My father didn’t say anything but agreed with a nod.
Zayden took that as the okay to continue and he turned to the rest of us. “Okay, this is what’s going to happen. I want two lines of three behind me. Troy will hold up the back and look for movement while Darius rides the left flank. We will ride swiftly to ensure everything goes smoothly. Any questions?”
“Yeah, who authorized this change in command again?” Ryon asked.
“It’s okay.” Trever said.
“These are our lands.” Zayden went on. “We outrank you here and especially me. So, if you have a problem with it then you can just turn your horse around and go back because we don’t need that kind of attitude right now and risk more lives.”
“Relax, baby brother.” Ryon said with a laugh. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Then just keep your mouth shut so you don’t draw attention to us and don’t call me that. Darius. Troy. Your positions. If it comes to it we’ll have to deal with this problem ourselves.”
They nodded and rode to their positions.
I looked ahead when Zayden started to lead the way and slightly smiled. I was proud of him for standing up for what’s his. I knew he would turn out to be a great leader and he has already begun to show it.
Chapter 27
Trever
The day of travel was quiet and uneventful. Nothing from what was expected. There were no signs of life around but our own and Ryon had confirmed on several occasions that the spies and raiders kept heading east.
Darkness was coming again and Zayden solely made the decision to take it for rest again and arrive within the city the next day during the light hours instead of causing another scene like in their escape.
“The day has been calm but we should already know that it’s not over. There will be something trying to stop us from reaching the city and I say we deal with it during the day. The darkness is too dangerous for those of you who can’t see in it.”
“Yes, as you’ve previously said. Very well.” Aleks replied. “Then we’ll all stay undercover again tonight. Adele, make it happen.”
She nodded and was the first to get down off her horse. “Yes, father.” She brought up her hands and with just a few simple movements, she made us a place to stay like she has every time we settled for a night and we got down off our horses. Nothing was said as we brought them inside the secured shelter and started to take the gear off them for the night.
Everyone seemed to be in a state of complete silence even through having a simple meal to keep strengths up and I thought it to be oddest for Ryon since he usually always had something to say. I kept my eye on him but trying to read his thoughts seemed almost impossible like he was purposely blocking me. I had to know.
When everyone was just sitting around, slowly getting back into light conversation, I went to Ryon and pulled him aside. “Let’s talk.” He didn’t fight it. He got right up with me and walked to a back corner of the open shelter. “All right. What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean. You’ve been unusually quiet all day. Is this about Zayden taking charge?”
“No!” He bursts out, making the others get quiet and all look over. His eyes moved to theirs for just a moment then he brought his voice level back down. “I mean, no. It has nothing to do with that. Maybe you just don’t want to think about it but Kole is dead and we’re not out of the dark yet. Do you even realize what that means?”
“You seem awfully worried about it.”
“Trever, he’s had our backs for the last ten years and yours even longer. We haven’t had to live a damn day careful and now suddenly we do and you’re not even a little worried?”
“You shouldn’t be.”
“I know that but I’ve been thinking about everyone else. I can’t do the things Kole could. I feel so limited here.”
“Well, we’ll be fine. It’s not the time to be thinking about that.”
“Then when is? Kole was our friend and he died a hero. With him gone, someone has to be next.”
I kept my eyes on him and they slowly started to narrow. “You’re planning something.”
“It’s simple logic. I have to go in place of someone else.”
“No. Don’t even think that it has to be anyone.”
“But you already know it will be. It’s been too quiet all day. They’re planning something. I can feel it.”
“But you know the plan. Not yet.”
“I can’t stay here much longer.” Ryon’s voice became more calmed as he looked towards Adele. “I love her and it’s tormenting me knowing what I can’t have. I feel the pain of it the longer I stay.” His level of emotion dropped and he slid his back down the wall until he was sitting on the floor.
I joined him. “Normally, I would try to talk you out of this but something tells me I won’t be able to.”
“You only have so much control now.”
“Then where does that leave me?”
“You’re too important to come but you know you can always call.”
“Let’s stop talking about it. It’s too depressing.”
“Well, just promise me one thing and we’ll end it.”
I paused for a moment and sighed, leaning my head against the wall. I knew what he was going to ask me but I asked anyway. “What?”
“Promise me she’ll be okay.”
My breath was long and I looked up at Adele completely unaware of us. “I’m unsure that I can promise that. She’s going to take this hard.”
“Please. Help her. However you can. I know what I’ve done. It can’t be changed now. I just want her to be helped.”
I already knew that there wasn’t much I could do and this was my fault but I would make the promise he asked of me. It was the least I could do. “All right. I’ll try.”
“Whatever it takes?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
We touched our fists together from being just arm’s length apart, sealing the promise and I would have to follow through. I mean, right now, he was all I had left. Kole was gone and it was such a quiet day that I almost couldn’t bear it. I didn’t know how I could survive the rest of my life without him. Ryon had made his choice and I would truly be alone when he followed through. For the first time in my life, I didn’t know what I was going to do.
Chapter 28
Adele
I was tired; too tired. After having to make dinner the long way myself, I didn’t want to do anything else. I left the wide open shelter the way it was and simply gave everyone a bed to sleep in without walls.
“Adele, are you serious?” Ruby asked in a displeased begging way.
“Just go to sleep.”
“But—”
“Go!”
She sighed and turned with Darius off to their own bed while I looked towards Trever and Ryon.
“You all right?” Zayden climbed on the bed next to me and touched my back.
“Yeah. I was just—I couldn’t imagine what they’re going through right now. It’s only been a day. That’s not enough time to mourn someone.”
“I don’t think they’re mourning him.”
My head immediately turned. “You may not be but they are. I think I know them better than you.”
“No. I meant, they’re not as sad as they could be because they’re proud of him.”
“You mean, saving you?”
“Yeah. He used his gift to knock us down like he wasn’t even thinking of himself and he was the only thing standing in the way with his wings right out to block us even more. I think he knew what he was doing. That’s why he did it.”
My eyes started to water to his lengthy explanation and I wiped them while trying to hide it. “Still too soon, I think.”
“All right. I’m sorry.”
“We should be getting to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be big for us.”
“Yes, it will be. Sleep is a good idea.” We laid down and Zayden
wrapped his arms around me from behind. “You don’t have to worry. Everything will be fine.”
“I hope you’re right. I love you, Zayden.”
He laughed softly and kissed the back of my left shoulder. “I love you too. Goodnight.”
I nodded with the final closing of my eyes and we went to sleep to end the uneventful day and waited to see what the next would bring.
I seemed to be the first to wake hours before our scheduled time and I laid next to Zayden, wanting to get back to sleep but couldn’t seem to. I sat up a little frustrated by it and saw Ryon still sitting in the back of the room on the floor where I saw him last night with Trever. Only Trever was asleep in his bed now and Ryon was sitting with his knees up and his head resting on his folded arms with Rift next to him.
I got out of bed and snuck over quietly, not to wake anyone else and gently touched his shoulder as I kneeled down. He quickly lifted his head and grabbed my wrist from the surprise. Rift woke up with a growl the exact second he did it.
“It’s all right. It’s me.” I whispered, trying to make sure he didn’t do anything he would regret.
He sighed and released my wrist. “Don’t do that. I could have just broken your arm.”
“Sorry.” He relaxed and so did the pup. “What are you doing over here?”
“Nothing.”
“You have a bed, you know? I made you one. Come on. Get up.” I rose and held out my hand.
“Adele, I don’t think—”
“Come on. You can still get a couple of hours in and it’ll be more comfortable than this.”
He sighed but took my hand, trying to help me lift him up off the floor as best he could but he hasn’t moved from that position in hours that he had to lean back towards the wall to keep himself from falling. “Sorry. It’s been awhile.”
“It’s all right. I’ll help you.” I walked him over to the only empty bed and Rift followed.
He let out an almost agonizing sigh of relief when he laid down on his back. “This is better.”
“You should have been in it last night when everyone else was. Why didn’t you?”
“I’ve just been up thinking about stuff. Sleep seems pointless for me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What for?”
“It must still be hard on you with losing Kole.”
“You don’t need to be sorry. It’s not your fault.”
“He was right though. In what he did, I mean.”
“Yeah. I guess. He left with full honor. It’s what he would have wanted. I could only hope to do that too.”
“Don’t say that.” I almost snatched at him while leaning closer and hoped it didn’t wake anyone. “Don’t even start thinking like that. I couldn’t—”
“You couldn’t what?”
“I couldn’t survive if you left me.”
He laughed. “Then I guess it’s a good thing you left me. You made the choice.”
“But you know I still care about you. How many times do I have to say it? I wouldn’t ever want to see you like that.”
He sighed and put his hand up on his head. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“Doing what?”
“You know what you mean to me. I would do anything for you. You can’t keep streaming me along like this. I know you’re with Zayden and that’s not going to change because you belong together.”
“I’m sorry. I just don’t want you to do anything crazy.” I laid with him for a minute, hoping this would help him sleep. He needed it badly. I hated it when he talked all depressed. The last thing I wanted was for him to be unfocused when we’re almost there.
I soon began to feel tired myself and before I actually decided to do anything about it, it was too late. I fell asleep while laying in his arms. It felt like only a second later that my eyes popped open and I sat right up, looking around. All the other beds were empty, even mine and I looked next to me.
“Adele, what is it?”
“I fell asleep! Why did you let me do that?! Zayden’s probably—”
I started to get up and Ryon did right after me with Rift. “It wasn’t my fault. I had no intentions of you falling asleep but you—”
I just sighed and went right outside without bothering to get dressed. I knew how Zayden was going to be and I had to be the one to fix this no matter what anyone else thought.
Ryon was a few steps behind and everyone was standing around with the horses but Zayden was missing.
“Where is he?”
My father’s eyes moved to the east around the shelter and I started to go that way immediately.
“Adele, wait.” Ryon grabbed my arm to stop me but I wouldn’t. “Don’t. He’s probably pissed. You know what that means.”
“I have to and for the last time, he won’t hurt me.” I pulled my arm away and walked around the shelter to Zayden standing on the other side. “Zayden?” His back was up against the wall with his eyes down on the ground but he never responded. “Zayden?” I walked to him and stood cautiously in front of him.
“So, is this game you’re playing still going on? Where you can’t decide who you want to be with?”
Now I was getting worried and stepped closer to him, getting my hands on his chest. “Zayden, it wasn’t like that. He was up all night. I didn’t intend to stay there but I fell asleep. It was a mistake.”
“Is this how it’s always going to be?” He looked at me and his eyes were solid black, his voice clearly held anger. “Every time he needs something, you’re just going to run to him? Because if it is, you can just go back to Kalu with him right now. I will not share you. You know that.”
“Zayden, please. I’m with you. You don’t share me.”
“Am I supposed to believe that?”
“Nothing happen, I swear. It meant nothing. Please, Zayden. You don’t want to do anything that would hurt me.”
He quickly pulled me in close to him by my waist and brought his hand up to my face, moving my hair back so he could see my neck and leaned into it. “Don’t I though?”
A tear fell out of my eye and I had my hands gripping the front of his shirt tightly. “No. You don’t. You promised I would never have to see you like this again.”
He brought his lips into my neck and kissed me softly as I shook in his arms. “And how is any of this my fault?”
“Zayden, please. Don’t. I love you.”
He kissed my neck again with more of an open mouth, just barely grazing his sharp teeth on my skin. I seriously thought he really wanted to. It seemed like he did. He kept breathing deeply through his nose like he was smelling me until he quickly shoved me away from him and sank his teeth into the flesh of his forearm.
He did it so quickly that I didn’t even have time to react and I watched him for only a second before I went back to him and got him to calm down. “Zayden, stop.”
I pulled his arm free of his mouth and he closed his eyes as his body shuttered and slid down the wall so he sat on the ground. “I’m sorry.”
“No. You don’t need to be sorry. I’m the sorry one. I did this.”
“But I let it. I could have hurt you again. I almost wanted to. I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop.”
I felt the worry on his voice and brought his head into my chest, hugging him. “We’ll think of something.”
“And if we can’t? I’ll be too big of a risk for you to be around. Maybe you should go back with him.”
I quickly pulled Zayden back with a look of shock and looked into his eyes that were back to their vivid blue. “Don’t say that! We work through everything. We’ll work through this. I won’t lose you because you’re afraid of hurting me. Don’t tell me to leave.”
“I’m just thinking of what’s best for you. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you because I couldn’t control it.”
“But you can. I said we’ll think of something. I’m not going anywhere no matter how much you beg.”
Zayden reached up to me an
d brought my lips down into his for a quiet simple kiss. “I love you and I am sorry. I shouldn’t have overreacted without knowing. If you say nothing happened and it meant nothing then I believe you. We shouldn’t be fighting now of all times.”
“It’s okay, Zayden. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have.”
“Let’s just put it behind us. I need to focus on controlling this and the trial we’re going to face today. We need to be ready.”
I nodded and stood up, taking a quick glance at Zayden’s arm. “Okay. Just let me go get Jaylyn for you this time and we’ll probably be going.”
Zayden only nodded back and let me walk away to get her.
“You all right?” My father asked.
“Yeah. Everything’s fine. I just need to borrow Jaylyn for a minute.” Jaylyn’s eyes traced the pattern of everyone’s and looked a little confused. I’d expect her to be too. “Don’t worry. It’s nothing to worry about. Come on.”
She still seemed unsure and I was glad that I got help.
“Go, Jay.” Trever said. “It’s okay.”
“All right. I’ll be right back.” She came with me around the shelter to Zayden and immediately saw the wound on his arm. She gasped just slightly and rushed over, getting down beside him. “Oh my! Zayden, what happen?”
“It’s all right.” I said. “He needed to.”
Jaylyn took his arm in her hands and looked it over. “You actually bit yourself?”
“Better me than her.”
“How are you handling it?” Jaylyn put her hand on the wound and her eyes began to glow to heal it.
“Not so well.” Zayden said with a hint of a smile. “It’s hard to control.”
“But we’re going to find a way through it.” I added. “We just don’t know how yet.”
“Trever says it’s like an addiction. He would have to bite something on a regular basis to learn to get control.”
“I don’t think it could just be something. I’ve already tasted blood.”
“Then it sounds like you need it to be a person.”
Zayden sighed. “I don’t want to kill anyone. I just want to be able to control it to the point where I can shut it off at will.”
Raining Light (Fate's Intent Book 5) Page 15
