Despairing Tides (Fate's Intent Book 12)

by Bowles, April

  “Wait! I want to see you again.”

  “Rory, I—”

  “Please. This was the best day of my entire life. When can I see you again?”

  Vera smiled as she looked down at me from her horse. “Back here, at midnight. I’ll meet you.”

  I smiled and nodded, happy that she was willing to risk it. It meant I meant something to her. “I’ll be here.”

  Vera smiled one last time before riding off on her horse back to the palace.

  I followed awhile after when I was completely sure she was back and I settled my horse back in the stables before going inside.

  “There you are. Where have you been?”

  Seth was right there to greet me and I answered simply. “Out.”

  “Out? Who said you could go out?”

  “Dirk gave me the day off because he wanted to spend it with Lana, remember? I didn’t get into any trouble.”

  “Well, what did you do with your free day then?”

  “I took a tour of the city.”

  “By yourself?”

  “Yes, by myself. It was great alone time.”

  “Well, good. I was just on my way to dinner. You’re just in time to join us.”

  “Who is us?”

  “Everyone. They’re already in there. You coming?”

  “Okay. Sure.” I was hoping to see Vera again and started walking with Seth to the dining hall.

  “And here they come now.” Zayden said. “Rory, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

  “Certainly, your majesty.” I reached the table and bowed my head.

  “May I introduce, King Oren of Ledia and his lovely daughter, Princess Vera. They’re here on vacation and look forward to watching your upcoming event.”

  “How do you do?” I asked as Vera’s father stood up and we shook hands.

  “It’s an honor to finally meet you and my daughter, Vera. Say hello darling.”

  Vera smiled as she stood up to me and bowed her head. “It’s a pleasure that you have decided to grace us with your presence, my lord.”

  “The pleasure is all mine, my lady.” I took her hand and kissed it as any respectable gentlemen would do. Vera smiled again when I never took my eyes off hers as I did it.

  “Very nice, Rory, you may take your seat.” Zayden said.

  “Of course, your majesty.” I turned from Vera and sat down on the other side of the table across from her, next to Dirk.

  “So, Rory. Your father has requested a progress report.” Zayden said. “Is there anything specific you would like to add other than what your teachers have said about you?”

  I looked over at my teachers and didn’t know about any of this. “You already wrote stuff about me?”

  “Well, yeah.” Dirk said. “We don’t let things just sit around.”

  “Well, what’d you say?”

  Bryce smiled. “Stuff. Don’t worry about it.”

  “I will worry about it. You’re sending that to my father.”

  “We would have shown you.” Seth said. “But you took the day off, remember?”

  “What does that mean?” I looked around at them when they smiled at each other. “Oh, no you didn’t. Tell me you didn’t.”

  “Well, we can’t.” Bryce smiled. “We wouldn’t lie to you.”

  I sighed and put my hand over my face. Dirk only laughed at me and shook me by my shoulder. “Don’t you love this kid? I love this kid! He’s always good for a laugh!”

  “How is this in any way funny?” I asked.

  “It just is. You really shouldn’t worry. It was fine. He’ll be proud.”

  “Proud good or proud bad?”

  “How can proud be bad?”

  I would have gladly answered but Seth interrupted and pointed at me. “Rory, don’t answer that. It’s the good proud so end it.”

  “Forgive me.”

  There was a pause and everyone continued to eat.

  “Well, I hope you four have that straightened out so we can start discussing preparations for the upcoming events.” Zayden said.

  “It’s taken care of, father.” Seth replied.

  “Really? Everything?”

  “Yes, everything. It’s done. Just waiting for time.”

  “Very well, what are some of the things we may look forward to then?” Zayden asked.

  “Oh, yes.” Oren said. “Do tell us.”

  “All right. Rory leave.”

  “What? I just got here. Why do I have to leave?”

  “Because you’re not supposed to know what’s going to happen.” Bryce answered.

  “Well, that seems like a cruel and unusual punishment.” I said as I stood up from the table.

  Dirk hit me in the back of my head—for the millionth time. “Don’t argue. Just go.” He picked up my plate of food and held it out to me. “And take this.”

  I took my plate but gave Dirk a scolding look. “I hate it when you do that.”

  “So, stop making inappropriate comments and I’ll stop doing it. Just go.”

  I sighed but Dirk just hit me in the back of the head again. “Hey! What was that for?”

  “For what you were about to say hadn’t I stopped you.” I just glared at him for a moment but walked to the door to leave before I would have said something else. “Goodnight!”

  I kept walking and put up my hand as I walked out the door. I was done being in there. Dirk made it easy for me to seem like a childish fool and right in front of Vera too. I wasn’t happy about it.

  “Rory!”

  I was already up the stairs when I heard someone call my name. I turned and saw Vera quickly making her way up the stairs to me.

  “Vera?” She smiled and quickly kissed me when she reached me. I was completely unprepared and pulled her away from view of the dining hall so no one would see. “What are you doing? You’re going to get us both in trouble.”

  “I had to see you.”

  “Do you know what could happen if anyone saw us together?”

  “I know but they’re all busy right now and I didn’t want to be in there anymore if you weren’t going to be.”

  “I thought I was going to meet you later?”

  “How about we just reschedule that for another time and be together now?”

  She stepped in even closer to me and I still wasn’t sure if it were a good idea to do here. “You’re taking a risk here, you know that?”

  “Well, your adventurous spirit has seemed to rub off on me.”

  She put her arms around my neck and I put my free hand around her waist while trying to hold my dinner plate away from us so I wouldn’t spill it. “Oh, really? You want to test that theory?”

  “Mmm. What did you have in mind? Something good I hope.”

  “Let’s just wing it.”

  “Perfect. We better get to it before everyone else comes up to bed. We wouldn’t want them to get suspicious when they hear my voice coming from your room.”

  She took my hand and started pulling me to my room and I think I was still a bit surprised by her request. “Really? You’re serious? Were actually going to—”

  “You nervous?”

  “Nervous? No. I mean, of course not.”

  She closed us inside my room and was leading me towards the bed as I set down my plate. It was hard to admit even to myself but I’ve had a pretty sheltered life and this is really my first time with a girl. I wasn’t sure how I should be handling it.

  “It’s okay. It’s my first time too.”

  I stared at her blankly. It was like she could read my mind but that couldn’t be. I’m the one that can do that and by doing it, I knew that she wanted her first to be with me and not that older man she was set to marry. I could understand but it only saddened me to think we couldn’t always be together.

  “Okay but how are these things supposed to start?”

  “I guess we start by getting out of our clothes.” I was a little glad she was just as unsure but she reached for her dress and started
to undo the laces. “Come on. Don’t make me be the only one.”

  I shook my head and reached for my shirt, getting it off while I watched her dress slide to the floor. She was so little and sweet. She kind of reminded me of Lana structurally. It just made it better that I got to see it. I wanted her and I could feel the pressure of it harden me.

  I reached for my pants next and really hesitated this part.

  “It’s okay.” She said. “I’m not going to judge.”

  She was reassuring but I was still nervous. “I know.”

  She still had her eyes on me and moved them down as I lowered my pants to my ankles, stepping out of them while trying not to fall.

  Her eyes were opened a little wider but it was obvious what she was looking at but it wasn’t in a bad way. More like in a pleased way and I’m glad she thought that of me. I wouldn’t have wanted her to think I was small. I never thought I was small though I never really compared before. It just made me feel a bit better standing like this to think she was impressed.

  She stepped closer to me and gently grasped my forearms, pulling me closer to her. “I want this.”

  “So do I.”

  “I know.” She giggle and moved her hand to my hardened member, grasping around it as much as she could at least with her dainty hand.

  The pleasure of someone else touching me was a feeling I can honestly say I never thought about and explaining the reasons to myself would have only gotten me out of the mood. I didn’t want that. I wanted what was right in front of me.

  I touched my hand around her bare back and we kissed just ever so lightly that it made the moment perfect. I was still nervous but instinctually laid over her on the bed with my feet still touching the floor. I just barely pressed against her moist skin and the tip slid right inside. It felt amazing and my breaths were instantly becoming inconstant to this sensational feeling.

  “It’s okay.” Vera put a hand at the back of my neck and kept me looking at her so I wouldn’t look down towards the feeling. “I want you to.”

  She put her other hand on my right buttocks and slowly pulled me towards her which caused me to slide into her deeper. The feeling from there just heightened tenfold and I thought I would never get enough of this. I guided my body in and out of hers for a measly three minutes until I ended it rather abruptly when I couldn’t hold back this erupting feeling pulsing through my entire body. I felt like such an idiot when it was over.

  “I am so sorry.”

  “Rory—”

  “I couldn’t help it.”

  “Rory—”

  “Please excuse me. I’m sorry.”

  I got up all the way and just felt like I completely failed at my first time. It should have been longer than that, right? There’s no possible way she even had time to enjoy it.

  “Rory.” She was right at my side to comfort me. “I don’t want you to feel bad. It was beautiful.”

  “Was it?”

  “Of course. I never expected it to go on forever, especially our first time. Five minutes would have been pushing it. I wouldn’t have thought you enjoyed it if it took that long.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. You did amazing.”

  “I wasn’t the only one. You were pretty amazing too.”

  “Thank you.”

  I felt better knowing she didn’t hate me for it. I would have loved for her to stay with me tonight but she had to get back to her room in case her father checked up on her at some point. I wouldn’t want her to get in trouble.

  So much for meeting at midnight but I’d say my stay here just got a bit more enjoyable.

  Chapter 38

  Seth

  Something was seriously wrong. Their meet made it seem like they had already met before this. I didn’t like to think about why and tried forgetting about it while we spent another week training Rory but I kept seeing those signs when he was around Vera that no one else seemed to see. I had to know.

  I caught him sneaking out on this one particular night but didn’t confront him. Instead, I followed. I hid in the shadows while doing so and watched Rory slip out the palace gate into the city.

  Where was he going? I feared the answer but followed anyway.

  Rory was headed to the little park here by the palace where I first was introduced to Cadence and there waiting for him was Vera. I knew it but I didn’t expect to see her greet him with a kiss. I couldn’t believe it and stayed back to watch what would happen.

  “I’ve been waiting all day to do that.” Vera said as they parted.

  “Oh, believe me, I’ve been waiting all day to get it.” Rory replied. They sat down and leaned up against a rock. Vera smiled again as she sat in front of him and leaned back on him. He put his arms around her and she held onto them as she sighed. “What is it?”

  “Nothing. Time is just going by too fast, that’s all.”

  “I know. It’s something I try not to think about.”

  “You know we’ll have too, right? I mean, we only have a week of this.”

  “If it could only be longer.”

  “Forever would be nice but I know my father would never allow it. He’d kill me if he saw me now.”

  “Yeah, he would.” I was done with this and made my presence known to them.

  They jumped right up to their feet to see me.

  “Seth! I can explain.” Rory said.

  “Oh, really? Well, start explaining. Start by telling me why I’m finding you here with the Princess after specific instruction to stay away from her.”

  “Seth, please.” Vera said as she stepped in front of Rory. “It wasn’t his fault.”

  I knew better. “It’s all right, Vera. You don’t have to cover for him.”

  “But I’m not. It’s really my fault. I’m the one that spoke first.”

  “At this point, it doesn’t really matter whose fault it was. Do either of you know how serious this is?” I let them think about it for a moment but neither of them were replying. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to tell your fathers about this.” I started to turn.

  “No!” They shouted at the same time.

  I turned back and Vera started to beg. “Please, don’t tell my father, Seth. He’d take it out on Rory and I don’t want that.”

  “Then you know what is to be done. This has to end.” Vera and Rory put their heads down and sighed. “This has to end or I have no choice but to tell them.”

  “Fine.” Rory said in anger.

  “Good but that means you two are not to be around each other, talk to each other or even look at each other. If I see the slightest glance between you two this whole thing is coming down and your fathers will be notified. Have I made myself clear?”

  “Yes.” They said under their breath.

  “Louder.”

  “Yes!”

  “Now, separate and get back to the palace.”

  Vera and Rory sighed and I walked in between them all the way back in silence.

  When we walked in, I pointed to the stairs. “Get up to your room and Princess, I suggest you do the same.” They both had a sad look on their faces and Vera couldn’t help but look over to Rory but I quickly blocked her view. “No. To your room.”

  She was getting tears in her eyes as she stood there looking at me then turned away as they started to fall. She ran off through the main hall toward her room which was located downstairs.

  “What is the matter with you?” Rory asked.

  He was ready to pass me to go after her but I stopped him. “No. Let her go. She’s no longer your concern.”

  “We’ll see about that.” Rory muttered as he turned from me.

  “Rory!” He stopped in his tracks and turned back to listen. “Your father put you under my watch and as long as you are as such, you will obey my orders. You are not to go anywhere near her!”

  “Like that will be easy! You say that like you know what I’m going through but how could you? You get to be with the one you love whereas I’m forced to st
ay away!” He turned from me and ran up the stairs.

  I was surprised by his choice of words. Was it true?

  I went up to my room and Cadence was laying in bed still awake. “There you are. Where have you been?” I walked closer and she noticed I was thinking about something. “What’s the matter?”

  I sighed. “I just found Vera and Rory together.”

  “No way! Together, together?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What did you do?”

  “What I had to. I forbidden their union.”

  “But what?”

  “What do you mean, but what?”

  “I know you’re thinking about something, Seth. What is it?”

  I sighed again and sat down on the edge of the bed. “It’s something he just said to me.”

  “What did he say?”

  “I think he’s in love with her.”

  “With Vera?”

  “Who else?”

  “So, what’s the problem?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I feel bad about what I did because I know I felt the same way when someone told me I wasn’t allowed to see you.”

  “Then take it back.”

  “I can’t. I did what I did because I knew Vera’s father would have wanted it. She’s been claimed since her birth.”

  Cadence looked outraged. “You mean an arranged marriage? Well, that’s just not fair. How could someone do that?”

  “Why are you getting so mad? It happened to us.”

  “But we met early and actually happen to be in love. How could she allow it with a stranger?”

  “She doesn’t have a choice. She knows that. It’s what’s best for the future.”

  “But what about what’s best for her? Does she return this love for Rory?”

  “I don’t know but it’s too late to matter.”

  “Seth! You can’t look passed this!”

  “There’s nothing I can do! I’m not the one to decide her future! Her father is!”

  “But there must be something! You know what it’s like to be in love.”

  I sighed and put my head down. “I know but the King doesn’t care about that.”

  “But he cares about Vera.”

  I lifted my head to see her smile. “Cadence, no.”