Blooming Life (Fate's Intent Book 10) (25 page)

Troy was on the defensive and held his hands up before he could be punched next, maybe for real. “Not that I know that! Just an observation of trying to get her out of the current mood.”

“No watching. I don’t want to give out my secrets.” Zayden ended his comment with a smile and almost everyone laughed while he left.

“Stop acting like children in front of the children.” Jaylyn said.

“It’s fine.” Troy replied. “It was harmless.”

“Are you two having sex?”

My fork dropped when my mother asked out of nowhere and Bryce and I looked at each other oddly.

“I’ve never even thought about having sex with him.” I said.

Bryce shoved me. “Gross! That’s not what she meant!”

“I was kidding! I know what she meant.”

“Well?” My mother’s arms were folded and her eyes were on me, flashing red once.

“Do we have to talk about this over dinner?”

“Apparently we have been since you sat down. Answer me. Have you killed anyone?”

“But that’s a completely different question.”

“Dirk.” My father stopped me from arguing and gave me a long look.

“I haven’t killed anyone.”

My mother was surprised. “Then you have had sex?”

“This feels weird to talk about.”

“A simple yes or no would suffice.”

“It’s still weird.”

“Dirk!”

“Yes.”

“Bryce?” Now that my mother got the answer she probably didn’t want to hear, Jaylyn had to ask.

“What?”

“Don’t play dumb.” Troy said.

“Why are we talking about this exactly?”

“Yes.” I answered for him because I knew there was no point to dance around it. I already tried that.

“Hey!”

“What? It was inevitable.”

“Fine. Dirk catches fire when he does it.”

“Bryce!”

“What? It was inevitable.”

I knew I was going to be catching fire now. I could feel it moving my hair.

“Is that true?” My father asked.

“Not all of me so it puts anyone in danger. My hair and shoulders mostly. Sometimes maybe my back. It depends on the position.”

“All right, that’s enough.” My mother said. “You don’t need to go into detail but you need to be careful, not just with the fire; other things.”

“Mother, please don’t make this any more uncomfortable than it already is. I know all about that and I have been careful.”

“Good. I’m proud of you.”

“Still uncomfortable.”

She smiled which at least meant she wasn’t angry about finding out. I guess that was a good thing but I really expected more.

Seth walked in normally while we sat in silence and started up conversation again. He must have known his parents had left already.

“Hey, any for me?”

“Well, evening there, Seth.” Jaylyn smiled. “Of course there’s some for you sweetheart. Have a seat.”

He sat down and started to pick at his cold meal in front of him.

“Are you just getting in?” My mother asked.

“Yeah. Later than I expected but I’m here.”

“We’re glad.” Troy said. “We’ve been missing you at the table.”

“So, tell us.” My father had this growing smile he tried to keep dormant. “How was she?”

My mother and Jaylyn kept quiet. They didn’t even yell at him for saying it which I was extremely surprised for. It was more like they were actually waiting to hear his response. At first, maybe he didn’t know what he was asking or that they all knew but he didn’t take it in the direction my father intended. He was more down about it.

“Not who I wanted it to be.”

Was it sad that even I was feeling bad just by his tone? He just came back from finally getting laid but it wasn’t who he wanted it to be? It depressed more than just me.

“Oh, sweetie, don’t worry.” My mother said, showing a lending hand from across the table. “You’ll get to see her again. Cadence is a wonderful girl.” She sat back and my father was looking at her in complete wonderment. “What?”

“Nothing. I just didn’t know you thought that about her.”

“Why wouldn’t I? She’s really nothing like her witch of a mother.”

Seth’s mood heightened. “You hate her too!? I thought I was the only one!”

My mother laughed. “No. She’s a completely horrible person. Why do you think that? What did she do to you?”

“She doesn’t want Cadence anywhere near me. What’d she do to you?”

She was real hesitant on answering at first but even I wanted to know and she pointed with her thumb to my father. “Him.”

“You’ve been with Meg?” I know Seth asked it but I was thinking the same thing, only I just didn’t get it out fast enough.

“It’s nothing to talk about.” My father said. “It was a long time ago.”

“Still. That’s disgusting.” Seth went on. “Have you seen the outrageously gorgeous woman next to you? Why would you want that other thing?”

My mother laughed. “Thank you, Seth. That’s sweet of you to say and completely true. I didn’t know what he was thinking either.”

“Can we not discuss it?” My father demanded.

My mood was now with his. “Yeah and tone down how gorgeous you think my mother is.”

“Dirk, honey. It’s okay.”

“Not to me. I’m going to bed.”

I got up and went right upstairs. I no longer wanted to be a part of this discussion.

Chapter 39

Seth

I didn’t mean to make him leave but it was okay. For once I wanted to be here. It felt good to know that someone else hated Meg besides me. Ruby could probably relate best to me right now and I’d like to talk with her some more.

“Bryce, why don’t you go upstairs and get yourself ready for tomorrow.” Jaylyn said.

She looked between us and it was easy to see that they wanted to talk to me alone like they had to be my parents now. Bryce went with it with a nod and got up to leave.

Everyone stayed quiet until he was out the door.

“How long are you going to keep this up?” Jaylyn asked.

“Keep what up?”

“I think you know what she means.” Troy said.

“How much longer are they going to be ruining my life? Maybe the rest of it.”

“Two years isn’t the rest of your life.” Ruby said.

“It may not be just two years. I heard that woman who birthed me wanted to stop our union all together.”

“Don’t be hateful towards your mother, Seth.”

“You know about it?” Darius asked.

I looked at all of them and it seemed none of them knew that I knew.

“Of course I know.” I said. “But that’s not why I care about it so much. I care about Cadence. I didn’t find out about that until after I met her.”

“Maybe you misunderstood what she meant.” Jaylyn said.

I didn’t like talking about it and they should have heard that in my low voice. “No. She was pretty clear. She’s worried about what Wyatt will want of us when it happens.”

They looked at each other and I just knew they knew something they weren’t telling me.

“What? What do you know?”

They were hesitant but I got something at least.

“We know that Wyatt is a psychopath.” Darius said. “And worry of his plans may be true.”

“No! I won’t let it be!”

My eyes grew black and they leaned away.

“Calm down.” Troy said. “Your parents know how much you care about her and they’ll think of a way. They always do.”

I calmed. I didn’t mean to get mad. I understood my parents worry but if it meant I couldn’t have Cadence, I didn’t know if I could live with that.

“What do you think they’ll do?”

Troy hesitated while he looked at everyone else. “I think, considering the circumstances, they’ll do the right thing.”

“Meaning, saving the country from possible doom or our family?”

They all did that eye shift again.

“Isn’t it all the same thing?” Jaylyn asked. “Saving the country would save our family.”

I sighed. “I love all of you like family, you know I do but I was talking about just the three of us.”

“You’re reading too far into it.” Ruby said. “Your mother and father love you very much and of course your happiness matters. They don’t want you to feel this way. They’ll find a solution so you can have her. We know they will.”

“Like killing her mother?”

Ruby smiled. “If there’s ever a reason, it’ll be my job but you can bask in my glory.”

“I’d like that very much. Thank you.”

“Don’t get your hopes up.” Darius said. “She’s been praying on that thought for years.”

“Yes and as exciting as that sounds, we should all be getting upstairs to bed.” Jaylyn said. “Long day tomorrow.”

“What’s happening?” I asked.

“Did you seriously just ask that?” Troy said.

The moment he said it, it clicked. “Oh! Your birthdays. I didn’t forget. I’ve just been thinking about other things.”

“It’s all right. You’ll be there, right?”

“Of course he will.” Darius cut in before I could say yes myself. “And he’s encouraged to bring a date.”

I tried to make light of the situation and made myself laugh. “Again—not who I want it to be.”

“We understand.” Jaylyn said. “But having another visual will help your parents see just how right Cadence is for you.”

“Then I’ll definitely be bringing someone home tomorrow. Is right after school okay?”

“Sounds reasonable but make sure you keep track of her. There’ll be a lot of people here. I don’t want to have to explain that to hysterical parents.”

“Deal. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Seth.”

I took a slow walk up to my room but along the way, I decided to see Dirk and apologize for making him so uncomfortable at dinner that he had to leave. I went into his room but it was too late. He was out cold, sprawled out across his bed and I knew my reason wasn’t a good enough one to wake him so I left.

Bryce was standing next to me when I closed the door and I wasn’t expecting it.

“Sorry.” He said, trying to ease the sudden fright. “The parents weren’t too hard on you, I hope.”

“No. It was fine. It’s not like it was my own parents. They didn’t yell at me or anything like that.”

“Good. I hope I’m not overstepping any boundaries but today seemed to help. You’re talking more.”

“I’ve always been okay, Bryce. It’s just talking leads to things I don’t want to talk about.”

“I know there’s nothing I can do to help you with grieving Rift but maybe there’s something else I can do. Would you like to say goodnight to her?”

Cadence’s face came to mind and I felt myself relax. “I would if it’s not too much trouble.”

“It never is. Come on.”

I turned with him towards my room and we went inside. I got myself ready for bed while he waited by and he approached my side when I settled myself.

“Close your eyes.” He whispered.

Lanterns were dimmed and my eyes closed, not wanting to open. I felt Bryce’s hand touch my arm only for a moment and I was taken on a journey across the world and right through Cadence’s window. I watched her face in a peaceful sleep. She was so beautiful. I missed her.

“Reach for her.” Bryce whispered.

I don’t know why but I was hesitant to at first. I didn’t know what was going to happen or I just didn’t want to be disappointed when nothing did but I braved up and reached out.

I felt the warmth of her cheek as if she were here next to me and her eyes opened, her own hand reaching for the same cheek.

“Can she feel it?” I asked.

“I think so.”

“Cadence?”

“Seth?”

I heard her call to me and I just couldn’t believe it. “I can hear her!”

“This can’t hold forever.” Bryce said. “Try something else.”

I held my hand around her more sharply to get her attention. “Cadence, can you hear me?”

She was looking around but I wasn’t sure if she could hear me or not. “Seth, is that you?”

“I wish I was there.” I said to Bryce, hoping that maybe someday I could be.

“I wish you were here too.” Cadence said.

I felt Bryce’s grasp on me tighten like he couldn’t even believe it.

“You can hear me?” I asked.

“How is this happening? Why can’t I see you?”

“Bryce is helping me. We’ll get to that at some point, hopefully. I want you to see me.”

“I miss you so much. Wait. Can he hear us too?”

I smiled and looked around. I couldn’t see Bryce but I knew he was here. He had to see this for me to at all. It’s how it worked.

“Yes but don’t worry. He’s cool.”

“Thank you, Bryce, for doing this.”

“You’re welcome but maybe you should just ignore that I’m here for the time. I don’t know how much longer it can be.”

“Oh, Seth! This is so incredible! It’s better than letters!”

“I’m just happy you’re happy.”

“Cadence!” The loud shouting even jumped me when her mother came into the room. “Who are you talking to? Is that boy here?”

“No mother. Do you see anyone? It’s just me.”

“Don’t take me as a fool. I know very well what everyone in that family is capable of. Seth, if you’re watching, please leave. This isn’t good for anyone, Cadence especially. Don’t make me tell your parents about this.”

I felt Bryce tugging at my arm but I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to leave Cadence yet.

“This isn’t her training year.” I said. “She doesn’t have to be fully focused just yet.”

“But we would like it if she were. This is very important to all of us.”

“Seth, it’s okay.” Cadence said. “Maybe you should; just for now.”

I still didn’t want to but I respected that she didn’t want me to get in trouble. “For now then. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

The image of her and her mother faded until I was back in my room.

“I’m sorry.” Bryce said.

“No. Don’t be. You did well. I needed to see her.”

“I know but not like that.”

“I’m okay for the night but I want to check back in tomorrow morning to apologize if that’s okay.”

“Sure it is. I’ll come by after I get dressed.”

“Thank you. Goodnight, Bryce.”

“Goodnight. Have sweet dreams.”

He said it jokingly just to make me smile and it worked. “I will.”

“Bye.”

He left and I laid back to try and get some sleep until I would get to see her again tomorrow. I was grateful for the progress we’ve made and I hoped soon she would be able to see me and we could really be together.

I dreamt about her that night. Her body was nestled in my arms and we were just together; we didn’t need to say anything. It was peaceful. I needed to have that again and I was ready to when I woke up.

I got myself ready and waited for Bryce.

“Sorry I’m late.” He said.

“It’s okay. Let’s be quick about it before we have to go.”

He nodded and we sat on the edge of the bed, him touching my shoulder.

I closed my eyes. I was more than ready for this but something was wrong. We got to her room but it was empty and not empty like it just didn’t have anyone in it. It was empty in the sense that even all the furniture was gone and her belongings too.

“Bryce, what is this?”

“I’m not sure. I’m seeing it too.” We looked through the rest of the house and everything and everyone was gone; she was gone.

“Cadence? Where is she?!”

“Seth, it should be obvious. Her mother.”

The reality of her mother hiding her away from me felt like someone punched a hole in my chest. It was hard to breathe. I didn’t want to believe this was happening.

“No!”

No one was there but I still looked for her. This couldn’t be the end, not like this.

“Seth, stop. She’s not here.”

“But she has to be somewhere.” I was seeing him pull his vision away and I wasn’t ready. “Bryce! Don’t!”

His hand lifted off me and I was back in my room.

“It would be impossible to find her without knowing where. I’m sorry.”

“But we have to try.”

“So her mother can just move her again? Seth, don’t put her through that. She’s probably having a hard enough time because we went last night.”

“Please go.” I turned away. I was too emotional to want to see anyone or have anyone see me like this.

He said nothing else but I could feel when he was gone and I collapsed to the floor. Cadence was gone from me and this wasn’t even her training year. I couldn’t handle being away for that but this; there was no reason for this.

“Seth?”

I looked up and my mother was slowly stepping into my room with a look of sorrow. My cheeks were wet from these tears I couldn’t keep back and I ran to her. “Mother!”

I hugged her and she was surprised but she hugged me too. “It’s all right, darling. Everything will be okay.”

“No it won’t! She’s gone! I can’t fine her!”

“You’ll see her again, don’t worry.”

“I will?” I backed away so I could watch her eyes while she answered.

“Yes. Cadence is yours and I’m sorry that I even thought to take her away from you.”

I hugged her again. It was easier for me to talk this way when I didn’t see her. “Then why can’t I see her? She doesn’t have to be so focused just yet.”

“I’m afraid that’s never been my decision to make. Her mother has rights to her actions until she’s fifteen.”

“Then what happens?”

“Well, she’s going to train to be an Assassin and those rights will be signed over to her teacher, me, until she’s sixteen then she’ll answer to your grandfather.”

“And her mother won’t get a say then?”

“I’m sure she’ll still say things but Cadence won’t be obligated to obey. She’ll be an adult and will make her own decisions but don’t get too excited. Her father will always have rights over her.”