Eden (Night in Eden Book 1)

by Amanda K. Dudley-Penn

  "Maggie," she reached through the bars, her pale fingers reaching into the dense darkness. Maggie moved toward her and placed her wrinkled hand in Serafina's firm one, "Is there anything I can do to help."

  She blinked and a tear fell down her cheek, "Nothing, Dear," she gasped out just above a whisper, "You know that there is nothing. They took me not because I missed church but because I can no longer work in the fields."

  Serafina's eyes glowed with tears, "I know," she whispered as she thought of her grandmother, "But I wish that I could stop it from happening."

  Maggie gave her a smile to comfort her but it failed. Still, Serafina returned it with as much warmth as she could, "I heard that you are up to be viewed by the prince."

  Serafina trembled and she nodded, "It's an abominable thing."

  "Maybe not," Maggie breathed moving closer to the bars that separated them. Serafina's head snapped up as her brow furrowed. Maggie continued, "If you're chosen then you can change things."

  "At what cost?" Serafina entreated on a sob, "I would never marry for love and I would be hated by people I grew up with. It would be unbearable."

  "It would be a sacrifice," Maggie said and gripped her hand harder in hers, "You know those stories your grandmother told?"

  Serafina nodded, "About life before..."

  "I know about them. Though I remember the world before the wars well, your grandmother always told about it better," she acknowledged and took a ragged breath, "She was so descriptive, she made me remember everything. She made me see it. She talked about freedom but in her stories, she also revealed how to get it."

  "How was that?" Serafina asked as the sound of the guard’s footfalls met their ears. Maggie's grip became almost painful.

  "It's because people made sacrifices," she whispered. Her words flew out of her lips as she glanced at the guard walking toward them, "People would endure awful things to save the rest."

  Serafina's face fell, "Are you asking me to do that?" Serafina trembled as the words tumbled from her lips.

  "Not at all," she said, raising her chin, "But I know the prince already has his eye on a girl...One with hair the color of flames. If that's you, you will have a choice to make. You must decide whether you will make that sacrifice."

  Serafina's eyes widened as the guard moved behind her. He gripped her arm and pulled her away from Maggie.

  Chapter Two

  Serafina walked as quick as her feet would carry her through the crowd desperate to get away from the square. Her heart trembled. Though she wanted to offer comfort to Maggie, she had no desire to watch her die. Her footsteps were heavy as she turned down the street which led her away from the square toward her home but the sheriff's voice still reached her through the intercoms positioned around town. She winced as he spoke. His voice announced Maggie's death as if it were something to celebrate. Serafina's stomach rolled as each word echoed through the air. She crossed her arms and clutched her elbows pulling her body into a hug hoping to gain some comfort from the action and perhaps some protection.

  "The prisoner, Margaret Marie Perkins, has been sentenced by the King for failure to adhere to the fourth law. Today we will carry out the King's decree of forty lashes," He called out over the crowd. Serafina suppressed a shiver and forced her feet to move quicker than before hoping to reach her home before the sound of the whip echoed through the town. Her stomach churned as Maggie's sobs reached her. The woman's bravery had left but everyone became a coward in the face of the gallows.

  She almost ran but she realized it would cause people to notice her and to be noticed in Eden was a bad thing...Sometimes, it was deadly. The whoosh of the whip met her ears and Maggie's hoarse cry sounded behind her. She flinched as she swallowed back bile and turned down another street. Another whoosh and Maggie's scream was fainter than before but the effect still caused a tear to fall down Serafina's cheek.

  Her vision blurred as the third crack of the whip echoed through the air. An ominous silence followed. A sob broke from her throat as she turned down yet another road. She didn't need to hear the announcement to know that Maggie was gone. She had died. Whether that death was a mercy or further punishment was something that Serafina could not work out in her mind. She had never been able to when people died at the gallows.

  Tears streaked her face as she turned down the street which led to her house. Her eyes were blurred from her tears as she lowered her head to keep her grief a secret. Instead of moving forward, she ran into a solid wall of flesh and bone. She blinked as she raised her gaze to his chest. The green uniform of one of the King's Army met her gaze and her heart dropped as she realized that Maggie may not be the only one who would face the gallows that day.

  Her tears could get her into trouble if they were seen. She wasn't allowed to cry for those who were punished. It was against the rules. She swallowed as her eyes lifted further, determined to stare into the eyes of the one who would turn her in. She flinched as she took in the familiar face of the soldier. Somehow, it seemed fitting that he would be the one to catch her.

  "Serafina," he whispered in a voice that had grown deeper since he last spoke in front of her. She frowned as she realized he had never spoken her name before.

  "Thane," She said, stepping back to study him. His expression darkened as he peered into her face.

  He reached forward and wiped a tear away with his thumb, "Get home," he said. His voice was stern as he pulled away, "Don't let anyone else see you. Keep your head down."

  She frowned up at him, realizing he was saving her yet again. She nodded unable to say anything as she moved past him toward her home.

  **********

  Serafina's home was small and grey. She often thought it appeared lifeless but as she moved up the concrete steps to the flimsy wooden door she could sense its life...Its comfort. When she walked inside, she found Stella on the couch, sobbing. Serafina sighed thankful that her little sister had been inside when Maggie's punishment had taken place or she would have been next at the gallows. The youngest of her sisters, Bijou and Desdemona were in their bedroom unaffected by the whipping. The rest of her siblings were in town with her father and had probably witnessed Maggie's death.

  She moved through the living room toward the kitchen. There, she found her mother sitting at the table staring at bags of food brought in from the sheriffs. The pears had been taken from them and sat in the center for Bijou and Desdemona because no one else in the family would eat them after her grandmother's death. The scent of baking bread surrounded her but gave little comfort as she stepped further into the warm room. Her mother lifted her gaze from the contents of the bag to Serafina's face. Her eyes widened when she saw her tears.

  "My goodness, Serafina," she uttered rising from her chair before stepping toward her and touching her face, "At least Stella held her tears in until she was home. No one saw you, did they?"

  She swallowed hard and shook her head, "No one that would tell," Serafina whispered moving past her to sit in one of the old dining room chairs. Her shoulders slumped forward as she rubbed her hand over her face.

  "You don't know that," her mother said, frowning as she took a hesitant step toward her.

  She nodded, "Yes, I do," She whispered before raising her head to stare into her mother's eyes, "It was Thane."

  "The boy who took the lashes for you?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest as her eyes widened, "Isn't he in the King's army?"

  Serafina sighed and closed her eyes releasing more tears before she opened them to stare at her mother, "He is but he is the one who told me to run and not let anyone else see me," she said as she took a shaky breath.

  "You still took a risk," Her lips trembled as she placed a hand on her heart. Her eyes softened in sympathy as she took in her daughter's face, "You saw Maggie?"

  Serafina nodded as Maggie's words whispered through her mind. She licked her lips afraid to utter the words that Maggie had spoken, "I did," she said in a whisper, "She seems to think the Prince wil
l choose me."

  Her mother's hand began to shake. A frown crossed her brow as she took another step toward her. "Why would she think that?" she asked as her face darkened, "There are so many others."

  "She was in the courthouse. I'm sure she heard the rumors of who the Prince would pick. If what she heard is true, how many girls being viewed have hair the color of flames?" she asked glancing up into her mother's eyes.

  "A few," she said and then, sat down at the table and grasped Serafina's hand, "Maybe three."

  "The Prince has his eye on one of us few and Maggie thinks it's me," She said as her lip trembled, "They must have said something that made her assume that."

  "What if it is?" Her mother whispered. Her voice shook as her eyes met Serafina's, "What are you going to do?"

  Serafina rose and moved to the window in the living room before gazing out. Her mother followed ringing her hands. Beyond the window, people passed...People she had known her whole life. Each of those souls were in danger...Each risked death every day. She turned back to her mother.

  "You know those stories Grandmother told about her life?" Serafina asked meeting her mother's eyes.

  "Yes," she replied with a sigh, "I loved those stories...They gave me something we don't have here."

  "Hope," Serafina whispered and her mother nodded her head, "I want that type of life to return," Serafina continued, raising her chin, "But for that to happen, someone would have to sacrifice."

  "Serafina, that doesn't have to be you," her mother said as a tear fell down her cheek.

  "Then, who would it be?" Serafina questioned, staring into her mother's eyes, "If I get this chance, no one else will be in the position to make this happen. It would have to be me."

  A tear fell down her mother's cheek, "I remember when you were little you used to tell mom that you were going to be the great person who brought back freedom. She was convinced that you would be."

  "I know she was," Serafina said. Maggie had said as much."

  "I wasn't convinced then," her mother admitted as tears fell down her cheeks. They faced each other and her mother cupped her cheek, "I am now."

  Serafina put her hand over her mother's hoping that her grandmother and mother were right and she could do what she needed to in order to save the world.

  Chapter Three

  Every citizen of Eden lined the streets as Serafina and her sister, Deandra moved through the crowd the next morning. They wore forced smiles in new clothes given to them by the King. Each scanned the crowd as if interested when they were only looking for those who posed danger to them. Serafina noticed the members of the King's Army who stood within the crowd, mingling with the people they used to live with...Used to know and nodded her chin toward them to alert Deandra. She moved her gaze from them to the red brick castle that had stood there since before the wars. Her grandmother had told her people barely knew of the structure before the world had turned upside-down but she did because she had lived in Eden before the town had been renamed.

  She scanned the castle. It had been through a fire before the wars but there was no evidence left to prove it. The tower that had fallen had been rebuilt and four others had been built to accompany it. It was large and grand and though her grandmother had once viewed it with a wistful gaze as a child wishing that she could live there, people in Eden feared ever walking through the doors.

  "It's awful, isn't it?" Her sister Deandra said, gazing at the structure with narrowed green eyes. Deandra's beautiful face was turned staring at one of the castle's towers. A frown marked her brow. At fourteen she realized the punishment for saying such things but her fiery nature always showed through making her family worry for her safety.

  Serafina leaned toward her and whispered, "It's more so when you are faced with living in it."

  Deandra winced as she glanced at her sister, "Do you think he might choose you tomorrow?" she queried, studying her face, "Is that what you were whispering to mom about yesterday?"

  Serafina nodded and swallowed hard over the lump in her throat. She took a labored breath as she turned to Deandra, "Maggie thought I would be chosen," she said and then, shrugged, "If not me, it will be someone else with red hair."

  "Are you going to become the new princess if he chooses you?" Deandra asked as the black wrought iron gates opened allowing a carriage to move forward. Her green eyes narrowed as she awaited the answer.

  "What would you do?" Serafina stated and then, sighed knowing the answer, "You wouldn't risk banishment for you or our family. I won't either."

  The carriage carrying King Alastair and Queen Adelaide moved out of the gates. The king waved at his citizens who cheered though they didn't want to. His black eyes scanned the crowd, searching for anyone who didn't bend to his will. The queen sat demure and straight-backed by his side. Her blonde hair was combed into an elegant french twist. Her dress was of blue silk. Her gaze also swept the crowd but it was sad and kind. As she passed by, her eyes landed on Serafina. Her features darkened and her rosebud mouth whispered two words, "I'm sorry."

  Serafina blinked as her stomach twisted, "Did you..." She couldn't finish the question.

  "I did," Deandra said, breathless and terrified. She turned her gaze to Serafina.

  She was staring after the carriage unable to move as all hope that she wouldn't be chosen faded rapidly in its wake.

  ************

  "Breathe," Deandra whispered giving Serafina a pained look. She grasped her shoulders and stared into her eyes. Her fingers dug into her flesh almost to the point of pain.

  Serafina nodded but her eyes were wet as she let out the breath she was holding, "Maggie was right," the words flew from her in a shaky voice as she placed a trembling hand to her chest, "It's me he wants. I don't understand why."

  One of the King's Army made his way to them and Serafina blinked back tears and plastered a shaky smile on her face. Deandra moved to her side and mimicked her. Serafina took a deep breath and forced her head up but as she raised her eyes to the soldier's face, she relaxed.

  "Thane," she whispered, her voice quivered with relief.

  "I'm Lieutenant Fortier here," he stated, glancing around at the crowd. Though his voice was stern, when his eyes returned to her, they were kind.

  "I'm sorry," she apologized quickly realizing that again, he was protecting her. If anyone had witnessed her using his first name, it would be trouble for her. Worse, Thane would have to carry out the punishment. His gaze moved to her sister.

  "And you are?" He questioned. His eyes narrowed as he took in her face.

  "Deandra Malloy," she answered, tilting her head in open curiosity, "I'm Serafina's younger sister."

  "Do you trust her?" He asked turning his gaze back to Serafina. Deandra's face reddened at his question.

  "Of course," Serafina blinked before straightening her spine, "She's my sister."

  "Blood means nothing here," he said. His voice was soft as he glanced over his shoulder at his parents who stood a few feet from them before turning his gaze back to her, "You know that."

  Serafina's brows pushed together as she studied his face, "Loyalty does," she raised her chin and then, sighed when he didn't back down. She took a step closer to him and straightened her spine, "And she's loyal to me."

  He narrowed his eyes further, studying Deandra and then, nodded, "All right."

  Deandra pressed her lips together as she crossed her arms over her chest clearly offended. Serafina gave her a pleading look. She didn’t know why Thane was questioning her this way but she wanted to find out.

  "Come with me," he said, raising his brows. The suspicion on his face was gone. Still, his gaze was dark though pleading.

  Serafina glanced at the other members of the King's Army in the crowd and shook her head, "We aren't supposed to leave," she crossed her arms over her chest, raising her chin, "If we do, we'll face the gallows."

  "I remember a braver girl than this,' he said as his eyes swept over her face as if committing each of her fea
tures to memory.

  "That girl was facing the gallows alone," she gritted out as her eyes flashed, "This girl is trying to protect her sister. I won’t do anything to put her in harm’s way."

  "She can stay behind," he suggested. His jaw was set as he squared his shoulders, "But I still need to speak to you...Even if she follows along."

  "What about the King's Army?" Serafina frowned as she took note of where each stood.

  "Don’t worry about them. They have been instructed not to touch you," he said and glanced at Deandra, "However, your sister is not under that order."

  Serafina stared at him in disbelief but something told her he was telling the truth. She nodded before she turned to Deandra, "You have to stay here."

  Deandra opened her mouth to protest but Serafina raised her hand, "Deandra, don't argue," she said, "Please."

  Deandra stared at her for a few moments before nodding, "Okay," she relented, taking a shaky breath. She gave Thane a dark look before turning back to Serafina, "But be safe."

  Serafina glanced at Thane hoping for a sign that she would be safe but she could find no clue of that. Still, she turned back to Deandra, "Of course, I will," she whispered and then, turned to Thane. She raised a brow, "Lead the way, Lieutenant Fortier."

  He nodded once as he turned making his way through the crowd with Serafina following close behind him.

  **********

  Thane led Serafina to an unused part of town. Though cameras still dotted the way, she doubted they worked because the red lights no longer blinked and the cameras no longer turned. She stared at Thane's back as he led her further from the square, finally reaching a border wall. He touched the smooth concrete before turning to Serafina.

  She studied his face with a frown marking her brow, "What did you need to speak with me about?"

  He shifted on his feet before taking a deep breath, "You are being viewed by the Prince tomorrow."