They stepped up to each other so they were side-by-side and I took the reins of all four.
“Who wants to hold Rift?”
They seemed unsure.
“Who will he want to?” Troy asked.
My father sighed loudly like my asking was wasting our precious time. “I’ll take the creature since you clearly haven’t thought about leaving it behind.”
“Of course not.”
“Then hand it to me and let’s just get going.”
I picked up Rift and put him up with my father. “You need to stay here and try to stay still, okay?”
He tried laying down across his lap but he wasn’t exactly a little puppy anymore. He’s grown over the weeks.
“Remember to keep your eyes closed. It’s probably going to be hours to travel days away. I have no idea. I haven’t tried that either.”
“Whatever you have to do.” My father replied.
“Rift, go to sleep.”
He listened by closing his eyes and I took a breath as I looked forward. I knew I severely had to focus on moving everyone else, including the horses to the northern docks all the way in Kalu. It would normally be a four to five day trip but I planned to cut that time for the sake of our wives back home.
Pure concentration. That was the key. I set my mind where it needed to be and tried it out. At first it felt the same and I didn’t know if it worked until I looked back. The scenery was all blurred but the others and the horses were with me. I did it. It felt easy but as the minutes passed and those turned into hours, I was beginning to feel worn out.
I’ve never done it for this long before. I almost felt as if I couldn’t go any further yet I realized I didn’t have to when we had reached the sea by the Northern Docks that late afternoon.
I stopped yet was breathing heavily. It would seem that the horses also felt this exhaustion too since I could tell they were tired. “Okay. We’re here.”
My voice was almost panting and others opened their eyes to see it for themselves.
“Nice work.” Darius smiled. “That wasn’t so bad.”
I took a heavy breath and sat down on the ground right where I stood and Rift jumped down to join me. “Yeah. Easy for you to say. I was doing all the work.”
“Let’s find the ship.” My father said. “Aleks may be here already.” He stepped to me and helped pull me up to my feet.
“All right but I’m going to be sitting the whole way there. How long should that take?”
“About a day.” Aleksander walked up behind us, holding the reins of his horse. “Give or take.”
“Oh, good.”
“Where’s the girls?”
“They chose to stay behind.” Troy said. “Mostly because of where we’re going.”
“They made the right choice. I can’t count how many times they’ve talked bad about the place.”
“Well, thanks for inviting us along to sit through this.” I replied.
Aleksander laughed. “The world is not yet used to this peace. Your presence in Hintus might start to change that. Well, that’s the plan. Come on. We leave the horses in the stables here. We’ll have an escort to the palace on the other side waiting for us.”
“Sounds good.”
“I’m impressed. I expected there to be a wait.”
My father glanced over at me with a smile. “We had some help.”
“Some? I can barely tell I’m standing up.”
“Then let’s get down there and inform the crew we’ll be leaving earlier than planned.”
I nodded and we all started to move our horses forward. They were placed safely in the dock stables and we boarded the ship.
“Well, home sweet home for the next day and back on our return.” Aleksander said.
We put our stuff down in a large cabin we would share and Darius threw himself back on one of the beds. “I could get used to this but something’s missing.”
“And I have a pretty good idea what that is.” Troy said, sitting on the opposite bed. “But you’ll have to get used to it.”
“I think I’m having withdrawals.”
Troy laughed. “Darius, it’s only been six hours.”
“Thanks for reminding me I could be getting it right now. It really takes the pressure off for having to spend the next few days with all of you, compared to the alternative.”
“It’s really not going to kill you.”
“It might.”
Troy shook it off with a quiet laugh and I didn’t plan to have the conversation continued either. I had my gaze set out the window and my muddled mind brought me back to that dark place I didn’t want to be. Getting away was supposed to keep my mind off it but even that wasn’t working.
“I need some air.”
I walked out onto the upper deck with Rift following and already knew they were talking about it. I didn’t want to be there for it. The ship was leaving port and I walked all the way up to the bowsprit where I could see nothing but open sea in front of me.
It was a peaceful place with the cool wind blowing around me but I began to think again. I wondered if I could ever forget about what happened those months ago. I hoped that I could but I stood there for almost an hour with it still on my mind until my father walked up behind me. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.” I didn’t hesitate my answer.
“We heard about what happened.”
I laughed behind my closed lips because I knew I was right. “Yeah. I bet you did.”
“It almost surprises me that you actually forgave him.”
Using the word him made me realize he spoke just of Darius and I looked over. “It wasn’t his fault. He’s Darius. It’s how he is. It’s hard to change.”
“I know but I hope your blame isn’t focused on your wife either.”
“Of course not. I’m over what happened with them. I’m just not over what happened after and I don’t know if I ever will be.”
“The baby?”
I closed my eyes to the word and turned my head away. “Yes.”
“You’re making it seem like you can’t have that again when you can. She could be carrying right now. That happened months ago.”
“But does that mean it changes the future? The future of the child she saw; Seth? What if it does? I needed that. You know I did. What happens if I don’t get it?”
“You will. Aleks is going to try to look into it for you.”
My eyes opened a little more with a voice of hope. “Can he really do that? I thought his visions just came to him.”
“Mostly but he can look into some things on occasion.”
“Okay but it’s been bothering me for a long time. I just need to know before I can move on with it. I can’t live in peace this way.”
“Understandable and you will be able to move on. That’s a promise.”
I nodded and started to make room for thought of my father’s words. I knew he was right. Everyone kept saying it; I could still get it but I still wondered if it changed what she saw. Maybe that was just the part I wasn’t over.
Chapter 5
Zayden
The day at sea went by quick but I didn’t sleep very well. I tossed and turned all night and just couldn’t get those thoughts of loss and failure off my mind. I kept glancing over at Aleksander as he slept and wondered if maybe he was getting somewhere in his sleep about the visions. I lost hours thinking about it but by morning, I finally got to sleep.
“Hey, Zayden! Wake up!”
I jumped right awake and looked around to Darius’s anxious voice. “What? What happened?”
“Nothing.” Troy laughed. “It’s morning.”
I sighed and my head fell back on the pillow. “It feels like I just fell asleep.”
“It looks like you did.” Darius said. “You look horrible.”
“Thanks.” I rolled away from them and faced the wall. “Go away so I can sleep.”
“Well, don’t you want to hear about what Aleksander saw?”
/>
I flipped right back over in a hurry. “But you just said nothing happened when I asked!”
“So we lied. You’re awake now, aren’t you? They’re on the upper deck.”
I sighed and threw the blankets off me. “Is there a dress code for this meeting?”
Troy laughed. “No. We’re the only upstanding class on this ship.”
“Good.” I got to my feet and didn’t bother to throw on a shirt but I did put on shoes for sanitary reasons.
“There you are.” My father said.
“What did you find out?” I asked, looking directly at Aleksander. “Did you see him?”
“Ah, I didn’t see a him per-say but I did see a very pregnant daughter of mine.”
“That doesn’t solve my problem.”
“But it will be soon. There was snow.”
“Not good enough! Look again!”
“Zayden, relax.” Troy said.
“Don’t speak unless you can actually manage to come up with something important to say!” I turned right around and walked away from them without saying another word. I was starting to get furious with the more I didn’t know and I just wished that it was over with.
I walked back down to the cabin and sealed myself inside, waking Rift from his sleep. I was exhausted too and yet didn’t know if falling asleep would even be an option. I laid down on the bed anyway, looking up at the ceiling.
“You know, that probably wasn’t the best way to go.”
I looked over to see Ryon sitting on the adjacent bed and Rift got right up to greet him.
“They’re just trying to help.”
I sighed and looked back up to the ceiling. “I don’t need you to tell me that.”
“I think maybe someone had to before you lose your mind.”
“I’m not going to go wolf over this, okay?”
“I wasn’t concerned about that.”
“Then why are you here? I thought you were with Trever.”
“Not all the time. I snuck away without the company noticing because you need serious help, brother. You’re taking this out on everyone else though you don’t need to. You should already know that your future is solid. Why should you doubt it?” I just looked over with narrowed eyes. I’m sure he knew. I definitely didn’t want to have to say it. “Okay. So, who cares that your wife cheated on you with your best friend one time?”
“If you haven’t noticed, I’m kind of passed that and would appreciate it if people stop mentioning it.”
“See, that’s where you’re wrong. I don’t think that you are passed it because that selfish act is the reason you keep doubting the future. You may think you have but you’ve never fully confronted it to yourself. So that means that no one else knows about it either. That’s why you’re lashing out at them.”
“That’s not why. Wouldn’t you want to know if what happened changed something you already knew about?”
“What if it didn’t change anything? She saw Seth for the first time a while ago but it doesn’t mean that what happened recently wasn’t part of that future. It could have been and she just didn’t see it. Would you like me to show you so this can finally be stopped?”
I sat right up. “You can do that? I thought you could only look into the past.”
“That was only when I was bound to this world. In mine, our powers are greater. I can now see past, present and future. So, how far into it would you like me to go?”
“Really?”
“Yeah, you need to get passed this. How far?”
I was anxious to finally get this chance to see for myself and tried calming my mind to form an answer with words. “Ah, to about when he’s ten. That was about the age she saw him in her dream.”
Ryon held out his hand in front of him, palm up and a light glow appeared and formed a sphere. I stared into it with intense focus and images started forming. It was me. I was older in a time when I would actually keep my facial hair and I was riding a white stallion through the streets of Randal. Next to me was a young boy with blonde hair on a similar horse. It reminded me much of my father and me when I was young but I knew that wasn’t it.
“And it’s real?”
“As real as you are now.” Ryon lowered his hand and the images and glow faded away. I was almost sad to see it gone. “He is in your future and you shouldn’t have to doubt it anymore.”
“But how can I trust what you’re saying? Everyone would tell me not to.”
“Well, that’s up for you to decide. Besides, you know you want to.”
I sat there for a moment and began to realize he was right. I wanted to believe him so I didn’t have to doubt my future and everything seemed like it would finally start getting back to the way it was. “Well, thanks. I do want to but now what?”
“You’re welcome and now, I’d suggest you make up for what you’ve done wrong but I think you could really use some sleep first. You look like shit.”
“So leave.”
Ryon laughed and it started in an echo until it faded out completely and he was gone.
I thought it was weird at first that he would even want to visit me to set things right but things changed much more than I realized. He has always wanted to be a part of my life. I guess helping me when I needed to was making up for it all.
I was relieved and kept my focus on what I was shown. I saw my son and he looked just like me much in the way I’ve seen before.
Everything seemed right suddenly. Well, almost everything. I knew I had to apologize for my recent behavior but first I had to get some sleep. There would be time later for my explanation.
Chapter 6
Darius
Zayden and Rift were thankfully asleep when we walked back in. The weather was getting messy being on the sea and we couldn’t stand out there anymore. We spent most of the day inside and were finally almost at our destination.
“Ah, hey.”
Zayden woke and was walking slowly towards us.
“Haven’t seen anything else if that’s what you want to know.” Aleksander said.
“What? No. It’s okay. You don’t need to anymore and I’m sorry for getting all stressed about it.”
I looked over at Izin and he looked most impressed. “Well, what’s the cause for this sudden change?”
“I got what I need from another source that I’m satisfied with.”
“Another source?” I wondered. “From where?”
Then I heard a laugh.
“Think you mean to say from whom?”
“Is that—?”
Ryon appeared next to Zayden. “Who else?”
“Ryon?” Izin wondered. “You’re dead?!”
“Surprise.”
“Does Kathryn know?”
He laughed to his worry. “Of course she knows. It didn’t just happen.”
“She didn’t tell me.”
“Why would she? She knows you wouldn’t care.”
Izin looked over at Zayden and saw his eyes on him. “You know him?”
“My brother, you mean?”
“Yeah, he knows everything.”
“Zayden—”
“Don’t worry about the wolf thing, father. I’m okay.”
“What wolf thing?” Aleksander asked like he truly didn’t know and I guess if Trever recently found out then they haven’t found a way to plot and scheme about it yet.
“I’m a wolf too.” Zayden said. “From my mother.”
“Kathryn’s a—but I’ve known her for—I’ve never seen her—”
He was clearly in shock about it and Ryon laughed. “How could you not know sooner? You grew up with her. You had to know what her last name was.”
“Well, yeah but no one thought it was from her. I thought it was just a coincidence that her last name was Wolfe because I’ve never seen her as one and she’s never mentioned it.”
“She never does it.” Izin said. “Just because it’s in her blood doesn’t mean she’s ever had to use it. She takes something for that
.”
“You’ve been blocking Zayden too?”
“We used to but he’s old enough to understand and decide for himself what he wants.”
“And I’ll be there to help.” Ryon said.
Izin didn’t seem to like that and narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“And please tell me you’re the only one in this world.” Troy said.
Ryon laughed. “Don’t worry. They’re not here. Jay’s sanity is safe. They don’t even know I’m here.”
“You’re not supposed to be.” Zayden said.
“Finally showing some gratitude, Zayden? I’m glad sleep helped.”
“I’m still tired.”
“And moody.”
“So—how did you die?” Izin asked.
“Father!”
“It’s all right.” Ryon said. “He’s been waiting for this to happen to me since he met me. It shouldn’t surprise you that he wants to know every detail.”
“Still. I’m not that happy to hear it again.”
“It was an assisted suicide.”
“Assisted?” I asked.
Ryon paused for a moment with a smile and looked around. “They didn’t tell you how I died?”
“Ryon, don’t.” Aleksander said.
He held out his hand and an empty syringe appeared in it. “I’m sure you’re familiar with it.” He tossed it to Zayden and he caught it as it gained its full color.
“My venom.”
“Trever made it all too easy. Locked it up tight in his house, miscalculating that I can get in anywhere I wanted. An impossible thing to try and keep from the greatest thief who ever lived.”
“Your weapon of choice?” Zayden asked, tossing it back only to see it disappear.
“It was just something I had to do and I know you can’t understand that but this makes it so much easier to break daddy’s rules.”
He glanced humorously at Izin but he met him with a cold stare. “Don’t ever call me that again and I don’t care what has been said about it. My rules were entirely justified. Zayden was to never know that you existed.”
“I know and believe me, I put it off for as long as I could due to the situation.”
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