King of Tides (The Immortal Iron Brothers #3)

Chapter 36

Just Alike

“ P api, I’m not in New York right now,” I say into the phone.

“Since when?”

“I haven’t been there for a few days. I think it’s been about a week since we’ve been gone.”

“We?”

I sigh and laugh. “Yes, Papi. We. Ardan and I are taking a vacation.”

“I knew I liked that guy. I can’t remember the last time you willingly took a vacation. You usually have to fall sick or something to sit your butt down and take off from work,” Mack laughs into the phone.

“Yeah, I know. I’m looking to change that when I get back.”

“I must be dreaming. I have to be. Does this mean I’m going to get to walk you down the aisle some day soon?”

“Phew, you’re jumping that cart before the barrel. I would have to be proposed to in order to be planning a wedding. I don’t think that’s in my future.”

“Why not?” Papi says into the phone while Ardan mind-links me the same.

I look at Ardan and shrug. He rolls his eyes and frowns at me then gets up to leave the room. I look after him with my mouth hanging open.

“Is marriage not a biker thing?” Mack asks, bringing me from my thoughts.

“I … Um. I’ve never asked.”

“So, how do you know he wouldn’t propose?”

“True story, Papi. I think I might be wrong. It’s all so complicated.”

“Can I give a little advice?”

“Yeah, I’m listening.”

“Talk to him. Ask him his intentions and plans for your future. You may find he wants more than you think. I wish I communicated more when I had my opportunity.”

“Thanks, Papi. I think you might be right.”

As I listen to Mack continue to talk, Kenji walks into the lounge room I’m sitting in. He gives me a smile and takes a seat across from me. That feeling in the pit of my stomach awakens as it always does when he enters the room.

“Papi, I need to go. I’ll call you when we get back to New York.”

“Be good, sport. I miss you.”

“I miss you too.”

I hang up and stare back at Kenji. I’m still cautious of him even though he’s been nothing but kind. He sits with such stillness and his gaze is razor sharp.

Suddenly, he moves his hands in a gesture as if he’s placing a napkin in his lap, ready to eat. Then he places his hands on his knees. The action is slow and methodical.

I can’t help feeling like he’s just started some type of spell for one of his illusions. Telling myself to relax, I take a deep breath and remain quiet.

“You have no desire to train here at Ji Dojo?”

“I didn’t know I could,” I reply.

He purses his lips and shakes his head. He lifts one hand gracefully before placing it right back on his knee. I notice this time his pointer finger and thumb remain lifted.

“You are always welcome to train here. My assassins have skills that are unmatched. You will leave with the same skills.”

“Thank you. It is kind of you to offer. I did have to interrupt my training to come here. I’ve been in mixed martial arts since I was little, so I didn’t think much of the time off.”

He lifts his hand again, this time holding it in the air as if calling for the check in a restaurant. When he lowers it, he holds it palm side up. One of the servants who’s just as pretty as the assassins, walks in with a box.

I’ve learned you can tell the difference between the staff and the assassins by the uniforms they wear. All of the staff members wear beige as the assassins wear black or gray. I wasn’t shocked to find out all servants behind these walls are as lethal as the assassins. Although, I believe the working staff all have their souls from what I can tell.

“Ardan and I have been friends for a very long time. He has known me in many forms and stations. There was once a time when I forged weapons for powerful beings,” Kenji says as he waves for the large box to be placed in my lap.

I stare down at the box, not sure if I should open it. Ardan’s cautionary warning rings in my ear. I could be opening Pandora’s box with this guy.

“I, in fact, forged his. I believe in Inyo . Do you know what this is?” he asks.

“No, I’m not sure I do.”

“You Americans know it as yin and yang—from the Chinese. The weapons I forged used to sing to me. They would tell me when they were meant to have a partner or counterpart if you will. I have held the partner to Ardan’s weapon for a very long time. Many centuries, many moons, many tides.”

“Are you saying that’s what’s in this box?”

“Ah, yes. You are following just fine. It has been singing since your arrival.”

“I can’t take this.”

“Why not?”

“I’m just learning to use my magic. I wouldn’t know what to do with this.”

He lifts his left hand and makes a swiping motion from his right side to his left. The motion is so graceful and effortless. When he places his hand back on his knee, he again keeps his pointer finger and thumb lifted.

“You haven’t opened the box to know what this is. How can you know you would not know what to do with it?”

I chew on my lip as I look down at the ornate box. I try to think of if I’ve ever seen Ardan’s weapon. Although I’ve seen his avatar and knights, I can’t remember ever seeing him wield a weapon.

Curiosity wins out. I flip the latches on the box and slowly lift the lid. My brows knit as the intricate metal comes into view. I’m not sure what it is at first.

It looks like an elaborate bow although there is no string to shoot an arrow. As I examine it further. I realize that although there are cutouts in the steel on each end, this is not necessarily a bow at all.

One end curves in one direction and the other end curves in the other. Each end is sharp and ornately carved as if the tips of a double sides blade. I’ve seen a lot of weapons, but I haven’t seen anything like this one.

The engravings, the attention to detail. The artistry of the blades. I reach in and lift it by its ornate handle in the center. It fits nicely as the grip of a bow, but I see it for what it is as it’s in my palm. I go with my instincts and push the little release that my thumb fits in as if made just for me.

Just as I thought, they come apart into two naginata blades. As I hold them in my palms they begin to glow, then a humming starts to come from them. I quickly secure them together as one weapon again and return them to the box as if they burned me.

“It knows it has found its home,” Kenji says.

“Why are you giving this to me now?”

“This is a gift for your training. Your service weapon is of no use here or in the times to come. You will need something to match who you are,” he explains.

“I’m going to stop you there. This … this is not me. I’d probably chop off a finger before I did any damage to anyone else. I’m good with my fists and gun. I always hit my target.

“As many Bruce Lee movies as I watched as a kid, I know I ain’t him. Thank you, but you can take this back. It will only collect dust in the back of my closet if I take it with me. Give it to someone else who can put it to use,” I say as I close the latches back. Then I mumble under my breath. “If you can find someone in this century.”

This thing feels ancient. I’m no Samurai and I don’t think I’m about to become one. I still don’t know what made me use those ice ninja stars.

“This weapon will only respond to you and it’s so much more than meets the eye. My assassins and I can show you how to use it. Join us just once and see how it feels.”

“Can I think about it?”

He throws his head back and gives a throaty laugh. The sound is soothing and forces me to want to let my guard down. However, he moves in that measured pace to lace his fingers together, not closing his palms.

My curiosity is piqued as laugh lines that weren’t there before appear around his eyes making him look older and more relaxed. It softens his face, giving a gentler appearance.

“The two of you are just alike. Ardan can be stubborn too. He is used to being independent like you.

“My friend has never asked his brothers for help. He has learned to adapt to be everything to everyone—no matter the toll it has taken on himself.

“He will split himself in two to accomplish his goals, literally. Of the four brothers, he’s the one who has mastered being in two places at one time.

“Why? Because he doesn’t want to look weak to the others. He doesn’t want to fail. I don’t think he realizes the strength it takes to wield a dual presence,” Kenji says.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I see Ardan struggling. He wants to allow you to find your way to him in your own timing, but he needs you. He needs all of you.”

I tilt my head and narrow my eyes at him. He gives me a bright smile. Folding my arms over my chest, I sit back in my seat and purse my lips.

“Okay, I hear what you’re saying, but I’m catching what you’re not. What is it you know about me that you’re trying to spin?”

His smile grows so wide it looks unreal. I begin to feel as if I’ve just stepped into his trap. Ardan’s warnings fill my head.

“Do you not feel it? You have been walking with it all this time.” He pauses and tilts his head to mirror mine. “Has Ardan told you much about me?”

“He has shared some.”

“You understand I have the power to manipulate and transfer spirits.”

“I was told your assassins relinquish their souls to you,” I reply.

“Ah, yes. They do, but I can give them back or place them in another vessel.”

“Okay.”

“Some spirits just need the right vessel to flourish in life. A pure heart with pure intention can make the difference when it comes to a moral compass.

“Vengeance looks different with the right heart. True power looks different in the hands of the right being.”

“So the riddles have begun. He told me about those too. I’m a straight shooter, Kenji. I’d respect you more if you did the same with me.”

It happens so fast, I’m not sure what’s going on at first. He repeats all the movements with his hands, but in a much faster pace. Then he stands.

“?ntikam, it is time. Speak,” he says.

“ Hello, young master. You have become so much stronger. Can you feel me now? ” A voice says loudly in my head.

“What the hell?” I gasp and jump up from my seat, the box tumbling to the floor.

“Don’t be alarmed. A blessing has been given,” Kenji says.

“A voice in my head that’s not mine or my mate’s isn’t what I consider a blessing.”

“But this is your voice. You and ?ntikam are one. Like Ardan, you must learn you’re not alone. You can rely on others. You need ?ntikam and ?ntikam needs you.”

“He is right. We are stronger together. I will bring balance to you and you will bring balance to Ardan.”

“Why do I need you?”

“It is the world who needs us .”

“Kenji, with all due respect. I’m going to need you to explain why the fuck there’s a voice in my head. What the hell did you just do?”

“You have felt ?ntikam inside you for quite some time now. From the moment you came into my presence, you began to feel the awakening. All I have done is seal the bond so you are one as it should be.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m so stupid. I should have got up and left when you entered the room. Ardan warned me.”

“Well, yes, I’m sure he did. I still have a question for you. Does it feel wrong?

“Can you say ?ntikam doesn’t feel right? Like something you need to be apart from. Or do you feel like you have come home?”

I stand glaring at him as I take inventory of my person. Power is surging through me like never before. It’s almost scary how powerful I feel.

My hands tingle as if needing an outlet to release some of this power I feel. The hum within is welcomed, that much I’m sure of. I shake my head to clear it.

“What does this mean?”

“You are now a dual being like your mate. You can learn to be here and there. We can train you to master this gift and that weapon for the time to come,” he says.

“What’s this time you keep talking about?”

“You will see. Train first, talk more later. We go now while Ardan licks his wounds.”

“He’s upset with me?” I ask softly.

“He is upset with himself. He doesn’t know how to ask you for what he needs. He wars with what’s good for you and what’s right for everyone.”

My shoulder sag as I feel guilty for my earlier words. I didn’t mean to intentionally hurt his feelings. I know something has been going on with him.

He’s also keeping some of his thoughts from me. I didn’t used to be able to tell when he was holding back but lately it’s become clearer. That frustrates me because I’ve been leaving mine open more.

My mind goes to all he’s had to endured alone for so long. Maybe I should try a different approach. We need to talk about whatever has had him in this mood.

I think it’s time we do some heavy lifting. Not just talk, but meaningful conversations that lay out our real future, not hypothetically. Maybe it’s time I treated him to a date instead of the other way around. If I want to start to show him I’m all in I need to put actions to it.

I snap my fingers as a thought comes to me. “I need a favor. I will train with you and your ladies, but you have to help me with something special for Ardan,” I say.

“Name this thing you need, and it shall be done.”

“I need you to tell me everything you know about Ardan. All the things he loves, times in his life he has enjoyed. Things like that. I’ll take it from there,” I reply.

“I can do this.”

“Cool, but you can’t tell Ardan. Deal?” I say as I hold out my hand.

“You should know never to offer a trickster your hand to seal a deal. We will always manipulate the ties and binds of that agreement,” he says with a stern face, leaving my hand in the air. All traces of playfulness and warmth are gone.

He gives a bow and looks me in the eyes as he speaks again. “You have a deal, Billy. I will do anything for family.”

Ardan

“King Ardan,” Beck and Bourne squeal as I step outside for some fresh air.

I give the boys a smile and dip to lift them up in my arms as they coming barreling toward me. They are all sweaty as they chatter a mile a minute. My frustration and anger melt away as I listen to them.

I’m not angry with Billy. I’m frustrated with myself. I want to give her time to process this new life without the pressure of its needs from her. However, at the same time, I need her.

“Where’s Queen Billy?”

“She’s making a few calls. What are you two up to?”

“We were playing. We did good in training today and Amadeus is rewarding us with playtime,” Bourne says happily.

“Good job. I’m proud of you both,” I croon and tighten my hold to embrace them.

They both make this little sound as they snuggle into me, causing me to think of how much they need this from a trusted female. The problem is Billy doesn’t seem to be getting any closer to accepting us for who we are. I might be her mate and I’m satisfying her needs, but Billy holds me at arm’s length at most times.

How can I ask her to be something I’m not sure she wants? Asking her to help me is like being a single father with two boys. She didn’t sign up for this.

Yes, she has said she wants to help, but this isn’t something she can flake on. Billy will break their hearts if she’s not ready and changes her mind. She has a bond link with me, not with them.

Her rejection could be catastrophic for them. I will end up with two ice titans on my hands instead of the one from the visions. The balance will be lost and so will my solution for the problem.

“Will you come play with us? We have gotten fast, we can show you,” Beck says.

I place them both on their feet and pat the tops of their heads. They look up at me with sparkling eyes. I’m thrown back in time to when Bradan and I were their size.

We looked at our father the same way, happy he had come to earth to see us. My heart pangs. I realize I’m committed to them for more reasons than being their king.

Their laughter fills the air as I form water guns for the three of us. I begin to chase after them as they take off. I take turns soaking the two as they try to get away.

“You’ve gotten fast, but not fast enough,” I call after them.

“We’ll show you,” Beck laughs.

He goes to speed off, but trips and flies forward. The next thing I know he’s sobbing on the ground. I groan and rush to his side.

“Hey, hey, it’s just a little scrape. We’ll get it cleaned up, little buddy.”

“It hurts,” he whimpers.

Before I can open my mouth, Billy appears. I look to her and knit my brows. However, her attention is solely on Beck.

“What happened?” she coos.

“I was trying to show King Ardan how fast I am, but I tripped and fell.” Beck pouts and sniffles.

“Aw, you poor baby. Here, you eat this ice pop while I fix your boo-boo.”

“Can I have one too?” Bourne asks.

“Of course you can. You can be my little helper too.”

“What do you need me to do?” he asks excitedly.

“I need you to hold your brother’s hand while I fix him up. Help him to be brave.”

Bourne quickly reaches for his brother’s hand with his free one. Both boys sit licking their ice pops while talking quietly to each other.

“Where did you come from?” I mind-link.

“I felt your panic.”

“And you came running? Billy, I could have been ? —”

“Stop, I’m not a fragile bird. Can we talk about this later?”

“That we will.”

“Here, have an ice pop. It’s your favorite flavor, ocean candy.”

I take the frozen treat as I frown at my mate. Quickly, I shove it in my mouth before I say or think something stupid. To my surprise it does taste like ocean candy.

I give a little smile. She’s getting better with her magic. I’m proud of her.

My chest swells as I watch in awe while she uses her magic effortlessly to clean then heal Beck’s little legs. She then sits on the ground and pulls Beck into her lap, cooing at him and rubbing his hair. Bourne moves to tuck into her other side.

“You see what happens when you have fun without inviting me?” she teases.

“We wanted to play with you. We were told you were busy,” Bourne says.

“Who told you that? I’m going to soak them and make them pay. No one gets my favorite boys hurt and gets away with it,” she says.

The little traitors both look at me and point their little fingers at me. Billy gives me a mischievous smile and stands up, placing Beck on his feet.

“Let’s get him, boys,” she sings.

In the next breath she has a water gun in her hands chasing after me. The boys’ laughter fills the air and it’s like music to my ears. Their hearts sound happy.

We spend about two hours throwing water balloons, sliding down a water slide and feeding the boys and myself ice pops. Billy and the boys look happier than I’ve ever seen any of them. This is what they all need.

I’m going to make this their normal.