“Don’t you care at all?” she blurted out. Damn it! She did not want to cry, especially not in front of him. “Aren’t you going to fight for me? Tell him I’m yours and he can’t have me?” She watched as his face changed, a look she couldn’t discern written there. Whatever it was, it made her heart pick up speed. He reached out, putting his hand on her cheek, his fingers spreading into her hair. Wolf leaned down slowly. Surely her heart would beat right out of her chest. She closed her eyes, preparing for a kiss, but instead his lips landed on her cheek, not her lips.
It was a soft, tender kiss, and he lingered there for a second before pulling away only slightly, so the tips of their noses brushed against each other. He rested his forehead against hers and sighed deeply. She breathed him in. He smelled like forests and fields, and everything natural and good.
All too soon, he pulled away. Her body wanted to follow him, but she forced it to stand in place.
“Elisa,” he breathed, as if her name were a prayer. She looked up into his eyes, and was shocked again. She expected to see something soft there now, but he wore his cold mask again. She could read nothing from his expression. It was as if they hadn’t just touched. Like her mere presence offended him. Tears threatened her eyes again. She didn’t understand.
“You can do whatever you want to do, and marry whoever you desire,” he said flatly. “I don’t care.”
She swallowed harshly, pushing past the lump that had grown in her throat. “Thank you,” she said. His eyebrows shot up.
“For what?”
“For making it so much easier to make my decision, and for reminding me why I hate you so much.” She spun on her heel and walked away, wiping at the tears that burned down her cheeks. Her breath coming out short and panicked. Oh Goddess, she was having a panic attack. It didn’t make sense. It’s not like she didn’t know exactly how Wolf was.
Rushing down the spiral stairs to the street, Elisa began to walk purposefully. She knew what she had to do, and her mind was slowly coming to terms with it. Soon her tears dried. As she sped towards the palace she grew more confident and sure of her decision with each step. Never again would she feel this way, this pain and rejection. It was unfamiliar to her, and she didn’t want to experience it ever again for the rest of her life.
“Elisa!” a high pitched voice cried out. She stopped to look at the speaker. Walking towards her were four ladies from the court. The girl who called out was Elisa’s age, but they had never been friends. Veronica was a fashion icon in the court and they had absolutely nothing in common. Even so, Elisa waited patiently has she approached with a group of friends trailing behind her. She was the picture of perfection, with her long, black tresses wound into a sleek bun on her head, a few curls let loose to frame her round face and perfectly rouged cheeks. Right now Elisa found everything about her annoying. And if she recalled correctly, she was pretty certain Veronica had been interested in Wolf ever since he had arrived. That did not upset her right now.
“Hello Veronica,” she said, slightly more harshly than she had intended. The other girl didn’t seem to notice.
“I just heard the news,” she said happily, her eyes wide and bright, ripe with good gossip.
“News?”
“Don’t act so coy with me, Elisa! About Markus’ proposal, silly!” The girls around her all smiled at Elisa. “So tell us,” she continued, leaning in as if they were best friends revealing secrets. “Will you accept?”
Elisa looked at the girls and knew that if she answered them it would be around the city in mere minutes. Perhaps that’s exactly what she wanted, though. Imitating their anxious smiles, she slowly nodded her head. “Yes, yes I am,” she said, hoping she sounded appropriately excited. The girls all squealed in delight. “I was just on my way to tell my father, so if you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course!” Veronica chimed. She turned and left before any of them could start asking more questions. Yes, it would be around in seconds. And that was good.
Her father and King Jameson were sitting in his study, their feet propped on the King’s large mahogany desk, glasses of whiskey in hand. Elisa rolled her eyes at the scene. “Good morning,” she said, announcing herself. Both looked over lazily, neither righting their relaxed positions.
“Elisa,” the King smiled, “come in, join us.” He motioned to the chair beside her father. She looked at it quickly then shook her head. There was too much to do as it was. She didn’t have time to sit and chat.
“Isn’t it a little early for drinking? The sun is barely up,” she pointed out. Both smiled at each other.
“My word, Turk. I believe your daughter is chastising us.”
The Captain gave a gruff laugh. “She’s just like her mother,” he commented, almost proudly. Elisa tried to scowl at him, but failed. “What can we help you with, love?”
She took a deep breath, calming her nerves. As soon as she uttered these words there would be no going back.
* * * * *
As soon as she was out of sight, Wolf turned and slammed his fist into the stone wall. Pain shot up his entire arm. He swore, knowing he had probably just broken his hand. Great, he thought angrily. What the hell was wrong with him? Sprinting down the same path she had taken, he headed towards the street, meeting another guard along the way.
“I need to go wrap my hand,” he told him. There must have been something about Wolf’s face, or the coldness of his voice, that made the other man nod without asking further questions. Wolf decided he liked that man.
Walking through the streets, he felt as if a cloud hovered over him. She had actually come to him. Finally. And he had blown it. Elisa had stood there, vulnerable. It hurt him just to think about it. All he had wanted to do was grab her and wrap her in his arms, but instead he had crossed them over his chest to stop himself. She had actually wanted him to stop Markus from proposing. Was it because she wanted to actually be with him, or because he was an excuse for her to say no? It was this uncertainty that held him back. They couldn’t stand each other, he reminded himself. She didn’t want to be with him, she just didn’t want to be with Markus either.
It was all so frustrating for him. He growled out loud. A group of men came towards him, likely heading towards the tavern for some breakfast and a morning ale. That’s what he needed, to relax and drink himself into a stupor where nothing could hurt him anymore. Just like he had done while he was away in the South.
“Wolf!” one called out. “Where you off to with that murderous look in your eyes?” They all laughed.
Wolf tried to relax his shoulders, smiling his usual nonchalant grin at them. “I was going back to the dormitory, but I think I might need a drink over rest right about now.” They all laughed, slapping him on the back. He turned to walk with them towards their favourite tavern.
“I think we all need a drink this morning,” another said. “After all, we’ve all lost our chances with the vixen Elisa.” They laughed. Wolf froze.
“What do you mean?” he asked quickly.
“Haven’t you heard? She has accepted Markus’ offer of marriage. They leave today.” Wolf could feel the colour drain from his face. “I mean at least with you we still had a chance, but against Markus…” he trailed off. He didn’t even want to know what the man had meant by that, but if he was being honest with himself, he already knew. He hadn’t been a threat because they all saw how terribly he treated her. No one would have expected her to actually marry Wolf, despite their betrothal. Clenching his teeth, he turned back towards the dormitory, leaving the group and their questioning faces.
“Where you going?” they called out, but he ignored them.
What was she doing? He screamed in his head. He balled both hands into fists, welcoming the searing pain in his right. Just like that, she was going to go and marry him, and leaving today at that! She would give him no chance to fix things? Damn her! Pushing past the guards at the front of the dormitory, ignoring their greetings, he climbed the floors to theirs, marching t
owards her door. Without knocking he stormed in the room, his eyes immediately resting on her.
* * * * *
Elisa yelped in surprise as Wolf barged into her room. She was about to yell at him for not knocking, but the words froze in her throat when she looked at his face. His eyes were focused on her with the most intense look she had ever seen. Her knees felt suddenly weak. She reached out to hold herself steady beside the bed. His chest was rising and falling rapidly with each angered breath.
“What do you want?” she finally got out, breathless. Damn it Elisa, she thought, pull yourself together!
His eyes flickered away from her, narrowing on the bag she had been packing on the bed. “What is that for?” he asked, slowly.
She gulped, looking down at her things. Her mouth felt dry, and her hands began to shake. He was mad. No, he was furious. She didn’t know what to say or do. He moved closer, standing only an arm’s length away.
“Answer me. Where are you going? What are you doing?”
She pulled herself up straighter, lifting her chin high and confident. “I’m going with Markus. I’ve accepted his proposal.” There. She had said it.
His eyes narrowed even more until she could barely see the light green colour of them. “Why?” was all he said. Before she answered he continued. “You are not marrying him.” Just like that, a command. Her blood boiled with anger.
“Actually, I am,” she replied. “I’ve already accepted. He is waiting for me even as we speak. We are to leave shortly.” She turned to resume her packing, trying to avoid the look in his eyes. He grabbed her arm firmly, turning her to face him again. “Let go,” she said warningly. He did, but kept his body close to hers, his nearness intimidating her.
“You do not love him,” he spat out. “He isn’t right for you.”
She laughed bitterly. “How would you know anything about the way I feel? Or who is right for me or not?” He reached up grabbing his hair in frustration.
“Damn it Elisa,” he practically yelled. “You are mine!” Elisa tried to ignore the feelings that erupted inside her with those words, holding onto her anger.
“I am no one’s!” she yelled back. “You don’t want me, remember Wolf? You don’t care!” They stared each other down, both breathing quickly.
“Please,” he said, desperately. “Don’t do this,” he added, his voice now calming. She shook her head in refusal, not wanting to hear.
“Just leave, Wolf,” she said, tired now. “I have to pack my things.”
“I’m not leaving until you agree not to leave with him.”
“Why?”
His jaw clenched again. She looked up at him challengingly. “Elisa,” he breathed her name again, causing goose bumps along her arms. He inched even closer to her, his eyes searching hers imploringly.
As he reached for her face, the door suddenly burst opened. What stood in the doorway made both their mouths drop open. He looked different, bigger, older, but his face was just the same, and oh so familiar. Warmth spread through her.
“Aiden?”
PRELUDE
From the private diary of Sunny - wife of Hawk, Chief of the Riders
If the pain of losing a child could kill you, surely I would have died by now. Words cannot describe the pain. After the army from the north arrived, led by Brutus the Red, I feared for the safety of my people. The shield that protects our city from outsiders had been torn down by the traitorous Shaman. That betrayal alone would have made my heart bleed, but a deeper one has taken seed. Our youngest and only daughter, Rain, has left to ally herself with the sorcerer Aziz. I cannot help but think the Shaman brainwashed her. Surely she would not willingly turn her back on the family that loves her. She will come home, I cannot believe anything otherwise. Our eldest son, Moose, has already left with the warrior Aiden. I fear for them both. Aziz has his eye on the boy from the other world and I can only pray to the God and Goddess that nothing bad befalls him. They ride, even as I write, toward Capital City…toward my Wolf. All my love goes with them, and I send a second prayer up to the skies that they will all return to me safe, and unharmed.
Sunny
CHAPTER ONE
Perpetual darkness.
Stone walls surround you at every moment, offering no escape from the blackness that encompasses everything. The torches did little to light the way. No windows decorated the walls. It was damp and cold, the air musky and, at times, almost sickening with the stench of sweat, blood, and something else she did not want to know. It had occurred to her within the first couple of days that she was most likely underground somewhere. The earthy smell clung to everything. Even as her eyes got used to the lighting, her heart ached for fresh air and the warm touch of the sun.
Then there was the screaming. No matter the time of day, which was hard to judge, there was screaming. Most of the time is was the wailing of the beasts he created. Occasionally a very human scream would echo off the stone walls. Those would set her on edge, and she’d catch herself grinding her teeth together. More than anything, it was the enraged screams of someone, or something, that Rain couldn’t identify. A scream so full of hate and sorrow that she didn’t know whether she should cry for the person or be afraid of them. It was this scream that haunted her even in her sleep. She would pull the covers up around her neck and try to ignore him, but it didn’t help. He couldn’t be ignored. It wasn’t until his voice was raw and worn did he finally cease. Nothing could have prepared her for this.
Aziz had been there waiting for her the second she stepped through the portal. Anger radiated off him when he realized only Rain had come through. He didn’t so much care about the Shaman’s death, she quickly realized, but focused solely on the loss of Aiden. When she hastily explained what had happened, he stopped her with a single upheld hand.
“A forest person was there?” he asked in a voice that sounded stronger than she remembered.
“Yes, my lord,” she answered.
A slow, frightening smile spread across his pale face. “How interesting. So the Goddess has a hand in all this again, does she?” he muttered almost to himself. That was it. He didn’t speak another word about it, his anger almost instantly retreating. Instead he showed her to her rooms, where she’d been now for two days.
Despite the conditions of the cold, stone halls, the quarters she’d been given were comfortable. There was a small sitting room, almost as big as the one in her home – correction – her parent’s home. She could no longer consider it her home if she were to survive in her new life. Rain constantly reminded herself that she did not miss it, or the people there. They had sought to repress her by giving her a role she never wanted. Everyone had failed to see her potential, to grasp that she wanted more out of life than being someone’s wife and mother. No, it was not the life for her, and she had taken all the right steps to ensure she never became just another woman amongst the Riders. The Shaman had taken her under his wing and taught her to broaden her mind, and accept the ways of magic. Soon, if she had her way, she would be the strongest sorceress in all of Eden. The loss of the Shaman was like a wound on her heart, but she knew she was now in the hands of the one person who could really help her reach her goal. Aziz was her way to a life beyond anything that would have been offered to her in the West.
Two chairs sat in the sitting room around a great hearth. The stone walls were decorated with grand tapestries, which helped to keep some of the cold out. They were intricately woven pieces; magnificent landscapes with trees and flowers she had never seen before, animals that were not known in the West, and threads the colour of sunset and dawn. She had never known such bright and beautiful fabrics. They were from the East, where things were vastly different than anything she had ever known.
Off of the sitting area was her bedroom. A four-poster bed, draped with curtains made of silk dyed a deep purple, stood in the middle. The bed was decorated with pillows of all colours, that were made of such soft, plush feathers that she swore clouds could not be as comfy.
Large, elaborate rugs covered almost the entire floor, so her feet would not freeze when they were bare. A wooden chest sat at the end of her bed, filled with dresses and jewellery for her. They were a gift to her from Aziz, one she would not dare refuse, despite the implications they carried. Aziz was something she would deal with, just like she dealt with everything in her life. One step at a time, she reminded herself.
Next to the bedroom was the bath, which was always full of hot water when she needed it. No servants ever attended to her, yet things were always prepared when she needed them. An example of the sorcerer’s magic.
Even with all the luxuries surrounding her, the screaming and darkness got to her. Being stuck in the same room for two days was beginning to wear her down. She wanted to go and explore. She wanted to learn everything Aziz had to teach her. She just wanted to do something. One of the large beasts that walked on two legs, horns reaching high above their heads and faces made from nightmares, was constantly outside her door. If not, one of Aziz’s human soldiers took its place. Both were not to be messed with. Despite her outwardly calm, she admitted to herself that they frightened her. Not that she would ever betray such emotions…any emotions for that matter. Still, there was no way she could leave her chambers.
It wasn’t until late in the evening on the second day that someone knocked on the door. Rain had been curled up in one of the chairs in front of the continuous fire, waiting for the most recent episode of screaming to pass. They had been human screams that time. It was always worse when they were human.
“Come in,” she called out, uncurling her legs from beneath her. A small lady entered, her eyes lowered to the floor. Rain was taken off-guard by the appearance of the other woman. She believed there were no servants here, up until now.
“My lady,” she said, making a small formal curtsy. “The master wishes for you to join him for dinner this evening,” she continued. “He asks that I help you get ready.” Excitement bubbled in her stomach. Finally she would be able to leave the constraints of her rooms. Eagerly agreeing, Rain led the woman into her bedroom where the chest was. The lady efficiently sorted through the fabrics, choosing a gown made of a deep crimson. The colour showed off her dark hair and green eyes admiringly. The woman swept the long locks up into a twist at the back of her head, pinning it there with pearl and diamond pins that sparkled in the dim light. She came around to stand in front of Rain and applied a small amount of colour to her cheeks and lips. Taking a step back, she looked Rain over from top to bottom and gave a satisfied grunt before turning to leave.
The Eden Series: The Complete Collection Page 53
