King of Tides (The Immortal Iron Brothers #3)

Chapter 21

At Peace

Two weeks later …

I pad from the bedroom to my library just as I have every morning for the last two weeks. There’s something about the feel of the cool floors beneath my feet that makes me feel alive. As I enter the alcove the library is in, A huge smile comes to my face as it does each time I come in here.

“How is this my life?” I sigh.

The space is perfect. I love the blue light the comes on as I step inside. It gives the area a warm glow. The room is wrapped with white bookshelves that are filled with books by color, giving a gorgeous rainbow aesthetic.

I can’t help myself, every time I come in here, I have to run my fingers across the spines of the books just to make sure this is real. I inhale deeply and the scent of books fills my nose. This has become my happy place.

A face-splitting smile comes to my lips as I look at the bench seat and find my e-reader waiting for me. I had left it in my workbag last night. On the round table by the bench sits a cup of coffee and a plate with toast and fruit. There’s also a bouquet of fresh roses in a gorgeous vase.

I move to sit and pick up the note resting on top of the e-reader. My face hurts from smiling so hard. I didn’t know I could feel this way about anyone, but Ardan has made his way under my skin.

I’m falling hard and fast. I live for my morning blessings and our dates at night. No matter what’s going on with the clubhouse, he always makes sure to spend time with me before I go to bed. Or he’ll wake me to put me back to sleep if he has to handle club business when we come in from my shift.

There’s something comforting about knowing I always have him with me. Even now, he was gone by the time I got out of bed this morning, but this surprise makes me feel like he’s here to wrap me in his strong arms.

Good morning, pretty one,

I thought I’d leave your space ready for you. I had some business to take care of but you’re on my mind and I wanted to make you smile. I’ll be back before your shift. Enjoy your alone time.

Your Mate,

Ardan

I sigh and lean my head against the window. I love that the light and weather from outside comes through every morning. Although, I’ve been learning to use my magic to change the view to suit my mood like a mood ring.

I know it annoys Ardan that I won’t allow him to help me with my magic. However, I want to figure it out on my own. It just feels right.

“Thank you,” I mind-link him.

I furrow my brows when he doesn’t answer me back right away. Normally, he responds as soon as I open the link to talk to him. I open my thoughts to him to see if he’ll respond.

“Billy, are you here?” Someone calls through the apartment.

I rush into the foyer and find Dracon with his head stuck in the door. His eyes light up and a warm smile comes to his face. I’ve noticed that Ardan trusts few alone with me, and Dracon is one of the few.

“Good, you’re decent. May I enter?” he says.

“Yeah, come in. What can I do for you?”

He steps in and closes the door behind him. I note that he stands before me like a soldier ready to take his station. I get the feeling Ardan has been sending him around to watch over me when he’s busy with club business.

“King Ardan asked that I come sit with you. He had to take off on a mission,” he says, proving my point.

I roll my eyes. However, my interest is piqued as his words sink in. I lift a brow as I study him.

“A mission? What kind of mission?”

“A water spirit has escaped from The Final Tides. King Ardan has gone to handle the situation.”

“The Final Tides?”

“Yeah, it’s like a purgatory for the souls of water beings. Darker souls that we don’t want to return and all that. It’s where the water guards Brodny and Bardo used to protect.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“No, he would like for you to continue with your day. I am here to spend the day and this evening with you until he can return. I have a charm bracelet the king would like me to travel in this evening when you start your shift. He has charmed it so I can enter and exit as he can,” he looks a bit nervous about the last part.

“Have you spent time in a charm before?”

“No, I haven’t. That’s some genie shit. However, it’s an honor to be given the power to do so.

“Don’t worry. I’m a skilled warrior. You will be safe with me.”

I laugh and give him a smile. I don’t miss the disdain in his voice as he mentions the genies. I’m still in awe of all the beings that truly exist right under our noses.

“Relax, Dracon. Have a seat. I’m going back into my library to finish my breakfast and read a book. I’ll let you know when I need to leave out. Would you like something to eat?” I say with a smile.

“No, thank you. I had something already.”

I give him a wave as I turn and head back to the library. My mind is racing with thoughts. There’s still so much for me to learn. Ardan has shared so much but I’m still learning new things with each day.

Bardo comes to mind. With Ardan away, I could follow the last lead I found on him. That might be my task for the day.

Ardan said to leave it to him, but he already has so much on his plate. I can take care of this one thing. Yup, that’s what I’ll do. Dracon will be with me. It will be fine.

That’s a plan.

***

“Queen Billy, I don’t think we should be here. I know of this place. It’s not safe for you,” Dracon says.

I didn’t force him into the bracelet. I’m not on the clock and I just didn’t feel right forcing him to do something he’s never done before. I’m sort of hoping Ardan returns before my shift starts.

It’s clear Dracon is nervous about entering the charm and remaining there for hours. However, now that he’s speaking up, I’m second-guessing my decision.

“I will be in and out. I just need to know if he’s been here,” I mutter as I continue to watch the building from my car before we enter.

“He who? Only the lowest of the low hang out here. Others who could never join the brotherhood or reap its benefits. Who would you know here?”

“I don’t know him. I just need to find him.”

“King Ardan will have my patch if something happens to you. This seems like a bad idea. I am one of the youngest, and yet the kings have promoted me time and again. Please, being your guard has been one of the highest promotions I’ve had yet.”

“Lighten up, Dracon. I’m not helpless. I don’t need you to guard me. If you are worried, stay here. You can tell Ardan I gave you the slip.”

“He is not likely to believe that. There is a reason I was chosen.”

“Fine … wait, that’s him,” I say as Bardo walks toward the building, looking around as he goes. “Got him.”

“You are looking for the ice titan? Do you know how dangerous he is? Only ice creatures have clearance to hunt him.

“This is how he’s been eluding King Ardan for so long. There haven’t been enough hunters to confirm his death and now there aren’t enough to hunt him now that it’s been confirmed he’s alive.

“I’m sorry, My Queen. Neither of us should engage him. I will take my punishment for this. I cannot allow it,” Dracon says firmly.

“Calm down. Get your drawers out of your ass. I’m not going in. I don’t need to ask questions if I’ve seen him with my own eyes.

“I now have solid information for Ardan. Let’s get lunch before my shift starts.”

“Woman is going to be the death of me,” Dracon murmurs under his breath.

“Or I just might toughen you up,” I laugh.

“Running into burning buildings doesn’t make you tough. Knowing when to sacrifice for the good of your team is as tough as it gets. To be tough is to know when to stand and when to stand down.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Ardan

I had to move quickly to get to The Final Tides. I barely had enough time to mind-link Dracon to give him instructions and leave the bracelet for him. I made sure he could be with Billy all in one thought.

The problem is. The shark-shifters who have been guarding The Final Tides in the titan’s place can’t mind-link from down at that sea level. One had to rush to the surface to contact me. I knew by that time, the water spirit who escaped had too much time to get a lead on us.

There are traces of magic all over the outside of the cell the water spirit had been housed in. Yet, it has no distinct marker of who it belongs to.

“What water spirit was in this cell?” I ask before I walk inside to see what I can learn.

“It was ?ntikam,” the shark-shifter whispers.

I roll my eyes. Beings have refused to say the name aloud for fear that the spirit would be released into the world again. It is already out. There’s no need to whisper now.

“Leave,” I ordered as I step into the center of the cell.

Once I’m sure they have left me alone, I go to release my powers so I can figure out how this spirit managed to break free. It’s clear that it had help.

“ Ben kral?m ,” I say as I hold out my hands at my sides.

The water surrounding me begins to ripple, then it starts to spin counterclockwise, encircling me. The old spirit appears before me. It seems to be waiting for something. I tilt my head to study the spirit more closely.

That’s when rustling happens outside the cell. I turn my attention to the barrier meant to seal this spirit in. However, instead of seeing who helped this creature escape, I’m blinded by light.

I inhale deeply and shake my head to clear it. “What the fuck was that?”

?ntikam

I can feel my host awakening. She is powerful. Her powers are growing and rising to the surface. Her vengeance is growing, making room for me.

I have known that I needed to be free of this prison to take my place. Yet now that I have been freed, I know not how to get to her once I escape.

The force that broke my cell open gave no further help. I couldn’t even sense who or what it was. My instincts told me to stay here, remain hidden.

Now, this being, with the presence of a god and the essence of the one the alpha once loved, is here. I settle into my hiding place to fully take him in. My aura begins to pulse.

He has been with her. He is aware of my host. Very aware of her.

“ Ben kral?m ,” he calls out and the water around him begins to swirl like a cyclone.

This is it. This is my chance to latch onto this being and follow him to my host. As his eyes glow blue and the cyclone continues to swirl, I take my chance.

As he inhales, I ride the intake of air and flow into his body to wait. He will take me to the one whose magic calls to me. He will get me to the one I belong with.