Page 84 of King of Tides

Hidden Truths

Islice 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.

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