King of Tides (The Immortal Iron Brothers #3)

Chapter 40

Vengeance Denied

A rdan wasted no time bringing us all back home after he reported in with Kendrick and the others. He didn’t even bother searching for the real Kenji to say goodbye.

I know he’s upset. Not just with Kenji or about the missing stone. He knows. He knows I’ve been keeping a secret from him.

We haven’t had time to talk, but I can feel his anger even now. He spent enough time with me to get the boys settle in their new room he created for them and then he was off to handle club business without a word to me.

So much has happened since we arrived. I’m still numb. When we stepped through the portal, Kendrick informed me that Candido was killed.

A part of me feels robbed. I will never get to look him in the eyes and tell him why I hate him before I get to watch them cart him off to a jail cell where he could suffer. Death was an easy out.

Someone stole the revenge that was mine. Yes, he’s dead, but this feels wrong. This feels like a disservice. Kendrick says Ray is torn up over this.

She would be. That bastard was some type of father to her. While I have no sympathy for the man, I can’t help sympathizing with her plight.

My stomach churns and my mouth waters. I’ve been getting nauseous since we teleported back. The trip back seemed a little harsher than the one there.

“Hey,” I turn to find Lee with her head poked into the front door.

“Hey.” I wave her in. I was just about to call Mack and let him know I’m back.

The boys tired themselves out exploring their room and having their run of the clubhouse. They are going to be a handful around here. We’ll be setting boundaries in the morning.

Lee comes in and takes a seat in the living area with me. She looks around, taking the room in and then looks back at me. I look her over. She looks good. There’s a glow about her.

“It’s funny to see their different tastes. This place is nice. How many floors has he made the place so far?”

I laugh. “As of today, we have four stories. Magic is something else.”

I shake my head and look around, still in awe that all of this is behind that same door a single room used to be behind. My life has changed so much since I first walked into this clubhouse.

“How are you feeling? I mean, I know you had the least attachment to Candido, but he was our father for all intents and purposes. Do you want to talk about it?”

“We can talk about anything but that man.”

“How about we talk about our cousin, or we can start with our uncle,” she says as she looks me in my eyes.

“Huh?”

“Those babies aren’t the only thing extra you came back carrying,” she says knowingly.

“You do know this is the reason I have such a hard time liking you. How do you always know so much of everyone else’s business? You’re like that noisy-ass auntie no one wants around,” I say and roll my eyes.

She laughs at me and shrugs her shoulders. I purse my lips and fold my arms over my chest. Quickly, I remind myself not to shut her out.

“Everything around us is a cycle of life, trying to fit the right pieces together from a time when they all fit together perfectly. We’re all moving toward a moment. A single moment of harmony when it all made sense and felt right,” she says while studying my face.

“Right. You know, you sound worse than Kenji,” I snort.

“So you have spent time with our cousin,” she says with this shit-eating grin.

“What? And before you start with that riddling shit, my stomach hurts, I’m getting a headache, and I’m tired. So be straight with me. What the hell are you talking about?”

She laughs and waves me off. I glare at her to let her know I’m not playing and I’m not in the mood. She bites her lip as if in thought.

“I guess it’s time.” She shrugs. “Our uncle from our original birth is living inside you. You know him as ?ntikam. His original name was Sevimli. He was our father’s twin brother.

“When our father Yak???kl? was killed, Sevimli became vengeful. He became stuck in a single form. The form of a sea creature. He lured people to their deaths all in the name of vengeance. That’s where the name ?ntikam came from.

“The gods knew they should put him to death, but Su-Vaha couldn’t bring herself to do it. He was her creation and her lover. No other god could do it without starting the wars all over again.

“Tanr? had already made the ultimate sacrifice for peace. He gave up his sons. Su-Vaha had to figure out something to stop her lovers tirade. It lasted for years before Su-Vaha gifted her grandson with special powers. Do you know what powers she gifted him?”

I sit as my mind races. The pieces all fall into place like a puzzle. The war, the magic, ?ntikam. I clench at my chest as I feel ?ntikam’s pain.

“Yak???kl?,” ?ntikam roars in my head.

“Easy now, ?ntikam,” Lee coos as she looks into my eyes.

I turn away and catch my reflection in a mirror across the room. My eyes are glowing blue. I close them and try to reel in the emotions coursing through me.

“You’re in control, Billy. ?ntikam is here to help you, but you have all the power.”

“If I have all the power, why is there a water dragon living inside my head?”

“Because you and Taylor were never marked by Tanr? like you were meant to be. Your blessing was snatched from you when our father was slaughtered and the war was started.

“Tanr? only had time to bless Ray and half bless me before he had to go help Mom. The four of us were meant to hold so much power. The world was meant to be a happier place because of us and our love.

“Kenji, the soul keeper. Su-Vaha give him the power to master souls. He is Sevimli and Su-Vaha’s grandson. He is our cousin.

“He didn’t just help me because I’m Ardan’s mate. I have his grandfather’s spirit inside me and I’m his cousin. That’s why he kept saying we are family.”

“Yes, Kenji and Tanr? have been trying to right things for Su-Vaha for a long time.”

“What happened to our mom?”

“Like a phoenix she will rise again. Nothing lost, nothing wasted. So many sacrifices are being made for us to come to the intended outcome of who we are.”

I sit and allow my thoughts to gather. I have so many questions and emotions swirling through my head. ?ntikam is sobbing so deeply in my head it almost bows me over.

I can feel all his memories coming back to him. The pain and sorrow are so fresh. I want to shut it all down.

Suddenly, ?ntikam begins to roar and the vengeance within him begins to push forward. I jump to my feet and ball my fists against it.

“Stop,” I scream in my head and push him back.

“See, you’re already doing better than the others. It’s in your blood to master him,” Lee says as she watches me closely.

“Why give me a spirit of vengeance? Why place this burden on me?”

“At the heart of ?ntikam’s pain is love. A deep love. You have the capacity to love deeply. You just have never given yourself a chance to.

“Kenji and Tanr? believe you have the soothing balm to redeem ?ntikam and make his spirit whole and useful once again.

“They believe you have the power to heal what was broken. It’s what you needed, what Ardan needs, what Beck and Bourne need, and what ?ntikam needs. You also need his presence to transform for this battle that’s to come.

“You were marked when you were Zander, my little sister. However, Tanr? once again didn’t get to finish the blessing. Kenji sacrificed his familiar in the process.

“?ntikam once lived inside of him. That’s why you see him as a water dragon and not the monster he had become.”

“He placed his grandfather’s soul in his magical pet?”

Lee smiles and snickers. “You can say that. Familiars are more than pets. They are a part of their owners. This is why you probably feel a connection to Kenji.”

“Okay, I think I’m with you, but how is ?ntikam supposed to help me … transform, right?

“Yes. You will understand what that is when your heart is ready. ?ntikam will bridge that gap when the time comes. He will allow you to peak. The rest is up to you.”

“So what do I do now?” I say and frown.

“Feed those boys, for goodness sake. Your stomach sounds like you’re carrying gremlins,” she says and bursts into laughter.

I look at her like she’s crazy. It’s the second time she’s implied I’m carrying a child. I place my hands on my hips and look down my nose at her.

“What do you know now that I don’t?” I mumble.

“You don’t know?” she says and looks shocked.

“Don’t know what?”

“I’m sorry. You should ask Ardan. I think it’s time I go. I’ve overstayed. Reilly will be busting down your door looking for me soon.”

“I bet,” I mutter as my phone rings.

I wave Lee off as she scurries off before I can grill her any further. When I look at my phone, a smile comes to my face as I see it’s Eddy. I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve talked to him.

“Hello,” I sing into the phone.

“She’s alive,” he croons on the other end.

“Oh, shut up and stop being so dramatic. I finally took a vacation like you guys are always telling me to do and you all freak out. Thank God I’m home. Papi can relax,” I huff.

“You’re back? I was just calling to see when you were heading back. I leave for Japan at the end of the week and thought we could hook up there, but if you’re home, you can come out and hang with us for a few beers. Carson is here.”

“Bro, I’m exhausted. Besides, Ardan has a lot of catching up to do. Maybe another night.”

“Since when can’t you come out if some dude can’t make it?”

“Since I have a man who’s crazy about me and I’m crazy about him. No, seriously, I want to hang, but I’m sooo tired. I’m going to drop in on Papi in the next few days. I’ll see you then?”

“Yeah, I’ll be around. Listen, kid, you should call Carson. He’s pretty messed up. I’m not saying you’re wrong to be happy and living your life, but the guy just wants to talk. You were his everything before this new guy showed up.”

“He’s going to have to get over that. This guy isn’t going anywhere, and I never made any promises that I’ve broken. This isn’t fair to me.

“I’m finally happy and starting a family with the man I love. I don’t ask for much, but I’m asking this once for everyone to chill.”

“Wow, starting a family? I didn’t know it was that serious.”

“Eddy, come on. I’ve been away for three months with the guy. I would say, considering we’re talking about me, that’s pretty damn serious.”

“I’m happy for you and can’t wait to meet him. Papi already loves him. I’m proud of you, Billy. You never settled. You deserve nothing but the best. I’ll see you later. Love you.”

“Love you too, Eddy. Thanks.”

I hang up with a smile on my lips. I want to take the boys to meet Mack. I don’t know if Ardan will be okay with that, but I plan to ask.

I can already see the look on his face as I introduce my two sons. Placing a hand over my belly, I smile wider. What if Lee is right? I could be carrying Ardan’s baby.

No. That know-it-all said sons. Plural. Their daddy is a twin, so I wouldn’t be surprised.

“Well, little demigods. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough excitement for one day.”

Ardan

“You want to talk about it?” Reilly asks as he comes to sit by me at the bar in the main hall.

“No, not entirely sure I do.”

“Well, as my big brother, you can listen. Having a mate isn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I mean, I love her. Gods, I love her. I didn’t think I could love anyone or anything as much as I love her.”

“So why do I hear a but?” I murmur.

“Because I’m still learning. I smother her because it would kill me to repeat the past. This time, she’s my mate.

“That would finish me, but I’m starting to see she was designed to be my match. I can go all alpha and shit, but Lee is the real fucking deal. If all our mates are as powerful as she is, this war or whatever is coming is already won,” he says thoughtfully.

“That’s the least of my problems. Worrying about how powerful she is. I already know the answer to that. Billy is scary powerful. I think she would need to wear more iron than me to lock all that power down.”

“Then what’s the problem? Why have you been down here sulking instead of being upstairs with your mate and your two boys? Congratulations, by the way. I think it was the best decision.”

I’m still too pissed off to talk about it, so I show Reilly what I found in that courtyard after finding out my stone was gone. My head is still spinning. All this time, while we were looking for that water spirit, he’s been living inside my mate.

The worst part is, I think I brought him to her, but Kenji had to have a hand in binding him to her spirit.

Reilly releases a low whistle. I can feel he’s speechless. So was I. I didn’t know who to be angry with.

“I’m not mad at Billy. I’m mad at myself. I knew what could happen taking her there. I’ve known Kenji for too long to have fallen for any of it.

“I don’t want to admit it, but I think he’s behind all of it. Somehow, he masked his involvement, but this has him written all over it. I just don’t understand why. Why risk centuries of friendship on one of his games?

“That weakling couldn’t have been pretending to be Kenji all that time. If he were, how did Billy end up with one of the most powerful water spirits ever inside of her?

“There are answers to everything. I believe the entire picture will show itself soon. We will all be home within the next few days, and we can sort it all out.

“If Kendrick is right about Father, it will make sense in due time,” he replies and pats me on the back. “You should go talk to your mate. Let her know you’re not angry with her.

“I can feel your children growing, this is not the time for her to question your feelings or to be upset.”

I smile. I’ve been waiting for Billy to sense our children. I already have names in mind for them.

“You are right. Thank you.”

I stand and head for our apartment to let my mate know my ire is not with her. I was just angry to see ?ntikam in possession of her.

***

I find Billy in our bed, fast asleep. I stand with my arms folded across my chest as I watch her. I love this woman so much.

I will kill Kenji if that monster inside her brings her any harm. I was too young to remember how ?ntikam came about. Kenji should have been too.

I only remember when Kenji brought the spirit to me and asked that I lock it away. I remember his somberness and reluctance to hand him over. However, at the time, I thought it was the right thing to do.

“You better have a good reason for this,” I growl under my breath as I undress while walking the stairs to get to our bed.

I will have to change the design of our room again with small children living with us. So much in my world is changing. I climb under the sheet and splay my hand on Billy’s belly.

“We will be okay, my pretty mate. I love you.”