Free Rising Sun (Fate's Intent Book 9) by April Bowles

son to bed. I’ll be up in a minute.” Darius looked down at me and my eyes flashed red. He looked back at Trever as he walked over and picked up Dirk. He thankfully left with him without another word and I looked at Trever. “Stop doing that. You just got here and you should know to watch what you say around him before you end up getting hurt.”
    He laughed. “That’s not going to happen. I’d know what he was going to do before he even did it.”
    “Even still. Just watch what you say. It was good seeing you.” I left. It was good to see him; I’ve missed him just as much as Jaylyn but Darius needed me more right now. I knew he wasn’t liking him being here at all and only I could make him forget.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 15
     
     
    Zayden
     
    Jaylyn sighed while getting to her feet. “Just like old times. I’m going to put Bryce to bed.”
    She started to walk over to him but Trever reached him first and picked him up. “I’ll do it for you.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yeah, why not? He is my nephew and I fully plan to be a part of his life.”
    “Okay. Let me show you where his room is.”
    Trever nodded and they were about to walk out of the dining hall. “Oh, wait.” He stopped midway and walked over to Adele, still holding Bryce. “Adele, your father wanted me to give you this.” He pulled an envelope out of his pocket.
    “It suits you.” Adele smiled as she took it.
    “What?”
    “You holding a baby.”
    Trever laughed and pointed at her. “Ha! Yeah, right. Nice try.”
    “Just getting you to think about it.”
    He immediately turned from her and left the dining hall with Jaylyn.
    “So, what’s the news?” I asked.
    “Nothing that important. Just about the peace talks and other things of that nature and he can’t wait to see us.”
    I laughed. “I know, Love. I said we’d all be going.”
    “Good. Time to clean up, I guess. It’s getting late. Seth probably should have been to bed already.”
    “Probably.”
    Troy and I got up with her and we herded everything back into the kitchen while I tried wrangling Seth in one arm.
    “So—” Adele began. “Are you going to go up to Jaylyn?”
    I looked over at Troy and he seemed unsure of why she would have asked. “I’m going to give them another minute. Jaylyn was worried that he was dead all of this time and now that we know he’s not, they could use the time together.”
    “I guess that’s true. So, how do you feel about it?”
    “Feel about what?”
    “Trever being back?”
    He looked at me and even I was unsure about this question. “I don’t mind. I never hated him. Not like Darius though.”
    Adele laughed. “Yeah, that is still kind of funny. He shouldn’t have anything to worry about. It’s not like Ruby will do anything.”
    “Yeah but he still feels like he needs to protect her from him.”
    “Well, I’m proud of him.” I said. “I seriously thought we were going to have to step in.”
    “Let’s just hope he’s not staying too long.” Adele said. “I don’t think Darius could handle it.”
    “He shouldn’t be.” Troy replied. “He is Aleksander’s advisor. He’ll have to be getting back now that he’s through with the peace talks.”
    “Actually, he’s the King. He just won’t admit it.”
    “Your father is the one who wears the crown, Love. He said he’d get to it when he’s ready.”
    “Please. We all know the truth. My father has never done a thing without talking to Trever and it wasn’t for his advice. It was for his instruction.”
    “Don’t get all steamed up about it.” I said. “He still has time to do what’s right. Right now he thinks that’s giving your father the chance to be the leader he was born to be.”
    “Yes and the people will make sense of it all when he names Trever to be his successor.” Troy added. “Their past time together has set the stage for that.”
    “We’ll just have to wait and see, I suppose.”
    Troy smiled. “Well, I guess I’ll be