King of Tides (The Immortal Iron Brothers #3)

Chapter 30

Hidden Truths

I slice through the water of the pool, needing to clear my thoughts. Billy is fast asleep in the bed. She had a long shift, and with all her feelings, it took a toll on her.

Whatever the night made her feel, she blocked that part of her thoughts off from me. It probably had something to do with the family that was murdered, including two small children.

Humans fear us, but we have more reason to fear them and the evil in their hearts. I know a part of it is because of my uncle’s influence that seeps out even from his prison.

However, there is still a choice to be made in the heart and mind. Once you decide to be evil and cruel, you’re accountable for all you have done. Sure, humans have become reliant on blaming any and everything outside of themselves, but the truth is, once the fingers are removed, it’s all them.

“We are changing shifts. Hudson and Ren are taking over,” Dracon mind-links me.

“ Thank you. I will talk to you in the morning. I want to make sure the queen’s guard is complete, and I can trust each member.”

“ It’s an honor to serve. I will make sure everyone is in attendance.”

“Thank you, Dracon.”

“Get some rest, My King.”

I grunt and continue to slice through the water. Kendrick and Bradan are creating courts for their mates. I know Billy enough to understand that’s not her thing, so I’m forming a guard to be with her whenever I can’t be.

I still have hope that, over time, she will open up and a court will be an option, but for now, Dracon and the others have built a camaraderie with her that she seems willing to accept.

My mind goes back to what has had me in the pool trying to release some of my frustration and energy. We still don’t have any leads on Knox. Every time I try to locate his presence, I find visions of the twins.

They are still safe in Japan. I have no idea why their life forces continue to interfere with my meditation. The frustrating part is that I feel another life force pulsing behind theirs when I tap into the visions.

I have no idea if that’s Knox or something or someone else. What I know for sure is that this isn’t normal and has traces of the gods all over it.

“No, no,” I hear Billy scream.

I flash from the pool to the bed in a single breath. When I get there, she’s still asleep, thrashing and flailing about. Her skin is glowing as well with a blue light.

I look her over, not sure whether to touch her or not. She cries out in her sleep again and whimpers, causing me to throw caution to the wind. I pull her body to me and rest my back against the glass headboard.

As I settle her between my legs, I place my hand against her forehead to cool her heated skin. The moment I do, I’m pulled into her mind.

Just like that, I’m falling through time. Confused and disoriented, I take a moment to catch my bearings. I know the time right away.

My brothers don’t know that I didn’t fully slumber when they did. Kendrick wasn’t the only one who was restless. The time was boring, and humans were becoming a problem, so it was a good time to sleep, but I couldn’t rest peacefully, so I would wake to explore from time to time.

To keep from being noticed, I learned to split my presence. I used other bodies as I had the power to do. I chose a water nymph who had an obsession with this stream that fed into a spring. I believe it was because of the young girl who frequented it.

She was a pretty girl, brown skin with full wild hair. I had found the nymph in good taste. When I spent time in his body, he would spend hours waiting for her to arrive and then watching her.

As the memory comes back to me, the young girl appears. I understand right away I’m seeing this through the nymph’s eyes, as I’m in his body and not mine. Almost like I’m having one of his memories.

“Zander, we can’t stay long. Kendrick will be upset if we’re late for training,” someone calls in the distance.

“I only want to cool off in the spring. Gods knows it’s hot out here as it is. Kendrick is going to have us all sweaty and tired with all that fighting and carrying on. I need time to be a lady, not a warrior,” she calls back.

“You say this as you strip down to jump into a spring,” the other replies.

“You have your meaning of a lady, and I have mine.”

I chuckle as she continues to grumble to herself—shaking her neck spiritedly as if still in a disagreement—as she undresses and looks around mischievously. I tilt my head to study her. There’s this strong feeling that she’s not just here for a dip.

Once down to her sheath, she strolls her curvy body to the water and climbs in. To my surprise a dragon appears from beneath the water. Zander doesn’t look surprised at all.

Instead, she reaches out to it as she speaks with the dragon. I can feel the anxiety of the water nymph. He’s concerned for her and ready to protect her if she needs him.

However, Zander looks comfortable with the dragon. I would say they are friends. She splashes water at it playfully and even goes as far as embracing its neck.

I look more closely at the dragon and recognition hits. I have crossed paths with this being. I know the dragon well.

So many centuries have passed since I’ve encountered this being. Those were different times. I begin to wonder how the two have become acquainted.

This is no ordinary creature. In fact, this seems to be out of character for the being. I am taken aback as I watch their next interaction.

Zander kneels in the water and the dragon lifts it’s hand to touch a claw to her forehead. A blue light begins to emit from the point of contact.

“He is blessing her,” I murmur to myself.

I can feel the water nymph’s confusion and panic. This is an ancient ritual the nymph wouldn’t understand. The dragon has chosen Zander.

“No,” I roar as the water nymph shoots an arrow at the dragon.

In the same instant, Zander has lifted from the water and now stands before the dragon, unknowingly stepping into the path of the arrow. The dragon knocks her out of the way just in time, but the arrow pierces its original mark.

I close my eyes as Zander’s screams fill the air.

I’m brought back to the present as I’m struck in the jaw. I’m startled by how much it stings. Now that I’m aware of my surroundings, I’m able to catch Billy’s fist before it connects a second time.

There are conversations to be had and questions to be answered, but those will have to wait. My mate is in distress. I restrain her arms and rock her back and forth as I coo to calm her.

“You are safe, my love. You are in my arms, and I will keep you safe. Nothing will ever harm you. I am here.”

Billy

I’m drowning in pain and so much torment. I latch onto Ardan’s voice and allow it to guide me away from all the chaos. Slowly, I open my eyes and look around.

I’m safe, I’m in our bedroom. Ardan has his strong arms around me as he rocks me from side to side. I close my eyes again and breathe him in, allowing his calming scent to fill my lungs.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he murmurs into my hair.

“No, I don’t understand most of it.”

“Then you can sleep in my arms. I will hold you and be here to protect you.”

“Thank you,” I say as I go to sit up.

He releases me reluctantly, probably thinking I intend to run away from him. Instead, I turn to straddle his hips and wrap my arms around him as I squeeze him tight and bury my face in his neck.

Lee giving me that hug the other day resonated deeply with me. I don’t often allow others to embrace me. Eddy has been the exception.

As I melt into Ardan, he tightens his arms, and I get the feeling he understands the depth of this gesture. I’m accepting him as my person. This isn’t the bond leading me, this is my heart.

“Ardan, I …”

“No need for words, my pretty mate,” he says in my ear and pats a hand against my butt.

I’m filled with so many raw emotions. I know I need to decipher those dreams, but the pain and torment I felt while in them has left me bare and aching.

“Sleep, my little one. Sleep.”

His deep, strong voice lulls me into comfort and my lids grow heavy. It’s like I’m wrapped in a cocoon of safety and love. If I ever questioned Ardan’s feelings before, I can’t say I do now.

I believe he’s allowing them to come through stronger than usual, so I push mine back. I may still have a hard time expressing the words, but my feelings are all in.