Raining Light (Fate's Intent Book 5) (20 page)

I didn’t know what to make of this. I knew it wasn’t his gift. He could read minds. That didn’t give him the power to transform in anyway or at least I didn’t think so.

“It can’t happen now.” My father said, looking at Ryon like he was only talking to him and I guess he was. None of us knew what was going on.

“It won’t. Bryce took care of it. At least for a while.”

“What was it?” Zayden asked. “Bryce said he wouldn’t be able to hold back the lion’s call again. What does that mean?”

Ryon and my father looked at each other again but at least my father opted to say something. “The lion is the image of Kalu’s spirit. It lives within him because he’s the true heir but it would only truly show itself when Trever gets beyond angry.”

“He was beyond angry last night.” Troy said.

“Yes, and it was enough to sense that Trever had not become King. It will come back to make sure he does.”

“Come back?” I asked. “How?”

“Oh, no.” Ruby groaned. “Is this really happening? I didn’t think he was serious.”

“What?” I asked, hoping to get some kind of answer. I knew Ruby knew a lot of things about Trever. This had to be one of them.

“He used to tell us this story when we were young about the lion’s rage and how it breaks out of its human binds, massacring entire villages in a horrible bloody vengeance unless he resumes the throne.”

“What? Like human binds being an actual person?”

“Yeah and right now, it’s him.”

Now I was starting to become a little worried about this.

“It’s all right, Adele.” My father said. “It won’t be yet.”

Before I could have went on, Jaylyn and Trever came walking back and we stood right up to their presence.

“You all right?” Troy asked.

Dumb question. Of course she wasn’t all right but Jaylyn didn’t really help by smiling like nothing was wrong. “Yeah. Fine.”

“Well, good.” Ruby said. “But I have a question.”

“Ruby.” I sighed her name rather loudly. I hated it when she asked someone questions with that tone about her voice. They were either mainly for her pleasure of things or she was about to make someone really uncomfortable and I didn’t want that for Jaylyn right now.

“What? It’s not related. I’ve been wanting to know.”

“What is it?” Jaylyn asked with a smile.

Jaylyn was being open about this much like I remember Kole being but didn’t know if she was ready for anything that would be asked.

“Okay two questions. Where did you get that outfit and where can I get one?”

Jaylyn looked down. She was still wearing the two piece white outfit she wore from the night before. It had a thick band around her waist that was embellished in emeralds in silver settings. The white flowing fabric under it was attached just on the side and wrapped around the back, attaching to the band again which left the fabric to drape open over her left hip. The top was quite similar. The thick band going around the top of her chest was covered in the same emeralds in silver settings and two pieces of fabric crisscrossed around to her back to cover her breast.

She shrugged her shoulders with a happy tone. “You can’t. Kole made it for me.”

She kept her smile throughout saying it and Ruby shared an awkward look with those of us around her. “Oh. I see. Well, I like it. He—had good taste.”

This was why I didn’t want her to ask. Jaylyn tried to keep her smile while nodding in agreement at the same time. “Yeah. He does—I mean—did. If you want, I bet Adele could—”

“Yeah.” Ruby nodded back, trying to keep her emotion together as well.

“Just—you know—change the colors or something.”

“Yeah. Of course. Adele, you could—”

“Please stop talking about this and I will.” I muttered through my clenched jaw.

“Okay.”

“How are you?” My father was looking right at Trever, demanding an answer with his eyes.

“Are you trying to evoke my bad side, because that would be a really bad idea? It’s under control.”

“It better be.” My father replied, climbing up on his horse. “It’s best if we go.”

We got on our horses without a word and I took down the fortress.

Naturally, my father started to ride east first but Zayden got in front of him. “For your protection, let us. If we fall into a trap they may be more hesitant if we’re standing in the way.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I can’t but I’m sure I have a better reaction time than you.”

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.