“So, that’s really the reason why you didn’t come with us ashore that night.” Dirk figured. “You didn’t want him to see you.”
“Yes, that’s true. I couldn’t risk it.”
“But you did tonight.” Bryce said.
“For her. I couldn’t let Wyatt and his selfish ways ruin her. She may not be his daughter but she and Blake still come from the same mother. It’s still wrong.”
“So, you’ll do nothing?”
“There’s nothing I can do. I can’t prove it.”
“But if he knows than that’s something. He can’t deny your rightful place.”
“Look. I didn’t come on this trip to claim anything. I just wanted to help get Cadence back because I know first-hand how brutal they can be and I didn’t want her to go through what she did any more than you.”
“So, you’ll let this country suffer under their rule when you have the power to end it? There’s something else, isn’t there? Something you’re not telling us.”
There was a pause and Jinx looked down at the floor. “It’s not who I am. It never was. My mother tells me of changes my father would have made to their customs and that’s what got him killed. I know he would have wanted me to be the one to do it but how could I make the choice to be what I’m not?”
“But you are. No one can take that from you.”
“Seth.” My father had a hand on my shoulder and pulled me back. “Don’t push it. He needs to decide it for himself.” He looked at Jinx and Jinx nodded. “I’ve been there, not thinking it was how I wanted to live my life either and I got away from it for a while.”
“But you went back.” I said.
“It was my choice to and this is his. You have our full support, Jinx, whatever you decide.”
“Thank you.”
Jinx took the full plate with him instead of eating it with us. I guess I could understand that he needed to think about this. I just hoped he’d hurry. A country is riding on his decision.
Chapter 57
Darius
We woke up with the sun and got ready to make our final stand to keep Cadence.
“Has Jinx made his decision?” Zayden asked.
“He hasn’t said a word since last night.” Seth said.
“Then I suppose he has. Let’s go.”
We got on our horses but for my daughter’s protection, she was to stay on the ship with Rory and Dirk to keep her company until we made it back.
For our last trip into the city, we entered in full view with our ranks present for all to see. There was all kinds of whispers muttered by the people as we made our way straight to the palace but no one was in the throne room. In fact, no one was around at all, not even the staff.
“Where is everyone?” Ruby asked.
The sound of metal scraping the floor filed the hall.
“Oh, Bryce?” Blake was walking from behind the throne, dragging two metal whips on the floor. “Come back for more already?”
“You wish.” Bryce replied.
He laughed and I noticed the crown on his head. I forgot completely.
“Where is your father?” Zayden asked.
“Zayden, I forgot to tell you.” I whispered it but there was no time to explain.
“Sadly, my father had met his demise early.” Blake proclaimed proudly. “I’m in charge now.”
“What happened?” Zayden asked.
“He mistakenly said no to me. A regret he won’t be able to fix.” I’ve never spent much time around Blake before but it didn’t take long to figure out that he was colder and crueler than we always thought Wyatt was. “Come to surrender my sister back to me? I know you stole her from me.”
Seth tightened next to me. “You’re not getting anywhere near her!”
Blake laughed, much too confident while standing in front of all of us. “I suppose it was time for a break. She was getting raw on both ends.”
“You’re sick.”
“Am I? You should have seen how compliant she became.”
“Stop.”
“And oh, the sound of her screams.” Talking about it seemed to delight him and I had to stop myself from ripping his head off. “It was one of the best parts.”
Ruby gripped my arm. Her eyes were red and it seemed she was trying to hold back as well but Seth lost it.
Blake was purposely trying to get him to make a move first and he did. He rushed towards him, knocking him to the floor but Blake rolled back up like it was nothing and whipped his weapons towards Seth. Seth was too fast for it of course and kept going around him, making Blake miss his shots.
I looked over at Zayden and it seemed he didn’t know how far he was going to let this last but I knew one thing, Blake was done for after hurting my Cadence the way he did. He still may have been Meg’s son but he sure as Fate wasn’t mine so I had no problem with helping end him.
I approached while he had his complete focus on where Seth was going to appear to him next and I grabbed him hard enough that he dropped both his whips.
“What are you doing? Unhand me!”
“I will—when you’re dead.”
Seth appeared in front of us with black eyes. I looked away.
Blake’s body twitched in my grasp while he screamed then almost immediately went limp. I let him fall to the floor dead and wiped his blood that had splattered on the side of my face.
“Sorry.” Seth said, wiping his own mouth.
“No. I thank you actually. He deserved it.”
“Now what do we do?” Bryce asked. “The royal family is kind of dead.”
“Not all of it.”
We turned around and Jinx was walking towards us with another man next to him. I recognized him as Gavyn though I haven’t seen him in years. He had to be well in his twenties by now.
“You came.” Seth said.
“I knew what would come of this, you could say.” Jinx replied. “He never would have been reasoned with, with Wyatt out of the way.”
“He was always so selfish.” Gavyn muttered, looking down at his dead brother yet feeling nothing for it.
“What are you going to do?” Zayden asked.
He asked Jinx but he never answered.
“It’s rightfully yours.” Gavyn said. “But it’s your decision to take it. I would be honored enough to serve as your General, sire.”
He bowed his head to him and everyone started to do it after him so maybe Jinx would finally take what’s rightfully his.
“I suppose it is time then.” Jinx stepped passed us to Blake’s body and picked up the crown that had fallen to the floor when I dropped him.
I noticed this one was made of metal, unlike the polished stone one Wyatt always wore. This must have been the true Hintin crown.
Gavyn proudly took it from him and placed it on Jinx’s head. A sudden flash of light filled the room. We all got down and shielded our eyes as the light broke out of the palace, filling the city. The once dark palace was now illuminating with the light of the past. Windows once again took over the walls and looked as ice. He was the true heir that belonged here.
“It’s amazing.” Seth said, looking around at the wonder.
“It’s finally whole again.” Gavyn replied. “You lifted the darkness.”
Jinx went to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Gavyn, for your well-needed service and cooperation, I accept you as my General.”
“Thank you, cousin.”
“And your first act as General shall be to clean this up and spread the word to the people that light shall once again shine here—just as soon as I get back.”
“Of course.” He bowed to him and Jinx started to walk out.
We all looked at him and hurried to catch up, leaving Gavyn to his newly sought duties.
“Should you really be leaving?” Seth asked. “I mean, you just got the throne back.”
“They’ll be fine for a few days. You do plan on getting back on my ship, do you not?”
“Well, yes but—”
“All right then. My ship doesn’t leave without me on it.”
“Okay, fine. Just promise you’ll come back.”
“What’s with the sudden worry? It’s not your responsibility.”
“But it’s yours now. I mean you already have an heir on the way so—”
Jinx stopped and looked back. “How did you know that?”
“Rory mention someone named Kieleena.”
Jinx seemed angry now. “That stupid little shit got inside my head? Great.”
“It is actually.” Bryce said. “Do we get to meet her?”
“Did he tell you anything else?”
“Like what?”
“That we married last year and she’s on the ship right now?”
We all kind of laughed from his anxiousness.
“Nope.” Seth said. “But it’s good to know now.”
Jinx rolled his eyes and turned away to continue on.
We made it to the docks and Cadence was eager to see us. “What happened? Is everything okay? You took a long time.”
We weren’t even fully onboard yet and she just kept popping out these questions.
“Calm down, my darling.” I said, dismounting and letting someone take my horse. “It’s all settled. Those that caused this on you are dead and Jinx is King of Hintus.”
Her eyes widened and she looked around me to find him. “You finally are?”
“It would seem that way.”
She stared at him for another second and her mouth dropped. “I want to meet your Kieleena.”
“How did you know about that?”
“I just read it from you.”
“Sorry.” Rory said. “Am I standing too close?”
I laughed. “No. You’d have to be a mile away for her not to be able to use it.”
“Well?” Cadence asked. “Go get her.”
“Cadence, relax.” Seth said. “There’s time.”
She laughed. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”
I liked how she could still laugh after everything she’s been through. Maybe that’s how she draws her strength from me.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get her.” Jinx said. “Just let us set off first. Wait in the galley.”
Cadence sighed but she went with us into the galley while Jinx went up to the helm and prepared the men to set sail. The winds were in our favor and our course was set due west back towards the Silver Gates for the final time. It would be good to get back.
Chapter 58
Cadence
“Well, where is she?!”
I was sorry for being so anxious but all this other stuff helped me get my mind off my mother being gone. Her body was still on the ship with us and we wouldn’t be able to burn her until we’re well out to sea.
“Oh, yeah.” Jinx replied. “I almost forgot.”
“Jinx!”
“Sorry. It’s fine but perhaps you should come below deck to see her.”
“Why?”
“Well, lately the sea air has been disagreeing with her.”
“So, she gets sea sick and you brought her with you?” Bryce wondered.
“Actually, no. She loves the sea. I think it’s just because she’s a little pregnant at the moment.”
“She’s pregnant?!” I was excited for them. I didn’t hear this part from him when I found out about her. “Well, how little is a little?”
“Ah—any day.”
“What?!” Ruby shouted. That was not a little pregnant.
Seth laughed. “You left that part out.”
“You’re going to take us to her, right now.” I took Jinx’s arm and started dragging him out of the galley with Ruby following.
“Which room is she in?”
“Patients.” Jinx said. “We’re almost there.” I smiled as we continued walking below deck and Jinx stopped at the door. “This is it. Let me make sure she’s ready for company.” We nodded. “Kieleena?” He walked in and closed the door so we couldn’t hear anything else.
“This is so exciting.” I whispered.
Ruby laughed at me. “I can tell. It is surprising news.”
The door finally opened wide for us.
“You can come in now. Kieleena, this is my cousin Cadence and new mother Ruby and Cadence and Ruby, this is my wife, Kieleena.”
“It’s so nice to meet you.” She said.
“Likewise.” Ruby smiled.
“And look at you.” I sat down on the edge of the bed with her. “You both must be so proud.”
“Yes, well, soon.” Kieleena said as she rubbed her belly.
“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” I said to Jinx.
“Forgive me but I waited for the timing and now, I’m going to leave you three so you can talk.”
“Okay.” Kieleena said as she looked at him. “We might be up in a bit. I need to try and walk this out of me.”
“And who’s been telling you to do that for the last few days?” Jinx asked as he stepped towards her.
Kieleena smiled. “You!”
“You better do it this time and I mean it.”
“I will. Just go.”
Jinx smiled as he leaned down to her and they kissed. “See you later.”
“Bye.” We chorused.
“He’s so sweet when he worries.” Kieleena smiled. We smiled too. I always knew he was sweet. I guess I just felt so much better knowing he found someone to share this new life with.
Chapter 59
Seth
“What are they doing?” My father asked when Jinx walked back in without them and went behind the bar.
He poured a glass of rum and looked over. “What women do best.”
“Talking?” Darius wondered.
“Exactly.” Jinx smiled then downed his drink.
He was pouring another glass and we all looked at each other, wondering what to say.
“So?” I began. “You have a wife and she’s a lot more than a little pregnant.”
Jinx laughed as he brought his glass up to his mouth. “Yeah, so? Why does that seem so weird?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because we were under the impression that you didn’t like women.”
Jinx laughed as he picked up the bottle of rum with his glass and walked around the bar. “Yeah, I remember telling them not to tell anyone who I really was but I didn’t think they would actually take it that far and exploit my personal life with everyone to get away from it.”
“So, you have actually been with men?” Rory asked like he were disgusted.
Jinx’s eyes shifted. “I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.”
“Then you have.” Rory went on, pushing his plate of food away from him.
“Oh, grow up. Honestly, it isn’t much different between the two. I mean, with women you’ve got all of the emotion to it and that’s probably the worst part. They want to know when they’ll see you again and if it was really good for you, when you should meet their parents. With guys, it’s so much more casual. We smoke, we drink, we laugh, they surely don’t want to bring you home to their parents but if they have a sister, they won’t mind whoring her out to you unless, of course, she gets pregnant then you’ve got to marry her and then it makes the casual hook ups between you more complicated. It’s just messy. Overall. If you allow that in the first place. Messy.”
He was talking really fast but we started to understand it.
“Is that what happened to you?” Dirk asked. “Kieleena is some dude’s sister you’ve been with?”
Jinx sighed and downed a glass. “I’m really sorry if I made any of you uncomfortable. That just kind of spilled out.”
“Don’t worry about it.” My father said, not feeling at all out of place like how Rory was acting. “It seemed like something you’ve been dying to get off your chest.”
“Nope. I really don’t feel that much better whatsoever. In fact, it might be worse.” He downed another glass of rum.
“Easy there, Jinx.” Troy said. “Are you feeli
ng all right?”
Jinx nodded as he poured another glass. “Yeah, fine. I’m great.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. “Because you seem a little—edgy.”
“Well, just wait a couple months and you’ll see what I mean.” Jinx said as he downed that glass of rum.
“It’s not happening to me.” I had to point out.
“You still have a pregnant woman to deal with. It’s a demanding job. Prepared or not.”
It was curious how he was behaving and I was sorry that I had to ask. “Do you even love her?”
“What are you talking about? Of course I love her. The story is much more complicated than what I just blurted out.”
“Then tell us?”
“Tell you.” Rory said, standing. “I’m going poolside.”
“Don’t fall in and drowned.” Jinx said, jokingly.
Rory shrugged it off and left.
“So, tell us.” Bryce said, leaning forward like he was interested in the story too.
“If you think you’re that badly inclined to know but you can stop me if it gets too uncomfortable.” I looked around but no one seemed like they were going to stop him. He was ruler of a country that we’ll now remain at peace with, we wanted to know him. “Okay. Well, this started after my school days. I don’t even want to begin to express what that was like but Cadence, Naomi and I kind of drifted since I was first to leave a couple years in advance over them but our lives were really just taking separate turns anyway so it was okay. I actually met Kieleena before her brother and to shorten the weirdness, they’re not technically from the same gene pool, okay? She only had a mother, he only had a father and the two kind of got together and married but we were all adults by then so it didn’t really matter.
“Um, I was on and off with her for a few months until the marriage happened and I met her new brother. I don’t want to cross any boundaries by saying this but he and I nearly instantly connected better than I ever have with her. It was difficult to explain it to her but she didn’t completely freak out or anything. She became okay with it and it wasn’t like I stopped being with her. It just became less frequently when I started to split up my time between them.
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