Broken Road (Fate's Intent Book 7) (20 page)

We were ready and now just needed to join the crowd by making our grand entrance atop the stairs.

Chapter 36

Darius

“Where are the ladies? I haven’t seen them yet.”

I just happened to walk by when Aleksander asked Izin and I turned to answer. “They’re getting ready.”

“Oh no.” Aleksander muttered. “You let them dress themselves?”

“Ah, yeah.” I was a little confused to why he made it sound like a bad thing.

“What’s the problem?” Izin asked.

“I’m sorry. I should have warned you and I apologize in advance. My girls tend to—”

“Oh, shit.” I stared up towards the stairs at the beautiful sight stepping down them.

“Overdue it.”

“Excuse me, gentlemen.” I said, tapping Izin’s shoulder and handing off my drink to him. “I do believe I’m being called.”

“Be sure Zayden and Troy know they’re here.”

“They should already.”

I continued to walk in the crowd and met with Zayden and Troy at the bottom of the stairs just as the girls reached us.

“Finally.” Zayden said.

“Sorry.” Adele smiled, taking his arm. “Where’s Rift? I don’t see him around your feet.”

“He wanted to go out and get away from all the people. Lucky. He’ll stay within the walls though.”

“Sorry if we made you wait.” Jaylyn said.

“You don’t have to be.” Troy replied. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” She smiled while stepping off the last step and walking off with him.

I just stood there for a moment as Ruby reached me and my eyes were tracing the curves of her body, seeing how she illuminates as an expecting mother.

“This good enough?”

“Good? Turn around and get back up those stairs. I can barely breathe.”

Ruby kept her smile and stepped towards me, taking my arm and turning me the other way towards the crowd. “Later. You have to be here, remember?”

“This is going to be torture.”

“Torture at your request.”

“Really though. You look beautiful. That dress flatters all your greatest qualities.”

“You mean except for the perfect flat abs I used to have?”

I smiled and touched her belly. “No. I love seeing this. You make it sexy.”

Ruby almost started to blush and looked around. “Everyone’s staring at me.”

“They’re jealous, like I said.”

“Or maybe just confused.”

I laughed. That could have been true but I didn’t want to make her think it was a bad thing. She was beautiful and that’s all that mattered.

Chapter 37

Zayden

Our night of proper introductions and greetings with the world’s leaders and upstanding class was carried out the way it was intended with casual mingling and of course the scheduled dinner. I was most anxious to get it all over with. I never liked having to be around other royals that truly acted it and everyone here seemed to be that way but me. I stood with Wyatt of Hintus, Amare of Maaki and Oren of Ledia as Princes of our world while everyone else were gathered as Kings.

I made sure to be extra careful when introducing Adele to them as my wife and she did her best to fit in as one of them—a sophisticated royal. I could tell she hated it just as much.

“It’s an honor, your majesties.” She said politely.

Oren, who we were most familiar with, smiled and kissed the back of her hand. “The honor is truly all ours, my lady. It’s good seeing you again.”

“And you, Oren.”

“She’s genuinely lovely, Zayden.” Wyatt told me like I really needed to hear it. “I’m almost sad you didn’t bring her on your visit.”

Adele was standing next to me and secretly gripped my arm a little tighter without others noticing.

“She would have just loved to come but she was away with duties of her own.”

Wyatt just stood there with an amused smile. “Yes. Women with duties. Such a fascinating thought that the world has given you something to do.”

Adele’s grip was still strong on my arm while she held back her frustration but kept a warming smile on her face. “And you don’t know how regretful I am that it has kept me away.”

“It truly rivets me that this could have possibly happened.” Wyatt continued to smile.

“And what might that be?” I asked.

He glanced around at Amare and Oren before answering. “The world’s most renowned dealers in death are the actual cause for these new days of peace and married no less.”

“And also building on that.” I had to add that important detail with a smile and slid my hand to Adele’s stomach. Her eyes widened slightly but she kept from saying anything.

“Well, congratulations.” Amare smiled. “No question everyone already noticed Ruby was.”

Everyone turned their heads to her sitting down at a table next to Jaylyn.

“Yes. I believe everyone has.” I replied. “Adele, why don’t you go see if she’s all right. She’s looking a little bored over there.”

Adele looked up at me and knew I was just trying to give her a chance to get away since her hold on my arm remained tight, almost cutting off the circulation in it. “Yes, I suppose I should do that. Excuse me, your majesties, I must be tending to my—duties.”

She released my arm and I leaned down to kiss her. She just still had that pleasant smile as she pulled away then looked to the three Princes standing around and lightly bowed her head to them. They did the same to her without a word and she parted from our presence to find better company with those she calls friends.

The evening carried on while Adele sat back with Ruby and Jaylyn at a table and watched me try to act like a good host to my guests. I would have liked for her to join me again but to keep from saying anything rude or hostile, I suppose it would be best to stay where she was. She had to step into this life slowly on her own time. I did not want to thrust her into anything too quickly with fear she might have a negative reaction.

I didn’t see her again until the guests started slowly withering away to their rooms for the night and we decided to do the same and get ready for our next venture.

Chapter 38

Ruby

We finally got to leave. I was so tired of everyone staring at me and just wanted to get out of there. The three of us headed back to my room where Adele could put our next outfit together quickly and be ready when our husbands decided to leave the palace for their night of fun.

“Okay, so how was this going to be?” Adele asked, looking over the pile that was already laying on the bed.

“Simple.” I said. “You two will have pants because we’re actually going out and it’ll be cold, the legs will be cut off mine so I can actually show off something and I’ll just bring a long jacket. Make my shirt out of this.” I held up a shimmering gold fabric with red beaded detail on it and tossed it to Adele.

“Okay. What do you want it to look like?”

“Give it long sleeves and simply have it tie in front so it’s low and wrap the rest of the way around my stomach. I’ll take care of the pants.” I reached for a pair of tan pants and ripped off the legs high up towards the crotch then started slipping them on right under the skirt of my dress.

“Pants is a good idea for me.” Jaylyn said, reaching for a pair of white ones on the bed. “I’ll wear these.”

“What was your top going to look like?” Adele asked, making the final preparations on mine.

“Um—” Jaylyn paused for a moment and looked around at some of the things on the bed. “I got this white collared shirt to wear but I want it cropped and open in the front with this wide green leather corset-like piece to wear just under it around my ribs. They won’t need to be attached. It’ll stay up but you can if you want to.”

“Okay. Let me see it.” Adele held her hands out and caught whatever Jaylyn tossed over to her. “Get those pants on and Ruby, here’s your top. Get it on.”

“Thanks. It’s perfect.”

We started getting dressed and Jaylyn looked up at Adele while pulling her white pants up over her hips under her dress. “I take it you’re using what’s left?”

Adele looked up and glanced to the bed. “Yeah. I’m going to have a blue halter that twists in the front with an opening in the middle and just wear it with black pants. No need to really get fancy here.”

“So, anyone think this will really be fun for us?” I asked.

“Probably not so much.” Adele said, tossing Jaylyn her shirt and starting to work on hers. “But I’ll at least be able to be around Zayden when we go out. That’ll be worth it.”

“Yeah.” Jaylyn smiled. “I’m kind of looking forward to seeing what they’re like drunk together. We’ve never see it before.”

“What if we don’t like it?” I asked.

Adele and Jaylyn looked at each other and Adele slipped her blue halter down over her. “Why wouldn’t we?”

“Just a thought. They’ve never actually gotten like this since they’ve met us. What if they’re drawn back to their old ways?”

“I doubt it’ll be like that.” Adele said. “As long as we’re with them, they shouldn’t do a thing like that.”

I still wasn’t sure but didn’t drag out my worry because Darius walked in. “Hey! Wow! Three women changing in my room who look totally hot and ready. You all staying tonight?”

I sighed and looked at Adele. “You were saying?”

She laughed quietly and looked at Darius. “Are you already drunk?”

“What? No.” He walked in farther while he started to remove his jacket and shirt. “Maybe a little tipsy from all the wine I needed to stay sane with but definitely not drunk. A few shots of the good stuff ought to do it though. Can you do me a favor and make sure I’m sitting when that happens? I wouldn’t want any of you in the way if I happened to fall over.”

“I can already tell.” Jaylyn said. “You’re a stupid drunk, aren’t you?”

“You mean like doing stupid things? Better than being an angry drunk. Now, those guys usually always get what’s coming to them and I get to be the one to do it. Also stay away for that.”

“Hey, ready?” Zayden came in with Troy right behind him. They had already changed and looked at Darius standing shirtless with us.

“I would guess, no.” Troy answered. “But they are.”

“You like?” Jaylyn asked with a smile as she went over to him and got her arms around his body.

“Like? Oh, yeah. I like a lot.” Troy held her close to him and looking down at the cleavage exposed from her top.

“Darius, get ready.” Zayden said. “I have Rift all tucked away for the night so we have to hurry and sneak out passed father.”

Adele laughed while Darius went into his closet to change. “Why?”

“We don’t want a lecture before we go out for fun. We always get one when we get back. One is enough. Believe me.”

“How about we limit the certainty of that, okay? We’re basically there to watch you, remember?”

“I know but we can’t plan everything.”

“That wouldn’t make it fun.” Darius smiled, walking out wearing dark brown pants with a tight red sleeveless shirt and carrying a tan jacket. He looked delicious. “Okay. Let’s go.” He slipped his jacket on while everyone else pretty much did the same and we all left the room.

They had us walk carefully down the hall since all the guests from the dinner had gone off to bed and made it to the stairs. We snuck even more carefully to get out of the palace unseen and Zayden led us right to the palace gates to leave.

“We’re not taking horses?” Adele asked.

“No need. We’re close.”

She shared a look with us and I was wondering how they planned to get back if they were too drunk to even stand up but no one said anything. I was sure we’d hear the plan if there even was one.

Chapter 39

Adele

We arrived at our final destination on a lit corner after walking a few streets to get there.

“There it is.” Darius said. “Shit, it’s been awhile. Wonder if anything changed.”

Troy laughed. “Of course not! We’ve been coming here for years. It’s always the same.”

“Well, welcome to our past’s second home.” Zayden said.

We walked in and went through a short hall before we came in sight of the tavern where the Great Seni Fighters had spent most of their younger years. It was wide open with tables set up on the open floor where the large bar stood, carrying a variety of beverages and the second level, just five feet up from the main floor was set up more like a lounge with several different sections of couches around their own table.

“Wow.” I muttered, looking around at the space through all the people already there. “It’s bigger than Carmen’s.”

“And much more fun with better company.”

My thoughts immediately went to Ryon and Kole and my eyes slightly narrowed. “That’s not even funny to say.”

“Come on, Love.” Zayden smiled, putting his arm around me and leading me towards the stairs. “You know I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Can we not discuss it?” I said, already gaining an attitude and we just got here. “Just have your fun while I try to stay calm and quiet about it.”

Zayden laughed quietly and kissed my head. “Okay.”

We went up to the second level and got comfortable on a set of couches where they would probably usually sit and ordered the first round of drinks.

“No way! It’s true! I had to see it for myself!” A man approached us and stopped at the end of the table.

“Phil!” Zayden smiled. “How are you?”

“I’m doing well. Good to see you back.”

Zayden kept his smile and leaned into me. “This is Phil, owner and bar tending master for longer than we’ve been coming here.”

“Nice to meet you.” I said politely.

“What are you craving?” Phil asked. “I’ll be sure to have them out to you in an instant.”

“Oh, we already ordered like a second ago.” Troy answered.

“Oh, no.” Phil said, shaking his head. “I have been saving something especially for the three of you. It’s perfectly aged and ready to complete your night as I see you’re already in your usual good company.”

“Fuck yeah!” Darius smiled. “Bring it out!”

Zayden laughed while he glanced over at him. “As you can see, he’s already half way there. It shouldn’t take much.”

“Then I’ll have it right out to you.” Phil turned from us and headed back down to the bar.

I watched him for a moment and turned my eyes over at Zayden. “He doesn’t know?”

“Doesn’t know what?”

“That we’re married?”

“It’s possible but not something we would really talk about here. Most men would find it wise not to bring their wives to this place.”

“Then you must be the stupidest three ever.” Jaylyn smiled.

“No.” Troy laughed. “I wouldn’t completely say that. We have fun with you. Not everyone around here marries for love. It sometimes becomes a stature thing so they have to have their fun somewhere else.”

“That’s horrible.” Ruby muttered.

“Yeah, but not for us, Babe.” Darius smiled as he pulled her close to him. “You always bring a good time.”

Ruby let out a quiet smug laugh. “Oh, so that’s all I’m good for?”

There was a short pause and before anyone could answer a woman wearing the tavern’s tight dress uniform and apron came over with a tray of about two dozen shots and set it down on the table. “Here you are.”

“Thank you.” Zayden said.

She stood up fully and had her brown eyes in Darius’s direction. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

His eyes moved up her body to hers and he leaned back a little to Ruby. “What do you think?”

Ruby smiled to him asking her advice and she played along while looking back on the woman for just a moment and making sure her hands were in clear sight of touching Darius. “Hmm, we could take her back to our room later and find out. Think she’d survive?” Ruby’s eyes looked up at the woman again and they were probably dying to turn red.

The woman clearly felt intimidated from her normal stare and slowly stepped back. “I’m sorry, my shift appears over. Enjoy your drinks.”

“Yes. We’ll do that.” Ruby smiled, watching her fear as she walked off down to the first level.

“Ruby.” I sighed. “Don’t.”

“What? Just having a little fun.”

“We’re not here to have fun that way, all right?”

“Well, let’s get this started, shall we?” Darius took eight of the shot glasses off the tray and lined in front of him then slid the tray over to Zayden and Troy who started to do the same. “All right. I’m not waiting for you.” He picked up the first shot and threw it down instantly with another one right after.

“I’m so jealous of you right now.” Ruby said, watching him intensively.

Darius threw down another shot and looked over. “You can have some.”

“Don’t tease me. You know I can’t.”

“No, I mean like this.” Darius reached for the back of her neck and pulled her lips into his, immediately meeting their tongues.

Ruby let out a moan of pleasure when it happened. “That’s so good.”

“See? You can still taste it without having to ingest it.”

“Well, here!” Ruby quickly reached for another shot glass and handed it to him. “Have another!”

Darius smiled as he took the glass and threw it down his throat. Ruby immediately leaned into his lips again to get another taste.

We were just sitting back watching and Jaylyn reached for one of Troy’s shots and put it in front of his eyes so he would turn them to her. “I want a taste.”

“Mmm. Me too.” Troy took the glass from her and drank it quickly without taking his eyes off hers then they leaned into each other and their lips met with gentle touching of their tongues.

Zayden picked up a glass of his own and held it in front of him while looking at me. I just smiled and turned my body towards him, waiting for him to take the drink. “All right. Go for it. I’m ready.”

“See? I knew this would be fun.” He took the drink quickly and we started kissing immediately to make the taste last.

The level of fun I thought we would be having increased greatly and our trip now seemed worth it. We enjoyed seeing our husbands this relaxed with no worries whatsoever and even though we couldn’t drink like them, we still enjoyed just being in their company.