Forgotten Days (Fate's Intent Book 6) (10 page)

“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.”

Zayden 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.”

“Even us?”

“Even us. Don’t worry. You’ll be well distracted.”

“So, how do I look?” Zayden walked out of his closet wearing an all-white outfit suited for such an occasion. There was a white dress coat that was trimmed in silver with a decorative cape hung over his left shoulder and was the main focal-point of the outfit. It was like he dressed to match his new pet that was constantly next to him. “Oh, hey, Troy. Didn’t hear you come in.”

“Just got here.”

“Um. Which point of view were you looking for?” I asked, my eyes scanning Zayden’s outfit. “A woman’s or a man’s?”

“Both.”

“From a man’s, intimidating. From a woman’s, classic Prince charming.”

Troy laughed.

“Thanks.”

“Well, you asked.”

“So, are you ready for this?” Troy asked.

“More than I’ll ever be, I guess. Now you two better get dressed too and since I knew this would happen, I had the liberty of finding something suitable for you to wear.”

He moved the massage table and revealed two all-white outfits, similar to his, laying on the bed behind it.

“Oh, no.” I said. “I don’t do the Prince thing.”

“You do tonight. It’s for your wedding. Just do it for Ruby.”

“But—”

“She’s willing to wear a dress for you, isn’t she?”

“If she shows.”

Troy may have said it jokingly but I still didn’t appreciate it while acting accordingly, barely tapping his shoulder but it sent him stumbling to keep his feet.

“I was only teasing!”

“It doesn’t matter.” Zayden said. “Darius, she’ll be there and you’re wearing it. End of story.”

“Fine.”

Troy laughed and stepped towards the hideous outfits first.

My eyes moved over to Zayden and I casually walked by him, muttering quietly. “You should tell him now.”

“Working on it.” He muttered back.

There was a pause while I joined Troy by the bed and we started getting ready.

“Ah, Troy. There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”

“I know.” Troy said while he concentrated more on getting dressed.

Zayden shared a look with me and we both seemed confused. “You know?”

“Yeah, how you’ve been biting my future wife to try and gain control over your gift.”

“She told you?”

“Of course she did. She didn’t want us making this official with secrets.”

“Oh, well, okay. I guess that makes some of this easier. Are you—”

“Letting it continue? Yeah. I am but take it any further with her and I may not want to but I will make you regret it.”

“You should know I wouldn’t.”

“How much further would it really go?” I asked in a sickening tone unless he meant draining her dry. I’m sure that would kill her—maybe.

“You knew about this?” Troy asked.

“Knew about it? I walked in on it.”

“When?”

“Yesterday. Right in there. She was—and he was—and it was just completely—I hate thinking about it.”

“It really wasn’t that big of a deal.” Zayden said. “He just kind of overreacted and threw me away from her.”