Raining Light (Fate's Intent Book 5) (35 page)

“Well, what did you expect? That we’d be able to do it all over again? We’ve had our time but it’s been long over. The world would suffer for it this time.”

“Suffer? It’s already suffering because you’ve been dragging it out.”

“Then what do you want? Absolution for the past? Fine! Then I’m sorry, all right?”

I was amazed to hear those words come from my father’s mouth and watched on proudly. I knew it was about to be resolved and they would have done it themselves just like it should have been.

“I’m sorry that nothing worked out like we’d hoped.” My father went on, lowering his voice while his eyes slowly started to fade back with every apology he gave, ending his attacks completely through it. “I’m sorry that I was such a jerk to you and made you leave and I’m sorry that I didn’t reply to you when you lost your wife. I mourned her greatly but if our past didn’t end the way it did, you wouldn’t be where you are today. Kalu’s King. I told you you’ve always had it in you. Believe me yet?”

“I think now I might.”

They both smiled and my father was first to put away his sword. “I suppose it’s time to put the past where it belongs. My sons have shown me where true loyalties lie.”

He glanced to me and I smiled with a nod. “War was never who you are, father. I know that now. It’s time.”

The impossible has seemed to become possible and it is I who got my father to finally realize it. How could he refuse it now? He couldn’t because he never lost who he once was. It’s just been masked for a long time; for too long and now he was giving the chance to change it.

“You’re right, son.” He turned to Aleksander, holding out his hand. “Let us forgive those years that separated us and welcome the old visions we once shared.”

Aleksander took his hand, pulling each other close and embraced one another, securing the future of peace.

“Now tell the world.”

My father smiled and took off his ring, holding it towards the two stones Aleksander pulled from his pocket. They were both pear shaped. One was in a ring setting and the larger of the two was on a necklace. Even Trever stepped away from Adele with the small one in his possession and held it with the rest.

They began to glow brightly and the three of them spoke as one. “Promises made in a darkened day, come to life and we do obey. Fulfilled to the oath we swear, now show the world the light we share.”

The stones were even brighter now, intensifying with each word until a beam of light shot from within them straight through the glass roof to the structure at the center of the palace. I was once told there was a beacon placed on the highest point of the palace roof that was said to show the world that Seni has made peace but one of my ancestors replaced it with a stone structure.

History lied. The light broke through the stone to reveal that the beacon still existed under the marble bricks. It shone with the light it was given and soon, the rest of the world would see it.

“Your majesty, I must protest.” Lamar said amidst this glorious moment.

I was frustrated with him for even daring to speak and even Rift felt it from me and growled a little. Lamar was not going to change this or even get in the way. I made sure of it and finally got the chance to do what I always wanted. I laid him to the floor with a swift swing of my fist and he looked up at me as I was looking back angrily, trying to keep my eyes from turning black. “You’ll protest nothing.”

“Zayden, what is the meaning of this?” My Father asked.

“You should be asking him that? He tried to have me killed!”

Lamar immediately got to his feet and tried to defend himself. “What an absurd thing to say! I have been nothing but loyal to this family for years.”

“You’re lying right now! Just admit it!”

“You don’t have any proof to this insane accusation.”

“And what makes you so sure about that?” I looked up and waved to the others at the door. They stepped aside and the Senian spy walked through. “Here’s my proof!”

Lamar’s eyes got wide when the spy walked over and kneeled down in front of the King. “Your majesty. What the Prince says is true. Your royal advisor paid me and threatened my family to kill your sons and any traveling with him.”

Lamar immediately stepped to the King, showing nervousness in his voice as he should. “Surely you don’t believe that story, your majesty. They must have bribed him to say that.”

“He is also the one that ordered the attack on your sons which led them to leave the city. This I know to be true.”

Lamar’s mouth dropped and he looked over at my father just as everyone else did. My father stood tense and his breaths seemed calm but his eyes were telling another story. He took a step closer to Lamar and every inch that disappeared between them, my father’s eyes were turning black. I knew this feeling but I felt better now that he finally knew the truth. “You’ve tried to have my sons killed?”

“No, your majesty.” Lamar shuttered with a shaking voice, becoming scared for his life to actually see this side of my father’s anger directed at him. I didn’t know he knew about it but he wasn’t exactly paralyzed with fear. It couldn’t have been his first time.

“You lying murderous wretch!” He struck him across the face. “Have I not been generous enough to you with all of the scheming comments about Zayden’s decisions? I have noticed and it would seem that I’ve been letting them slide for too long.”

“Your majesty, please.” Lamar begged but obviously not getting him anywhere when my father’s eyes remained black.

“But since it’s been a crown you’re after, I’ll give you one.”

“Father!” I took a step forward ready to intervene in this decision but it seemed I didn’t know the full outcome.

My father held up his hand for silence and was still looking at Lamar. “On your own private island off the east coast where you can govern it how you wish.” Now I started to smile but Lamar looked more worried the more my father went on. “I am condemning you to a life of exile for high treason to the crown and the failed assassination attempt on members of the royal family. Guards!”

Two guards came over, each taking one of Lamar’s arms. “But your majesty! Please!”

“Escort this traitor to the eastern docks and send him on the next ship. Be sure that he can’t return.”

The guards started to drag him off and he shared his last look with me. I just smiled like I always do when my father takes my side and Lamar returned it with a glare. He was angry and was being walked to the exit with his title stripped from him.

“Good luck to you, Lamar.” Darius smiled.

Lamar looked back. He saw the Kalu Assassins and put up his nose as he was being dragged away. “This country has truly lost all respect from me.”

Troy laughed. “That’s fine. It never had any for you anyway.”

“You have not seen the last of me! That I promise you!”

“Yeah, sure.” Darius laughed as the palace doors closed. I’ve waited years to be able to witness that and now, he was finally gone.

Chapter 46

Adele

“Well.” Izin said. “I would have loved to see him go another way but death would only be a release.”

My father smiled. “You held off well. I was expecting to see it.”

“My control has improved since we’ve last seen each other. I haven’t gone down that road in a long time.”

“But there is another you should take.”

Izin looked over at my father and he glanced at Zayden. It had to be about Kathryn. She had to be told Zayden knew everything and her time had finally come.

Izin lightly nodded and signaled to someone at the other end of the main hall while Zayden was distracted looking towards the door.

When Kathryn came into view Izin looked at Aleksander and put a finger over his mouth. My father smiled with a nod and let Zayden continue to have a discussion with Darius and Troy about Lamar’s exit while Izin walked over to her. He planted a kiss on her lips in front of everyone and leaned into her ear before she had time to react. Her eyes were gazing towards Zayden and becoming glazed over with tears.

“Go to him.”

Kathryn walked completely stiff with her eyes on Zayden’s back. She looked ready but nervous about greeting him as his mother.

I got Zayden’s attention by tapping his arm and pointing back with my eyes. I knew he was waiting for this too but when he turned around, his reaction was unexpected. He became breathless like he was nervous too but he didn’t hesitate to take quick steps towards her and got down on one knee in front of her, bowing his head. “Mother. How could I have not known it was you?”

She was almost in tears at this point and looked back at Izin. He smiled and nodded and she kneeled down to Zayden and brought him to his feet, embracing him for what I imagined to be the first time. “My son. I thought war would always separate us but you’ve helped change the very face of this world and I need not hide from it anymore.”

Zayden held her tightly. I knew he couldn’t believe that he was holding his mother. His whole life he thought she was dead and now she was there with him. It was hard for any of us to believe but I was happy for him. Kathryn was amazing.

He walked her over to his father and Kathryn embraced my father on sight. “Aleks. Thank you for bringing him home.”

“Of course. You’re quite welcome.”

“We’re sorry we made you wait so long.” Izin said. “I should have told you a long time ago. This is now indeed time for celebrating and with that, we have something else for you.” Izin turned just slightly and I saw
her
. The Leccan Princess was proudly being escorted out to the King and I was now invisible. “Zayden, I have the great honor to introduce you to Princess Bianca, your bride-to-be.”

Zayden looked up at me instantly when Bianca happily held his arm. She was in a fancy yellow and gold ball gown as is how she dresses every day and had her strawberry blonde hair twisted up high with the Senian Princess crown set around it; my crown.

I waited for Zayden to protest but he never did. He just kept that remorseful gaze at me like there was nothing he could do. I couldn’t believe that. I wouldn’t.

Was this supposed to be the meaning of true peace? Was I just to sit by and let it be? I couldn’t. I loved Zayden more than anything and thoughts of him having to share that life we’ve talked about with someone he didn’t love made me break apart. I had to do something for our love and I was ready for war.

Peace for me—had to wait.

Coming Soon—

The Sixth Installment

Of The
Fate’s Intent
Series

Forgotten Days