said.

  I nodded again and got up. “Thanks.”

  Jinx smiled as I turned from him and walked over to Dirk and Bryce. “For what exactly?”

  “We need to discuss the plan now.” Bryce said as we started down the stairs.

  “Are you ready to do that?” Dirk wondered.

  “Yeah, I’m ready.”

  We walked across the upper deck to the captain’s quarters where the others were waiting.

  “Good.” My father said when we entered. “Sit. We have a lot to do.”

  We all sat around a table and Rory took out the maps, ready to go over everything we needed to know in order to succeed. “All right, I’ve gotten everything set so as long as we do it by plan it should work.” He laid the first map of the city out in front of everyone.

  “Should?” Bryce wondered.

  “I’m sorry. Was that the wrong word? I meant will. Will work.”

  “Very well, where do we begin?” Father asked.

  “First we dock.” Rory pointed at the map. “From there we wait for cover of darkness before entering the city. It’s the safest way then we walk just a short distance to here, where we’ll make the underground trip to the palace.” He placed the map of the palace over it and pointed to it. “Now, this is where we have to be extra cautious. We wait until after evening shift change before going in where the security is at its lowest and the staff is at rest. This is where we’ll be splitting up to get them both at once so who’s going with who?”

  There was a pause as everyone looked around at each other.

  “Well, who’s less likely to have company?” My father asked.

  “Meg would be kept here.” Rory said as he pointed to a room on the map. “In the lower west corridor. She’s less likely to be with someone.”

  “But wouldn’t she be with the King?” Dirk wondered.

  “No. Wyatt doesn’t sleep with his wives after already having a child with them. He sees no point. He hires company for that sort of thing. He sleeps in the upper east corridor, nowhere near whe
re she’s kept.”

  “And what of Cadence?” Troy asked.

  There was a short pause but I didn’t appreciate how Rory glanced over at me before pointing to the map. “She will be found here. This is Blake’s room and let me warn you now, he’ll probably be in there being so late but I’ve never seen him sleep so who really knows? You’ll just have to be cautious.”

  “Okay, you lead Troy and myself to retrieve Meg while Bryce takes everyone else to Cadence.” My father said. “You still know how to get there?”

  “With my eyes closed.” Bryce replied.

  “Good. Go get something to eat for now and we’ll discuss this more later.” Everyone nodded as they all got up from the table and started towards the door. “Seth. Could you stay for just a moment?”

  I sighed but let everyone out the door and closed it behind them. “Yes, father?”

  “I’ve noticed you haven’t been yourself since yesterday and you have not said a word all morning. Is everything all right?”

  “Are we really having this discussion?”

  “We are and I don’t want you to go doing anything rational at the wrong moment.”

  “I won’t, father.”

  “You will and I won’t risk it!”

  “You seem like you won’t risk anything anymore but that’s where we’re different. I’ll do whatever it takes to get her out of there! I won’t lose her!”

  “You won’t. Only as long as we do this right. I know what you’re feeling and I know what you’d do for her. I remember the times I almost lost your mother and I remember feeling exactly what you do right now but I also remember waiting. Waiting was the hardest thing but so long as I waited everything would have turned out the way I’ve wanted it to be in the first place and it did. Now, you need to wait and as long as you do, it will work out.”

  I stood in silence but started to understand what he was saying. “Forgive me, father. I did not mean to raise my voice with you.”

  “I understand. You love her. Any man would wish to do the same but the timing has to be right.”

  I nodded. “The timing.”