The Eden Series: The Complete Collection (112 page)

“What are the women like?” Logan asked. Aiden hadn’t realized he was paying attention, although that happened often with Logan. Aiden suspected that Logan was more aware than everyone thought. It made people drop their guard around him. He was sure Logan used that to his advantage a lot of the time. The brunette sitting on his lip pouted as she realized she lost his attention now that he was fully turned toward them.

Stefan looked at him, his eyes briefly flickering to the girl, before landing back on Logan. “They wear more clothing,” he answered flatly. Logan burst out laughing. The girl looked slightly offended.

“Can I ask you something?” Aiden said, changing topics.

“Of course, warrior,” he replied.

“Uh, you can just call me Aiden,” he said. The other man shrugged.

“It is how we have referred to you, until now. It will take me some time to adjust.”

Aiden bit back a laugh at how formal he always sounded. He got the impression most of the northerners were like that. He couldn’t imagine living in a place where everyone was so serious all the time. How had Callum stood it? That being said, Aiden had to admit the Prince seemed much more serious than the King. Jameson would never have survived, but perhaps Callum was similar to men like Stefan.

“Right. Anyway, I was wondering, have you ever seen Aziz?” he asked. Aziz was a big mystery to Aiden. He felt like a fictional character. This person that was always hovering on the outside of things, but never actually seen in action. During all three battles Aiden had taken part in, Aziz was never there. As far as he knew, no one had seen the sorcerer in a long time. For some reason he was immensely curious about him. In some strange way, Aiden felt connected to the sorcerer, like their fates were somehow intertwined. He wanted to know more about his enemy, anything that would help finally defeat him.

Stefan nodded his head, his face growing even more serious, if possible. “I have,” he said. “He came to camp before that first battle at Emerald Fields. I only saw him briefly, and that was the first time in a long time. He has always been a strange man to me. One day Aziz simply showed up, asking for an audience with Brutus. After that he lived in the north for many years. Once Callum came, he only stayed for another five before leaving. We hadn’t seen him since until that night he showed up at camp.”

“Where did he go?” Aiden asked.

“I do not know,” he answered. “Some say he went to Elysium, but we don’t know that for sure. All I know is he left, and then the war began and his beasts showed up. They were just there one day. No one was leading them. They just knew where to go, and waited for us to move before they began following.” He took a quick look around, leaning in closer to Aiden. “They made me nervous,” he confided.

“The beasts?” Aiden asked.

Stefan nodded. “They made all of us nervous. They would watch us at night when we’d set up camp. They’d stay just outside our site, but we could see them all. Their eyes focused right on you when you looked at one. It was unnatural.” The man visibly shivered at the memory. “Many of us suspected they were communicating everything they saw and heard back to Aziz. His is a strange, black magic that reaches everywhere. I always got this strange feeling from those creatures. Now it is everywhere I go – even here. It’s as though his disease is infecting this whole land.”

When he stopped speaking, Aiden noticed the table had gone eerily quiet. He turned to see Moose and Logan now fully focused on the northerner, their faces pale. Could someone as powerful as Aziz be stopped by just ordinary men? A feeling of helplessness washed over Aiden.

“What is Elysium?” he asked, directing the question to all of them.

“It’s a kingdom that sits in the middle of the sea,” Moose answered.

“It is further south from Nysa,” Logan explained. “It would take ten days to reach it on a boat – if you managed to survive that long. The waters are dangerous. Few have made it there and back and lived to tell about it.”

“I’ve heard traders talk of a secret passage that is safer than most,” Stefan said. “But I don’t know if there is any truth to it.”

“Why would he have gone there?” Aiden looked to the northerner.

Stefan looked around nervously, leaning in closer. “My guess? He went for the Elite.”

“He wouldn’t dare,” Moose said with a snort. Stefan looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

“I don’t think there is anything that Aziz wouldn’t dare,” he countered. “He has no qualms, no conscience. He would stop at nothing to get what he wants.”

Moose looked over at the other northerners with an unusually grave face. “How do they all feel about going after Aziz?” he asked.

Stefan shifted in his chair, relaxing a fraction. “None of the men are loyal to him, if that is what you are asking. He was never our ally. Most of us could not understand why Brutus joined forces with him, but we would have never spoken against our leader.”

“So they are willing to fight against him with us?” Logan said.

Stefan nodded. “As far as we’re concerned he has used us since the beginning. We want to see him destroyed just as much as you do.”

Logan smiled. “Right answer.” He lifted his drink in salute. “To ending this war – together.”

They all raised their cups in unison before drinking.

Aiden stepped out of the tavern, letting the cool, fresh air hit his face. It felt good after being inside with so many people. Wolf and Elisa had been dancing when he left. Logan and Moose were distracted by the opposite sex. No one seemed to be paying attention, so Aiden had slipped out without a word. His mind and body were exhausted. They had kept up a hard pace, and he really hadn’t been able to get a good rest since the battle in the Avalon. Unfortunately sleep was going to have to wait a bit longer.

Heading in the direction of the palace, he started at a brisk walk against the cool breeze. The sound of footsteps came behind him, advancing quickly. He turned, taking a defensive stand, but relaxed as soon as he saw it was Stefan. The northerner gave him an apologetic smile.

“I didn’t mean to alarm you,” he said as he reached where Aiden stood.

Aiden shrugged casually. “It’s kind of habit now. What’s up?”

Stefan’s brows puckered in confusion before he looked up slowly. “I’m not sure what you mean,” he replied.

Aiden bit back a laugh. “Sorry, more habits of mine. What I meant is, why did you follow me out here?”

“I think I’ve had enough of the tavern for one night. Are you heading back to the dorm?”

The night was suddenly filled with the ringing of bells from the Sanctuary signalling the beginning of mass. Aiden looked up to see the blue dome shining in the moonlight.

“Not yet. I’m going to talk to the High Priest first,” he said.

“I will walk with you there then, and head back by myself.”

“You don’t have to do that. I’ll be fine.”

“I’d like to,” he said, turning to walk. Aiden fell in step with him. He smiled to himself. Aiden had the sneaking suspicion the northerner was looking out for him. He wanted to invite him to stay while he spoke to Alistair, but he wasn’t ready for anyone else to hear his concerns.

They walked in companionable silence for a while before Aiden spoke. “What are the Elite? It’s been bothering me,” he asked.

Stefan shoved his hands in the pockets of his pants, his shoulders shivering against the cold. “They are a race that lives in Elysium. Much like the Forest People, the Elite are different than humans. Some say they are the half-children of Gods,” he explained. They rounded a corner, the Palace coming into view. The inner walls surrounding it loomed over them, casting the area into deeper shadows. The Sanctuary was located behind the Palace.

“What do you mean they’re different than humans?” Aiden asked, blowing air into his stiff hands. The Capital definitely wasn’t as warm as the south had been.

“Well from what I heard, they are stronger than us. Their hearing and sight is better, as are all their senses. They could blend in with humans if it weren’t for their eyes.”

“Why? What’s wrong with their eyes?”

“They are pure white. I’ve been told it is quite unnerving to speak with one. Personally I’ve only seen paintings of them, and question the validity. But those who have met an Elite swear by it.”

Aiden thought of the man with wings. He opened his mouth to ask, but Stefan was already shaking his head. “They look like us in all ways except the eyes. I’ve never heard of any of them having wings.”

“How did you know I was going to ask that?”

The northerner looked at him with a small smile. “Your thoughts are easily read on your face. Your eyes darken when you are thinking of her.” Aiden didn’t know what to say to that. They continued in a heavy silence. “They also move differently than us,” Stefan added, just as the Sanctuary came into view. “I’ve heard they can slow time down so that they can move from one spot to another quicker. To us it would just look as though they flashed from one place to another, but for them everything slowed down. Can you imagine?” The other boy laughed. “Some of these stories must be wrong, for I cannot believe any being would have this ability.”

Breathing had suddenly become difficult for Aiden. His mouth was dry, and his pulse drummed in his ears. His thoughts flew back to the last battle, the way he had found himself in another spot before the thought had even finished crossing his mind. The way it sometimes felt like everything around him had slowed down. The smells would become more vibrant, the air like a living thing against his skin. He swallowed past the lump in his throat. It must be a coincidence, he thought. He managed to smile, although it felt strained against his face. “Pretty crazy,” he agreed as they approached the Sanctuary door.

CHAPTER TEN

“Well that couldn’t have gone any worse.”

Jameson turned to see Turk standing in the doorway to his chambers. His voice had brought Jameson out of the stupor he’d been in. Standing up, he moved over to pour himself a glass of spiced wine. “Do you want one?” he asked, holding out an empty cup.

“Why not?” his Captain said, stepping into the room and moving to take a seat by the fire. “It is late, and I am officially off duty.”

“Friend, you are never off duty,” he pointed out.

“I know. I think I need a new job. This one is too demanding.”

Jameson snorted, carrying the two drinks over to the chair he had just vacated.

“So?”

“So?” Jameson repeated, looking deep into the fire. “So you’re right. There is no way that could have gone any worse. To be honest, it didn’t go at all how I imagined.”

Turk chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “Forgive me for saying so, but you did just break the girl’s heart. I can’t blame Melaine for handling it the way she did.”

Jameson let out a deep sigh. “I know. I feel awful.”

“Don’t. She always knew there was a part of you that you kept from her. I’m sure it didn’t come as much of a surprise, despite her actions tonight.” They both turned to look at the broken glass shattered across the woven rugs on the floor. “She really did make quite a mess, didn’t she?”

“I’m just happy nothing actually hit me in the head,” he murmured.

“What hit you in the head?” Jameson turned at Diana’s voice. “Goddess! What happened in here?” A heavy weight in his chest lifted when he noticed the bags at her feet. Even after all that had happened between them, a part of him had still been worried she wouldn’t really move into the Palace with him. He was afraid she would come back and change her mind, picking her duties over him. The sight before him now made the whole debacle with Melaine fade into memory.

Moving quickly, he placed his wine down and took long strides over to where she stood, gathering her into his arms before she could doing anything but let out a squeak. Then his mouth was on hers, and he let the smell and taste of her surround him, drowning his senses. She was everything to him. When he pulled back he smiled triumphantly at her swollen lips and cloudy eyes. Her cheeks flushed with desire.

“What was that for?” she asked, clearing the hoarseness from her voice.

“I’m just happy to see you,” he replied with a smile.

She gave him a speculative look. “Are you going to react like this every time I’m out of your sight?”

“Probably,” Turk said.

Diana placed her hand on his cheek. He leaned into her touch, kissing the sensitive skin at her wrist. “I told you I’d be back,” she reminded him.

“I know.”

“But you were still worried?” It was a question, but she said it more as a statement.

“Maybe.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “Men,” she said. “Are you going to tell me what happened in here?”

“I think not telling you would be wiser,” he replied, walking to where he had left the wine. “Would you like a glass?”

“Please,” she said with a nod, moving to the empty seat by the fire. “Turk? Are you going to tell me why there is broken glass everywhere?”

He smiled at her, lifting his feet to rest on the small table in front of him. “Let’s just say, things didn’t go as well as our King had hoped it would tonight.” He gave her a knowing look.

“That’s my chair,” Jameson pointed out when he walked up to them. Diana took her wine as she stood. As soon as Jameson sat down he pulled her with him so she sat comfortably on his lap.

“You almost made me spill!” He smiled, giving her waist a firm squeeze that caused her to jump with a squeal.

He gave her an impish grin as he watched her fight to keep one from her face. Finally she lost the struggle and smiled begrudgingly.

“I love you,” he said.

She rolled her eyes, smile widening. “I know.” She sighed playfully. “So is this mess from Melaine?” she asked, growing serious.

He nodded slowly. “She didn’t take it well.”

Diana looked around. “I can see that.”

“Don’t let it bother you,” he said, already aware of how her mind would be working. Diana was a compassionate person by nature. Knowing Melaine was upset by their relationship would upset her. He didn’t want that. He didn’t want anyone or anything causing Diana to feel guilty over their love for each other. “She’ll get over it,” he assured her.