“What’s wrong with her?” Moose asked.
“No idea?” Wolf replied pensively. His brows furrowed as he watched her, deep in thought. Slowly he turned to look at Aiden, their eyes meeting. Wolf stared at him searchingly for a second before looking back to Elisa, his face troubled. “I’ll figure it out,” he told them, making no move to follow her.
“Well, shall we boys?” Moose said breaking the weird haze that seemed to have surrounded them. “Let’s go get us a sorcerer!”
Elisa hurried, trying to create as much space as she could between herself and the boys. She was never good at hiding her emotions. Aiden’s face told her he knew something was up. She wasn’t fooling him. It had taken every ounce of strength in her to say she was fine and not burst out with the truth. There was something utterly trusting in Aiden’s face when he looked at her. It was as if there was nothing she could do that he would judge her for. Whatever was wrong, or whatever she had to say, he would listen and understand. She could see it all in his eyes when he looked at her; could hear it in the way he asked if she was okay. And what did she do? Lie. A sick feeling swelled in her stomach, pushing her further.
“Whoa!” a voice cried out a second before Elisa crashed into them. Hands grabbed onto her arms to steady her as she reeled back.
Elisa looked up to find Diana standing before her, face concerned.
“Elisa? Are you alright? You don’t look well,” she said, her eyes searching Elisa closely. The genuine worry on Diana’s face finally broke her. Tears filled her eyes and she found she could not speak around the sudden lump in her throat. She was pulled into Diana’s embrace, her face hidden in the other woman’s shoulder as tears fell from her eyes.
“Shhhh,” Diana whispered, one hand stroking her hair gently. “Tell me what’s the matter and I will help.”
Elisa instinctively began shaking her head. No one could help, not without her saying out loud the truth that would ruin one of her closest friends. A truth that could destroy everything. She wanted to shout and curse at Alistair, while at the same time beg and plead for him to return so he could continue to carry this burden. Of course, Elisa argued, if there was going to be another person to share this truth, it would only make sense for it to be Diana. She was the one who brought him over in the first place. Elisa straightened immediately. Did she know? Surely Alistair would have confided in Diana since she was the one who had known about the warrior before any of them. But did she actually know.
Elisa scrutinized her, trying desperately to see something in the gentle face of the witch that would give her some clue as to how involved she really was. It wasn’t as though she could just ask her. Or could she? “How much do you know about the prophecy surrounding Aiden?”
This took Diana by surprise. Elisa watched the confusion in her eyes as she replied. “I know as much as anyone,” she replied hesitantly. “Can I ask why you’re asking?”
Elisa ignored her question. “How did you know to bring Aiden, specifically, over?”
She paused again briefly. “Alistair came to me the same year I finished my apprenticeship. We all knew at that time where Callum was, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out there was a chance he’d come back, but with an army. No one really knew, and things were so quiet in the north that no one was too concerned,” she explained. “One night, Alistair showed up at the cottage and told me there would be a war that could destroy all we knew and loved in Eden. He said there was a prophecy of a warrior from another world that would save us all. I was to bring him over when I felt the time was right.”
“How were you supposed to know when the time was right?”
“Well, it was partly me listening to what was happening. I knew things were moving up north, so it had a lot to do with that. It was also based on the energy in Eden. Alistair was a very spiritual man, but he wasn’t as in tune with the land the way I am. The more Aziz created those beasts, the more the spirits talked. There was a shift in our world that I could feel. I knew when the time came, just as he said I would.”
Elisa considered this as Diana watched her. So Alistair didn’t tell Diana all of it. He left out all the important things. He left out the thing that would have made Diana hesitate to bring Aiden to our world, Elisa noted. How clever, she thought. In reality, Alistair wouldn’t have known how things would work out when Aiden returned. He must have been terrified that it could all backfire. A bitter taste filled Elisa’s mouth. Not only had her teacher lied to them all, but he had put them all at risk.
“Was Alistair the one who told you Aiden couldn’t be hurt while he was here?” Elisa asked, her voice gruff.
“I don’t understand. Why are you asking me these things?” she replied. Elisa looked at her, blankly. Knowing she wasn’t going to reply, Diana finally answered. “Yes,” she sighed. “Alistair explained that it had to be a warrior from the other world, because he’d be unbeatable here. He couldn’t be killed, and if he was injured he’d heal faster than any normal human.”
“And the poison?”
Diana’s brow furrowed. She looked down in contemplation before meeting Elisa’s eyes again. “I didn’t understand it then. I was told he was invincible, and yet Alistair insisted I keep a close eye on him. He said to be sure nothing happened to him, which didn’t make sense since he couldn’t be killed. Then with the arrow…I went to Alistair days after I had returned Aiden to his world and made sure he was healing. I asked him why this poison had affected Aiden that way, but he simply brushed me off. Said there was always that one thing that was a person’s weakness. I didn’t get it then and I don’t understand it now, but I accepted that Alistair seemed to believe it. It was almost as if he wasn’t surprised in the least – as though he had expected it.”
“So he brought a fifteen year old boy over to fight for us, knowing damn well there was something out there that could in fact kill him?” Elisa’s voice was hard and bitter.
“Elisa, please tell me why you’re asking me these things? What’s brought this all on?”
Elisa turned and found him still grouped with their friends. The morning sun shone off the light strands of his hair that was always a little too long. It was amazing how much Aiden had changed since that first time they had met in Diana’s cabin. His shirt stretched across broader shoulders, his stance more relaxed and confident. He was laughing at something Logan said, looking carefree and natural. He looked…normal. As if he was just like the others. But Elisa knew better. Even when she scrutinized him closely there were no signs to suggest the truth – nothing to hint at what she knew now. She turned back to face Diana. There was no way she could keep this a secret. It was eating her up inside. She needed someone else to know; someone else to tell her what the right thing to do was.
“I need to tell you something,” she declared.
“You can tell me anything,” Diana said reassuringly, looking at her with encouragement.
Elisa looked around at the soldiers getting ready to leave. “Not here,” she decided. “We need to go somewhere private.” Diana nodded. “And maybe somewhere where you can sit down…”
The glass shattered as it hit the walls. Tiny shards littered the room, reflecting the flames of the lit candles. They sparkled amongst the ornate woven carpet that covered the floor. Rose’s breathing was coming out quickly. She was as surprised by her actions as Callum seemed to be, standing a short distance away from her. That distance hurt, and it was only going to get worse.
She turned furious eyes to look at her husband, who for the first time in the months they had been together, looked wary of her.
“Rose,” he said softly, pleadingly. “Please understand that this is for the best.”
She laughed humourlessly. “Says the one who is leaving, not the one being left behind.”
He took a cautious step forward. She gripped the glass ornament in her left hand tighter. One was already ruined. She could tell he was prepared to duck out of the way should she decide let this one fly too.
“It needs to be this way,” he stated plainly. “I will not drag you all over this land while you’re carrying our child. I’ve done has you asked by taking you here and not leaving you in the north, but this, Rose…this I will not budge on. You are to stay here in the palace where I know both you and our child are safe.”
Tears burned her eyes as they bore into the carpet. She could not meet his. He moved closer, his feet filling her vision as he stood in front of her. His hands grabbed hers, gently removing the would-be weapon. “Rose,” he said softly, placing a hand beneath her chin to lift her face. As their eyes met she could see how hard it was for him to do this, as hard as it was for her, but that was of no comfort. She didn’t want to be left here in a palace, with people she did not know.
“Rose, no one here will hurt you. On the contrary, they will treat you like a queen, trust me. You are carrying their heir. If there was anywhere I’d trust your safe keeping, it’s here.”
“We’ve never been apart,” she whispered, her voice cracking.
“I will not be gone for long. I’ll be back before you can even begin to miss me.”
She sniffled loudly. “That is a lie, for I miss you already and you stand before me.”
His hand wrapped around the back of her head pulling her to his chest. She buried her face there, breathing him in. “Do this for me,” he said. “Please.”
She moved, if possible, closer to him. The thought of not having him with her was making her feel sick. All she wanted was Callum. This war, Aziz, all of it didn’t matter to her. She just wanted to live happily ever after with her prince. Even though she had known it would lead to this when the truce was called in the south, there just hadn’t been enough time for her to accept it. Rose wanted that peace she had glimpsed for so brief a time.
“Will you, Rose? Please? Stay where I know no one can harm you. When I return everything will be over and we can go somewhere and begin our life together as a family. No more wars, no more courts and politics, just us and our child. Don’t you want that?” She nodded against his chest. “It’s all I want too. But first I must finish this with my brother. I must stop Aziz before he ruins our world. I don’t want you anywhere near Aziz. Can’t you understand that?” She pulled back, looking up at him while he wiped the tears from her face with the pads of his thumbs. Those deep chocolate brown eyes searched hers in a way that made her want to agree to anything he asked, no matter how much it killed her to do so.
“I will stay,” she said hoarsely. “But if you do not come back to me, I will venture to the halls of the Gods and kill you myself.”
A wide smile broke out across his face. She couldn’t bring herself to mirror it however, her heart too heavy. She wrapped her hands around his waist, holding him tightly.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, my love,” he replied.
“Don’t do anything foolish, Callum. I mean it. Don’t take unnecessary risks or chances.” She looked back up at him. “I can’t do this without you. Remember that.”
He nodded gravely before crushing their mouths together. Her cheeks were damp, whether it was from her own tears or his, she wasn’t sure. They lost themselves in each other with a desperation neither had ever felt before. She was barely aware of him carrying her to their bed or stripping her clothes. When it was over they lay beside one another in uneasy contentment. Neither knew how long it would be before they could lie like this again. That doubt hung over them like a dark cloud.
The army was already preparing to depart outside the city walls. Callum had to leave, but she couldn’t bring herself to let him go. When they finally got dressed and went down to the inner gates of the palace she had run out of tears. Her eyes dry, but red and puffy, she looked up at the concern written in his eyes. She tried her best to smile, to relieve some of the weight on his shoulders.
“Stay out of trouble,” he said.
“Don’t I always?” she answered.
His lips twitched. “I love you,” he said in return, “more than anyone or anything in my entire life.”
“And I you,” she replied. They kissed again, and still the tears did not come anymore. She felt hollow – empty. A piece of her was leaving, and only the Gods knew if it would ever be returned.
Rose stood by the palace gates and watched Callum disappear toward the main city gates. She chose not to walk him there, knowing she could only handle so much heartache in one day. She stood there for a long time after he was gone from her sight. Finally one of the servants came to fetch her, fussing about the cool morning air not being healthy in her condition. When she was brought inside she was bundled before a fire and served a delicious breakfast. The ladies in the Capital were kind and courteous, all of them watching her at all times, not in suspicion like those in the north. No, here they looked at her with concern and warmth. She ate quickly then claimed fatigue before retiring to her chambers.
Standing at the narrow window, Rose looked out at the land below her and sent a prayer to the God and Goddess above. She hadn’t been lying when she told Callum she couldn’t do this without him. Life would not be the same if she had to do it alone. Please let them be safe, she sent upward. And please send him safely home to me. She wrapped her arms around her growing stomach and watched as the city awoke to a new day.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Rain woke up to someone kissing a line from her shoulder to just beneath her jaw. She wasn’t afraid since she could feel the silky, soft texture of Elex’s wings against her legs. She moaned, burying her face in her pillow. A low, deep chuckle came from beside her.
“Good morning,” he said, now kissing his way around to the back of her neck. She shook her head against the pillow. “Come on, time to get up.”
“I don’t want to,” she replied, muffled by the fabric and feather currently smothering her.
“Are you sore?” he asked, humour evident in his tone of voice.
She gingerly stretched her muscles, wincing at the tenderness in her arms and legs. She lifted up onto her elbows, looking over at him. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to walk,” she admitted.
He laughed. “Wait until tomorrow, it will be even worse.” She groaned, letting her head fall back into the pillow. “My father is expecting you, so we’d better get going.”
She turned so one eye could see him, her brow cocked. “And he sent you to get me?” she asked in surprise. “When he knew I was in bed?”
A sly, mischievous grin stretched across his face. “Not exactly.” He didn’t expand. Rain sat up slowly, moaning the whole way. It felt like she had been dropped from up high. Every muscle ached from her strenuous workout the day before…and night.
Thankfully after the man, Bilal, had been taken away, Aziz had ordered her to her room for the remainder of the day. She could practically taste his anger at that point, so she hadn’t argued. It had given her the opportunity to soak her tired body in a hot bath. She even ate in her room, which she hadn’t done since her arrival. Halfway through the night Elex had shown up, and suddenly she’d found herself not as tired as before. Elex had that effect on her.
“You keep thinking along those lines and we won’t be making it back to practice for a long time,” he warned with heated eyes.
“As tempting as that sounds,” she confessed, “I think we had better get going. I don’t want to anger him.” As she got up off the bed, with some difficulty, she couldn’t help but catch the sudden displeased look on Elex’s face. “What’s wrong?”
He stared at her, his eyes searching. She could see him contemplating how to answer her question, or perhaps if he even should answer the question. No matter what happened in their life, all she wanted from Elex was total and complete honesty. Rain hated people who lied or weren’t open about things. This wasn’t the first time she had caught this look on Elex’s face. It seemed to be happening more often, and yet he had never mentioned if something was bothering him. It was the exact same look she had seen on his face yesterday in the throne room. She ass
umed when he came to see her that they would discuss whatever was clearly the issue, but instead they had done very little talking. Finally he let out a sigh, dragging a hand through his long, ebony locks.
“I don’t like it anymore,” he stated.
She looked at him, confused. “Like what?” Her heart was racing. Was he breaking up with her? Her palms started to sweat and she wiped them discreetly on her nightgown. What had she done to push him away so suddenly? A knot had formed in her stomach, and it was difficult to swallow due to her dry throat. He huffed in exasperation, moving so quickly she barely had time to register it before he had her wrapped in his arms, seated in his lap on the bed.
“You are unbelievable,” he said with a shake of his head.
“Thank you?”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“Oh.” Her face fell again and she could see he was getting even more annoyed.
“How can you honestly think I’m ending things between us after the night and morning we just had? Do you have any idea how crazy you make me? You’re all I think about, all day long.” He watched her closely, making sure she believed what he was saying. And she did. Feeling a heavy weight lifted, she finally let herself breath normally.
“I wasn’t sure…”
“Never doubt my feelings, Rain. I don’t know what happened to me when you came here, but all I know is that for the first time in my life I felt something. I wanted things, wanted more than what Aziz could offer me. Do you understand?”
She nodded her head slowly. “Then what did you mean by that?” she asked.
“I’m sick and tired of this thing between you and Aziz. Or, I guess just with Aziz. I don’t like the way he looks at you. I don’t like how he refers to you as his queen. I don’t like the things he thinks about you.”
Her face screwed up in disgust. “I don’t even want to know.”
“No, you don’t,” he confirmed. “What he showed you yesterday, that throne room, is that what you want? I saw how you looked at it, the way you appreciated the grandeur.” He looked down for a moment before staring back into her eyes. “I can’t give you those things, Rain – at least not yet. Not until we can think up a plan together. Figure out what we want to do with our lives. But I’m not looking to take over what Aziz has created. I want to start fresh. I want us to leave here – soon.”
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