Unexpected Eden (7 page)

Try as she might, Lexi couldn’t get any traction for her thoughts. A decent cup of coffee would fix it. Or at this point, maybe a case of Red Bull.

Orla’s happy expression faded. “I’m so sorry.” She stood and put a good three feet between them, twisting her fingers. “I’ve completely startled you. And after the night you’ve had—”

“Wait.” Lexi scissored her legs, not an easy feat with her jeans still on even if the sheets were slicker than sin. “Maybe we could try again?” She stepped forward and offered her hand. “I’m Lexi.”

Orla took one glance at Lexi’s outstretched hand and beamed, hustling forward. “Oh, sweetheart. I’m not shaking hands with the woman who’s got my boy’s heart. You’re family now.”

Strong arms wrapped around her once more, but nothing gripped her as tightly as Orla’s words. Family. A steady warmth spread through Lexi’s chest and her throat tightened. Maybe Orla had misunderstood her involvement with Eryx. Or had a penchant for drama and romance novels. “You’re Eryx’s mother?”

Orla pulled away, a wistful smile on her slips. “No, Eryx’s parents passed to nirana many years ago. I’m the lucky woman who’s seen to him and his team of hooligans since he came squalling into this world.” She tapped the edge of the bed and bustled away. “You have a seat and I’ll get these things unpacked for you.” The woman might be past middle age, but she hustled with the energy of a two-year old. “If you want I can help you get a bath drawn before Eryx gets back. The tub in there looks decadent. Not surprising given Graylin’s eye for fine things.”

Lexi halfway listened while Orla pulled outfit after outfit from the case, none of which looked like anything from home. There were at least three simple gowns similar to Orla’s, a stack of leggings and tanks like the ones Galena had worn—all silks or cottons in bold, jewel colors. Right behind those came four pairs of lovely leather sandals with sparkling beads woven into the design.

Orla chattered about Graylin and Ludan, how she’d been surprised to learn of the cottage, and that she had plans to lecture her boys about keeping secrets.

It was hard to follow the finer conversation details and catalog the trunk’s contents at the same time. “Is all of that for me?”

Orla looked up, whatever she’d been talking about screeching to a halt.

“I’m sorry.” Lexi tugged at the hem of her tank top. “That’s just a lot of clothes for a few days.”

“A few days?” A wide-eyed blinky blink, but otherwise Orla stayed frozen in place.

“Well, I figured Eryx would bring me some things from home. Or I’d go myself and get some.” Or would she be going back? Could she? And what about Ian?
Shit!
She looked around the room for her purse or phone. Ian had probably left a hundred voice mails by now.

Orla waved nonchalantly and grabbed another armful. “Oh, I’ve got those right here.” Sure enough, she straightened with a pile full of Lexi’s folded jeans and t-shirts. She winked, shuffled to the dresser, and tucked Lexi’s clothes from home in the top drawer. “I thought you might like to give the Myren clothes a try. Evad fashions have their time and place, but Eden’s fabrics feel so much softer.”

“How did Eryx get my clothes? He doesn’t even know where I live. And where is he anyway?”

Orla barely spared a backward glance. “From your memories I suppose.”

Lexi stomped to the trunk and peered inside. “I don’t appreciate people rooting around in my head.” Two pairs of capris, a stack of shorts, not one set of pajamas or underwear. Yep. She and Eryx were gonna have words.

“I’m sure he didn’t mean any disrespect. It’s just his way.” Orla pried the handful from Lexi’s clenched fingers and neatly tucked each piece into the next drawer. “A person in his position can’t help but make snap decisions. Taking care of people is what he does.”

“What is his position?” Finally, someone she could get to talk. “He said it was a leader or something?’

Orla slowed, twisted slightly and met Lexi’s stare. “He’s our malran.”

“Yes, I know, but—”

“I see you’ve met Orla.” Eryx’s deep voice cut through the room.

Orla and Lexi jumped at the same time, though Orla looked a bit guilty.

Decked out in a fresh pair of jeans and a perfectly fitted gray t-shirt, he filled the doorway. He glowered at Orla and jerked his head toward the hallway behind him. “We’ll be up in a bit. I need some time with Lexi.”

Imperial with a touch of pleasant.

To her credit, Orla looked undaunted, glaring at him with an equal amount of bite. The two scowled at each other silently for a minute.

Oh, yeah. Telepathy. “It’s not nice to talk behind people’s backs.” She stalked into the bathroom and slammed the doors shut behind her the old-fashioned way. Hopefully, plumbing worked the same here as it did at home. Having to go back out and ask for help after such a dramatic exit wouldn’t leave much of a lasting impression.

Give or take a few odd levers, the concept was universal. Still, she took her time nosing through the Grecian-themed room complete with floor-to-ceiling columns and twining ivy around a monster claw-foot tub. Eryx deserved to wait. She’d damn sure done her share of it lately. Now that she’d had a few hours to sleep, she felt a whole lot less inclined to let Eryx dole out bits of information as he saw fit.

After she’d doused her face and rinsed her mouth, she pushed the double doors wide and froze. Eryx lay on his side atop the now-made bed propped on one elbow. A veritable lion sunning himself on a hot rock.

“I don’t like you getting in my head.” There. Better to get right to business and make sure Eryx knew his boundaries. His slow, seductive grin unwound a good portion of her anger, which only made her want to throw something on principle.

“I don’t see why not.” His gaze raked her head to toe and he blatantly stroked the growing bulge behind his jeans. “You certainly get in mine. And under my skin.”

Crude. And erotic as hell. Her mouth went dry and her skin prickled for touch. An invisible hand curled around her waist and tugged her forward until she tumbled onto the bed.

Before she could right herself, Eryx had her tucked beneath him, his hard length pressed against her thigh. “I won’t take your memories again. Not unless you allow it.” His lips brushed her forehead. “It’s actually considered quite rude to do without permission, but I needed something to go on before I approached you.”

God, if she could just think for a second. Maybe two. But his body…her wits couldn’t rub two thoughts together. “Ludan didn’t seem to have any qualms.”

“Ludan
is
rude.”

A laugh bubbled up from her belly. So light and unexpected. Free like when she was around Ian. “Point taken.”

He ran his thumb across her lip, his gaze following the action. Hungry. Focused.

If she didn’t start talking, she’d get zero answers. She brushed his hand away and tried to scoot out from under him. “We need to talk.”

He hauled her back in place, captured one of her hands, and pulled it to his lips. With a playful nip at her knuckles, he smiled a smile to melt chocolate. “I’ve spent years trying to find you.” He nuzzled the sweet spot behind one ear, and lowered his voice to a husky rasp. “My family’s busy doing other things, and your sweet body’s under me. The least you can do is let me touch while you interrogate.”

Shockwaves rattled her and her eyelids fluttered shut. He’d known her less than a day and he’d already found one of her top three magic spots. “I can’t think when you touch.”

“Good.” He dragged his lips along her jawline. “I’d rather you feel anyway.”

Her body thrummed, very much on board with his plans. “No.” How she pushed the refusal past her lips was hard to figure.

Eryx stopped cold, the languorous burn in his eyes banked by shrewd observation.

He’d been so playful. So light. “I’m sorry, I just want more answers.” She tried again to push away, but he only pressed his weight more firmly against her.

With a grip on her chin, he steered her face to meet his. “No sorry. Not ever. No means no.” He brushed her hair away from her face. “I told you we don’t play games here. I meant it. When something bothers you, you tell me. When you want something…” The heat from seconds before crept back into his steel gaze. “You tell me that too.”

Oh, God. Didn’t that leave an open playground for her eager mind?

Before she could realign her thoughts, he rolled to his back, taking her with him, cradled against his chest. “Now,” he said on an accepting exhale. “Ask your questions.”

Crap. So many. There were always the basics. “Tell me why you think I’m Myren. I can’t do any of the things you can do.”

“None of us can until we’re awakened.” So matter-of-fact, like he wasn’t rearranging her entire world while he drew lazy circles down her spine. “We’re born with the same abilities as humans, but around eighteen to twenty-one we undergo an awakening ritual. The parents choose the age based on the maturity of the child.”

She propped her arms on his chest to better see his face. “Why wouldn’t you be born with your gifts?”

He grinned and stroked her shoulder. “I’d call it The Great One’s safety precaution. You don’t want a bunch of kids flying around with fire and lightning at their fingertips.”

Well, at least he wasn’t too far ahead of her on the learning scale. He couldn’t be more than his late twenties, early thirties tops. “So you’ve only had your powers a few years. Right?”

Eryx’s eyes crinkled deep at the edges and his laughter rumbled to touch places she’d never admit. “More like one hundred and thirty-four. I was awakened at eighteen, which makes me one hundred and fifty-two years young. By your standards, I’m in my early thirties. We live four to five hundred years, barring unfortunate events.”

Well, didn’t that put a new spin on things? “Kind of takes dating an older man to a new level.” She traced the line of his sternum, the cotton of his t-shirt softer than silk. “How does it happen? The awakening?”

The lightness in his expression evaporated. Wherever the explanation was headed didn’t look promising. “The ritual is private, only immediate family.” His gaze grew distant. “The day before the event is a big celebration, as are the two to five days after.”

“Why the gap? Why not celebrate right after?”

The smile came back and his laughter shook the bed. “Because no one’s in any shape to celebrate until a few days after. The parents are wiped and the kid is amped out. It’s like chugging espresso every half hour, every day for a week. No one feels up to a party.”

“And you think I haven’t been awakened?”

Eryx nodded.

“You said I was lost?”

Another nod, this one slower. “Some Myrens, for a host of reasons, choose to leave Eden and live out their days in Evad. We don’t forbid it, so long as they keep the knowledge of our race from humans.” He paused a moment and a tickle fluttered along her shoulders—not the good kind. “I saw your history in foster homes. We’ll never know why your family left, but it certainly makes your Myren heritage plausible.”

All the answers made sense. So why did she feel like she wasn’t getting the Full Monty on information. “So what is it you’re not telling me?”

Eryx tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I searched for you for a long time.” So cautious, careful. “I woke up every morning raw from dreams as real as this moment. Now that you’re here, I’m not in any hurry to give you a reason to run.”

Shit. Okay, so not great news. Still better to know than not. She hoped.

He sighed. “If you’re Myren and you undergo the awakening, you’ll have all the basic gifts known to our race plus one or two unique to you.”

“And if I’m human?”

His jawline tensed. He sucked in a deep breath and held it for a handful of seconds. “You’ll die.”

Chapter 7

Eryx dropped from the sky and shook the entire manse with his landing. He stormed the castle entry, his gut a churning mess of irritation and grief. He’d wanted the dead warrior’s baineann found, to know she was safe and to offer his condolences, but the timing was shit. Leaving Lexi still shell-shocked from the info bomb he’d dropped was hands down one of the hardest things he’d ever done.

Ludan landed and held Eryx back by the elbow. “She’ll be fine. She’s a fighter. Trust me.”

“You think reminding me you know more about my woman’s past than I do is a smart move right now?” The threat ripped past his throat, part whisper, part growl.

Ludan had the decency to flinch as he released Eryx’s arm. “I wasn’t thinking.” An apology of sorts. Or as close to one as the Forte men ever gave.

It didn’t kill his agitation with the world at large altogether, but it did ease the throttle. “If she runs—”

“She won’t. She’s not the type to panic.” The sheer defiance of Ludan’s jaw left Eryx more than a little edgy.

“Something tells me whatever you saw in her head, I never want to know.”

“Wouldn’t be anything you could do about it now even if you did.”

The cryptic comments weren’t helping, a part of his subconscious plotting to rip the arms off whoever had hurt Lexi in her past.

One of the giant doors
kachunked
open and Galena stuck her head out. “Would you two hurry up? I can’t keep these two apart much longer and Phybe doesn’t deserve that bitch’s interference.”

Eryx downshifted. “Two? And who’s Phybe?”

“Who’s the bitch?” was Ludan’s follow up.

Galena held the door open and did a mock sweep of her hand for them to enter. “Phybe is the mate of the warrior who died. She’s in the parlor off the kitchen. It was the only place safe to store her until you got here.”

Eryx started forward, Galena’s rigid stance making his steps a tad more hesitant than normal. “And?”

“And your ex is in the formal receiving room.”

Ludan ground to a halt at the same time as Eryx.

“Oh, hell no.” Ludan spun toward the gardens fronting the castle with a backward wave. “Let me know when you’re done.”

“Some somo you are.”

Ludan paused. “From Maxis and any other fire-breathing demon, sure. With that viper?” He shook his head and resumed course. “You’re on your own.”

Eryx looked back to Galena, still holding the door wide.

“Hey, we warned you,” she said with a wise-ass shrug.

They had, but he hadn’t listened. Serena Dorez had seemed like the perfect diversion over twenty years ago, a way to ease the loneliness of his never ending obligations. In the end, she wanted one thing and one thing only—his mark. She’d take out an infant if it stood between her and her goals.

“Don’t call her my ex.” Eryx took off for the parlor.

Galena lowered her voice and fell in behind him. “I’m going with you. Someone needs to protect that poor baineann if things go south. If Serena interrupts, you can throw yourself on the fire-breathing dragon and save us.”

Sick as it sounded, a confrontation with Serena would be a damned fine outlet for the swirling pit of fire in his stomach. He hadn’t had time for his daily natxu, let alone a healthy spar with Ludan. Maybe it was time Serena got a taste of her own medicine.

By the time they reached Phybe, his heart had settled into a more reasonable rhythm. The baineann stood when they entered and dropped to her knees in the most formal of greetings. “Malran.”

“I think ceremony is the last thing required today.” Eryx guided her to her feet. “If anyone should kneel, it’s me.”

Phybe’s lower lip trembled, the pale pink color making her seem even more fragile. The skin around her eyes was puffy, and her pale skin splotchy at her cheeks.

His throat tightened and his eyes stung. Of all his duties, this act cut the worst, even beyond sending men into battle.

“Have you contacted your mate’s family, Phybe?” Ever the gracious hostess, Galena swept forward and led Phybe to a nearby chair.

Phybe bobbed her head, wispy locks of blonde hair framing her face. “His mother is all he had left, but I contacted her this morning.” She peeked at Eryx beneath her lashes then ducked her head. “I understand your men were searching for me. I shouldn’t have run as I did. I’m sorry.”

Galena perched on the arm of Phybe’s chair and rubbed slow circles between Phybe’s shoulder blades. “No one blames you for your actions. Losing the connection to your mate is said to be excruciating. I can’t imagine I’d do anything different.”

Eryx crouched in front of Phybe and grasped her cold hands. “I’m not angry, Phybe. None of us are. We take care of our own and you are most definitely ours.”

Phybe’s shoulders shook and an indelicate sniffle echoed through the room.

“Do you have family or friends from your homeland?” Galena paused, waiting for her to look up. “Perhaps you could invite them for a visit. Someone to keep you company for a few days?”

Phybe shook her head and met Galena’s gaze. “It’s just my mother and father and they’re older. Upsetting their routine would be too much for them.”

“Well, then you can come and spend some time with me. Do you garden?”

Galena was good. Always had been in these types of situations. Her easy demeanor always pulled out the best in people, even the most challenging of personalities.

Unbidden, the thought of how Lexi might handle such duties rushed to mind.

“I’m afraid I don’t know much about plants.” For the first time, Phybe’s lips lifted in a tremulous smile, her face wet with tears. “Those I have at home tend to run on the brown side.”

“Well, then I have plenty for you to practice with and learn. I’ll make sure to come by for you in the next few days and we’ll get you indoctrinated.”

“I’m sure the other warriors’ wives will spend time with you the next few days as well,” Eryx said.

Phybe went rigid.

Eryx sampled her emotions, careful to hide any stir of energy to give his actions away. A veil of shimmering gray hovered around her shoulders. Anxiety. Maybe fear. “Phybe, are you having problems with the women? If it’s more comfortable, we can bring you here.”

“No.” Phybe sniffed and wiped her checks with one of her clenched fists. “Really, I’ll be fine. I actually made a new friend today.” She hiccupped and batted away another tear. “Last night, actually. He found me and brought me home.”

She opened her hand and showed a tiny krocious flower mangled in her palm. “He gave me this.” A ragged sound jangled past her throat. “I probably should have cared for it better.”

Eryx picked the damaged bloom from her palm and twirled it. “It’s perfect. Just like you.” He tucked it behind her ear and tapped her chin. “I’m glad he found you and brought you home.”

Phybe gave him a shaky smile. “I think my friend was wrong about you.”

An odd statement. Eryx might have made some edgy decisions since he’d taken the throne, but most people approved of the changes.

Phybe smoothed out the fabric along her blue dress. “He thinks it’s a shame my fireann died keeping humans safe from a Myren. But I think you’re right to protect them.”

Eryx sat back on his heels. It was true not every Myren loved humans, but most viewed them as equals.

“Oh, there you are.” A dramatic voice rang through the tiny room.

Both Eryx and Galena groaned.

With a pointed look at Galena, Eryx stood and faced the worst decision of his life. “Serena.”

Unquestionably beautiful. An angel’s face with Satan’s heart. She strode forward and her formal green gown billowed out behind her, a ridiculous adherence to the oldest of traditions. “I can’t believe you didn’t come to see me as soon as you arrived.”

“I thought Galena told you to wait in the receiving room.” Eryx positioned himself to block Phybe from Serena’s view. The bitch wouldn’t recognize a fragile moment if she saw one.

“The receiving room is where unknowns wait for you, Eryx.” She placed her palms against his chest and exhaled with a throaty purr. “I’m hardly unknown.”

Eryx set her away. “Galena, would you see Phybe home? I need to handle this.”

The two hurried from the room without a backward glance.

A glow tinted Serena’s cheeks. “I’m glad you’re home.”

Praise The Great One, she was full of herself. He’d been gentle with her for years, opting for a soft end to their short relationship to avoid any bratty outbursts—not to mention keeping her highly affluent and politically minded family at bay. Now he had to think of Lexi. The last thing he needed was Serena trotting around the castle wreaking havoc.

He snatched her elbow and spun her around.

Her gasp cracked through the room.

“It’s time you and I had a candid chat.” He pulled her into the kitchen and two of Orla’s cooks scampered out of his path.

Serena tried to subtly tug herself free without tripping in her attempts to match his long strides. She lowered her voice. “Praise the Great One, Eryx. What’s gotten into you? You’re making a scene in front of the help.”

Eryx kept moving through the long dining room. “The help. That’s rich.”

Now free of an audience, she leaned against his momentum and jerked harder. “Let me go.”

He clamped tighter and plowed ahead.

“Damn you. Let. Me. Go.” Serena’s wild shriek rebounded off the stone walls.

The foyer in sight, he flung the main doors wide with a burst of energy and spun Serena to face him. “I need for you to fully grasp what I’m about to say once and for all.”

“I will
not
.” The late afternoon sun spilled through the doors to surround her in a majestic halo. “You’ll apologize for your treatment of me, particularly in front of servants, before we have any conversations.”

He grabbed both her shoulders and poured every ounce of frustration and anger from the last few days into his glare. “We. Are. Done. There is no us. There never really was and there most certainly will not be in the future.”

Serena flinched and then froze.

Shit. Maybe that had been too much, but damn it he was tired of tiptoeing around the topic. “I’ve tried to be decent and let you down easy, but you’ve refused to listen. From now on you will exercise the decorum appropriate to one of my acquaintance and nothing more.”

Beneath his grip, she tensed, and a mottled redness crept along her neck to her temples.

No remorse. Directness was his best bet with Serena if he wanted this done once and for all. “Are we clear?”

She edged closer, fearless as a cobra. “You dare to talk to me that way? Treat me this way in front of subordinates? I waited for you. Made myself a laughingstock. And you think you can speak to me like this?” She eased back and straightened, a demented gleam settling in her otherwise pretty gaze. “I’ll find a way to make you pay for what you’ve done to me. One way or another, you’ll hurt as you’ve hurt me.” With the regal bearing of a long-standing queen, she glided out the door.

Yeah, definitely right to be direct. The woman was insane. Pretty, but a nut job all the same.

He set out in search of Ludan. Full disclosure with Lexi and a three-man security detail might not be a bad idea for the foreseeable future.