The Eden Series: The Complete Collection

by Stalder, Janelle

  Finally he spoke, his voice flat and to the point. “The last we looked he was up to the north-east,” he told them. “There is a small village in a valley hidden in the mountain ranges. It’s not easy to get to, but enough traders go there that the roads are kept fairly clear.”

  “Would this be Frost Point?” Turk asked, his deep, gravelly voice sounding harsh in contrast to the other man’s smooth one.

  Hakim turned and nodded at him before looking back at Jameson. “From there I can’t help you. His fortress is inside a mountain, but to tell you which one would be impossible.”

  “How do you know this?” asked Jameson.

  “I have a spy in his men. So far he’s gone undetected, and I’d like to keep it that way, so before you ask, no you cannot meet with him.”

  “If you have someone on the inside, why is it you can’t give us a more specific location?” Turk questioned.

  “We are people of the flat deserts,” Hakim said with a shrug. “One mountain looks like all the mountains. My man cannot give me an exact location, and any information that is passed along is brief and seldom. It’s how we’ve kept him alive for so long. He can’t be sending me everything he learns, or it would increase the chance of him being found out. I hear of things he thinks are important, and that is all.”

  “And the location of this mountain fortress doesn’t fall into the category of important?” Callum asked incredulously.

  Hakim’s head snapped in his direction. “Why is it you do not know of its location?”

  “I have never been there,” Callum retorted. “If I had, I’d damn well be able to tell someone where the hell it is!” His voice was rising now, filled with impatience and frustration.

  “Enough,” Jameson ordered without looking back at his brother. “Thank you for what you have told us. We will head north-east to Frost Point.”

  Hakim nodded slightly. As if it were an afterthought, he said, “Tell me, where is the warrior from the other world, as you are so fond of calling him?” Aiden stiffened at the question. It wasn’t just the content, but the way the man said it that put Aiden instantly on alert. It was filled with a sort of mocking that didn’t sit right with him.

  The King’s eyes had narrowed, but he hadn’t moved to point Aiden out. “Why do you want to know?”

  “I’d like to see it,” he answered simply.

  Aiden decided he didn’t like the man. Just like that, it was certain. This guy pissed him off. “I am the warrior,” Aiden spoke before he even realized he was about to do so. Ty moved forward a bit at Aiden’s insistence so that the men from the east could see him better.

  Hakim’s eyes took him in slowly, from head to toe and back up again. “So you are he,” he mused. “Amazing,” he murmured. Aiden wondered if he meant to say that out loud, it had been spoken so softly. “If I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t even be able to tell.”

  Aiden looked at him questioningly. “Tell what?” he asked.

  A slow smile spread across Hakim’s face as he stared into his eyes. “That you are from another world, of course,” he answered. But Aiden knew – he knew the man was lying. There had been a pause there that told Aiden he had wanted to say something else before he answered. And he would have questioned him further if it weren’t for the next words out of the man’s mouth.

  “Tell me,” he continued, “were you aware of the prisoners Aziz holds?”

  Aiden’s stomach dropped. “The forest girl,” answered Aiden. “Yes, we know of it.”

  Hakim shook his head slowly. “I said prisoners, young one,” he corrected. “Aziz has more than just your girl. He has captured your friends as well.”

  Instinctively Aiden turned to look back at the army where Wolf and the others were. Hakim made a clicking noise with his tongue that made Aiden turn back to him.

  “Not friends from here,” he specified, “friends from your world.”

  The temperature seemed to drop in an instant. Aiden felt cold, his chest constricted all of a sudden. His hair blew around his face as the wind picked. “Which ones?” he managed to get out.

  “A boy and a girl. I don’t know their names, only that they are friends of yours,” Hakim answered carefully.

  A boy and a girl. It had to be Ethan. Aiden felt sick, unable to focus on anyone or anything. Who would the girl be? Melissa? Could it be possible? Oh God, he thought, panicked. How long has Aziz held them captive? Sand now whipped him in the face as it whirled around the group. His hands gripped the reins until his knuckles turned white. This could not being happening. He looked up at the leader of the Sand People and for the first time saw a spark of emotion in his eyes. The man looked scared unexpectedly as he watched Aiden’s reaction to the news. Their horses began to grow restless from the sudden sandstorm around them.

  “Calm down, Aiden,” Jameson urged. Aiden looked to the King, feeling anything but calm. He breathed in deeply – in and out, in and out. Finally his heart slowed, but his hands still shook with restrained anger.

  The winds calmed, the sand settling back at their feet. Hakim looked around them before meeting Aiden’s eyes again. “Interesting,” he commented softly. “Very interesting.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The flames hit wall, sizzling out on contact. Rain took a deep breath, shutting her eyes in a silent thank you to the Gods. She didn’t know how she managed it. Her arm shook from the invisible battle she just fought against the man watching her on the other side of her eyelids. She opened them to see his furious eyes burning into her. Part of her, the crazy part that didn’t care what others thought, desperately wanted to smile. The other part wanted to run and hide.

  Rain looked to the forest girl still cowering against the wall, wide-eyed and pale. The girl had just narrowly missed being cooked alive, and she knew it.

  “Well, well, well,” Aziz spoke in the tense silence that had descended. Rain looked to him, chin held high. “I must admit, I’m rather impressed. Not many people could fight my powers the way you just did.” He turned to look at the spot where the flames had ended up with a thoughtful expression. He was surprised, Rain realized. His control had overcome her with the intention of killing, or perhaps just burning to near death, the girl before them. But Rain had fought against it with every ounce of her being. And she had won. That was what mattered – she had won. What price would she pay for such a victory though? Her heart hadn’t slowed its pace, and probably wouldn’t until she was far away from Aziz.

  “I do not wish to torture the girl,” Rain held. “Even you said she is to be left unharmed until Aiden arrives. What good would it have done to have her dead or unrecognizable when he gets here?”

  “Do you question my decisions, my queen?” Aziz countered. His voice was dangerously calm. Rain knew she was walking a thin line with him. She swallowed with difficulty.

  “I was only bringing up a valid point, my lord,” she replied carefully. “I meant no disrespect.” She kept her eyes cast downwards. Every part of her wanted to look at Elex. She needed reassurance from someone, even if it was false.

  “Well now, of course I value your opinion since you are my future queen, after all.” Rain looked up in surprise. She wasn’t fooled by the smile there, or his words. “Perhaps I was rash in my decision regarding the girl. Elex, return her to the cell,” he ordered. Rain saw Elex move from the corner of her eye. She kept her face toward Aziz, even when she heard the chains rattle as Elex freed the girl. He left without a word, taking with him all sense of comfort and protection. She was alone with Aziz. He moved toward her, and she had to fight the instinct to back away with all her strength.

  “You are so beautiful,” he said softly as he stood before her. His right hand reached forward to gently cup her cheek in an act of tenderness. “Not only are you beautiful, but you are strong. Much stronger than I anticipated.” And there it was, Rain thought coldly. The thinly veiled threat so lightly spoken. She was no fool. If he thought her too strong he would certainly rectify the situatio
n, she had no doubt.

  “I apologize if I have displeased you,” she said through the lump in her throat.

  “You have not displeased me,” he replied reassuringly. “I want you to be strong. It pleases me to see you are growing. If we are to fight against an army, I want to know that you have the power to protect yourself.” He smiled gently eliciting one from her in return. It instantly froze on her face at his next words. “Of course, I will need to make sure you are more tightly bound to me now that you are gaining strength. For your own protection, of course,” he added.

  Rain tried to hide the sudden chill that ran down her spine. Her cheeks ached from the awkward pull on her lips as she continued to smile at him.

  “I am only bound to you, my lord. No one else,” she maintained. Rain saw a glint of perhaps anger and something else she couldn’t quite name flicker in his eyes, gone just as quickly as it came. He didn’t believe her. The realization scared her more than anything else. If he didn’t think she was loyal to him then he wouldn’t keep her. Elex. Her stomach dropped. That one innocent look was why he doubted her. It made sense now. Aziz suspected her feelings for his son. He was the type of man that knew a woman could only be dedicated to, and in love with one man, and he was now questioning who that one man was for Rain.

  “Let us go eat something,” he said, interrupting her thoughts. Rain nodded numbly, placing her hand in his waiting one. They walked in silence to the dining hall, only the pounding of her blood filling her ears. Aziz pulled her to a stop in front of his office unexpectedly.

  “We’ll eat in here today,” he told her. “It’s more private.” Rain followed him in, feeling as if the sound of the door closing behind her was ultimately sealing her fate.

  Rain looked at the food in front of her with Elex’s warning blaring in her head, suddenly not as hungry as she had been before. Had he mixed more of his poison in it to further control her? Or perhaps even kill her? She could feel Aziz’s eyes on her. Gingerly she picked up her fork and forced herself to take a mouthful.

  “I have something planned for today that I don’t want you to be afraid of,” Aziz said conversationally. Rain looked over at him questioningly. “I’d like to tattoo you with my markings so all who see them will know to whom you belong.” The forkful heading toward her mouth froze midair.

  “Tattoo?” she asked warily.

  “It is a tradition of my people,” he explained. “I believe your people do the same, do they not?”

  Rain shifted uneasily in her seat, her features guarded. “Only the men of my people get tattooed,” she answered, placing her fork down. She sat back, her appetite now completely gone.

  Aziz leaned forward, his eyes bright with anticipation. “Yes, but I know how much you hate how your people allow the men to do things the women cannot. I’m giving you the opportunity to do something you’d otherwise be forbidden to do.”

  Rain twisted her hands together in her lap nervously. She stared off into the fire for a second before meeting his gaze. “Thank you for offering me this. I appreciate that you are trying to give me all the things I couldn’t have before,” she said slowly. “But,” she added, “as much as I value it, I do not wish to be permanently marked.”

  It was like a switch. Aziz’s eyes went instantly cold as he sat up straight. “I did not ask if you would like this, Rain,” he said plainly. She flinched at the sound of her name on his lips. “I need you to be marked as mine, and this is not a request.” Aziz stood and walked around his desk to pull open a draw. He began placing bottles on the surface, as well as the required instruments for tattooing. Rain was familiar with them since she had seen men being marked her entire life. Sweat formed at the base of her neck and spine. She felt hot and cold at the same time. Her heart pulsed erratically at the sight of the needles.

  Elex, she called out. Oh Elex, please come help me. Her eyes burned as she blinked back the tears building. Her hands shook as the seriousness of the situation hit her. He wasn’t marking her so that all would know she was his; he was marking her to ensure he had full control. She knew that there was magic in the tattoos he performed, one that would make it impossible for her to resist his influence the way she had earlier.

  Aziz’s face showed his concentration as he mixed liquids into a small bowl. His movements were sure and precise, a clear sign he had done this sort of thing many times before. Rain had a strong urge to get up and run for it, but it would be useless. How far could she really get? And where would she go? Her body instinctively rose from the seat. Aziz looked up at her challengingly.

  “I would really rather not do this,” she insisted.

  He gave her a slow, cold look. “You will do as you’re told, girl,” he bit out. Rain rocked back at the venom in his tone. Walking around the desk, he stopped in front of her, blocking her path to the doorway. “Do I need to tie you down?”

  She could feel her bottom lip trembling against the emotions inside her. A tear slipped free, falling down her cheek in a hot path. There was no way she could willingly sit through this. Elex! She tried again.

  “I’ll take your silence as a yes,” he said, his lips curling in disgust. He took a step toward her as she took a step back. The door to his office flew open just then, and before Rain had time to register what was happening, she found herself pressed to Elex’s back. His hand gripped her waist firmly as his wings wrapped around her protectively. She placed her palms against the soft skin, laying her forehead against him in relief.

  “What are you doing, father?” Elex asked, his voice deeper than usual with anger.

  There was a pregnant pause before Aziz replied. Rain could only imagine the look of surprise and outrage on the sorcerer’s face.

  “Step aside, Elex,” he ordered, ignoring the question.

  “You cannot mark her,” Elex ground out.

  A humourless laugh filled the air that caused the hair on her arms to stand. “You dare to tell me what to do?” Aziz snorted in revulsion. “Do you think to take what is mine, son?” he sneered. “Is this what we have come to, betrayal? After everything I have given you, you would stand between me and another?”

  Rain felt Elex tense beneath her palms. “I am protecting what is yours!” he argued. “It is one thing to mark me with your brews, but not her. She is not built like I am, and her body cannot handle such a thing. Do you not see? Would you kill your own queen before your reign?”

  Another pause followed. “Are you trying to tell me you stand there for my benefit?”

  “I only ever look out for your benefit, father. The girl means nothing to me, but I know you would be upset if this were to go wrong.”

  Rain’s blood chilled at the detached coldness in Elex’s voice. The girl means nothing to me. Rain took a small step back, letting her hands drop. The hand on her hip flexed, but she barely felt it as a numbness spread through her body. She wanted out of the enclosure of his wings and out of the room.

  “It seems I have been corrected for my actions twice today,” Aziz mused. “Tell me, did you learn anything from the forest girl?”

  “Her mind is too strong, I cannot break it,” Elex answered, calmer, although his stance did not relax.

  A knock at the door interrupted them. Rain’s vision was blocked, hidden behind Elex, but she heard it open when Aziz called out for the person to enter.

  “My lord,” greeted Andre. Rain recognized the voice immediately. “We have news from our scouts,” he stated.

  “What is it?”

  “The King’s army is crossing the sands now. They are headed in this direction.”

  “Are they now? I expected them to go to Ramel first,” said Aziz.

  “Hakim met them at the border,” Andre explained. “We assume he informed the King where to look.”

  Aziz laughed. “My old friend Hakim certainly makes himself helpful when he wants to,” he muttered. “Assemble your men and have them start preparing. Let us see how far the King will get. Rain,” he called out. Elex tensed a fractio
n before stepping aside. Rain avoided looking toward him or Andre.

  “My lord?”

  “Return to your rooms until I summon you,” he ordered.

  “Yes, my lord,” she replied. Rain hurried out of the room, her eyes trained on the floor. Elex said nothing as she did, leaving her colder than she’d been all day.

  Rain stepped out of the bath, the water long since having lost its warmth. She wrapped a towel tightly around her chest as she walked into her room. Her feet froze when she found Elex waiting there.

  “Rain,” he greeted, his eyes guarded.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked distantly.

  One eyebrow rose over those piercing eyes. Rain kept her face emotionless. “I came to make sure you are okay.”

  “I’m fine,” she informed him.

  He took a step toward her. Rain backed up raising a hand to stop him. He didn’t stop. Elex moved forward until Rain’s hand rested on his chest, her back now against the wall. She hadn’t even realized she was moving backwards until then. Her hand clenched into a fist as she raised her head to meet his eyes.

  “I said I’m fine,” she repeated, keeping her voice strong. “You can leave now.”

  “You are upset with me.”

  “Why do you care? I mean nothing to you.”

  Rain watched as his face relaxed, amusement filling his eyes. It only made her madder.

  “Rain,” he said softly in a chiding tone. “You know I was just saying that. I don’t mean it.”

  “How do I know?” she argued. “How can I know for certain you care, or if you’re only interested in me because I’m the only thing available?” She glared up at him. “Perhaps I’m just your way of getting back at him.”

  She gasped as Elex lifted her, trapping her against the wall with his body. They were eye-level now, his unusual eyes burning brightly. Rain grabbed onto his biceps, feeling his muscles flex as he continued to hold her there.