Broken Road (Fate's Intent Book 7) Read online

  “You didn’t actually tell me.” Zayden said. “I ended up having to get it out of Kole because you always evaded me.”

  “It was only because I never thought you would need me so telling you just seemed pointless but now you do need me and I can be here whenever you ask me to.”

  Zayden sighed loudly. “I’m not looking forward to that.”

  Ryon laughed. “You’ll be fine. It’s really not that bad.”

  “Will it hurt?”

  Ryon paused for a really long time and I think it was really only making Zayden worry more. “You know, I don’t really remember my first time that well. Just that it was sudden.”

  “I really don’t want it to be sudden.”

  “It’s not going to happen now, is it?” Izin asked. “Can you sense that?”

  “It won’t be yet.” Ryon said. “For it to be sudden, something traumatizing has to happen to you. That’s why I seemed so worried when I saw you in Nindor because something traumatizing did happen to you but I guess it wasn’t traumatizing enough.”

  “We’re not going to have to induce that, will we?”

  “Of course not. Not many of us wolves know in advanced what we are so it will be different for you. It will be by choice but when you’re ready.”

  Zayden nearly sighed in relief and then Ryon quickly turned his head away from us like someone else was speaking to him.

  “What is it?” Aleksander asked.

  Ryon kind of tightened where he stood. “Someone wishes to speak with you.”

  “Boys, leave right now!” Aleksander’s voice was loud but I never planned to move and neither did anyone else.

  “It’s too late.” Ryon said.

  This weird breeze filled the room and with it the sound of wind until someone began to appear in the chair next to Aleksander. It looked like—Trever but I didn’t get my hopes up to see him dead. I knew who it was.

  “Bryce.” Aleksander muttered.

  “Hello Aleks.” He even sounded like Trever like I remembered but I didn’t know how long I could be here.

  “H—how have you been?” He stuttered in asking like he was afraid of the reason for this visit.

  “How have I been? I’m forced to come here and see you wearing my son’s crown and you’re asking me how I’ve been?”

  Aleksander tensed. He really was afraid but I knew something was wrong about this. Ryon was standing almost behind the chair Bryce was in and he was trying not to laugh.

  Bryce kept his face the same for only a second after then laughed himself. “I’m just kidding, Aleks. Relax. I’m doing well actually.”

  “Oh, good.”

  Bryce then turned his head and took notice to Izin. “Izin, nice to see you.”

  “Bryce, you look exactly the same.”

  “Yes, time does funny things.”

  “What is it you wanted to speak about?” Aleksander asked.

  “You. My son’s friend.” He turned around to Ryon. “Go to him and reminded him for me.”

  “Why can’t you do it?”

  “Because whenever I try to talk to him, the kid strikes up an attitude and I don’t have time to deal with his stubborn self-centered ways.”

  I laughed and clapped my hands together. “Now you I like.”

  Bryce turned and looked at me for the first time. “And I see you’re the one who has the distaste for my son?”

  Ryon nodded to answer. “Yup and Zayden’s Izin and Kathryn’s son and Troy is the one screwing your daughter and married her without your permission.”

  Troy’s eyes widened but I wasn’t worried. Bryce didn’t seem mad.

  “I’m well aware of the conditions. If I disapproved he would already have joined us. Leave. Now.”

  Ryon sighed with an eye roll and was gone.

  “I’m sorry about that. He’s been quite hard to tame.”

  Zayden laughed. “You probably never will.”

  “He is more for Trever. That’s why I sent him there.”

  “Then you must be excited Kole died.” Izin said.

  Troy immediately looked away like he didn’t want to be in the conversation but Bryce didn’t seem to mind other than he sighed while answering. “I only am because he can no longer pollute my daughter but he still a nuisance. He’s proven to be quite a bad influence on everyone. Isn’t that right, Troy?”

  I looked over and Troy looked up. He’s never directly spoken to Bryce before but he did so like they’ve talked about this before. “He was dying all along and you knew. I couldn’t let him go out with her hating him like that so I fixed it.”

  “You brought her more pain.”

  “She’s over it.”

  They stared at each other and I wondered if something was going to happen or maybe someone should say something.

  “So, Bryce that exactly are you here for?” Aleksander decided to ask his previous question with a little more pressure to get it answered.

  Bryce took his gaze off Troy like he wasn’t sitting there at all to get away from talking about how Troy got Jaylyn to stop hating Kole. “He’s going to be sending something rather large your way and I wanted to make sure you knew what had to be done.”

  “Of course I do. You know you can count on me.”

  “Be sure you’re back for it. It’s important. No one else must see it.”

  “I understand. I will be.”

  “Thank you. I’m sorry this had to be so short. Being here for long periods of time is unsafe.”

  “We fully understand but appreciate the visit. It has been some time. It’s good to know you’re well.”

  “Ruling a world can test you but I’ve survived so to speak. Just make sure this stays quiet. I wouldn’t want my baby to think that she missed something and get—distant.”

  Aleksander looked at us. “I’m sure they won’t say a thing, not wanting that to happen either.”

  “Thank you. I do appreciate it. I still feel it every time she cries.”

  “That must be awful.”

  “It is but speaking of awful, someone else wanted to come when she found out I was but I told her, no. I hope that’s okay? I know it’s what you would have wanted me to say.”

  Aleksander was still for a moment. That’s when I knew he had to be talking about Adele’s mother. Why wouldn’t he have not wanted to see her? I didn’t ask. “Thank you. I’ll never be ready for that.”

  “I know. I used my leader voice.”

  “Excuse me.” Aleksander got up from his chair and walked out on to the deck. He clearly didn’t want to talk about it and no one here seemed like they would follow.

  “Has Cynthia ever come here?” Izin asked.

  “Of course not.” Bryce replied rather harshly.

  “It seemed someone never wanted her to.” Zayden said.

  “So it did.”

  Yawn. So, Aleksander has issues. No surprise but they’re completely justified. The dead are dead for a reason and should never be coming here. Ryon has his own reasons though and I admit that Zayden will probably need him to learn about the wolf thing. He’s easy to deal with. It only seems to be others that would cause problems if they were seen again.

  “She completely understands, don’t worry.” Bryce went on. “She just misses him and is sad to see him so―”

  “Young-hearted?” Izin suggested.

  “Something like that. He hasn’t been with a women his own age since she died.”

  “I’ve guessed as much.”

  “Shh!” Bryce suddenly became alert, flickering his eyes around the cabin. “Don’t move. Don’t say a word.”

  I looked around. Should we have been worried? None of us knew exactly what was happening but I had a feeling it wasn’t good.

  “I’ve stayed too long. They found me.”

  Bryce rose from his chair and it all happened so suddenly. A stranger appeared and didn’t look happy. He went for Bryce but Bryce was quick to move himself like Zayden could and the stranger turned but something change
d. He froze and his body began to tremble and shake. A pair of thumbs came out his eyes from behind him and he was tore in half in a bloodless rage, disappearing from sight.

  That’s when I saw her. That beautiful red hair and those golden eyes. Her expression was fierce but she quickly shook off the moment to the sound of her name.

  “Gwenyth!”

  Her face changed with a smile. “Thought you could use some help.”

  “What did I say about coming here?!” Bryce was clearly full of rage but I didn’t so much mind this meeting. She was Ruby’s mother and she reminded me much of her. “You know it’s forbidden!”

  “And yet here you are, being careless.”

  “Go home, Gwenyth.”

  Her eyes rolled much like Ruby’s would upon hearing a command but they fell on Izin and just lit up. “Izin?! Bryce! You didn’t tell me he was going to be here!”

  “A happy surprise. Go home.”

  She ignored him completely and sat near Izin. “Oh, look at you! You’re still just so adorable!” She was being cute and seemed to have an attitude more like Jaylyn.

  “Hello, Gwen.” Izin replied. “Still looking as lovely as ever.”

  “Of course. Still pleasantly charming, I see.”

  Bryce sighed rather loudly to disrupt the flirting. He probably didn’t like that Gwen thought Izin was still charming. “Gwenyth. Go.”

  “Why? Is there something wrong with me being here?”

  “I could think of a few reasons, yeah.”

  He was clearly talking about us but none of us said anything and Gwen looked right at me. “I trust he won’t tell. Ruby still thinks she’s at fault for my passing.”

  “Of course I won’t say anything.” I said. “But―it’s good to meet you.”

  “Oh, you’re so sweet. Izin did well in raising you.”

  “Yes he did.”

  “My daughter is very lucky.”

  I don’t think my smile could get wider. “Yes she is.”

  “Okay, Gwenyth.” Bryce said. “You’ve had your special moment. Time to go. For both of us.”

  “Oh, all right.” She slowly climbed out of her chair like she didn’t want to. “You win.”

  “I always do.”

  “Izin, it was amazing seeing you again. I wish it could have been longer.”

  “So do I but I understand the danger.”

  She smiled shamelessly. “Yeah, sorry you had to witness that.”

  “No. It’s okay. Quite interesting in fact.”

  “Only the strong ones are capable of obliterating another soul. When you join us, I’ll teach you.”

  “Then I guess there is something to look forward to in dying.”

  She giggled like a little girl. “You’re right. I am worth it.”

  “Ease up, Gwenyth.” Bryce said. “And go.”

  She blew us a kiss with her familiar lips and disappeared.

  “Until we meet again.” Bryce said.

  Izin nodded and he disappeared next, leaving us in an awkward silence.

  It was interesting but I couldn’t help but notice Izin fighting a smile and had to ask. “So, father, have you and Gwen ever―” I paused. I’m sure he could have finished my sentence.

  “Why would that be relevant?”

  “Just curious.”

  “You’ve seemed close.” Zayden said, getting a little intrigued to find out my unasked question.

  “It was a momentary weakness. That’s all.”

  “No way!” Troy laughed. “Bryce must have hated you.”

  “Why?”

  “We know that he loved her.”

  “Yeah but he was never physically with her. That’s not what their relationship was about, well, at least when they were alive. Things could have changed since.”

  “I would guess they did.” Zayden said.

  “That’s awesome though that you were with her.” I said.

  He was modest about it of course but I was still right. “It was only one time and it was kind of technically before Kathryn so it didn’t really mean anything.”

  “I guess I should be glad about that.” Zayden said.

  “You didn’t happen until well after and Ruby is even younger than you so I know I’m not her father.”

  “Do you know her father?” I asked. “She’s never said a thing about him.”

  “I wouldn’t be one to know. We were all split apart by the time that happened. I only knew about Gwen’s death through Kathryn. She still had ties to Kalu that she kept.”

  “Ryon.” Zayden said.

  “I’m sure it wasn’t hard for you to guess but I really don’t want to get into that again.”

  “You still hate him, I know and that’s okay.”

  “I’m still sorry about it all, Zayden. I really am.”

  “I know.”

  I think they were well passed it that they didn’t need to go on about it. Ryon could still come around and Izin would probably always hate it but really, nothing could be done about that now. It was the choice he made and I think he actually made it for Zayden not because of him.

  “Hey.” Aleksander walked back in after being gone for an appropriate amount of time not to see Gwen. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “That’s okay.” I said. “We don’t want to hear about it.”

  “Darius!” Izin bellowed my name kind of classically. I’ve heard that tone before. “What he means is, we’ve gotten passed it and don’t find it necessary to bring up painful things.”

  “Thank you.”

  I felt my eyes roll. I just wanted to get this trip over with. Seeing Gwen made me miss Ruby even more. It was a shame I couldn’t ever tell her about it. I’m not quite sure how she would react. I know she’s seen Bryce but she’s never mentioned anything about seeing her mother. Conversations like that don’t really happen between us. Our pasts aren’t exactly something either of us want to reminisce about and that was okay. I could keep this quiet since there was a good chance of me forgetting completely by the time we make it back. We were still days away.

  Chapter 7

  Troy

  When we finally arrived hours after the unexpected visits, we began our travel through the rocky passes of Hintus by carriage towards the palace just listening to the sound of the wheels rolling across the ground and the marching horses prancing ahead.

  “So are you going to tell us?” Darius asked, looking at Zayden.

  He looked up from petting Rift at his feet and saw all the curious faces. “Tell you what?”

  “What you saw or what it is Ryon showed you so you can finally rejoin normal society?”

  Zayden looked at him, unimpressed about his choice of words. “Why are you just asking? We talked about a million other things since then.”

  “I know but we got you to agree to come on this trip based on the hope of getting away for a while. We never planned to run into Ryon.”

  “Well, I was shown what I needed obviously. I saw him.”

  “And?” Aleksander wondered.

  “And he was exactly the same as we’ve seen before. Nothing changed.”

  “See?” Izin said like he was only proving that we were all right when we tried to tell him he’d could have that again.

  “We don’t need to talk about it.”

  “Let’s not.” Darius agreed. “I’ve been blocking out that instance of my life.”

  I laughed while I had my gaze out the back of the carriage. “Ruby is a good distraction. You should see what she’s doing right now.”

  “You’re watching her?”

  His voice was a little harsh, making me laugh again. “No. I said you should. That doesn’t mean that I am. Jaylyn is taking a bath that I’m sadly missing.”

  “What is Ruby doing while you’re at it?”

  “She’s—” I moved my vision around the mountain palace to find her. “Oh, imagine that. She’s trying to sleep the time away.”

  “What about Adele?” Zayden asked.

>   “She’s in the library reading. I skipped over her already.”

  “Reading what?”

  “Why is that important? It’s a book. You know, filled with words and possibly an illustration here and there.”

  “What is it?” Zayden demanded.

  “All right. Ah—” I moved back there and turned the image around so it was as if I was standing behind her, looking over her shoulder. “It’s a book on—” The words on the page stalled me and I turned my head to look at Zayden with the widest of eyes.

  “What?”

  “It’s—um—a book on—child—birth.”

  His eyes got just as wide and he looked back at Izin.

  “Told you. How many times do we have to keep saying it?”

  “But you don’t know that it’s for her.” Zayden said, snapping his head back to me.

  “I could probably try to get her attention if it’s going to bother you the entire time we’re here which I know it will but I doubt that she’s going to answer that question.”

  “You can really do that?” Aleksander asked.

  “Well, eventually I’ll be able to move things from wherever I am to where I see but the step in between is disrupting a scene I’m not really in.”

  “Can she respond?” Izin asked.

  “If she knows it’s me. Let me try.” I brought my vision all the way back to the mountain palace and into the library where Adele was still sitting with the book in front of her. I reached out my hand to it and acted as if I was closing the book. It did close but I kept it from the others until Adele knew it was me.

  She lifted her head right up and looked around, mouthing a name but it wasn’t mine.

  “Ah, I have good news and bad news.”

  “What are they?” Zayden asked with a sigh.

  “The good news, she notices my presence. Bad news, she doesn’t think it’s me.”

  “Who does she think it is then if not you?” Darius wondered.

  “It was pretty clear. She said, Ryon.”

  Zayden sighed again. “Well, try something else. He doesn’t need to know about this yet.”

  I nodded and put my focus back on Adele. I reached for a quill pen on the table in front of us and wrote on a scrap of parchment beside it.

  No. It’s Troy.