Eden's Mark (12 page)

Chapter Sixteen

              “Imagine the dragon you want to be and hold it in your mind. Observe every detail, feel what you see.”

             
I saw a smaller female dragon in my mind. Bronze, that shone blinding in the light, graceful proportions, talons lethal, peach-colored wings ready to feel the wind under them. The more I saw the dragon in my mind’s eye, the more excited I got. I didn’t even realize I had changed form until I heard the “awe” leave from Gregor’s mouth.

             
“You are amazing, Eden, did you know that? Truly a wonder and I am fortunate to have you as my partner.” He ran his hands over my bronze scales. I arched my back and opened my massive wings, reveling in the feeling of this mighty beast in which I had become.

             
I can’t believe I did this.

             
Just hold the picture in your mind and if you start to lose it, remember I am here helping you.

             
Gregor climbed on my back. I shot into the air rising higher above our meadow until it was just a speck.

             
I am going to show you where we need to go, you must remember to keep the dragon close so you do not change form in mid-flight.

             
I feel her, the dragon. She is not me, but is. Does that make sense?

             
I do not shift, bit I am sure Maiya wouldn’t mind talking to you about it.

             
The dragon has a name, Ryu. I can hear her thoughts.

             
I have heard that the animal that comes to you first is your spirit animal. Wouldn’t it be interesting if yours were indeed a dragon?

             
Ryu and I were one spirit and I felt her meld with my soul. I needed to talk with Maiya.

             
Are you ready for the location?

             
Let’s do it.

             
Pictures flowed into my mind, showing me the way to my family. I let the dragon take control and we shot into the air. I felt the joy of the beast as we zigged and zagged through the night sky. Her agility and lithe was awe-inspiring as the dragon twisted and turned.

             
This is such a gift, thank you. It is amazing up here.

             
I felt love and admiration flood into me. I should have lost focus then, but Gregor boosted me instead.

             
We sped across the sky, passing other winged creatures all staring at us in confusion. We flew on and on until a village materialized below us. The dragon began her descent and we landed in the middle of a clearing. To my surprise, no one really cared that a dragon had just landed by their homes. All the people went on with whatever task was at hand while I made the transformation back to my human form.

             
“I cannot express the magnitude of what you did. You are very powerful indeed, Eden.” I watched Gregor pull me into his arms for a kiss. When we separated, Maiya, Koren, and Val were staring at us.

             
Val raised her eyebrows at me, as if to ask, “When did that happen?” I gave a smile followed by my telltale blush. Koren and then Maiya embraced me, I was so happy to see everyone was ok.

             
“That was wonderful! How long have you been practicing a dragon?” Maiya was so excited for me; her voice was like a jingly bell as she spoke.

             
“Tonight was my first real change.” I said sheepishly.

             
“Truly a wonder! Fantastic, Eden, you have a real talent.” Koren and Maiya beamed at me.

             
“When you have time, I would love to talk to you about some things.”

             
“Yes, I think that would be a great idea. Shifting for the first time is powerful in spirit.” I saw her sparkling grin and joy washed over me.

             
I turned to Val, “How is Lex doing?”

             
“The wound looks better, but too much poison got in his system. He is still unconscious.” Val’s eyes glistened, on the verge of tears. I ran into her arms and hugged her tightly.

             
“Can I see him?”

             
“Sure, sweetheart.”

             
I followed my aunt through the village. It was bigger now than it seemed from the sky, and I was reminded of Native Americans by the way of the tribe’s living conditions. Each family had a hut set up made from tanned leather.  What I assumed was an insignia of each family was branded on the outside for all to see who belonged to the home.

             
We entered a home with an unusual brand on it. It started as two wolves facing each other, paws extended, smoke came from the end of the nails and twisted up and back behind the wolves, forming symbols that came to a point under the animals. When you stepped back, the whole thing looked like an intricate heart (which the symbols made) around two majestic wolves. I knew it had to be Koren and Maiya’s.

             
We opened the flap and went inside. A fire roared in the center of the home, surrounded by smooth green stones and white branches. I watched an older man throw a small handful of seeds into the fire and watched it blaze high, then settle back to its normal glow. Coriander seeds, used for sleep and restoration, that’s what he threw in, the spicy smell assaulted my nostrils in such close quarters. As I looked closer around the room, I saw smudge sticks of cedar, fumitory herb (used to banish), indigo, and other herbs used in healing, restoration, and protection.

             
I saw Lex stretched out on a pelt near the fire. He was bare-chested with only fur covering his lower body. His eyes were closed, but he made small noises as he rolled his head from side to side. I went to his side placing my hand over his forehead. Sweat pooled and dripped off his body, not from the fire, but from the fever.  I had never felt someone so hot before. Lex shook with chills and dug his nails into the ground.

             
“Uncle, I am so sorry. This is all my fault, if I had just stayed put, you wouldn’t be like this.” I let the tears slip out from under my lids, falling on his body. I stayed by him, weeping, for what seemed like hours. Midway through, everyone but the wizened man left me. My tears finally stopped falling and I sat staring into the orange flames.

             
I have waited to see you for many moons, Eden.

             
The deep voice in my head brought me up from my pity party. The man looked to be in his eighties with long salt and pepper colored hair. It hung straight with feathers and bones weaved in it. His clothes were cream leather, made roughly. A leather band decorated with symbols was tied around his left arm below his shoulder. The man’s skin was the color of red mud. He was small, yet his presence filled the room.

             
You know me?

              The old man stared back at me with eyes the color of summer grass, knowing more than he showed.

             
I do. I know a lot about you, Ánováóó'o neváaseo'ov nêheto'emané.

             
What does that mean exactly?

             
It means “girl who rules thus”. That is you, is it not?

             
He searched me for an answer.

             
I don’t know. I have been told that, but I don’t think I can do it. I don’t want to lead a nation, I just want to find my parents.

             
You have a tremendous amount of power in you. That power is yours to use for the good of our lands, or for
the bad. You must decide, but you fight alone. When the time comes, you will make peace with what you have to do. All of Ellethny has placed themselves into your hands.

             
I didn’t ask for this, I don’t want the responsibility. Look at my uncle! Look at what I have caused! I don’t belong here. I won’t be responsible for the lives in Ellethny.

             
My temper had gotten the better of me and I felt the burning of my birthmark.

             
Calm yourself, Eden.

             
Calm? you want me calm? I have no idea what I am doing half the time, and yet, I am here to save the world! How can I do it when I can’t even keep my family safe?

             
The tears came back and sprang to my eyes. I let them flood my cheeks as I looked between Lex and the man sitting across from me.

             
Your doubt ist understandable. You must realize, what happened to your uncle was not your fault. People get hurt, some die, these are the realities of war. No matter what you do, this will happen. In the end, more lives will be saved than the ones that perish. You are from this place, you were meant to rule.

             
You act as if life is something easily discarded.

             
No, young one, life is very sacred to my people, but truth is what it is. When the time is right, you will believe in yourself. Then, and only then, will you be ready to take your place.

             
What if I can’t? What if I never find that inside me?

             
Then we all will become puppets of the darkness.

             
Just like that, he was gone. There was no “poof” or smoke or anything like you’d expect, he was just…gone. I ran out of the hut searching for the man.

Chapter Seventeen

              “Did you see where the man went?” I continued to look around, knowing he couldn’t have gotten far.

             
“What man, Eden?” Gregor was at my side instantly.

             
“The old man in the room with us. He said things to me and then just disappeared.”

             
Val looked a tad worried, “Eden, no one was in there but us. Are you sure you saw someone?”

             
“Yes, he was sitting across from me by Lex. He threw things in the fire…you didn’t see him at all?” Was I going crazy?

             
Maiya and Koren both looked at each other in confusion. “Was he a small man, long hair with feathers and bones in it, and had an arm band?” Koren looked at me strangely as he spoke to me.

             
“Yes! That’s him! Do you know him?”

             
“This is astounding!” I saw that smile form on Koren’s lips and knew this was not an ordinary man.

             
“Eden, that was Bimisi, he was our chief, but he passed away over a century ago. They say his spirit shows to those at a crossroads. He gives direction and purpose to those without and aids those who are genuine.”

             
Maiya spoke up, “Whatever he said to you must have been important, take heed on his words. He isn’t one to show himself to those outside our people.”

             
“He was healing Lex, well, I think he was. I watched him throw coriander into the fire and he had smudge sticks and herbs. He told me he had been waiting a long time to meet me.” I wasn’t ready to tell them everything Bimisi had shared with me. There was just something in his tone that told me these things were for my ears only.

             
I gazed at Gregor, needing my rock to steady me.

             
What is it, my heart?

             
I need you.

             
I am here. What do you wish of me?

             
I want to go back to our meadow and spend the night having you tell me more about you.

             
I got a mental laugh
. We have plenty of time for that. Right now Lexington needs us. I am sure Valora has some questions for you as well.

             
Just as he finished that remark, Val strode over and asked to see me alone. We walked into the hut where Lex lay, calmer this time, on his pelt in the firelight.

             
“Aunt Val, how is he really?”

             
“I don’t know, kiddo. I have done everything I can, the people in this village have tried many things, but the poison is taking him. I don’t know what to do.” Val sank to her knees beside her husband. She placed her hand in his and sighed deeply. I sat next to her and placed my hand over theirs. These two people were my only family and I couldn’t lose them.

             
“There has to be something we can do. I will not believe this is the end for him. I will go to the ends of the earth until I figure it out!” Val wrapped her free arm around me and we sat together for a few minutes.

             
“So, what is going on with you and Gregor? You look…different. Seem…I am not sure, but there is definitely something odd.” Val raised one eyebrow at me waiting.

             
Gregor, what do I say? She knows something is different about me.

             
Tell her the truth, my heart. She will understand.

             
“Gregor gave me his blood to save my life. We are not sure how it happened, other than a crazy theory.”

             
“What are you saying, Eden?”

             
“It’s better if I show you, Aunt.”

             
“Show me what?” Her eyes narrowed and I saw a flicker of some kind of mom syndrome. That protective streak was radiating off her.

             
“Just hold still. This is going to be a little strange at first, but I promise it won’t hurt.” I placed my hand to her face and filled her mind with my memories beginning with the fight up until now. I did leave out the more intimate details, but she got the majority of it.

             
When I took my hand away from her, she half bent over and gasped for breath. “When did you learn that?”

             
“I have been able to use telepathy since we left home. I am still figuring out all the things I can do, but that is one of the easier tricks.”

             
“That was something else, Eden. I guess I didn’t realize how much you two had connected.”

             
“It was before I used his essence. The day I ran away, before we came here, I found him by a willow in the forest. That’s when it started.”

             
“I am happy for you. I hope he makes you as happy as Lex makes me. One thing I am confused over, when he gave you blood, it changed part of you? Vampires can give large amounts without it effecting people. What does he say about it?”

             
“He doesn’t understand it, either. We need to find Amend. I can’t wait any longer to find my parents. Too many things are happening that I don’t understand. I need answers.”

             
“We have been trying, Eden. We finally heard back from one of Lex’s relatives, Cane…he can be trusted. He is a council guard and overheard the Gelseys say Amend had been hiding in the Yoli forest. That’s not far from here.”

             
“If they know where he is, why haven’t they captured him?” It didn’t make sense, if they were so hell-bent on destroying this life, why not just take him out now?

             
“Amend is very powerful, my thought is they are afraid he will ‘port before they get their hands on him. Once Lex is better, we will go find him.” Val kissed Lex’s cheek.

             
“Aunt, I can’t wait that long. What happens if he doesn’t come back to us, or what if they capture Amend first? I must go now.”

             
“It is too dangerous. You cannot go at this alone, without a plan, or aid. It is suicide, dear.” Val used hushed tones, but Gregor and the others have super hearing and burst into the hut.

             
“She doesn’t go alone. I am going with her. She is under my protection. Eden accepted my vow, we are paired for life, and she will always have my aid.” Gregor stood taller at this. I loved how masculine he looked when he was defending me. My heart gave that pitter-patter and I felt the shivers move along my body.

             
“You what?” Oh, crap. Val was thoroughly mad at me.

             
“Eden, you didn’t say anything about that! You know there is no turning back once that vow is made and accepted, don’t you?. This means you…and you…you have…” She looked between Gregor and me. I could feel my face turn cherry red.

             
“Oh, Eden…” Val closed her eyes and lowered her head.

             
“What? I did this knowing what it meant. There is no other for me, ever. I feel him inside my very being. We were destined to be forever. I love him. He has helped me, defended me, and saved my life. I know he is the one for me! I can prove it too!” I stood up and locked hands with Gregor. I felt my mark tingle, the aura surrounded us immediately. It had shown so bright that everyone had to squint.

             
“Why didn’t we see it before?” Val looked astonished and worried at the same time.

             
“I don’t know. It has only been recently when we touch that the light has been there.” I let go of his hand and sat back down next to Val. I heard Koren and Maiya congratulate us on our union. I didn’t acknowledge it, my only thought was with Val’s reaction.

             
“I am sorry, aunt; I did what I did because it felt right. For once, I felt like I was actually following my destiny. I belong with him.” I gave her the most heartfelt smile I could to reassure her of my love for the man kneeling beside me now.

             
“Please, redirect your anger at me instead of Eden. I am the one who made the vow to her before asking permission. Do not think I did this on a mere whim. Accept my apology for doing this without consulting with you.” Gregor bowed to Val in humility.

             
Val looked between us and grasped both our hands. “ I wish you would have taken some time to think it over, Eden. You are young, you have time.”

             
“Why would I wait? This whole situation has aged me. I may die tomorrow, or Gregor may. I didn’t want to waste another day without knowing what it felt like to belong to someone that I love more than my own life.”

             
“I guess…I guess you have grown up.” Her hand touched my face and some fleeting emotion of loss registered in her eyes. “Promise me you two will be there for each other, no matter what happens in all this. Promise you will always keep in touch.”

             
“Valora, you know I would never do anything to disrespect you or Lexington. Marcus was my dear friend and I have only ever wanted to keep Eden safe. As she has stated, it was meant to be. I felt it as soon as I saw her as an infant. My life is bound unto her for the rest of our lives. I will protect her and keep her. She is my heart.” Gregor brought his hand over his heart and then placed it over mine. I felt the warmth spread in me as his did so. I knew I would forever be madly in love with this dark, broody man. “Besides, I could never just take her away without honoring your customs as well. Once we have sorted all this out, we will have the ceremony of the Magi.”

             
“Thank you, Gregor. Let us hope Lex will be back with us for such a celebration.”

             
“What is the Ceremony of the Magi?”

             
“It is a wonderful marriage ceremony that takes place in the light of a blue moon. It is wondrous and magical, literally.” Koren made me smile at the way he talked. Maiya kissed his cheek as his enthusiasm.

             
“I see, and when were you going to tell me about this, Gregor?” I gazed at his grinning face and tried to look stern, it didn’t go that well. I ended up laughing instead.

             
“Val, I need to go find him. Maybe he can even help us with Lex. It’s worth a shot, at any rate.” I needed her to be okay with my decision. However, I was going whether I had it or not.

             
“Eden, it is going to be dangerous, you must use your head. If you do this, you will have to use your gifts, even if you aren’t comfortable with them, do you understand? This won’t be practice.” Val locked her eyes on mine.

             
“I will be fine. Gregor will be with me, Koren and Maiya as well. I will be smart and stay safe, I promise. We will be back before you know it.” I hugged her and she squeezed me so tight, like she was never going to see me again.

             
“Valora, I give you my word, as a warrior, Eden will return to you in one piece. If I fail in my duty, I will give my life to you to do with as you please. Life would not be worth living if Eden is not in it.” He set his smoldering gaze on me and my stomach did its back flip in response.

             
“I will hold you to that oath, Gregor.” Gregor nodded his head and turned to leave.

             
“Where are you going?” I asked him before he got away.

             
“To see about supplies. We cannot go into the Yoli forest unequipped.” Gregor ducked under the flap and was gone.

             
“I will go with him and get a map in order. If Amend is out there, we will find him.” Koren, always so optimistic, followed Gregor.

             
Maiya came over to where Val and I were sitting. She placed her hands on our shoulders and spoke a prayer in her native tongue. “I am so happy for you, Eden. Gregor is a good man; he will be a good mate for you. Valora, we will do whatever we can to bring Lexington back from the shadows.” Very swiftly, Maiya got up and left the hut.