The Eden Series: The Complete Collection (130 page)

Aziz’s greatest creation.

The fire was spreading from tree to tree now. She coughed against the smoke billowing around them. “Aiden!” she yelled, trying to see through the smoke and tears in her eyes. “Aiden we have to go!” She looked around but could no longer see him “Aiden!” Where was he? More trees were burning now. She realized if she didn’t move she wasn’t going to be able to get out alive.

Elisa turned, heading back the way they had come, fighting against the burn in her throat and lungs. Her head felt light and dizzy, her limbs weak, but she pushed forward. She needed help. Not for her, but for Aiden. She could guess where he had gone, and it wasn’t good.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Night was falling on Capital City as Rose made her way back to the palace. The two guards assigned to her kept a respectful distance behind, as always. Their presence didn’t bother her, unlike the men and women who had watched her like a hawk in the north. Here she could tell that they were keeping her safe, not watching her suspiciously. They were both nice men, as were the servants who helped her.

People smiled at her as she walked, their eyes going to her belly with warmth and excitement. She carried their future king or queen. Sometimes it was hard for Rose to comprehend that. To her, she just carried her and Callum’s child. It was their future, their family – a symbol of the love they had for each other. But to others this baby was so much more, and Rose wasn’t sure how she felt about it. Mind you, she thought, at least she knew that no matter what happened while Callum was away, this child would always be safe. She knew the people of the Capital would do anything to protect their future leader.

Spring had slowly sprung in central Eden. Each day the air grew a little warmer, smelling of fresh grass and new beginnings. It was Rose’s favourite time of the year. In her home village in the north, spring would take longer to reach them than down here, but she could still remember the feeling of the warm sun and mild breeze on her face after the snow had melted. She would take her favourite horse from their stable and ride for hours. Her mother would always yell at her when she returned for whatever chores had been neglected in her absence. But her father, he would just smile knowingly, giving her a hidden wink behind her mother’s back. He understood her better than anyone. Rose always thought her father knew she was destined for greater things than their village life.

The truth was, Rose had never fit in with the other girls her age back home. At school she was friendly with a few, but for the most part she couldn’t really consider any of them
friends.
Outside of school she was always on her own, and she had liked it that way. For the past two nights she kept reminding herself of that independent girl from back home. She missed Callum so much, but the sensible part of her urged her to find her own place here without him.
What if he doesn’t return?
Rose pushed that thought away for the millionth time.

“My lady?” one of the soldiers called out, approaching.

“Yes, Samuel?”

He held out a caramel apple, somewhat sheepishly. Rose noticed his cheeks colour pink as she smiled at him. The sweet had become one of her favourites since their arrival. She was a bit embarrassed by the realization others had noticed, while at the same time humbled that he would think of her like this. “I thought perhaps you’d be hungry,” he said, clearing his throat. “You’ve been walking for a while now.”

She felt guilty then. It hadn’t occurred to her they might be tired or bored from following her around as she discovered this new city. “Thank you,” she said genuinely, taking the treat from him. “I was starting to feel a bit hungry. Is there somewhere we can sit for a moment while I eat? I don’t want to go back to my rooms just yet.”

“Of course, my lady,” Samuel replied. She followed him and the other soldier who rarely spoke to her. She believed his name was Gabe. They led her to a small water fountain. Rose sat on the edge and ate her caramel apple happily. Her eyes searched the stars above as they began to pop out in the night sky. Soon the twin moons would show their blue faces, and Rose would feel content to think of her parents and brother looking down on her as she slept.

“Samuel,” she called out, a thought occurring to her.

“My lady?”

“Do you bury your dead here?” she asked.

“Of course, my lady,” he answered.

“Even those lost at war?”

“Yes, my lady,” he replied in a smaller voice. She saw understanding and pity in his eyes as he realized what it was she was asking and why. “They are buried behind the Sanctuary gardens, my lady. Just the ashes, but each man or woman has a marker.”

“May we go there?” Her heart skipped hopefully.

“You may go anywhere you’d like, my lady.” She smiled thankfully up at him, then stood and brushed her skirts off.

“I’d like to go now, if possible.”

“Yes, my lady.”

The marker was just a small, smooth stone with Felix’s name and birth on it. Rose fingered the engraving gently, tears pooling in her eyes. If she had known, or even thought to ask before this, she would have been to visit him sooner. She wondered what Felix had thought about Capital City. The fast pace and crowds of people were so different than where they grew up. He would have loved it, she knew. Felix was a lot like her in some ways, and very different in others. But one thing they had always had in common was their restlessness with the village. Both of them always wanted to get away and see more of Eden, and now they both had. She more than him; more than he’d ever be allowed.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “All I wanted was to see you again, and now all I can do is sit here and pray that you can at least hear my words.” She leaned down and kissed the marker, letting her forehead rest on it for a moment. “Please forgive me. He makes me happy and he loves me. I wish you had lived long enough to see what kind of a man he truly is.”

Rose sat back on her ankles, looking down at her brother’s name. She would come here every day from now on, she decided. All she had wanted when Callum first took her was to reunite with her brother. And she had been too late. But she would not leave him alone again. He would have his family close by every day, until her bones were too old and weary to make the trip. Her hand rubbed her belly.

“I will tell him about you,” she promised. “He will not grow up knowing nothing of his brave and loyal uncle. And he will know you are watching him, keeping him safe.” She sniffled, wiping more tears from her face. “I love you, Felix.”

“My lady,” Samuel called out hesitantly. Rose dried her face before turning to look at him. “I’m sorry to interrupt you, but we have a situation that needs your attendance.”

Rose looked at him, confused. “What sort of situation?”

Rose climbed the stairs to the walkway on the city walls. Chancellor Ottman waited at the top, pacing back and forth.

“Chancellor,” Rose greeted as she reached the last step.

“My lady,” he bowed. She sensed his relief at her arrival. “I am sorry to disturb your evening, but with everyone else gone, you’re technically in charge of such decisions as these in their absence.”

“Chancellor,” she laughed. “I am a young, simple farm girl from the north. Surely you see how ridiculous this is.”

“My lady,” he said seriously. “You are Callum’s wife, and carry the future heir to the throne. There is nothing simple about you.”

Rose swallowed awkwardly, nodding her head. “What would you like me to do?” she asked.

The Chancellor rubbed a hand down his weary face. She could see the stress in the tightness around his eyes in mouth. She wondered how difficult this man’s job must be when he was always left behind to keep things in order. She didn’t envy him in the least.

“Our laws have always been the same,” he told her. “Only the King may bend them.”

“Then what is the problem? Just tell him no,” Rose affirmed.

“One does not tell the leader of the Sun People no, my lady. Especially not someone in my position.” He looked pointedly at her. Rose sighed, signalling for him to precede her. They walked along the wall to the platform above the front gates. The soldiers stationed along the wall greeted her and bowed as she passed. Rose decided she was never going to get accustomed to that.

“Lady Rose is here to address you,” Ottman called out.

Rose stepped up to the low wall and looked down at the army beneath her. Their black and gold uniforms looked dark and menacing in the fading light of the evening. Instantly she got a bad vibe.

“My lord,” she greeted, finding Markus sitting ahead of the rest.

“Lady Rose,” he called up in his deep, rich voice, “a pleasure to see you again.”

She nodded in thanks. “Chancellor Ottman has informed me you’ve requested entrance to the city.”

“We have, my lady. My men are tired from the long journey, and wish to rest before we join your husband and the King’s army.”

“I can imagine it has been a strenuous journey, but the laws of the city are that the gates close at nightfall and remain closed until dawn. Surely you are aware of this, my lord,” she replied diplomatically.

Markus smiled, splaying his hands in front of him. “We are allies, my lady. I assumed such a law could be bent for us. My men mean no harm to the citizens of Capital City.”

Rose looked over the army, the same feeling she’d had before still stirred in her gut. There were no friendly vibes coming from his men as they waited for her decision. They seemed tense, at ready to move on a signal. That didn’t bode well in her mind.

“I’m afraid with the King gone we need to ensure such laws remain. I cannot allow you or your men to enter at this time,” she declared.

Markus shifted on his feet. She could see the displeasure on his face even from her vantage point.

“You would deny shelter to those who fight alongside your husband?” he challenged.

“But you’re not fighting alongside my husband, are you? Our men left days ago. You are here,” she pointed out, “where you should not be.”

She could practically see the effect her words had on the army before her. None were pleased, and a few angry looks were being exchanged. Yes, she thought as she watched them all closely, something is not right here.

“Would it not be better to keep moving, my lord?” she continued. “Perhaps if you ride quickly, your men will reach the King’s army in time to aid them in their fight against Aziz.”

Markus looked up at her stonily. Rose smiled sweetly, her eyes remaining hard. “If your men need to rest, however, feel free to setup camp outside our walls. The men here will watch over you.”

He nodded stiffly at her, but remained silent. Rose turned, keeping her voice low so it would not carry down to unfriendly ears. “Watch them,” she ordered. Ottman nodded in agreement. “Let me know when they leave.” Rose suspected when they did, it would not be in the direction of the King’s army. Come morning she would learn she was right.

Rose walked along the wall, leaving the men to deal with their unwanted guests. Samuel and Gabe were waiting at the stairs, both tense until they noticed her.

“Is everything okay, my lady?” Samuel asked. Rose opened her mouth to reply when a sharp pain erupted in her stomach. She cried out, reaching for the wall for support. “Rose!” Samuel called out in alarm, the sound muffled beneath the roaring in her ears.

Two arms wrapped around her, helping her to straighten just as another pain lashed through her. She cried out, gripping the arms tightly.

“We need to get her back to the palace,” she heard Samuel say.

“I have her,” came a deep voice beside her. Suddenly Rose felt herself being lifted, one arm supporting her back while the other hooked beneath her knees. She moaned as the pain began to subside but not disappear altogether. “Move!” Rose looked up to see it was Gabe who held her, his face tight with worry. He had dark eyes like Callum, but his were much harder than Callum’s. His strong jaw was clean shaven, his black hair cut short to his head. Yet she could see the same strong capability she identified with all the King’s men. He looked down at her, having felt her eyes on him. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine,” he said firmly.

It was the first time he had ever spoken directly to her, and she instantly wished he hadn’t. Because even though her mind was clouded with pain and fear, she could see in his eyes as he spoke that even he didn’t full believe his words. She closed her eyes as another wave of pain hit her. Too quick, she thought. They were coming too quick and strong. She had months still to go in her pregnancy. She was only seven months along. Something was definitely wrong.
Please don’t make me lose this baby
, she sent upward to anyone listening above.

The jostling from being carried barely registered with her as she tried to breathe through each contraction. She could hear Samuel speaking urgently to others, but other than the feel of Gabe’s arms and his chest beside her face, she had no awareness of anything else around her.

“Hold on, Rose,” Gabe said softly. The entire way to the palace he had been whispering to her encouraging words. When she cried out from pain he’d grip her tighter, as if he were trying to take some away from her.

“Hurry!” someone called out. “Lay her down here, gently!”

Rose felt herself dropping, then softness was at her back and Gabe’s arms disappeared. She reached out blindly, grabbing onto his hand before he could leave. She didn’t want to do this alone, and for some reason he had become her tether in all this.

“Don’t leave,” she bit out before groaning against the agony erupting in her abdomen.

“Get her some water!” the same voice from before ordered. Rose felt Gabe squeeze her hand reassuringly.

“What can I do?” Samuel asked. Rose could hear the panic in his voice.

“We need rags, lots of them. And someone rush that healer! She’s almost ready!”

Rose wanted to protest. She wasn’t ready and neither was the baby! The next moments were a blur of activity. Someone was forcing her to drink some water while another put a cool cloth on her head. Voices were talking rapidly, but she couldn’t manage to focus on any of it. Throughout it all, she still had Gabe’s hand to anchor her. When the urge to push came she started to cry. She knew how unlikely it was for a baby to survive when born early like this. Many women in her village had lost theirs in such a way.