“It is.”
Ruby nodded her head rapidly, trying to get out her response. “Yes!—Yes! Yes!” I smiled and pulled out the ring I chose from my pocket. A large emerald cut ruby set in a high gold setting was slipped on her finger and she became breathless. “Oh, Darius. It’s beautiful. Where did you—thank you. I love it.”
“And you can remember that I love you every time you look at it.”
Ruby smiled, watching my eyes as I rose up to my feet but something changed and she became—different. “Are you sure about this?”
“Of course I’m sure. Why would you ask that? Are you the one not sure?”
“Yes—I mean—no—I mean—I just wanted to be sure that this is something you want, not something anyone is forcing you into because you’re talking about marriage. Marriage is a big deal. It leads to families and I know that you don’t want—”
I stopped her. I didn’t want her to be worried but it may have been too late because she started to tear up in the bad way. “I want you. That’s all you have to know.”
She rushed into my lips which told me she was over it. I thankfully held her body close to mine and realized how much I wanted this to happen even without father’s pressure. Ruby was my future and I would always welcome it.
“Okay. That makes sense. Yeah but do I have to wear a dress? I just wore one last night.”
I laughed and lifted her chin so she would look at me. “For me?”
She smiled and gave in. “Okay. Now you want something from me?”
She rubbed her hands down the side of me and I felt bad to have to refuse. “As much as I’d love to, I should get to Zayden. I have no idea what I have to do to get ready for this.”
“Okay. I guess now I have more to do too.”
“Oh, hey.” Troy walked in the room and immediately stopped when he saw us.
“Hey.” Ruby smiled. “Looking for Jaylyn by any chance?”
“She here?”
“Maybe.”
“Then could I—”
“Of course. I’ll send her out.”
“Thank you.”
I took her hand before she turned. “I’ll see you later, okay?”
She was seeming a bit nervous when I asked. “Yeah. Of course. Unless—I pass out or—run away really fast screaming.”
I wasn’t completely sure if she was as ready as quickly as she kept saying yes or it was just really starting to hit her.
“Do you two need another moment?” Troy asked. “I could—”
“No.” Ruby cut in with that anxious voice. “Of course not. Don’t be silly. I’ll go get Jaylyn.”
She turned really fast before I could kiss her and headed inside.
“Is she okay?”
I shrugged. That’s the only answer I could think of.
“Congratulations then, well, if she shows up.”
“Don’t say that!”
“I was kidding. I’m sure she’ll be there.”
I hope he was right and started to turn. “Good luck with yours.”
Chapter 19
Jaylyn
Ruby walked back in the room and Adele looked at her with a growing smile. “So?” She was through with her fitting and was just putting on her other clothes.
“What?” Ruby asked, holding her hands behind her back like he didn’t want anything of importance. “Oh, Jaylyn. I just saw Troy. I think he’s looking for you.”
My eyes flickered around the room and I was nervous. “Really?”
Ruby nodded with that same blank expression and I walked passed her, heading out into the other room.
Troy was standing there alone and I jumped. “Oh! You’re here! I thought I’d have to look for you.”
“No. I’ve been looking for you.”
“What were you looking for me for?”
He took a breath and took both my hands. “I know it hasn’t really been that long since we’ve known each other but I don’t think that matters when you’ve found your soul mate.” He slowly got down on one knee and another smile started to crawl across my face. “I truly believe I’ve found mine and I would be honored if you say you think so too by becoming my bride. Tonight.”
My smile was full and I collapsed to his level. “Nothing would make me happier knowing I’d get to spend the rest of my life with you.”
We shared a kiss as he started bringing me back to my feet. “Look, I also know this is soon and you wished that Trever could be here for this, so I want you to know that if you want to wait I’ll completely understand and I’ll wait as long as you need me too.”
I smiled from his gesture and touched his face. “You’re sweet but I don’t need to wait. It could be quite a while before he comes back and I don’t want to delay our happiness at all.”
“I think he would agree.”
He slipped a large oval emerald in a high silver setting on my finger and I gasped. “Troy!”
“Think it will do?”
“It’s gorgeous! Where did you get it?”
“Father let us pick one out from the vault. Suitable?”
“More than! I love it. You’re so sweet.”
We kissed again and I stared down at my reflection in the large stone. My thoughts immediately jumped to the bond I’ve been sharing with Zayden. He hasn’t mentioned anything of it yet so I knew Zayden hasn’t told him and I felt I had to if we were really going to be together by marriage.
“Um, Troy. There is one thing that maybe you should know before we do this.”
He was looking a little confused. “Okay. I thought you liked it or are you just having doubts?”
“Oh, no! Of course not! I’ve said before that I could see it happening and I absolutely love the ring. I just wanted to talk to you about Zayden first.”
“Zayden? What does he have to do with this?”
“Remember how it was explained that when he gets mad or stressed he has to bite something to turn off his gift?”
“Yeah. I remember that. He has to do it until he can get control over it and shut it off himself like we’ve seen Izin do.”
“Exactly. Well, you should know he’s been working on finding that control and he’s been working on it with me.”
“With you?” Troy was still seeming a little confused until he figured out how. “He’s been biting you?”
His voice sounded a little angry from saying it like I feared and I tried getting him to see that it was okay. “It doesn’t hurt me. I’m the only one he can do it to without killing.”
“But I thought he didn’t have to bite a person to get control over it.”
“He does now because he’s already tasted blood while doing it, his own.” Troy paused from replying and it was only making me more nervous. “Troy, please. I want you to be okay with this.”
“How long?”
“What?”
“How long have you been letting him? How many times?”
“Just for a couple of days. Three times.”
I could see some kind of resentment on Troy’s face when he looked back at me. “Why haven’t you told me?”
“We knew you wouldn’t like it but I swear, we were going to tell you. I didn’t want to keep it from you but just the whole aspect of it isn’t the only reason why I knew you wouldn’t like it.”
“There’s something else?”
“It’s what it does to us—the way it feels—sexually.”
Troy looked away from me with a shaking head and turned his back. “I don’t believe this.”
“Troy, please.” I said almost in tears now. “Nothing has happened between us. He just uses me when he needs to. That’s it.”
“And this has nothing to do with how you were supposed to be with him instead of me?”
“Of course not.” I stepped up behind him and put my hands on his back. “I would never change that. I love you. I just thought that you should know this if we’re going to make being together official but if this changes your mind then just say so and you ca
n have this back and I’ll leave. I don’t want to make this any harder.”
“No.” He turned back around and took my hand so I wouldn’t take off the ring. “I don’t want you to leave. I’m not going to let something like this get in the way of spending the rest of my life with you. I just want to know when it happens from now on.”
“It can easily be stopped. I can tell him.”
“You don’t have to. I know how much he needs to learn so he doesn’t ever turn it on Adele. He would never forgive himself if that happened.”
“But—”
“It’s all right. I’ve decided. You don’t have to feel guilty. Just don’t take it any further than that.”
“I would never.”
Troy smiled and kissed me. “I’m glad to hear that. Now, there’s something maybe I should tell you.”
I suddenly got worried. “What?”
“I really hope it doesn’t make you upset but Kole told me about his destiny days before it happened.”
I was stunned for a moment just about the topic alone. “You mean—you knew he was going to—?”
“Yes.” He said regrettably. “I tried to talk him out of it but he said it couldn’t be changed and so I promised him I wouldn’t tell anyone.”
“So, you were being nice to him because you knew what was going to happen?”
“It only started that way but I did actually grow to like him through it.”
“And that night you shared me—”
“That wasn’t entirely because I knew what was going to happen. Part of it was me just trying to get you to relax more around him and not be so hateful.”
“Okay. I guess it should just make us even. We both kept something from each other.”
“But I never plan to do it again. I just promised him.”
“Okay. I don’t want to either. I hated doing it.”
Troy sighed and turned away. “I am sorry about Kole. It was my fault. He never should have told me.”
I was curious and stepped up behind him, placing my hand gently on his waist. “What do you mean?”
Troy slowly turned. “The night he died, I went out to find him, to stop him from going through with it. I thought if maybe he was safely inside, nothing would have happened but we stumbled into a trap and he pushed us out of the way.”
“He saved you?”
“Yes.”
I saw the sorrow on his face and reached up for him. “It wasn’t your fault. That could have happened without you there.”
“But he could have gotten out of the way if he wasn’t focused on us.”
“It’s okay. I’m not going to blame you for it. No one would. Yes, I miss him but he’s with Ellie now and she needs him more than we do.”
“Yeah. He said the same thing.”
“See? He doesn’t blame you either. Let it go. We have our future to look to and I don’t want you to continue feeling this way.”
“Then we’re okay? We’re actually going to get married?”
“Of course. I love you.”
“I love you too but are you really ready to make this official?”
“No need to ask. I’ve been ready.”
“Well, that’s good for you but I still have a few things to get done so I guess I better get going so I can do that.”
“Okay. Allow me to show you out.” I walked with him back to the door, holding his hand the whole way. “Meet me later?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Okay. Go.” I said, gently pushing him away. “I think now I have to find something else to wear too.”
Troy kissed me one more time then turned down the hall.
I could only stand there and watch him. I loved him and felt better that everything was out in the open even if it was me who had to do it.
“So?” Ruby smiled when I walked back in. “What’d he want?”
I started to smile, getting more excited by the second. “I’m getting married!”
I held up my hand to show them the ring and Ruby did the same with the same excitement. “Me too!” We were happy for each other and got closer to see the rings.
“I knew it.” Adele smiled. “Told you Zayden can be pretty persuasive.”
“Tonight is becoming a big night, isn’t it?” Kathryn said. “So, I suppose a change in attire will be in order. I hope you don’t mind. I went out and did a little shopping while you were away.”
“You knew this would happen?” Ruby asked.
“It wasn’t hard to guess with how they were around you. It was a drastic change for them. I’ve watched them grow up and never attach themselves to someone more than they did with you in those few days.”
We looked at each other and I think all of our minds were drifting towards the same thing. She watched them grow up and yet could never be a part of their lives. It was sad.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how did you do it?” Adele asked.
“Do what, dear?”
“I’m sorry if this is being a little invasive to your privacy but how could you allow Zayden to grow up thinking you were dead when you were really right there for every step?”
Kathryn sighed and sat down on the bed. “Times were different back then but believe me, I didn’t want to. Izin insisted it was the only way and I had no choice. If anyone, especially his father, found out what I was I would have been killed along with my child.”
“Just because you’re a Kaluian?” I wondered. “But how would they really know that?”
“It was always a risk that Izin thought about. He was so protective of me in such a sweet way. He would have done anything to make sure I was safe. Over the years I got into the service business to stay behind the scenes and got so good at it that I became head of the field. Izin calmed down a bit after that. He didn’t think he had to worry so much then.”
“I don’t think I could have done it.” Adele muttered.
“I’ll admit, it was hard but I knew I had to and I knew someday he would know me. Everything would have worked out as long as I waited. Now, let me show you what I’ve got for you two to wear.”
She went in the closet and pulled out two mostly white ball gowns. They looked a lot like replicas of Adele’s ceremonial gown that have been made for the occasion.
“Wow.” I muttered.
“Yeah.” Ruby agreed in the same, almost expressionless voice. “They look like—like wedding gowns, Kathryn.”
“I think it’s just starting to hit her.” Adele whispered with a smile.
“Oh, it’s okay. Try it on while I go and see how some of the other preparations are going.”
She just nodded and Kathryn left the room.
“Well? Are you going to?” Adele asked.
Ruby looked over at me again and we immediately took our clothes off to try on the dresses.
They fit us perfectly like Kathryn knew exactly what our measurements were and we stood next to Adele, looking in the mirror.
“Look at us.” I smiled.
Ruby sighed. “It’s hideous.”
“Just think about what it means.” Adele said. “This is just for the ceremony.
Ruby sighed again and it was starting to hit me too that this was happening and a part of me still couldn’t believe it.
Chapter 20
Darius
“There you are.” Zayden said in a slow completely relaxed tone while he laid face down on a table with a masseuse rubbing his back with oil.
“How’d you know it was me?”
“You have a very obvious presence about you, more specifically, you walk loudly. How’d it go?”
“I gave it to her.”
“That’s a very blunt way to tell me, Darius.”
I laughed to myself and looked at the masseuse who tried to act invisible but was showing a smile. “No! I meant the ring. I gave her the ring.”
“Oh. What, just as a gift?”
“No. I had a little speech and everything.”
Zayde
n lifted his head up. “What’d she say?”
“What do you think? She repeatedly said yes.”
“Good.” He put his head back down to get comfortable again.
“Although, she started to get a little strange after that.”
“How do you mean?”
“Like she wasn’t really sure if that’s the answer she wanted to give me.”
Zayden looked up again, this time propping himself completely on his elbows so the masseuse had to move to his legs. “Did she say that?”
“No but—”
“Then I’m sure it’s nothing. Ruby’s never really been the settling type either. She probably just needs the day to soak up the thought.”
“Is this how you are?”
“It’s the first step.”
“Because Jaylyn isn’t here?”
Zayden sat right up fully, making the masseuse stop and turned to her. “That’ll do. Thank you.”
She bowed her head to him and backed away. “Of course, your majesty.”
Zayden kept the room quiet until she left. “Why’d you have to say that?”
“It’s true, isn’t it?”
“Where’s Troy?”
“He just showed up when I was leaving. He’s probably asking Jaylyn right now. You need to tell him before they get married.”
Zayden sighed and hopped off the table, keeping the towel around his waist. “I know and I will. Don’t worry.”
“I wasn’t worried. I was just reminding you that it’d be a good idea to start thinking about it.”
“And I will when he gets here. Let me just get dressed first.” He walked into his closet with the little wolf pup following and I patiently waited out in his room.
“Where’s Zayden?”
Troy walked through the door and I turned to answer. “Getting dressed. Is it official?”
“Yes. She’s pretty excited.”
“It’s a women thing. Did you happen to see Ruby again?”
“No. Why? Still worried?”
“Concerned. She took it harder than I did so I guess that’s a big deal.”
“It’ll be fine. They’re basically going to take the day to relax. No one is supposed to see them until tonight.”
Forgotten Days (Fate's Intent Book 6) Page 7
