Blooming Life (Fate's Intent Book 10) (26 page)

“What does that mean?”

“It means he has the right to back out of the engagement if he feels it’s necessary.”

“But it won’t ever be. I’ll make sure of that.”

“I know, sweetheart. You’re a very determined young man. I don’t know if you get that from me or your father.”

“I think it’s the combination of both. That’s why it’s so strong.”

She smiled and kissed my forehead. “Maybe. Just remember that she is yours and no other boy can get in the way. I don’t want you to worry about that when you can’t see her.”

“Is she worried about me? I’ve already—”

“I know but I’m sure she wouldn’t feel threatened. Boys and girls have different needs. Girls like Cadence hang on to things like passion and romance. She’d never let anyone replace you.”

“Thank you, mother. This has helped.”

“That’s what I’m here for and I am sorry about everything. I wanted to be here for you when we lost Rift.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry too. I guess I just didn’t want to see anyone if I couldn’t see her.”

“You will again. Remember that.”

“I will.”

“Dirk and Bryce are already at breakfast. Why don’t you join them so you can head off to school together?”

“Yeah. I guess I could use the distraction.”

“I know and tonight make sure you’re home on time.”

“Father’s birthday. I was reminded last night.”

“Good. I’ll see you then.” She kissed my head and left but not to go downstairs, she went in the other direction.

I felt better after talking to her and I really was sorry about the distance between us lately. We both apologized for it so I guess everything was fine now; almost everything. I was still without Cadence and would be for some time. I couldn’t even check in on her anymore, not knowing where she had gone but it was something that I just needed to accept. It would be better for everyone who would come in contact with me if I did.

I tried but even Dirk gave me sympathy at breakfast. It wasn’t words but it didn’t need to be. His eyes said everything he wanted to.

“Shut up.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were thinking it.”

“What are you, Trever now?”

A reply wasn’t necessary. I just looked at him, my eyes expressing everything I wanted to say like he just did to me.

“All right. Take a breath would you? Here.” He put a glass in front of me. “From Bryce. Cut fresh. Literally.”

“Fine.” I started drinking it and everyone was looking at me.

“Try not to need that tonight.” My father said. “We don’t need people to know about that aspect of your gift.”

“I know, father and it’s usually a morning thing.”

“Don’t worry.” Dirk said, tapping my shoulder. “We’ll make sure he takes care of that evening thing before the party so he doesn’t come off as stressed.”

I picked up his sarcasm for the moment. “You going to make me, are you?”

“I provide the nudge, you the will and whatever necessary fantasy, although I’m sure we can all guess what that is.”

He was becoming much too open about how he spoke these days. I did not appreciate it.

“We’re going to be late, aren’t we?” Bryce asked.

He was trying to get away from the topic for me and I went with it while getting up. “Very late.”

“Take your horse today so you’re home at a reasonable hour.” My father said.

“Fine.”

“And don’t forget about your dates.” Jaylyn smiled.

Bryce’s eyes rolled before I could tell her we wouldn’t forget and he turned away the fastest. “Mother, don’t embarrass me.”

“I won’t, sweetie. I just want to meet her.”

“That qualifies as embarrassment. Besides, it’s not serious. Meeting the parents is completely unnecessary.”

Dirk sighed too while getting up to leave with us. “Yeah. Janie still won’t get off my case about that.”

I laughed. “Then you know who you don’t want to bring.”

“I’ve already made that decision days ago.”

“Well, whoever you’re bringing, make sure you do.” Ruby said.

“We won’t forget, mother.”

“Have a good day.” My father said.

We waved and headed out to get our horses.

School was interesting. Becca was hanging off me every moment she could and I guess it was because I was with her last night. I wasn’t sure if I wanted it to go that far but I couldn’t shake the feeling once we started kissing but it really only made me feel worse because Dirk was right. It was dark in the tunnels and I don’t think I thought of Becca once while we were together. It was just weird to have her so attached to me now where I could see her and know for sure that she wasn’t Cadence. It almost felt like cheating except Cadence and I weren’t really together yet. Even Bryce could see my awkwardness about the day but he didn’t openly discuss it like Dirk would have. He was busy with his own problems.

It was sealed that I was bringing Becca tonight and Bryce was bringing Kari so clearly it was talked about today but I didn’t miss Janie’s face when Dirk never asked her and started towards the palace with Lynn. Maybe he didn’t notice or it just didn’t bother him but she was pissed, almost in a killing kind of mood, though I didn’t really know if Janie had it in her. She just proved many times that she wanted to be with Dirk solely but he was still enjoying doubling up on his dates with zero commitments to worry about.

I almost started to think he was lucky. I couldn’t believe it myself but today started to get me to believe that somehow Becca and I were together now. What was I supposed to say? I guess I was too nice towards girls to ever tell them no. I’ve never really heard Dirk tell Janie no. It was like he could just ignore it completely but I wasn’t so cold. Becca was a nice girl. She was pretty, fun to be around so I guess it’s why I didn’t reject it so much. I couldn’t seclude myself for years until I saw Cadence again. It would have been too much of a growing pain. I still needed things that same part of my mind was telling me I couldn’t ignore. Maybe having one steady girlfriend for now beat having many. I wouldn’t feel so guilty then and to me it was always only going to be temporary. I still loved Cadence and that’s where my heart would always be.

Chapter 40

Dirk

I almost hated myself.

Why was I so happy to have Lynn meet my parents when I said I never wanted Janie to because that meant I was in some kind of commitment? It scared me a little but I quickly fought with myself and came to the conclusion that Lynn was never clingy like Janie. I met her father and since, she’s never assumed that we were together. She knew I was physically with Janie too but it’s not like we ever had a fight about it.

I felt calmer after walking her into the palace but my mother really didn’t help keep me that way. She had that almost baby tone about her voice. “Hello, sweetie. How was your day?”

“Mother? It was fine. As usual.”

“Who’s this?”

I looked next to me and Lynn seemed really nervous to be in front of my mother.

“This is Lynn. She’s my date for the night.”

“Welcome, Lynn. We’re all glad you could come.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry if this is too formal but it’s such an honor to meet you.”

“Of course not. Your honor is appreciated. I’ve heard nothing but nice things about you.”

“Thank you.”

“Ruby! Can you not be all night about it?!” Adele and Jaylyn were coming down the stairs and Adele stopped rather suddenly when she saw us. “Oh, I’m sorry. Dirk, who’s your friend?”

“This is Lynn.” My mother said. “She’s his date.”

“Awe. Dirk, you didn’t tell us how pretty she is.” Jaylyn said.

My eyes rolled. They couldn’t have been more embarrassing. “Lynn this is Jaylyn and the Queen, Adele. Adele, Jaylyn, this is Lynn and we’re leaving.”

She still had my arm and all I had to do was walk for her to follow.

“Dirk, wait.” My mother said, catching up to us.

“Yes?”

“Why don’t you show Lynn to my room and she can pick out a gown to wear.”

“Oh, are you serious?” Lynn said with excitement.

“Well, of course. No offense but that’s hardly party attire.”

“None taken. School uniform. Not exactly ballroom appropriate.”

“Take her upstairs, Dirk. All of my dresses from younger years will probably be best. They’re towards the back and don’t worry, Lynn, if it doesn’t fit we can have Adele fix it right up for you.”

“Wow. Thank you, my Lady.”

My mother smiled and started to turn. “And it’s Ruby to you.”

“Okay—Ruby.”

“Hurry along and Dirk, I already have your clothes picked out.”

She walked away and I turned again, sighing loudly. “Great. I’m so excited.”

“I’m sure it will be fun.” Lynn said.

“Maybe. I’ll show you were you can pick a dress.”

I took her upstairs and right into my parent’s room. That was a little weird but I reminded myself why I was in here.

“Wow.” She said. “The tour didn’t come in here.”

“Private sections, you could say.”

“Yeah.”

“In here is where you want to be.”

We went into the closet and I showed her the section she’d want to look in.

“Wow. I’ve never worn anything this nice before.”

“They’re just clothes. Your best outfit is nothing at all.”

She turned from touching the dresses and leaned into me. “Yours too.”

“Well, your father knows you’ll be staying late. Maybe we sneak away early and I can show you my room.”

“I think I’d like that very much.”

I leaned in the rest of the way and we kissed with our tongues touching almost immediately. Of course it made both of us want more and we lost ourselves in the rows of clothes. Her hands locked around my neck and mine were looking for any part of her skin that I could touch.

“Excuse me.”

My father’s deep voice interrupted us and we pulled away from each other almost terrified.

“Father! Hi—ah—this is Lynn. Lynn, this is my father, Darius and we were not doing anything.”

“Yeah, he just had something on his face right there that I was getting.” Lynn said.

“With your tongue?” My father didn’t sound impressed.

“Ah—”

“Dirk, may I have a word with you?”

I could only imagine the things he was going to say and clearly didn’t want it to be in front of her.

“You should pick something so Adele can get it to fit you.” I said, turning to Lynn. She could only nod like she was worried for me and I met my father out in his room.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing? In my closet, Dirk, really?”

“Father. I’m sorry. We were just talking and things got a little out of control but I swear that I wasn’t going to—”

“Do you have any idea what this would have been like if your mother walked into that?”

“I said I’m sorry. What more do you want?”

“I want you to tell me you’re not getting attached to this girl.”

I sighed figuratively and literally. “Father. I know. Okay? I’m not. She’s my friend. She’s just a part of the experience.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t want you to—”

“I know. I won’t.”

“Just make sure you still don’t tell your mother about this. She doesn’t know that I’m telling you what she tells me.”

“About Lana?”

“Yes.”

“Anything else?”

“Other than your mother boasting about how amazing it will be to train her? Not much.”

“Hair color? Eye color?”

“Why would those be important?”

“There has to be a physical attraction before there can be a spiritual.”

“Well, I suppose but first, let me ask what you’re into?”

I paused for a moment and thought about the two girls I would spend my time with most. There was one obvious trait that they both shared that I thought was important.

“Blonde.”

My father smiled. “Blonde? Like your girlfriends?”

“They’re not my girlfriends.”

“Okay. Well, you’ll be pleased to know that she is blonde.”

“She is? Blue eyes?”

“Um—I don’t think so. She’s not of Seni. Is that a requirement?”

“No. I can work around that if she’s blonde.”

“Just so you know, I haven’t seen her. I’m just telling you things she tells me.”

“I know.”

“Well, get back to your date and go to Adele’s room once she picks one. Seth and Bryce’s dates are being fitted there as well.”

“Okay, father.”

He left and I turned back into the closet. Lynn was just standing there, her hands just lightly touching the dresses.

“Find one?”

“Oh, I don’t know. They’re all making me nervous. I don’t know what will look good on me.”

“Would you like a second opinion?”

“How about a full opinion? You just pick.”

“Okay.” I approached her and looked through the dresses. They were my mother’s so they were mostly red but she could pull them off and I picked one I thought would suit her best. “I’ll bring you to Adele so she can help you with the fitting.”

“Okay.”

I held the dress for her and we walked out of the room to see Seth and Bryce with their dates, who happened to not like Lynn. They were already in dresses like they had just come out of Adele’s room but they didn’t waste any time to look at Lynn and wonder why she was even here.

I spoke first to ease by the awkwardness. “Hey, looking good.”

“Hi, Dirk.” Kari said. “You really should have brought Janie.”

“Yeah.” Becca agreed. “She’s better suited for these kinds of things. Prettier, I mean.”

Lynn did the usual thing of ducking her head to act invisible and I don’t know what happened to me. I just went off. I could feel the fire moving my hair and my eyes had to be red. “Watch your mouth! I want what I want when I want it so you should just back off!”

They looked a little scared. I didn’t mean to but I’ve put up with this kind of talk about Lynn since I met her two years ago and I just couldn’t anymore. There wasn’t anything wrong with her, not to me.

“Come on.” I took Lynn’s hand and brought her into Adele’s room where all of our mothers happened to be.

“Dirk, is something wrong?” My mother asked, probably worried because my hair was on fire and I was actually touching Lynn.

“No. Everything is fine.” I walked her over and handed the dress off to Adele.

“Let’s get you fitted.” Adele said. “Dirk, you can wait outside. She’ll be right out.”

I obeyed, not that I wouldn’t have minded staying in the room. I’ve already seen her naked plenty of times but I guess it would be a bit different with them in the room so I went into the hall to wait.

“What are you still doing out here?” The other four were still in the hall like they were waiting for me.

“I think you have something to say.” Seth said. His eyes motioned to the girls and I sighed.

“All right. I’m sorry I yelled. I just don’t get girls. Why do you hate her so much?”

“She’s weird.” Becca said. “And kind of a loner.”

“Why because she likes being alone? Seth did that for months before he started fucking you so he must be a weird loner too.”

“Why bring me into this?” He asked.

“I was just saying. Of course no one thinks that of you. You’re awesome.”

“I know.”

They all laughed.

“I just don’t get why everyone hates her just because what her father does for a living.”

“It’s gross.” Kari said.

“You’re living in a city that is controlled by a family of killers and yet you have no problem being around us.” They were quiet now like they knew there was no reason for it. They were just going with the crowds when it came to judgment. “Shit, we’ve even killed before because that’s our future too.”

“Dirk!” Seth shouted. “We don’t talk about that!”

“Is that true?” Becca asked. “I’m so turned on right now.”

My hands flew up in the air and I turned so I wasn’t looking at anyone while trying to control this nasty buildup of emotion. “Ahhhh! I don’t get girls!”

“Dirk.” My mother’s voice made me spin around and she was looking at me like something were wrong.

“What?”

“Where did you get this girl?”

The question was odd and I looked at the others who looked equally confused.

“What do you mean? We met when we started to go to public school. She’s not random.”

My mother came to me with a hand to my face and spoke like she was truly sorry in my ear. “I just want you to know that you have full rights to your future.”

Why was she telling me this? She couldn’t possibly know that father told me about my destiny with an Assassin. He said never to tell.

I was curious just the same and my mother turned her eyes towards the open door. Lynn was there in the dress I picked out. She looked—beautiful. It fit her perfectly and she also had her hair up for the first time that I’ve ever seen. It was all completely pulled back to show off her shoulders with none of it being able to hide her face and I didn’t really know how I was supposed to react.

“You look amazing.” Kari said.

That was a surprise but Lynn did her usual thing of feeling really out of place, trying to hide but couldn’t. “Thanks, I guess.”

“She wasn’t kidding.” Becca said. “You’re stunning.”

Lynn was acting shy and uncomfortable to put her eyes on me. “It’s the color, I think. I’ve never worn anything this colorful.”

“It doesn’t make them wrong. You look incredible.”

“Dirk—” My mother cut in. “You should have been getting dressed. Can’t show up looking like that with a beautiful girl like this.”

“All right, mother. I just got a little distracted.”

“Go. Now. She’ll be okay with her friends for a few minutes.”

That kind of worried me. They weren’t exactly her friends but I could trust Seth and Bryce to not allow their dates to be too mean.

“It’s okay.” Lynn said. “You should want to get out of that.”

“I’ll be two minutes.”

She nodded and I hurried away to my room down the next hall.

I still couldn’t quite wrap my head around what my mother was saying. I didn’t really want to settle yet, did I? My fifteenth birthday was just a few months away and it would be another whole year after that before I actually got to meet Lana. Would it have been right to attach myself to someone until then? What if I didn’t want to let her go? I was annoyed with myself but I knew what my father would say. The answer was no. I couldn’t. Lana was going to be an Assassin. Being amazingly beautiful and talented was a requirement. I could wait—or that’s what I kept telling myself but my evening with Lynn was one to remember. She was like the Belle of the Ball. Everyone noticed her and she even started to break out of her shell a little and welcome the attention. It was awful because it made her all the more appealing and my decision harder but I remained the gentleman and walked her home that night.