The Eden Series: The Complete Collection (86 page)

“Yeah, her body and head will be sore,” Wolf chuckled.

“Well at least we’re not the ones who will be there when she wakes up,” Aiden laughed. Wolf could feel his answering smile was strained, but if Aiden noticed, he didn’t let on. He had meant his comment as a joke, but it wasn’t funny to Wolf. He
wanted
to be the one there in the morning, even if it meant he had to deal with her anger. He’d take that over her being with someone else any day. He watched as she held up another glass someone had given her, toasting with the others. Quickly walking forward, he grabbed the drink before it could make its way to her lips.

“I think you’ve had enough for the night,” he said in her ear, tossing the liquid on the dirt ground. She looked up with a pout that instantly made him smile. “Trust me, you’ll thank me in the morning.” He turned to the others. “Alright everyone, off to your own tents now. Show’s over!” They grumbled as they dispersed. Logan was still laughing behind him. Wolf gave him a warning look.

“Sorry,” he laughed, holding up his hands. “I’m just thinking about what she’s going to feel like in the morning. I think we’re all going to be in a world of trouble.”

“I’m fiiine,” Elisa answered, her voice stretching out. This only made them laugh harder. “Oh shut up all of you!” Her body swayed against his, and he immediately held onto her elbows to keep her from falling.

“You should probably bring her to her tent,” Moose suggested, smiling at his handiwork.

Wolf pointed a finger at him. “Don’t look so pleased with yourself, it’s
you
she’s going to hate the most when she wakes up.” This didn’t deter his brother’s smug smile, not that he really expected it to. He turned her away from the others, heading towards her tent. “Come on Elisa, let’s get you to bed.”

As they walked through the camp, she became increasingly more distracted, stopping at each fire to either talk to someone, or show them her new tattoo. Wolf had to breathe deeply in order to keep patient with her, but it was getting harder the longer it took to get her moving. Finally he simply swung her up over his shoulder, and marched forward. Whistles called out behind them, but he ignored them.

“Put me down, Wolf!” she said, her voice muffled against his back. He could feel her finger tips grazing his lower back, her breath hot against his bare skin. “Your skin is so smooth,” she said, giggling after. He rolled his eyes, shifting her up further onto his shoulder so she wouldn’t fall off. “Everything’s upside down, Wolf.”

“Elisa, just be quiet,” he said, his voice strained from trying not to laugh. It wasn’t often that Elisa was so loose and carefree, and he had to admit it was funny when she was drunk. Still, he just wanted to get her in bed, so he could also go to sleep. They could only ignore the reality of tomorrow so long. “Ow!” he cried out, mostly in surprise. She had pinched his butt!

“Don’t tell me to be quiet,” she replied, snickering again. A huge smile spread over his face. May the Gods help him, but he couldn’t help but enjoy her like this. He lightly smacked her butt, letting his hand rest there.

“Watch it,” he said warningly.

She started giggling again. “I am watching it, it’s right in front of me.” Her laughter filled the space around them, and he found himself shaking his head in exasperation with her.

“That’s not what I meant,” he said, now moving his hand to grip her legs. They were approaching the tent she shared with Markus. Wolf hated that they were sharing one together. Why the Captain was allowing this was beyond him, but it was no longer his business. As they grew nearer, he saw Markus come out, looking intently at them.

“What’s going on?” he asked as Wolf reached him.

Wolf swung Elisa unceremoniously off his shoulder, catching her quickly as she almost fell over. Her giggling was as good an answer as any.

“She’s drunk!” Markus said, accusingly. “What did you do to her?”

Wolf held up his hands. “She did this to herself! Don’t look at me.”

“Wait till you see it!” Elisa cried out, clapping her hands excitedly. Markus looked questioningly at her.

“See what?” he asked, cautiously.

Elisa pulled up her top, showing off the new design.

“Elisa!” Markus cried out, quickly pulling her shirt down. “You let her get a tattoo? While drunk?” he looked at Wolf.

“Actually, she got drunk
while
she was getting the tattoo. She was perfectly sober when she decided to do it.” Wolf couldn’t help but laugh inwardly at the look on the other man’s face. Here was the leader of the Sun People, the leader of the city most known for the sins that were allowed to take place on its island. Yet, he was about ready to argue over one tattoo.
How ironic,
he thought.

“Elisa, why would you do this? It isn’t appropriate for a girl. Only soldiers get marked in such a way.” His voice was scolding, and Wolf watched as Elisa seemed to grow a little more sober under his words. She was gearing up to yell, Wolf knew, so he quickly stepped in.

“Elisa
is
a soldier,” Wolf pointed out. “She has every right to be tattooed like one.”

Markus’s eyes quickly went to Wolf’s own fresh design. “I’m sure
you’d
approve of this, but it’s really none of your business anymore is it?” Wolf had to bite his tongue to stop him from yelling. Thankfully Elisa saved him from doing just that.

“Excuse me, but it’s neither of your business! It’s my body, and I will do what I like with it! Now, I think we should all go to bed, especially me. The world is spinning and I can’t handle it anymore.”

Wolf chuckled, putting a steadying hand on her shoulder. “Go lie down Elisa, I’ll see you in the morning.” He turned to leave, and then added over his shoulder. “Your tattoo looks great. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

He walked away, leaving the two of them to retreat into the tent – together.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

They sat in his large study, a blazing fire cackling in the hearth. Rain wiggled into the chair, trying her best to get comfortable. She’d been sitting there for hours now, and her bottom seemed to have fallen asleep. Aziz was currently searching for a book amongst the numerous stacks along the walls. He had been teaching her all morning, showing no signs of stopping.

“Ah, I found it,” he declared, holding up an old, brown leather tome. The binding was coming undone, the pages discoloured by age. He walked over with a triumphant smile. “This,” he continued, laying the book gently on her lap, “is one of the first books I studied when I decided to learn the ways of sorcery. Not many were made in my land, so you should be honoured to have the chance to read it.”

Rain inspected it carefully. “I’m very honoured, thank you,” she replied, carefully opening the book. The first page had a title on it,
Controlling the Elements.
She stared at it in wonder.

“If you can learn to control what is around you, you will never find yourself without a weapon. Think of the air and earth as an unlimited source to pull from. You will also learn to use smaller elements, microscopic cells that make up all living things, and manipulate them. You can learn to take nothing and create a living being, just as I have. Of course, you must learn to control the more basic ones first, before I can advance you to anything of that level.”

She could hear her heart pounding. Up to this point, all he had taught her was the theory and history behind sorcery, but nothing that she could actually use. This would be her first time learning real spells! “When can we start?” she asked, barely containing her growing excitement.

He laughed. “I love to see how eager you are for knowledge, my dear. It makes me realize what a strong Queen you will be one day.” She smiled up at him, ignoring the odd feeling in her stomach at the mention of being his Queen. “We will start now, with the fire spells,” he pointed to the fireplace.

Rain could feel the colour drain from her face. “Fire? Shouldn’t we start with something a little less destructive?”

His face turned more serious. “Never underestimate the power of the other elements, Rain. Water can drown you just as easily as fire will burn, and air can destroy anything if it is strong enough. No, we will start with fire. The water lesson will have to happen later, when I can afford to bring you to a large body. As for air…well, I’ll need Elex’s help with that one.”

“Of course, I’m sorry to have questioned you,” she replied, casting her eyes downwards. His hand suddenly grasped her chin, gently lifting her face to meet his again.

“Never apologize or lower your eyes. I am simply here to teach you, not reprimand you,” he leaned in and kissed her quickly on the lips. He had been doing this more often over the past two days. Rain wasn’t sure why, but assumed he was growing more comfortable with her presence. Also, in the last couple of days, she hadn’t seen Elex once. Not that she cared. Aziz hadn’t mention anything, and knowing his jealously, there was no way Rain was going to ask.

Perhaps he is herding more people for Aziz to drain?
She thought reasonably. It was a horrible thought, but not as farfetched as she’d like. Taking a deep breath, she tried her best to calm the sudden beating of her heart. This always seemed to happen when she thought about Elex. She didn’t understand why. He was moody, dangerous, and cold. She hated him. She certainly
did not
miss him. She growled in her head, focusing her attention on the lesson again.

The following hour consisted of Rain meditating. Her senses seemed to expand tenfold, as if a window was opened, and all the sounds from the outside came rushing in. She could feel Aziz’s shallow breath on the back of her neck as he stood behind her. There were footsteps down the hall where the soldiers moved around. A bird must have been flying near to the opening down the hall in the dining hall, its loud voice now resounding in her ear. She could hear and feel things she hadn’t thought possible. Aziz said she had reached the level needed to possess one of the elements.

“Feel the heat of the fire now,” Aziz said softly. She reached out again with her senses, looking for the warmth of the flames.
There
, she found it. She could hear the cackling of the wood, the heat enveloped her like a blanket. “Call it forth to you,” he whispered.

She was about to open her eyes, and turn to him in question, but he laid a firm hand on her shoulder before she could move. “Use your mind and the words I taught you, Rain. Connect with the element. Command it,” he instructed. Taking a deep breath, she whispered the spell he made her memorize. “Hold out your hand, palm up,” he said. She obeyed, waiting nervously for what was about to happen. Suddenly there was a light breeze, and then warmth spread across her exposed skin. Opening her eyes slowly, Rain watched as a small ball of fire rested in her hand, and yet her skin did not burn. She cried out in astonishment. Aziz gave her shoulder a quick squeeze.

“Well done,” he said, his voice filled with pride. “Let’s go have some dinner, you must be famished.”

Rain looked up in surprise. Surely it wasn’t dinner time already! They hadn’t even had lunch. She started to agree, before realizing she still had the fire. “What do I do with this?” she asked, admiring the beauty she held.

“Get rid of it,” he answered. How was she supposed to do that? Looking back at the fireplace, she drew her hand back, and then threw it with all her might, as if she were throwing a mere ball. The fire flew through the air, landing in the hearth with a sizzle. Small sparks shot out on to the floor. Unable to hold back, she started to laugh. Rain, the daughter of the Chief of the Riders, just controlled fire! It was amazing. Power surged in her veins, filling her with a sense of contentment she had never felt before. When she turned to face Aziz, she caught him watching her, amused.

“That was amazing,” she blurted out, her mouth stretched in a wide smile.

“Sometimes I forget how exciting things like this can be for others. I’ve been doing it for so long, I’m afraid I no longer find the kind of joy you seem to. It is – refreshing,” he replied, reaching for her hand. “Let us eat, and then after I have a surprise for you.”

* * *

They were silent on the way to the dining room. When they entered, Rain saw that a magnificent meal had already been laid out. Her eyes instantly went to the opening in the ceiling. The sun had set, the stars now twinkling back at her. She couldn’t believe they had spent the entire day in his office.

“What happens when it rains?” she asked, voicing one of the things that had struck her when she first saw this room.

“My dear, I can create a whole army, do you not think I can manage a barrier from the weather?” he chuckled.

She turned in surprise. It had never occurred to her that there was some magical shield up there. “Is that why it’s never cold in here?” she asked. He simply nodded. She looked back up at the dark night sky. “But I’ve flown through that opening,” she said, almost as an afterthought.

“It doesn’t affect Elex, or yourself, in that circumstance. Come now, sit down and let your mind rest for a little.” She absently nodded her head, walking slowly to her seat. After all the work they had done, Rain could admit her mind was feeling tired. Perhaps food would help rejuvenate her. As per usual the meal was delicious, and Aziz encouraged her to eat as much as she could. Apparently his surprise would entail her to do more work, and he wanted to make sure she was up for it. As they ate desert, Rain was suddenly aware of another presence in the room. When she looked around there was no one. Confused, she looked up to the sky just as Elex entered. Her mind must have latched on to his now that they were connected.

“Good evening father,” he said politely, before turning to bow his head in her direction. “Rain,” he acknowledged. She hadn’t seen him for a couple of days, and now found herself speechless. His cheeks were rosy from the night air, and his hair was blown in wild disarray, that seemed to suit him somehow. His strange eyes lit up when they met hers, bringing a flush to her cheeks. Nodding back, somewhat awkwardly, she looked down at her food again, trying to disconnect his eyes from her own.
What is wrong with me?
She scolded herself.