The Eden Series: The Complete Collection (137 page)

Turning, he walked over to where Diana stood before the pyre. Jameson’s body already lay on top, wrapped securely in the finest cloth they could find in the fortress. Without saying a word, he reached for her hand, holding it firmly in his. She looked up at him, eyes red and puffy.

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way,” she said quietly, her voice cracking.

He gave her hand a squeeze. “I know,” he replied, unable to find the right words.

She looked back at the covered body, her breathing ragged. “I wasted so many years not loving him the way I should have, Aiden. Now I’ll never be able to make it up.”

“Be glad you had what little time you did,” he offered. “It’s more than some people get.”

She looked back at him with a weary smile. “When did you become so wise?” she teased.

He shook his head with a snort. “I’m not,” he said. “I’m just trying to make sense of this all. I don’t know how to accept what I am, and what I’ve been told my whole life. Or everything I’ve seen and done here. It’s all starting to hit me, and I find myself struggling with it. I just want to see one person not have to struggle with things the way I am,” he continued. “Don’t live with regrets, Diana. He wouldn’t want to see you so unhappy. He knew the dangers, as did you, and he made the most of the time you had at the end. He died knowing in his heart you loved each other. What else can a man hope for?”

She nodded slowly without saying a word. They stood, hand in hand, as the fire was lit, flames rising quickly into the darkening night. As it burned, people slowly made their way back inside the fortress to rest for the night. But Aiden and Diana stood just as they were well into the night, until they were the only two left.

Aiden sat atop Ty, looking down at the walls of Capital City. Lily sat in front of him, snuggled into his lap. They had ridden hard to get here before sundown. The noise from inside the city was already filtering up the hill to where they sat. The scouts sent ahead would have already announced the army’s return. There would be celebrations as well as mourning happening within the city walls tonight. All he wanted was a bed to sleep in.

“I don’t know how you’ve been doing this,” Ethan said, riding up beside him, with Melissa sitting behind him. “My ass is killing me.”

“You get used to it,” Aiden laughed.

“What are you guys waiting for?” Logan called out. “There is a booth in a rundown tavern, with watered down ale waiting for us!”

Aiden rolled his eyes. “You really know how to sell that, Logan.”

He laughed, waving them on. Aiden kicked Ty into motion, following the line of soldiers making their way down to the city gates.

Callum could barely contain the desire to just breakout into a full on gallop as soon as he laid eyes on the city walls. The loss of his brother was like a constant throbbing pain, one he wondered would ever disappear. The only thing he wanted right now was Rose. His sweet, sweet Rose. The new Queen of Capital City. The scouts he had sent ahead would have already let Chancellor Ottman know of Jameson’s death. He wondered if anyone would think to tell Rose.

As they entered the city gates, they were met with cheers of welcome. Callum moved through the packed streets, nodding at everyone who had come out. He tried his best to feel the joy they felt, but it just wasn’t in him. Not everyone would have heard the news by now, but Jameson’s absence would not go unnoticed for long. He led the way to the inner walls of the Palace, which stood open for their arrival. Turk rode silently beside him as he had since they’d left. Despite the fact that Jameson was his blood, Callum knew Turk was hurting just as much as he was, if not more. They were more than friends, his brother and his Captain; they were brothers in all the ways that counted.

Chancellor Ottman stood on the steps of the Palace, his face a mixture of relief and sadness. Callum stopped his horse just in front of him, swinging off as soon as he could. Every muscle in his body ached and felt stiff. He stretched looking around for his wife.

“Welcome back, my King,” Ottman said to him with a bow. “I am happy to see you are safe.”

“Thank you, Ottman. How were things here while we were gone?” he asked. Callum admired the way the old man quickly adapted to the changes of court. He had been around since his father’s rule, and never once had let their family down. He had no doubt the Chancellor handled things just fine when he was left to his own.

“A minor issue, which we will discuss later, happened, but other than that I think we’re all just happy you’re home and victorious,” he answered.

“And my wife? Where is she?” Callum watched something flash over the man’s face, but it was gone again before he could pinpoint what it was. Being in court all his life had made Ottman a pro at schooling his features, but Callum could tell something was wrong. “Ottman?” he urged.

The Chancellor opened his mouth, but if he spoke Callum did not hear it. His eyes were now focused over his shoulder at the person coming out of the palace doors. Rose walked out, her long, red hair flowing freely to her waist. She looked paler than normal, but her eyes were bright and a smile was spread across her beautiful face. That wasn’t what had him frozen, however. For instead of a large bump in front of her, there was now a tiny bundle, swathed in thick blankets.

Callum didn’t know when he moved, but suddenly he was bounding up the stairs to her, his heart racing.

“Welcome home,” she greeted. His eyes searched her face, soaking in every detail, every perfection. Then they dropped to the baby in her arms and his heart stopped.

“When? How?” he stuttered.

Rose chuckled. “I’m afraid he was a little anxious to come out, so he decided he wasn’t going to wait nine months. He is tiny, but the healers say he is strong. They keep a close eye on him to be sure.”

“Did you say he?” Callum breathed, taking in the sight of the tiny blue eyes that starred curiously back at him, a lock of brown, reddish hair sticking out from beneath the blankets.

“We’ve been calling him little prince,” Ottman said happily. Callum looked over in surprise, having not heard the other man approach. “You should be proud, Callum. He is a delight, even if he is a bit small.” The Chancellor leaned in, cooing at the child. Callum looked over at Rose with raised eyebrows.

“Get used to it,” she laughed. “Everyone here is like this around him. I’m afraid our son will be the most spoiled brat that ever lived.”

Callum looked back as the Chancellor laughed when his thumb was gripped into a miniature fist. “You haven’t named him?” he asked, keeping his eyes on his son.

“We were waiting for you,” Rose answered. Callum nodded. “Would you like to hold him?”

“Very much,” he answered, his voice thick with emotion. Rose placed him gently in Callum’s arms. He looked down in amazement. Here he thought his heart would never mend after suffering the loss of his brother, and then he comes home to this. This incredible, wonderful blessing that now looked up at him like he already recognized him. Love bloomed in his heart, so much so he wondered if it were possible for it to burst. “Felix,” Callum said softly. He looked up to meet Rose’s surprised face. “Felix Jameson. That’s what we shall call him.”

She laughed, tears spilling down her face. “It’s perfect,” she said. He leaned into her, kissing her hard before pulling back to grin at her.

“I love you,” he said.

“And I you,” she replied.

“And I love you too, little Felix Jameson,” Callum said to his son.

“Are we sure about this?” Logan asked for what felt like the hundredth time.

“What do you mean
we
?” Wolf replied.

Logan looked affronted. “I’m just as much a part of this as you are!” he argued.

Moose laughed, taking a swig of ale. Aiden couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his face.

Wolf just shook his head. “Yeah,” he snorted. “I’d like to see you explain
that one
to Elisa.”

Aiden turned to Stefan who had been sitting quietly beside him. The northerner wasn’t much of a talker, and for some reason that’s what Aiden liked about him. He had a silent confidence about him, but there was no doubt in Aiden’s mind that the other man was always observing and taking note of the things happening around him.

“When do you leave for the north?” he asked, ignoring the fight Logan and Wolf were having in the background.

“A fortnight from now,” he answered.

“How did the men take Callum naming you the new leader?”

Stefan shrugged. “Some of the older men are probably angry, but for the most part it went over well. I don’t think I should have any troubles.”

“Congrats then,” Aiden said.

Stefan smiled appreciatively. “Thank you. And you? When do you return? Or have you decided?”

Aiden sighed, looking over at his friends who were now wrestling on the ground. “Not yet,” he admitted. “I should probably break that up before Wolf ruins his suit.” He heard Stefan chuckle as he got up and motioned for Moose to help him. Once they were apart Aiden brushed off the dirt now covering Wolf’s back. “Elisa is going to kill you if you get married looking a mess.”

Wolf laughed. “She probably expects it.”

Moose, Logan, and Aiden stood beside Wolf on the top step outside the Palace. Callum and Rose sat on their thrones looking down at the packed courtyard. Chancellor Ottman stood beside them in the middle, dressed in the white and gold colours of marriage. From the open palace gates came a commotion before any of them saw her. Elisa walked through, her hand resting on the forearm of Turk. She wore a beautiful gown of purple, with white lilies and baby’s breath strung into her hair. A modest silver crown set with pearls sat on her head.

Aiden watched as she made her way through the crowd and up the steps to where Ottman and Wolf stood. She looked as nervous as Wolf did, Aiden noted with a smile. He looked down at the crowd, spotting Ethan and Melissa standing together, her arms wrapped around his waist, tears in her eyes. Aiden met Ethan’s stare and they both smiled. Ethan shook his head and rolled his eyes when he noticed Melissa crying.
What is it about women and weddings?
Aiden wondered.

The ceremony was short but sweet and when the two kissed the whole courtyard erupted into loud cheers and whistles. Logan was, of course, the loudest. King Callum called them all into his throne room when it was over to have a private dinner in celebration. Aiden was sitting between Lily and Ethan when he felt something in the room change. He looked up, meeting Diana’s gaze from the other side of the table. Just as he was about to ask her what it was, he heard Lily clapping and giggling beside him.

“She’s here!” she squealed.

Aiden looked to her, confused. “Who’s here?”

She winked. “You’ll see.”

Then, before them all, the air shimmered slightly before a bright light came out of nowhere, blinding them all, and when it was gone there stood a person. Aiden looked at the woman in wonder. Long, golden hair framed an almost unnaturally perfect face. Bright green eyes stuck out against the shimmering bronze of her skin. Flowers decorated her hair, much like Elisa’s, and she wore a long, plain gown of white.

“Greetings,” she said, her voice filling the entire room.

“Goddess,” Callum greeted, his surprise sounding in his voice. “It is an honour.”

She smiled warmly. “The honour is mine. We are pleased to hear of the birth of your heir, High King,” her voice echoed. She looked to Rose, tenderness filling her eyes. “And we are happy to see your wife is in good health.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Callum replied graciously.

Her head turned as she looked at each of them, stopping at Aiden. Somehow he knew that would happen. He fidgeted under her stare, nervously.

“Warrior,” she greeted.

“Goddess,” he nodded.

“I am glad to see my daughter has kept good watch over you,” she glanced briefly at Lily with affection. “I’m afraid, however, that the time has come for you to make a choice. As you have learned, you were born of this world, and therefore may decide whether you stay or go. But your friends,” she continued, looking to Ethan and Melissa. “They cannot stay any longer. I must send them home, and you must choose whether you are leaving with them or staying.”