The Eden Series: The Complete Collection

by Stalder, Janelle

  “But why is he the prophesized warrior?” Aziz countered. “I know you must have seen things about him that didn’t add up. It must drive you crazy. I know how much your kind loves to know the answers to everything.” He stood up, a smug smile plastered on his face.

  “What is happening out there?” Lily asked, ignoring his taunting.

  Aziz laughed coldly. It set Ethan’s teeth on edge. A man like him shouldn’t laugh, he thought. “You should be more concerned about what might be happening in here, not out there,” Aziz replied. “My Queen is itching to get her hands on you. She has a grievance with you that she’d greatly like to address. The only thing stopping her is me. Remember that. Otherwise you won’t be alive long enough to see your warrior come to your rescue.”

  Ethan watched as Lily’s eyes flickered between Rain and Aziz. Ethan hadn’t looked in that direction, mostly because the winged man scared him more than any of them. He was the only person he had ever met in his entire life that had eyes completely void of life. The man could probably kill a newborn child and not bat an eyelash.

  Lily looked back at Aziz, keeping her focus on him. “Tell me what is happening,” she said in a strong voice.

  Aziz smiled like he was truly enjoying her determination. “The army is in the Capital. It won’t be long until they are here. Depending, of course, on how long it takes them to actually find this place. If you’re lucky, maybe we’ll have a battle before the frost.” He laughed. “I doubt it though. Just imagine how much colder these stones will be when the snow hits.”

  “You would hide from your enemies like a coward?”

  “I am no coward, girl. What I am is smarter than they are. While they search uselessly, expending time and energy, I will grow stronger, building my army. And when they’ve given up, I will smite them all in one fatal swoop.” He turned and headed out the door, stopping to take one more look at Lily. “Don’t let knowing that he is coming make you feel safe. He might ride this way, but he will never find you. He cannot save you, no more than he can save himself.”

  They were returned to the darkness that was becoming disturbingly familiar and comforting. No one said a word for a long time after Aziz left. Ethan thought Melissa would cry at what Aziz said, but he didn’t sense any more distress in her than usual. Somehow, regardless of the hopelessness he tried to instill in them, somehow the three of them continued to believe Aiden would come. Ethan didn’t understand why, but even he still believed it.

  “I have to do something,” Lily said, breaking their silence.

  “What can we do from in here?” Melissa asked sounding more choked up than Ethan realized. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, sitting back against the wall as she snuggled closer to him.

  “You can’t do anything,” Lily replied, “but I can. I must rest. Do not be worried if I don’t wake for a while.”

  “What are you going to do?” Ethan asked.

  “I’m going to get help.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The high walls of Capital City came into view just as the sun was setting. The sky behind it was lit in orange, pinks, and purples. The fields and emerald forest surrounding them lent a rich, earthy scent to the air. It smelled like spring and new life. Crickets chirped in the fading light, the only sound aside from the hooves and footsteps of the army. This was how it should always be, Aiden thought. Peaceful. He surveyed his surroundings and inhaled deeply. Even though he came from a different world, there was something about the Capital City that felt like home. It was like a warm blanket on a cold day.

  It was funny how different he had felt the first time he laid eyes on the city. The only part of Eden he saw for the first few days had been Diana’s cottage, hidden deep in the forest. Then Elisa had come and escorted him to the city. He would never forget the feeling he’d had when he saw the tall, stone walls, and the high towers of the castle rising above then. It was like being transported back in time. Waves of anxiety and fear had washed over him. The unknown lay behind those walls. A life he hadn’t been prepared for.

  Times change, he supposed. No fear remained in him as he looked over at the city. Throughout those first days in the Capital, he had done everything he could to become the warrior everyone thought he was. He was still working on it, but he had certainly achieved a lot since that first night.

  “There’s nothing like being home,” Logan said, pulling his horse up beside Aiden’s.

  “Is it weird that I had the same feeling?” Aiden asked, keeping his gaze on the city.

  “No,” Logan replied. “I don’t think so. This is your home when you’re here. It always will be.”

  But it wouldn’t, and that thought made Aiden feel cold and empty. When he got Lily back, it would only be to leave her again. Everything he did here would be nothing but memories to him. He was going to go back to his world and live his life like none of this happened. Like he didn’t know how to wield an axe expertly, or ride a horse as easily as he did a bike. He wouldn’t be able to tell anyone about the things he had done and seen, or the people he had met.

  A firm hand landed on his shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze. “Shall we?” Logan’s voice was light, but Aiden could see understanding in his eyes. His friend knew exactly where Aiden’s thoughts were focused. Aiden really didn’t like dwelling on it, even though there was no ignoring the fact that he would, at some point, be leaving. Looking at Logan, Aiden guessed he didn’t like thinking about it either. Nodding his head, the two of them kicked forward, following the line of soldiers making their way toward the gates.

  The guards along the top of the walls began shouting and cheering. The massive wooden gates that led into the city creaked as they slowly heaved open. Voices mixed with one another as word spread throughout the city that the army was back. Not just back, but also significantly larger than before. Aiden wondered what the citizens of the Capital were going to think about Callum and Jameson’s truce.

  “Promise me we’re going to go to the tavern and have a pint before we head to bed,” Logan was saying, drawing Aiden’s attention back to him.

  Aiden smiled at the excitement on his friend’s face.

  “As if you need to ask,” Wolf said before Aiden could answer. He rode up beside Logan, watching the crowds of people already spilling out of the city with a content look on his face. “Drinks will be flowing freely tonight – and most likely straight into tomorrow.” The three of them laughed.

  “When are you three going to learn that alcohol is not your friend?” Elisa said in an amused tone.

  “My love, I believe alcohol is not your friend. So far, she’s treated us just fine,” Wolf replied with a cheeky smile.

  “Ugh, he just called her love.” Logan groaned. “I feel ill.”

  “At least they’re still arguing,” Aiden pointed out with a laugh.

  “True,” Logan replied. “Some things never change.”

  As they were speaking, Wolf and Elisa continued to go back and forth on who couldn’t handle their drink more.

  “I could have walked back to my tent,” Elisa was arguing, “but you wouldn’t let me. It’s not my fault you tried to find as many ways to touch me as possible.” She smiled, looking pleased with herself. Wolf was smiling back with a goofy grin that instantly made Aiden laugh. In the past, Wolf would have been fuming mad at Elisa and vice versa. Even the simplest of arguments had been blown out of proportion between the two of them. Aiden could see that now Wolf was thoroughly enjoying himself.

  “I’ll still be finding as many ways to touch you as possible,” he said, making Elisa giggle. The four of them rode on in silence, watching as families reunited in joy. Aiden didn’t want to stick around to see those who wouldn’t be rejoicing in reunions.

  “I need to clean up before we go anywhere,” Aiden said. He smelled like a barn. There was no way he was going out for drinks with his friends smelling like he’s been sleeping in a stall for the past week.

  “I think we all need to wash up,” Elisa said, h
er face scrunched up in disgust. The sound of a horse quickly approaching their group had them all turning to look. Moose galloped up to them, slowing down at the last second.

  “Sounds like the beginnings of a party in there,” he said with a large grin plastered across his face.

  “We were just talking about grabbing some drinks,” Logan said. If there were two people more on the same wave link than Moose and Logan, Aiden didn’t know them. It seemed impossible.

  “We’re all getting washed first though,” Elisa reminded them, her voice stern and motherly. “You all smell. No woman is going to want to get within ten feet of you at this rate.”

  “Bah.” Moose waved her off. “I smell fine. Besides, any woman who sees this charming face won’t care what I smell like.”

  “I beg to differ,” Elisa muttered.

  “You look like a drowned cat that still has mud caked to it after being trampled on by a league of horses,” Aiden commented.

  “You look like a man that was sucked down into sinking sand, just to be spat out again because you smelled so bad,” Logan added.

  “You look and smell like one of Aziz’s beasts after rolling around in horse dung all day, then letting it heat in the sun,” said Wolf.

  “Okay! Okay!” Moose said, holding his hands up just as Elisa started to open her mouth. “I get it. I’ll take a damn bath. Aiden, do you mind if I bunk in your room?”

  “Sure, just so long as you don’t touch any part of my bed with your grubby hands,” Aiden replied.

  “Honestly,” Moose said with a shake of his head. “Why am I even friends with all of you?”

  The streets of the Capital were overflowing with people. Aiden caught a few grief stricken faces and quickly looked away. They followed the procession through the inner walls of the palace, and into the front courtyard. Both armies were lined up there as Jameson, Diana, Turk, Callum, and Rose made their way to the palace doors. Aiden watched as they disappeared. It wasn’t long before all five of them were up on the balcony overlooking the square. The High Chancellor stood there, a mixture of confusion, happiness, and trepidation written on his face. A hush had descended over the crowd when they got their first good look of who was with the King. Aiden could hear whispers of Callum’s name floating throughout the crowd. He could sense a tense energy coming off the citizens as they also started to notice the northern soldiers mixed in the ranks.

  “People of Capital City,” Jameson’s voice boomed out over the crowd. They instantly quieted when he spoke, a solid hush settling. “Today is a joyous day for many reasons. Our army has returned, safe and sound. Your fathers, brothers, sons and uncles are home. Those whom we have lost will never be forgotten by their loved ones or by those who fought beside them. Know that they died protecting you and this land. They died in honour, and for that we will always remember their sacrifice.”

  Cheers rang out as people commemorated the dead. Jameson remained silent until they settled down again. “It is an especially joyous occasion for me and my family.” He turned and faced Callum with an affectionate smile. Callum had been looking out at the crowd with a blank stare. He looked cold and mean, but Aiden could see the tension around his mouth and eyes, even from where he sat on Ty. The younger Prince was nervous. When he turned to meet Jameson’s eyes, Aiden saw his shoulders relax a fraction. The King smiled wider, throwing his arm around his brother’s shoulder.

  “My brother, your Prince, has returned to us! I know that our father, beloved High King Elrond, is looking down on us and shining brighter than the sun. The royal family is together again, and stronger than ever. Callum has come home, Capital City! And with him, he has brought an army to fight alongside our own as we move forward from here to defeat the evil sorcerer, Aziz. My brother and I will bring peace to this land once and for all!”

  A loud cheer came from the crowd. They began to chant Callum’s name, welcoming him without hesitation. Aiden thought it was going to take a lot of time for the citizens of Capital City to welcome their Prince back, but apparently not. He looked from the crowd back up to the balcony where Jameson still stood proudly, his arm around Callum. When Aiden looked at the younger Prince he saw the same surprise he felt mirrored on his face.

  “Everybody likes a happy ending,” Moose said. Did that explain it? Aiden wondered. Were people just happy to have a decade of war almost at an end? Or were they genuinely happy to have Callum home?

  “The royal family is like everyone’s family,” Elisa explained, as if she had heard Aiden’s thoughts. “When people are truly your family, it doesn’t matter what they’ve done in the past, there is always room for forgiveness. The people of our city have watched Jameson and Callum grow up from young boys. They’ve played with them, taught them, cleaned and bandaged their scraped knees. Maybe even snuck them treats while they ran playfully through the streets. Despite everything he’s done, there is no way the people of this city would turn him away now that he’s come home.”

  Aiden looked away from her and back to the crowd. These people were as close as family. They would laugh, cry, fight, and even die for each other. His resolve solidified even more than before. He had to fight for these people so they could live in peace, without the fear of Aziz lurking in the background. He needed to find the sorcerer and finish this once and for all – and quickly.

  They made their way toward the dorm after dropping the horses off at the palace stables. People greeted them along the way, giving them a wide berth as they passed. Quite a few called out to Aiden as if they were old acquaintances. It made him feel more welcome than he had ever been in Eden. It also made him feel guilty that while he was here, celebrating their return, Lily was somewhere else. The thought of what could be happening to her was almost too much to think about.

  Elisa led them all to the fourth floor where their old rooms were. Aiden and Moose headed toward his.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Elisa asked. Aiden turned back to see her and Wolf standing outside the door to her room. Logan was standing outside of his and Wolf’s room, his hand frozen midair above the handle. He looked like he was trying not to laugh as he watched.

  “What do you mean what am I doing?” Wolf said, genuinely confused. Moose let out a choking sound as he tried to contain his laughter. Wolf looked back at them. “What?”

  “Your room is down there,” Elisa answered, pointing to Logan when Wolf looked back at her.

  He jerked his head as his eyebrows drew together in confusion. “No,” he argued, “my room used to be down there with Logan. Now it’s here with you.”

  “Uh, no it’s not. Never mind the fact that my father would kill you –”

  “Your father never comes to the dorm,” he interrupted.

  “ – but, so will Franca,” she continued. “There is no way you’re going to be allowed to stay in this room with me, so you go to yours and get cleaned up, and I’ll go to mine. We’ll meet out here when we’re done.”

  Wolf stood in bewildered silence. Aiden really wanted to laugh at the expression on his face. It was like he couldn’t fathom being told by a woman, much less Elisa, that he wasn’t allowed in their room. Elisa turned, opened her door and quickly went inside, shutting the door in Wolf’s face.

  “Can you believe her?” Wolf said, to no one in particular.

  “Yes actually, I can,” Logan answered. Finally Aiden, Moose and Logan broke out in laughter. “Consider yourself lucky,” Logan said, wiping tears from his eyes. “I’ve seen Franca in action; you definitely don’t want to come face to face with her anger. Elisa is saving you and all your man parts.”

  Elisa slipped into the bath, sinking until the hot water reached her chin. Franca had added lavender smelling salts to the water and lit candles around the small bathing room. She could feel her eyes drooping simply from the feeling of finally being able to relax. Sinking in deeper, she didn’t stop until her head was completely submerged. When she rose up again, she only kept her head above the water, letting her aching mu
scles loosen in the heat. Travelling took its toll, especially at the pace Jameson had set. All she wanted to do was sleep in her own bed for the next year, except that wasn’t going to happen. They were only planning on spending two days in the Capital before heading out again. There was a lot to do before then, which led her to believe that rest and relaxation weren’t going to happen for a really long time.

  She sighed happily, enjoying the calm while she could. Franca had been ecstatic to have her home. Elisa knew how hard it was for her maid whenever Elisa had to go anywhere. Franca worried about her like a mother would a daughter. Her happiness hadn’t lasted long though, once Elisa told her about Markus. Although it did sort of improve when she explained about Wolf, Elisa reasoned. He wasn’t rich like Markus, but she thought Franca was always secretly rooting for him.

  The bedroom door opened and closed, meaning Franca had left for the evening. Apparently she had a date. Elisa smiled at that. It was the first time she had even seen Franca look excited about a man. She wouldn’t tell Elisa who it was, but it didn’t matter. All that Elisa cared about was that Franca was happy. She let her eyes close and let her mind empty of any thoughts.

  “This is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  Elisa’s eyes popped open, flying to Wolf standing in the doorway.

  “Wolf!” she shrieked, sinking lower. Thankfully it was a deep, copper tub so she doubted he could see anything. “What are you doing? Franca is going to kill you!”

  He smiled, looking rather pleased with himself. “Who do you think let me in?”

  Elisa snorted. Figures Franca would conspire with him against her. To be honest, she wasn’t really all that mad. Having Wolf around her lately was like constantly being charged. He gave off an electricity that seemed to resonated throughout her body. The smallest of touches, or even just a look, could make her break out into a deep blush. The way he was looking at her in the tub made her want to melt.

  “You shouldn’t be here,” she reproached, although her voice had no conviction. She sounded breathless rather than forceful. His smile grew as he slowly undid the tie at the top of his pants. “What are you doing?”