Blooming Life (Fate's Intent Book 10) (3 page)

Chapter 7

Darius

I walked downstairs to Dirk’s room just as he was leaving it, stopping in a jolt when he saw me standing right in front of him. “Father!”

“So, I hear we need to have a talk.”

Dirk’s eyes started to narrow and turn red at the same time. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

I took a step forward and Dirk’s eyes started fading back as his fear of me overran his anger. “Let’s take a walk.”

“Yes, sir.” He replied, lowering his head.

I smiled and put my hand on Dirk’s shoulder as I turned with him towards the stairs. He walked without an expression down them to the first floor and I led him to the front door.

The mountain air was warming up with the sun as it rose over the peaks, lighting the once shaded areas. There was a light breeze that blown in and around the natural paths of the mountains and nature was waking around us from the scurrying little animals amongst the rocks to the high flying birds in the sky.

We walked for what seemed like hours as I gave my son one of life’s greatest lessons and explained some of the things he may experience in the future due to his gift of strength and how deadly his touch can really be.

Dirk walked quietly along and didn’t go any further but ask the occasional question. I handled it well and answered whatever he had to ask with positive encouragement, even with some of the most concerned questions.

“You mean I could actually kill someone even if I cared about them?”

“It’s a possibility. Your mother wanted you to be aware of those things.”

“But she doesn’t kill you.”

I laughed. “No and it’s because I’m strong enough to withstand her.”

“But there’s no one else like us. Would that mean that I’d kill every time? If that’s the case, I’ll never do it.”

“Now don’t go saying that just yet. In a couple years, it’ll be the only thing that’s on your mind. You’ll get to it. You’ll just have to make sure you’re careful, start out slow and determine your own limits.”

“That seems like a lot of work.”

“It is but it’ll be worth it. When your mother and I first met, I didn’t have the strength I do now but we were careful and I survived. If she could do it then so can you. You’d have your gift for longer and should know more of your limits than she did.”

“Still seems like a lot of work.”

“You still have a few years before you really need to decide that. By then things could change. Your mother just thought it was time you know and you should keep this stuff to yourself. Seth and Bryce shouldn’t hear this from you since they’re risk isn’t as great as yours will be. Your mother didn’t want it to be this early for you but you know why we had to.”

Dirk lowered his head as we walked. “Yeah. Sorry about that. I shouldn’t have just assumed without asking.”

“It’s all right. I understand why. It would need explaining for anyone who saw what you did. I just hope it’s not going to affect you in a negative way.”

“I didn’t see much. Mostly her expression with you over her but now that I know, I’d rather like to stop thinking about it.”

I laughed. “That’s your choice to do but just remember that it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s seen as one of the greatest expressions of love.”

“Didn’t look that way to me.”

“There are many different levels based on the couple. You’ll get the chance to explore and find your own way.”

“Few years, right?”

“Well, I couldn’t make an accurate decision on that. Your body has to go through the changes of puberty first and I’m sure your mother has something to say about what age you’re old enough to start having sex.”

“What’s the age?”

“She would say sixteen when you’re seen as a man to try and protect you from something but it’d probably be sooner than that.”

“How old were you?”

I took a long breath with my thoughts. “You’re asking me to think back a long time but if my memory suits me, I would say I was probably thirteen. Puberty for me started at twelve and that was just full with all kinds of ups and downs for me. It’s usually a troubling time for kids because they have to get used to their bodies all over again.”

“Was it that hard for you?”

I smiled to all the sudden questions Dirk was beginning to ask but was happy to answer them. “At first but then things got better. I lost my boyish look fairly fast. It almost seemed like overnight and that was replaced with these broad shoulders and muscles to fit them. Girls paid attention to me in a different kind of way than before so I quickly forgot about all the other semi-embarrassing stuff.”

“Well, then no wonder you were thirteen when you became sexually active. You think I’ll be that way?”

“Sexually active at thirteen or develop in the way I have?”

“Both.”

“Well, development wise, it’s very possible. You are my son. We share a lot of things because it’s part of my blood. You being sexually active at that age, well, I’d have to say that’d be your decision. It has a lot to do with your comfort level with yourself and around girls.”

He sighed atrociously. “Right, girls.”

“And by that, I would just have to guess that you’ve never even kissed one before.”

“Girls around here are a pretty rare species.”

I laughed. “I suppose that’s true. You don’t spend nearly enough time in the city as you should.”

“Then do something about that. Take me with you next time you go.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. Your mother would—”

“Please, father? We school here year round. Don’t they get some kind of break in the city?”

“It’s called a vacation and it’s usually three months in the summer so the kids can be with their families, travel and explore the world they live in to get a better understanding of it.”

“Well, we’ve never had that. You can convince mother I should go. If that doesn’t work, you could probably convince her that she should go too. I can’t remember the last time we were there. We go to Dorlin probably ten times more.”

“They take you there?”

“Every few months or so. Usually when you’re going to be gone for a few weeks.”

“What do you do there?”

“Sit around while the grownups talk. Not so fun for us. They never let us leave
the safety of the palace
so we have to find a way to amuse ourselves.”

“I’ve been unaware of any of this.”

“It’s nothing to mention. Why don’t they ever take us to Randal?”

“Because your mother never wants the possibility of staying. Since you were born, they’ve wanted you boys to grow up away from that life.”

“But I want that life. I hate always being here. I’d like to go other places sometimes.”

“And you will. There may be some plans in the making that will start to change things?”

“Really? Can you tell me?”

I laughed to my son’s eagerness. “Not quite yet. It’s still a while off. I wouldn’t want you to get your hopes too high then find out that I failed.”

“But you never fail, father.”

“Is this you already admitting your defeat to our day’s plans of training?”

“No! I meant in things that don’t have to do with me.”

“Oh, I see! So I’m a failure when it comes to you? Is that what you’re saying?”

“Well, I don’t want to brag but I am getting better and I didn’t mean every aspect that has to do with me. Just when it comes to winning. You taught me well and I intend to one day surpass you in the ring.”

“You have my determination but let’s really see how well you’ve gotten.”

Dirk looked ahead as we came around a turn and the mountain palace was in view. “You’re on.”

We both smiled and started running towards it. We slowed down just long enough to get through the door and Adele and Ruby were the only ones on the first floor.

“Whoa there!” Adele said as Dirk was first to race pass them.

He kept going but I stopped for a brief word. “Hey, sorry about that. We’re just going out to the balcony for some fun. He’s a little excited.”

“So, how’d it go?” Ruby asked before I could turn away. “You told him right?”

“Everything like you asked and it went well but don’t seem surprised if he starts looking at you differently.”

“Why? What did you do?”

“Nothing! He may have just been a bit surprised that you could actually kill that way. It was probably what he couldn’t understand most so that says he took everything else rather well.”

“He’s not freaking out, is he?” Adele wondered.

“No. He just hasn’t quite found a way to link the anger with sex and I don’t think he will until he can actually experience it.”

“Think he will?”

Ruby huffed and stopped us from going any further. “Please. That’s enough. I really don’t want to be thinking of him that way, ever!”

“Okay.” I laughed as I leaned down and kissed her head. “I know you still see him as your baby.”

“Father!” I looked up and Dirk was leaned over the railing of the third floor, looking down at us. “You coming? I thought you were right behind me.”

“I’ll be right up. Why don’t you warm up till I get there? You’re going to need it if you plan to beat me.”

Dirk just smiled and quickly moved away from the railing as if he ran off.

“Well, I better get up there. Zayden and Seth seen each other yet?”

“No.” Adele answered. “Zayden’s still asleep. He was really tired so I let him.”

“Well, I hope they get to bond today. They could both use it. Seth is all Zayden’s been talking about.”

“Good. I hope so too.”

“I’ll check in later, I guess. There’s something else I have to do.”

Adele nodded and I kissed Ruby one more time before I went up the stairs to the back balcony.

Chapter 8

Adele

Seth and Zayden were still going about their silence and awkwardness between each other throughout the following weeks. Everyone was gathered in the lounge one afternoon and I forced Seth to sit with his father. He did it without a word through the conversations going on around him until we saw a company of ten men riding towards the palace bearing Senian flags of the great white horse. Everyone rose to their feet, ready to approach the door.

“No, Seth.” Zayden said as he held his hand out in front of him. “Stay inside.”

I took Seth’s shoulders while I watched the men walk outside towards the company.

“Mother, what’s happening?” Bryce asked. “They can’t be leaving. They’ve never sent so many before.”

“I don’t know, Bryce.” Jaylyn muttered as she looked over at me for a moment. “I don’t know.”

None of us knew but I knew it was bad.

We watched one of the men get off his horse and bowed before them before speaking in words we couldn’t hear. I watch closely from inside when Zayden received some news that made him collapse down to his knees. I gasped and stepped closer to the window. Darius and Troy were kneeling down to him as the company of men started riding away.

They stayed out there for several minutes talking, only making us more eager to know what was going on. We still couldn’t hear anything but Zayden seemed emotionally effected while he remained on the ground. He couldn’t move enough to walk back inside to us but nor could he hold still. It was as if his body wouldn’t stop shaking and it began to worry me to think of what had happened.

I turned from the window and tried to herd everyone away. “All right. Come on. Everyone into the kitchen. Let’s go. Away from here.”

The boys turned away without arguing it and Ruby and Jaylyn turned away just as worried.

I just wanted to get everyone away so we wouldn’t have to watch and allow Zayden to collect himself and come in on his own time.

We waited in the kitchen for just over an hour. Boredom clear on the boys’ faces as they were leaned against the counter, twirling a spoon or even finding the smallest thing to play with.

The silence remained. We said nothing to each other and only waited out this time.

The kitchen door opened and all heads looked up. Darius and Troy came in slowly and I took abrupt notice to Zayden’s absence. “Where is he?”

Troy took a quiet shuttering breath like he was trying to collect himself too but it only worried us. “Gone. Izin and Kathryn are dead.”

I instantly came to tears. “What?! No.”

“Boys, upstairs and pack.” Ruby said. “We’ll be right up.”

The boys didn’t know what to say or how to even react but obeyed and left the kitchen.

“How?” Jaylyn asked.

“No one knows.” Darius said. “Zayden will be there long before us. He’ll take care of it.”

I tried keeping in my tears so I could speak. “We should be with him. He shouldn’t have to do it alone.”

“He’s taking this hard as it is. Father planned to Crown him on his birthday.”

Wet eyes widened. “What?!”

“He was trying to get himself to prepare for it but now he doesn’t have a choice and the circumstances are far worse.”

“Then we have to go.” I said, rushing passed them to get to the door. “Nonstop. Whatever it takes. He needs us.” Everyone followed and went upstairs to pack. I finished quickly and went into Seth’s room to see him sitting on his bed with Rift next to him. “Seth, are you packed?”

He lifted up a bag but didn’t say anything.

“It’s all right to be sad. Crying sometimes helps.”

“Men don’t cry.”

“Please don’t make this hard. This is a very emotional time for your father. He needs you now.” Seth still didn’t say anything. “We have to go.”

Seth got up and followed downstairs and outside where everyone was waiting. Our horses were already readied for us and we had begun our journey east for the city.