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

getting upstairs now. It’s late.”
    We nodded as he left.
    “You should put Seth to bed.” Adele said.
    “What about you?”
    She looked around at all the remnants of dinner still scattered across the counter. “I still have more to do.”
    “All right. Here’s the deal. You clean up while I put Seth to bed then you bring yourself upstairs and do me next.”
    “I don’t know how long it will take.”
    “Doesn’t matter. I’ll be in bed and don’t hesitate to wake me.”
    She smiled even wider and kissed us both. I left her to do what she always felt like she had to but I took my time going up the stairs. I even set Seth down and let him try to climb while I inched along behind him with Rift.
    It accomplished what I wanted. It took several minutes just to make it to the fourth floor and Trever saw us just as we started up the next flight of stairs.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Walking—sort of.”
    He laughed. “I see. Taking your time while Adele cleans up?”
    “Yeah. It’s a nightly routine that I’ve gotten used to well, when I’m here anyway.”
    “I heard about how your father calls you away a lot. Have you ever considered living there?”
    “Of course I have but the girls—they’d never allow it. They don’t want the boys growing up in that life. They only tolerate it when they go to visit and even then it’s not for very long.”
    “I understand that, I suppose but one day that may change when the boys are older and can voice their opinion.”
    “Maybe. I’ll at least want them to come with us more often then.”
    “You’re absolutely right. I’ll leave you to your night, Zayden. I was just going to get myself a room.”
    “All right. There’s one right next to the bathhouse that’s available or anyone on the third floor. You shouldn’t go any higher than this. Ruby and Darius are right above us.”
    “Yes. Thank you. Have a good night.”
    “I hope to and I hope yours remain uneventful.”
    We parted ways and I picked up Seth to take him to his room. He did very well with lying down for me and I went into my room to wait for Adele. I expected her only to be another minute with how long it actually took me to get upstairs then running into Trever but I waited and waited longer.
    I finally heard her come in but I stayed where I was in bed.
    She was next to me but she wasn’t lying down. It was more like she was sitting but I didn’t turn to look. She ran her hand over my head and kissed me. “Goodnight.”
    “I’m not sleeping. What took you so long?”
    “I had to get it back the way I like it. It just took some time.”
    I rolled over and looked at her. “You always have to have everything so perfect.”
    She started kissing me and rolled on top of me. At least it seemed she was keeping to the deal but just as things were heating up, we heard Seth in the next room.
    She stopped and lifted her head.
    “No. Not now.” I sighed. “He’ll go back to sleep.”
    “I’ll be right back.”
    She started to get off me but I grabbed her hips and pulled her back. “No. It can wait.”
    I started kissing her again but Adele pulled back when Seth continued to cry. “Zayden, it will only take a second.”
    She got up completely and I sighed again while sitting up. “Yeah, and in that second the mood will be completely gone from you. I know how it works.” 
    “I guess it’s goodnight then.”
    She closed the door behind her and I fell back with my head on the pillow in disappointment. “Goodnight.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 16
     
     
    Jaylyn
     
    I felt better knowing Trever was back and he could finally be a part of our life again. I missed him but I didn’t need to anymore and I woke completely refreshed. No nightmares last night.
    “Oh, hey, Jaylyn.”
    I was in the kitchen, making my morning tea and turned to see who had greeted me. “Morning, Zayden. Someone’s up early.”
    “Yeah, you are. What are you doing?”
    “Making tea. Want