The Eden Series: The Complete Collection

by Stalder, Janelle

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “Man, this is messed up,” Logan said, shaking his head in disbelief.

  “I know. I never thought Jameson would actually do something like this,” Moose replied. Aiden was so happy that Moose had decided to stay with them, even though Hawk and the others had left hours ago. He thought Hawk would have insisted, but he actually seemed pleased to see Moose spreading his wings a bit.

  “I don’t mean that,” Logan scoffed, interrupting Aiden’s memories from earlier that morning. “I’m talking about the King bedding the witch! Isn’t she like, untouchable?”

  Moose looked at Aiden, his eyebrows pulled together in confusion. “Ignore him,” Aiden said, with a shake of his head. “Logan tends to live in his own world, where important things are a bit – misconstrued.”

  “Whoa,” Logan said, smiling his goofy grin. “That was a big word, Aiden. It was like – a whole two syllables.”

  Moose looked back to Aiden with a smile. “Say no more.” The three turned their attention towards the King’s tent again. Jameson had come out a short while ago and was talking softly with Turk. The Captain had made the announcement earlier that morning, as soon as the Riders were seen leaving. No one was happy about the decision. Apparently the two brothers would fight on foot, between the two camps. The rest of the men were allowed to watch from the edge of their camp, and no one was to offer any help, regardless of what they saw happening. Aiden shut his eyes against that thought. Would he be able to just stand back and not run to Jameson’s aid if he could see the King was losing? He wasn’t sure and it made him sick to his stomach.

  “This has got to be the worst morning ever,” Wolf said, appearing on Aiden’s other side. “I’ve never felt so tense in my life, even when I was going into battle myself.”

  “Well, we’re leaving the fate of all this to two men, it seems only natural to be worried about it,” Moose offered.

  “Where are the girls?” Logan asked. Aiden noticed Wolf straighten out of the corner of his eye. He had been acting strange all last night.

  “I haven’t seen Elisa since the meeting last night, but I know Lily isn’t far,” he said.

  “Is she off having tea with the birds?” Logan asked, chuckling at his own joke.

  “Birds don’t drink tea, Logan,” Lily’s voice came from behind them. They all turned as one to see her walking towards them. “What a ridiculous thing to suggest.” Her eyebrows were low, and her mouth was set in a straight line so that she appeared mad, but Aiden could see the laughter in her eyes.

  “Who is it then, the rabbits?” he asked, unfazed by her demeanor. She stopped with her arms crossed, her violet eyes sparkling in the early morning light. Sometimes, when Aiden didn’t see her for a while, he forgot how beautiful she was. She made every other girl he had once noticed pale in comparison. Her long white hair was loose, flowing in waves down her back. She was trying to look sternly at Logan, but soon Aiden saw her lips lift, and then she was laughing. No one could really be mad at Logan.

  “Fine, Logan. You win. Yes, it was the rabbits,” she said, giving in to his teasing. She closed the distance between them, walking straight to where Aiden stood. He opened an arm for her, wrapping it around her shoulders, and tucked her close to him. The others turned and began talking again, but Aiden stopped listening as he looked down at her face. She was paler than usual, and visibly stressed.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked, keeping his voice low, so the others wouldn’t hear.

  Her eyes briefly left his to flicker up to the sky. She looked there for a moment before returning to him. He realized she looked scared, not at all at ease like he thought she was when she first appeared. She was clearly putting on a show for the others, but now that they were together, and no one was paying attention, she radiated tension.

  “I have that feeling again,” she confessed.

  “Which one?”

  “That horrible one that I can’t quite explain. Something is up there watching us and it’s so foreign, so – unnatural to this world, that I can feel it in the essence around us.” Aiden turned to look up at the blue and purple sky. There were a scatter of clouds above them, but otherwise it looked like a beautiful day. It just occurred to him how nice the weather was in the south compared to the Capital. He hadn’t had a chance to really appreciate it before. The breeze was fresh, smelling faintly of water. It just all seemed too perfect for what Lily was describing. He didn’t feel anything menacing at all. In fact he felt oddly right at that moment. Like something was missing and now found. He frowned at that thought, trying to push it away so he could focus on Lily.

  “Do you want to find Diana?” he asked, looking back down at her. She bit her lip as she considered this.

  “No, I think she is worried enough as it is. Most likely she’ll be so focused on the King she won’t pick up on it as quickly as I have. I just hope nothing horrible happens today,” she said.

  “I’m not sure how likely that is,” he replied, honestly. “I think either way, this day is going to suck.”

  * * *

  Turk gave him another once over before nodding his head gruffly. Jameson could tell that his friend was fighting to keep himself from yelling at him again. He would barely meet Jameson’s eyes, and had spoken only a handful of words.

  “Hey,” he said, grabbing Turk’s upper arm. He waited until Turk looked at him before speaking. “Everything will be okay, old friend. There is no need for your infamous pout,” he said, trying to show him an easy smile.

  “I’m not pouting. I’m mad as hell and trying to control myself from killing you before Callum even has the chance,” Turk shot back, his voice low and angry.

  “Father!” Elisa scolded. Jameson turned to see her and Markus approaching. He didn’t want to remember the embrace she had given him the night before. He had no children of his own, so Elisa was the closest thing he had to a daughter. When she had run to him he had almost broken down right there in front of everyone. She smiled at him now, but he could still see the pain in her eyes, and it killed him that he was the reason for it. Opening an arm, he motioned with his head to call her closer, and she moved to his side. He held her tight, trying his best to reassure her with just his touch.

  “Now you have your daughter breaking up our fights again,” he reprimanded Turk jokingly. “When will you grow up?”

  Turk looked at him, his eyes cold. If Jameson didn’t know any better, he would have sworn his friend wasn’t simply angry. Yes, he was certainly that, but he saw the deep sadness hidden there. He was well aware that after losing his wife, Jameson was all Turk had left aside from Elisa. If he didn’t win this, he couldn’t imagine how Turk would take it. Now was not the time for him to dwell. He needed a clear mind to get through this. It was hard enough with Diana back in his life, and knowing that he was risking a lifetime of being happy with her. Wondering how his best friend would cope was too much.

  “I’m not up for joking around, Jameson,” Turk replied. “I see nothing funny about this.”

  He let out a loud, tired sigh, releasing Elisa so he could move closer. Keeping his voice low, he looked closely at his friend. “I know there is nothing funny about this. Don’t you think I know that? I’m the one going out there and risking my life,” he said, softly. Turk blanched at his words, closing his eyes for a moment.

  “You wouldn’t have to if you –”

  “I know,” he interrupted, holding up a hand. “Look, I get it. You don’t approve of what I’m doing, but it’s too late. Right now I just need your support, and to know you haven’t lost complete faith in my skills.”

  Turk rolled his eyes. “I have no doubt in your skills, Jameson, you know that. I just – don’t like this.”

  “I don’t expect you to, but can you please ease up a bit? Especially in front of the others,” he whispered. Turk gave him a long, hard stare before nodding his head a fraction. “Thank you.”

  “You better come back,” Turk said through gritted teeth.


  Jameson smiled. “I’ll try my best.”

  “You better! Because when you do, I’m going to beat you to death.”

  Jameson felt his smiled widen. “Not much of a motivational speech there, old friend.”

  “I was never one for motivation. I’m more about instilling fear.”

  Jameson laughed loudly, slapping him on the back. “I’m sure all the men here can attest to that.”

  There was a sudden burst of movement in the other camp. They all stilled as they watched Callum break away from the crowd gathered there and begin to make his way towards the middle field.

  “Looks like it is time to begin,” Turk said, his voice rough again. Jameson turned to look quickly for Diana. They had already said their goodbyes, but he wanted to see her just one more time before he walked away. She was nowhere to be seen. Disappointed, he turned back as his younger brother walked confidently forward.

  “You remember my orders?” Jameson asked, not looking away from the figure before them.

  “Yes,” Turk replied.

  “Good. Well, I’ll see you later,” he said, rolling his shoulders. “How much later is left to be seen.” He turned to see his faithful Captain already looking at him. He offered a sad smile, which Turk returned for the first time that morning.

  “May the God and Goddess guide you.”

  Jameson nodded his head in thanks, and started forward. He had only taken two steps before two arms embraced him from behind. He looked over his shoulder to see Diana burying her face in his back. He turned so that she was in his arms, and held her tightly.

  “I tried to stay away, so I wouldn’t do this, but I couldn’t,” she said, her voice muffled.

  “I’m glad,” he said, kissing the top of her head. He reached under to cup her chin, and lifted her face. “I’ll be fine.”

  “I know,” she replied, her voice confident. It made him smile. He leaned down and kissed her quickly on the lips. They didn’t speak again. Breaking away, he took a deep breath before turning and walking slowly down the hill to where Callum now stood waiting.

  A loud cheer rang out behind him. He didn’t turn back to look, but hearing his men support him on gave him the extra boost of confidence he needed. They chanted the entire time it took him to walk to the middle grounds, but stopped as he met Callum.

  His brother was watching him closely. “Figures you’d be late,” he said, his eyes cold.

  Jameson shrugged, trying his best to appear calm. “I’m too old to start changing now, so why bother?” Callum grunted, unimpressed. They stood looking at each other in silence. There were so many things Jameson wanted to say to him. He’d lie awake at night thinking about them, and had for the last ten years. It didn’t matter how many times he went over his words, whenever he found himself face-to-face with his little brother, he couldn’t seem to recall them. There was just too much, and there never seemed to be enough time.

  “Shall we?” Callum asked, splaying his arms out.

  “Well, we might as well. We certainly drew a big enough crowd. I’d hate to disappoint them.”

  His brother shook his head. “Do you ever take anything seriously?”

  “Only when I’m not nervous,” he replied, truthfully. His answer seemed to surprise Callum. “Let’s just get this over with,” he said, his humour suddenly gone. Callum gave him an odd look before nodding his head slowly in agreement. They walked away from each other, putting a small distance between them. Then, without warning, they charged at one another. The fight officially began.

  The force of Callum’s swing nearly sent Jameson to the ground. His brother was stronger than he had been years ago, and Jameson wasn’t nearly prepared enough. The next hit came just as hard. Jameson blocked it again, feeling the sting in his upper arms. At this rate, Callum would tire himself out quickly, he hoped. They continued like this for a while, Callum attacking, Jameson doing his best to defend the blows. As they separated and circled each other, both trying to catch their breath, Jameson decided to speak.

  “I wonder what father would think of this,” he offered, casually. “To see his youngest attacking his own people.”

  Callum’s mouth was set in a hard line, his eyes cold. “Don’t try to distract me with some lame attempt at a guilt trip, Jameson. Father’s opinion means nothing to me.”

  “Obviously,” Jameson replied, dryly.

  “You’re one to talk,” he spat back. “When have you ever cared what anyone thought? You’ve always lived your life like there were never any consequences for the actions you took.”

  Jameson let out a harsh laugh. “Oh, there were consequences, and I have the scars to prove it. As a matter of fact, so does Turk.” Memories of the lashings his father gave him flooded his head.

  “Please,” he scoffed. “Father took it easy on you. No matter what he did, you still continued to live a life with zero responsibility while I worked my hardest to prove myself to him.”

  Jameson stopped circling him. There wasn’t just anger in his brother now, but a sadness. For whatever reason, it bothered Jameson. “You did prove yourself,” he argued. “Everyone knew you were the better choice. No one thought I could do this. I’ve spent the last ten years trying to prove myself, not just to my friends and family and the people of the Capital, but to all of Eden. I’ve done nothing but dedicate everything I have to what was given to me, and yet you still stand there and act as if I don’t deserve it!”

  “You think the last ten years makes up for the previous twenty-seven?” Callum asked, his voice loud and incredulous.

  “What do I have to do to make you see that I’m not who I used to be?”

  “IT DOESN’T MATTER!” He was breathing hard now. “The point is you were nothing but a waste back then, and yet he still chose you! I did EVERYTHING for that man, and he turned his back on me to give you something you didn’t deserve. You took his love for granted, but I cherished it!”

  Jameson’s breath came out in a whoosh. “Is that was this is about? You think he didn’t love you? Or is it just the thought of him loving me that gets you so upset?”

  “He didn’t love me enough, maybe not at all – I don’t know anymore. Everyone in the whole damn palace loved you. Saw your antics like they were something fun and endearing, while father and I worked to run everything. No matter how much I did, you were always the favourite with the people. No one saw how damn irresponsible you were. The one person, the one person, who I thought would have seen it clearly was our father. Then when it was time for him to prove it, he didn’t.”

  “It really bothers you this much that he loved me too? Gods, Callum. You are the most selfish, pathetic man I have ever met! You stand there and throw insults at me about how irresponsible I was, but look at you! You are so immature it’s sickening. You’re just a young, prideful, silly little boy who didn’t get his way, and now you’re throwing the biggest damn tantrum in the history of Eden.”

  Jameson watched as Callum’s face paled. Jameson couldn’t help but shake his head. His brother was still stuck in that room ten years ago, and couldn’t seem to get out. He might have physically stormed out that fateful night, but his heart was still there, watching an old, sick King die. How could he not see that their father did what he thought was right? Why didn’t he see that Jameson needed this to put his life into perspective, and the King had known that? He had seen that his eldest son needed the responsibility, else his life would have spiralled out of control. Callum was always so put together, and their father knew it. He didn’t need the crown like Jameson did.

  “He loved you more than you’ll ever know,” Jameson continued, his voice dropping. “He did what he thought was right, and clearly he was, for no High King could so easily go against his own people like you have. Tell me, brother, what were Aziz and Brutus even doing there that night?”

  Callum sneered at him. “Not what you think,” he replied.

  “That doesn’t answer my question.”

  “I don’t owe yo
u an answer.”

  “Then I’ll think the worst. You’ve betrayed not just your home, but your own family. You deserved to lose everything,” he bit out, his teeth clenched so tightly his jaw ached. This was his own flesh and blood, and yet he had never wanted to hurt someone so badly in his life. The thought of Callum having something to do with their father’s death made his blood boil.

  “Then come and get me, brother,” Callum taunted. With a fierce growl, Jameson attacked, pushing forward hard. He could feel Callum weakening. He’d use this to his advantage, and finally end this war, once and for all.

  * * *

  Rose had been prepared to sneak her way past a number of guards, but to her surprise, there were only two stationed outside the front of her tent. No one was at the back. She lifted the material off the dirt ground, and slithered under it. She was met with no resistance. Everyone was too eager to watch the brothers fight. Still, she kept to the outskirts of their camp, trying her best to blend in with the shade from the trees. Eventually she had to move further inwards, but with no one around, it was easy.

  “What are they saying?” someone asked, voice hushed. Rose stopped behind one of the tents, bracing herself for discovery, but the two men weren’t moving. Both stared intently at the figures in the middle of the field. Rose looked around the corner briefly, but only caught a quick sight of two men facing off. It didn’t look like they were moving. Pulling back, she wondered how she was going to be able to just stand there and watch the entire thing, unnoticed. She was wearing pants and one of Callum’s plain shirts, so that it fit loosely over her stomach. Still, her signature red hair would give her away.

  She needed something to cover her head, she decided. The first two tents only had cloaks, which would have looked odd in the morning heat. The third was where she finally found a helmet. She caught a few men still dressed in full armour today, so she hoped she wouldn’t stand out too much. Twisting her long locks around her hand, she shoved it up in the helmet and pulled it down over her head. It was too big for her, and wobbled obnoxiously when she walked, but it would have to do.