“Oh, right. Sorry, you don’t call them mates. I never learned that before I left.”
Jaylyn smiled. “It’s all right and yes, they’re together.”
“And you’re together?” Ellie looked over at the rest of us.
“Yes.” I answered, taking Seth’s arm. “We’re together.”
“That’s nice. It’s fun to have someone always there. I’d probably go insane without mine.”
I laughed to her joking tone. I really found her to be quite fun.
“Wait a minute.” Jaylyn cut in. “You have a mate?”
Kole sighed and lowered his head for a moment. “Nice going, baby. You probably shouldn’t talk about that.”
“Why? It’s no big deal.”
“To you or the rest of us but they don’t understand our world. You’re going to make your mother have a heart attack and she’s not going to like it when it won’t kill her.”
“Then you tell her.”
“That won’t make it any different.”
“Who is it?” Jaylyn asked. “And why are you making a big deal out of it?”
“You know him.” Kole smiled. “In fact, if I remember correctly, the three of you all slept with them too.”
Adele, Ruby and Jaylyn gasped at the same time.
“Ellie, he’s serious?” Jaylyn asked.
Ellie looked worried as she looked over at her father. He laughed again. “I’m not getting you out of this one and watch what you say. He’s listening.”
“He’s here?” Adele wondered.
Her eyes traced to Seth and naturally, he was curious. “What? Do I know who it is?”
“It’s your uncle, Seth.” Zayden said.
“Right. They were together before you. I remember you saying that when I found out he was dead.”
Kole laughed. “But he didn’t tell you they were once married for a year.”
“What?!”
“It was nothing!” Adele cut in. “We didn’t even know about it and it ended when we found out.”
“You knew about this too?” Seth asked his father.
“Yes. She ended it so she could be with me. It’s fine. We all got over it.”
“Right. So, why are we still talking about it?” Ryon was with us now and on the other side of Ellie.
“We’re not.” Adele said. “It’s fine.”
“Hey, uncle.” Seth said.
“Seth.”
“So, your mate is Bryce’s sister. That’s weird.”
Ryon looked at Ellie next to him and they both smiled but Jaylyn sighed in discussed. “This can’t be happening.”
Kole laughed. “I told you she wouldn’t like it.”
“It’s really not a big deal, mother.” Ellie explained. “We don’t age so he never got older then when you knew him and it’s only a two year gap not a six year gap like it was with you and my father.”
Jaylyn sighed again. “Thank you for bringing that up but this is just weird. I know him and he just doesn’t seem like the type I’d want you to be with.”
“Awe, thanks, Jay.” Ryon smiled. “You’re sweet.”
“Well, I know you and I know what you’re like. You always said you couldn’t sleep with me on your own free will because I looked too much like Trever and she looks like me so explain that.”
“That was mostly because you were both young. The weirdness level dropped pretty quick over the years and who knows, maybe I’ve even changed a little.”
Trever laughed. “No you haven’t.”
“Oh, thanks, Trev. I can always count on you.”
“Of course.”
“Well, okay.” Ruby said, standing up. “This has truly been like the past so I’m just going to go. I don’t want to relive it.”
Darius got up after her. “I’ll come with you.”
“See?” Jaylyn said. “You haven’t changed at all. You’re still you!”
“Well, I wouldn’t be much fun if I actually changed. What’s wrong with you?”
“It’s all right, mother.” Ellie cut in to ease the tension. “I know what I’m doing. He’s been good to me for fifteen years. I don’t want you to be mad.”
“Fifteen years?! You’ve been with my daughter for fifteen years and you never said anything when you came?!”
“How exactly could I say anything? It would have just gotten you all depressed. Besides, it can’t be changed so—”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s another ‘our world’ thing.” Kole answered. “Once you find a mate, it’s forever. Usually it’s determined by something in your past life.”
“And she did always seem to love him.” Adele said.
“And now he’s mine.” Ellie replied, showing some kind of resentment in her voice. “So back off.”
“Ellie!” Kole snatched. “That’s enough.”
She stayed comfortably next to Ryon but still looked proud for saying it.
“So, where’s your mate Kole?” Adele wondered, trying to ignore the situation. She was good at that.
Ryon and Kole shared a look and Ryon laughed to it. “Ah, I don’t know if he should talk about that.”
“Why not?”
“Jay won’t like it.”
“Why would I even care? It’s not going to be me.”
Ryon and Kole looked at each other again and Kole took a deep breath. “No, it’s Leah.”
Jaylyn’s eyes narrowed and her anger immediately shot up. “What?!”
“See, I told you.” Ryon muttered.
“How could you?!”
“Like it’s really your choice.” Kole said. “It was determined on my past life. I was with her a lot when she was alive.”
“But that was just for show! It wasn’t real!”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Who is Leah?” Lana asked. “Just so we’re all on the same page.”
“Leah is the woman Jay chose to bare her child.” Trever explained. “When the time came, Leah wanted to keep the baby after carrying it so long and Jay killed her, taking Ellie from her womb.”
“But wouldn’t that mean Ellie isn’t actually Jaylyn’s?” Seth asked.
“That story could take longer to tell but look at them. There’s no denying it really. She is her blood.”
It was true but none of this really changed the fact that Jaylyn was still angry and we solemnly see her like that. “If she even tried once to be her mother, so help me, I will come there right now and kill her again!”
“Don’t worry about it.” Kole said. “Ellie grew up too quickly for that to happen. She’s been with Ryon longer then I’ve been with Leah. She recently found us about nine years ago and hasn’t had a thought of it.”
“She’s here, isn’t she?” Jaylyn asked as she looked around at the empty space.
“Yeah, and she says she’s sorry. She knows that she was wrong in trying to take Ellie from you and hopes you can forgive her.”
“I killed her and she’s saying sorry to me?” Kole just nodded. “Well, it’s too late. I don’t forgive her and we’re not going to talk about it anymore.”
“You shouldn’t be mad, Jay.” Ryon said.
“We’re not talking about it.”
“Well, what did you expect? That he’d actually wait for you?” Ryon thought more into it and turned to Kole. “You know, actually you should of. We’re coming up on that time, aren’t we?”
Kole was shaking his head in silence like Ryon shouldn’t have said anything. It sounded bad.
“Wait. What do you mean?” Troy asked.
Kole sighed and set his gaze towards Ryon. “Thanks for mentioning that. We’re not supposed to tell them, remember?”
Ryon looked worried as he looked at everyone else. “Right, forget I said anything.”
“Yeah right!” Troy bursts out. “Are you saying she’s going to die soon?”
“Not really soon.” Kole explained. “We calculate time differently. It’s far off for you. You have nothing to worry a
bout right now.”
Troy sighed. “Don’t do that.”
“Well, this has been beyond the normal oddities we’re used to so perhaps it’s best if we take our leave.” Seth said, looking over at his father.
“Of course.” Zayden nodded. “You may go if you chose and we’ll converge over dinner.”
Seth nodded back as the rest of us started to get up and walk towards the door.
“Oh, Seth, Dirk!” Jaylyn called.
He stopped and turned to her. I was right on his side. “Yes, Jaylyn?”
“About Bryce.”
“Oh, don’t worry. You have our full cooperation to not mention a word before you find the time to speak with him yourself as we all hope it’ll be sorted out come dinner.”
“Thank you.”
I had high hopes for that. Bryce couldn’t stay mad like this. He wasn’t the type just like Jaylyn wasn’t.
Chapter 6
Jaylyn
“I should talk to Bryce.”
“I want to come with you.” Ellie said.
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
“I actually think it is.” Trever cut in. “You should take her with you. I’ll keep these two under control.”
Kole playfully sighed. “Awe. I was looking forward to that conversation.”
“You really shouldn’t be there.” Trever said. “You wouldn’t make things go any easier.”
“So can I go?” Ellie asked me.
“If it’s all right with Ryon that you separate for a few minutes because he’s not coming either.”
Ellie looked next to her at Ryon and they just stared at each other for a second. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know.” Ryon said like he was truly skeptical about letting her go.
Ellie felt the worry in his voice as I did and touched his face. “Everything will be fine.”
“I just don’t want anything to happen to you. I won’t be able to function.”
Ellie cracked a smile as she glanced down in his lap. “Well, we can’t have that happen.”
I was still trying to get my head around the thought of them being together but maybe Ryon was right. Maybe he has changed because instead of reacting, he kept up with his concern and sighed. “This isn’t the time to joke. This is serious.”
“I’m sorry but everything will be fine. They’re my family. I don’t want them to be broken apart because of me. It’ll be all right. I promise.”
“Fine but I’ll count every second.”
Ellie smiled. “As long as you’re happy.”
Ryon smiled back and they leaned into each other and kissed. It was weird. “You should go before I change my mind.”
Ellie nodded and started to stand up with me. “And will be really be able to do this alone?”
Ryon and Kole looked at each other then over to the big empty space.
“Yeah.” Kole answered. “They’ll be able to watch her from here. If another force even tries to get near the palace, they’ll know.”
“Thank you.” I walked with Ellie and we left the dining hall. “All right. I know this isn’t going to be easy but we have to try.”
“And we’ll succeed. He feels more worried about what this has done to you than the feeling of being betrayed.”
“You know this?”
“I read it in his thoughts.”
I just nodded as we continued towards Bryce. “You shouldn’t be visible at first. I think it will be better if I ease in your presence.”
“Good idea.”
She disappeared and I opened the door to Bryce’s room. “Bryce?” He was sitting on the edge of the bed with the rest of the younger generation around him. Seth immediately started to get up and the others slowly did after him and walked towards the door without saying a word. I was left here to look at Bryce as the door closed and I started walking over to him. “How are you?”
His breaths were slow but he kept his gaze off me. “Fine.”
He didn’t sound fine and I lowered myself next to him on the edge of the bed with a sigh. “Look, I’m sorry that I never told you that I had another child. I just never wanted you to think I was trying to make up for something with you.”
“That’s not what bothers me. Just the fact that you never talked about her at all. Not once. Not even a slip up. I mean, if you cared about her then you should have shown it but you never did. The only time I ever saw you sad was when father was called away again and you knew he’d be gone for a while. Didn’t you even care at all?”
“Of course I did but she was gone. I knew there was nothing I could do to change that. We said our final good-byes and we both moved on. She wanted me to live happy with your father and I am. Of course I missed her. I missed her every second I got to watch you grow, knowing I could never have that with her but she is grown now and I’m happy knowing she’s happy. I don’t want you to think that I never cared. I always did but I also had you to focus on and I love you just as much. I thought I was doing the right thing.”
Bryce looked over at me and the sadness I was expressing hit him. “I’m sorry mother. I don’t hate you for not telling me. I could never hate you, you’re the one that raised me. I think if Ellie was still alive, she’d be proud of the way you would have raised her too.”
Hearing him talk that way made me smile. “You want to meet her officially?”
Bryce laughed to himself shamelessly. “She probably thinks I hate her.”
“Oh, I don’t think she does. Ellie, you can show yourself now.”
Bryce’s eyes got wide as he looked up and Ellie appeared before him with a smile on her face. “Hello, Bryce.”
“Hi.” Bryce said, still surprised.
“I’m sorry that this is so awkward for you. I really never knew what I would say to you if I got the chance to come back so it’s just as awkward for me too.”
Bryce laughed to himself as he kept looking between us. “You really do look exactly alike. It’s kind of weird to see.”
I smiled. “And that’s just what I think when I see you and your father together.”
Ellie smiled too and she sat on the other side of Bryce. “She’s right. You look exactly the way Troy did when I met him except for your eyes and hair.”
“We get those from our mother, I guess.”
I smiled to watch them bond for the first time and knew they already had a connection until Ellie moved her gaze up to the door and I looked too. “What is it?”
“The elders are conveying. We’ve lingered too long.”
In an instant she appeared over by the door and Bryce stood up. “Wait! You have to go already?”
“I’m sorry. It’s not up to me. Maybe I’ll sneak out and come back tonight.”
“Ellie, you have to be careful about that.” I said, not liking the idea at all.
“It’s all right, mother. Things have been a little safer for me in this form. There shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Well, wait for us.” I walked towards the door with Bryce. “We’ll come down with you to say good-bye properly.”
Ellie nodded and we all left Bryce’s room and headed back down to the dining hall. Ryon immediately looked over and his breaths started to calm. It was like the whole time Ellie was out of his site, he’s been uneasy and anxious, waiting for her return. He suddenly appeared in front of Bryce and pulled Ellie safely behind him like he was protecting her because of Bryce’s earlier behavior.
Bryce was startled and the look in Ryon’s eyes were defensive.
“Ryon? It’s okay. I would never hurt her, not that I even could. We’re okay.”
“Calm down.” Ellie said. “My brother is not a threat.”
Ryon started to ease up on the defensive look and turned his head to Ellie. “The elders think it’s time to leave.”
“I know. I heard them. I just want to say good-bye.”
“Quick.”
Ellie nodded as he walked back over towards the table to say his go
od-bye to Trever. Ellie watched him then turned back to us. “Sorry about that. He’s much more fun than that.”
“I know.” Bryce said. “He’s been there through my childhood.”
“Perhaps I was wrong.” I said. “I can see he truly cares for you.”
“I’m glad you finally approve but maybe you should let him know.”
I looked towards the table again and knew she was right. I wasn’t very nice to him about this whole thing and I had to make up for it.
I approached Ryon’s side and he turned. “Jay?”
“Hi, Ryon. Um, I wanted to apologize for my previous behavior towards you being with my daughter. I’ve realized I was wrong and after seeing the way you just reacted I’m kind of glad that you’re with her. She needs someone like you for protection.”
Ryon smiled and nodded. “Why, thank you, Jay. That had to of taken a whole lot of strength for you to be able to say that to me and I’m glad you’re not mad anymore.”
“It’ll still take some getting used to but with time, I’m sure I will. I want to give you a hug now so, you know, do it.” Ryon smiled again and gained full color so I could hug him. “Watch her for me.”
“My pleasure.”
“And Kole, well, please be careful and help Ryon watch over Ellie.”
He smiled as he stepped closer. “We all will. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Good-bye.” I put up my hand as I slowly started to back up just so we wouldn’t hug in front of Bryce. I didn’t know how he would feel about that.
“Bye.”
I walked back over to Bryce and Ellie and they were just parting from a hug. “Well, everything is all set. You should probably get going before you make them angry.”
“Thank you, mother. I’ll come back as soon as I can.”
“There’s no rush.” I said as we hugged. “I know we’ll see each other again.”
“Good-bye, mother.”
“Good-bye, Ellie.”
“Bye.” Bryce added as she started walking to the table.
Ellie smiled while looking back. “Bye, Bryce!”
Bryce smiled and nodded as she reached Ryon’s side and the three of them disappeared.
I still couldn’t believe it. She really was grown up but best of all, she was happy.
Despairing Tides (Fate's Intent Book 12) Page 3
