Electus (Regnum Series Book 1) (27 page)

Quade stands up and walks over to speak, he gives Fera a brief hug, before she returns to her seat. He smiles politely at everyone, then turns to wink at Tia. “I knew Osborn for a couple years as my best friend’s father. He always treated me as one of his own.

“The one memory that sticks out in my mind was the one afternoon when I came to visit his daughter. Osborn told me that Tia went out with her uncle, but would return shortly. As always, he invited me in and offered me a drink or some food. He had a way of making anyone feel welcomed.

"I sat down on the couch, next to him, and he said, 'I'm glad that Tia found such good friend. You seem like you would do anything for her.’ I responded, ‘Yes, actually, I would.’

“Then, he stood up and grabbed a key from his desk drawer. He told me, 'I know about your father and his drinking problem. Things, I'm sure, become difficult at home from time to time. You know that you are always welcome here, but if you feel that there is a time in which you need to get away, don’t be afraid to use this.’ He handed me the key.

“I just stared at him, unsure what it was for. Then, as if he read my mind, he responded, ‘Three miles from here, back in the woods, is a cabin. It's yours to use if you need it. One condition though, you can't tell Tia or anyone else how you found it.'

"I was blown away. Before I could say anything, Tia walked through the door and I had to place the key in my pocket.” Quade stares at Tia. "I never got to thank him." He throws the key into the hole. "Thank you, Mr. Trumble.”

He sits down next to Daniel and Nathan. Tia stands before everyone, her hands clasping tightly to the bear. Her eyes are glowing as she speaks.

"My father was a million things to so many people. To me, as a child, he was my hero. When I was five, we were strolling through the park, one afternoon. I remember telling him that I didn't want to leave the house without my bear, even though he advised against it. As usual, he caved and let the stuffed animal tag along.

"We walked towards a small pond where we could feed ducks. I dropped the bear in the water and Osborn, my father, rolled up his sleeves and reached in. He grabbed it just moments before it sank to the bottom.” She stares at the bear, tears cascading down her cheeks, then tosses it on top of the other items in the hole.

"Thank you for sacrificing everything for me." She is too shaken to continue and sits down in her seat, next to Fera, who consoles her.

"Well, I guess that's everyone," Edwin states, grabbing the shovel.

"Wait. I have a few words,” Javan stands, everyone stares at him. Tia wonders what Javan would have to say. He didn't really know her father that well. He walks over to the trellis to speak.

"When I was eighteen, I ran away from home. Somehow, I ended up in Urbi. I wasn't sure where to go, so I searched for the only person I knew here.” Javan glances at Edwin.

"When I showed up at the door, it was pouring down rain. I was expecting my brother to answer, instead it was a young blonde girl." Tia watches Javan, he returns her glance and doesn't take his eyes off of her.

"Edwin came rushing into the room. He was afraid I would blow his cover to their daughter Tia. Moments later, Osborn pulled into the driveway. I think he was just as surprised to see me, as Edwin was. Though it was the first time Osborn met me, he knew right away who I was.

“I told Edwin that I could not go back home and live with that awful man mother married. Osborn wanted to help me out, but he was afraid it would raise too many questions for me to stay with them. Instead, he told me to climb in the car, and he drove me to the airport.

"He pulled this hanky out of his pocket and some cash. Then handed it to me, and advised, ‘Take the next flight to Elatus. When you arrive, find Frater Tersus. Tell him Osborn Trumble sent you. Give him this.’

"I thanked him, and he hugged me. Right before I left the car, I turned to him and asked, ‘Why are you doing this for me, sir? I mean, I could take this money and blow it, without you knowing.’ He smiled at me and remarked, ‘That's a chance I'm willing to take. I believe you will do the right thing, if you trust yourself to.'"

Javan pulls the hanky, that Mr. Tersus handed to Tia, out of his pocket and throws it into the hole. "Thank you, Osborn,” he peers up at Tia, his eyes, the same eyes that Edwin has, are now full of tears, "for everything you led me to."

Chapter 22

After they fill the hole in with dirt, and everyone collects their thoughts, the gang enjoys a large meal out in the yard. They line up a few tables, enough for all of them to sit. Tia feels her spirits lift, as she enjoys the company of old and new friends. She sits between Delilah and Quade. Fera is across from her, chatting with Daniel. Javan is down at the other end of the table, concentrating on his food. He doesn’t speak much during dinner, just makes pleasantries with Edwin and Allison.

Tia is still baffled that he is the mystery boy, who Edwin dragged away on her thirteenth birthday. She recalls the conversation from when he kissed her, the other night.
“I wanted to do that since the first time I saw you.” Did he mean back then?

“Your dad seemed like a great guy,” Delilah comments to Tia, pulling her out of her thoughts.

“He was the best,” Tia answers, swallowing her mashed potatoes.

“How did he die, again?” Delilah asks, grabbing some peas. Tia is hesitant, she knows that she is not allowed to really reveal what happened with her father in his final hour. She decides to play it cool.

“He was ill. Lung cancer, I believe.”

“Where was his body?” Delilah questions.

“He was cremated,” Quade chimes in, attempting to take the pressure off of Tia having to answer.

“Oh. That’s what they did with my grandfather when he passed,” Delilah responds. “It seems like they take forever to return the ashes.”

Tia is relieved that the interrogation is over. “So, are you going to introduce Delilah to the family, Nathan?”

“Looks as though I am,” he answers, grinning. He squeezes Delilah’s hand. Tia is slightly jealous of their relationship.
They know they want to be together and can openly show it, without any objections.
Her eyes wander over to Javan who is chewing his food, and keeping his attention on the table.

“Tia, Tia look,” Quade, nudges her shoulder. She turns to him. “What?” He flings a pea at her. “Really, Quade?” She raises an eyebrow at him, he flings another one towards her face.

“Oh, now it’s on.” She grabs a handful of peas and flings them at him. Then, he collects a heaping spoonful of mashed potatoes. “No!” Tia asserts, as mashed potatoes fly in her direction. She screams, at first, when they land on her face. Now, they have the entire table’s attention, including Javan. Next, she takes a handful of mashed potatoes and smashes it in Quade’s hair.

“That’s just not cool,” he remarks. Daniel laughs at him. His chuckle is met with a spoonful of potatoes, flung from Quade’s direction. Before they know it, a full-on food-fight erupts at the table. People are throwing everything they can find from their plates at one another. Tia never felt more carefree and child-like. As she dodges a chunk of beef, she glances where Javan was sitting. He is missing. Tia’s eyes hunt him down, finding him walking towards the back door of the house.

Tia sneaks the apple pie, intended for dessert, and wanders into the kitchen. Javan is watching the disaster that erupted, safely from the window. He turns to look at her, his demeanor relaxed.

“Don’t think you can get away this easy, Javan,” Tia remarks, trying not to grin.

“You think that I’m afraid of a tart, Miss Trumble?” he quizzes, holding back a smile, as well. “There is one flaw to your plan.”

“What’s that?” she breathes.

“You have to catch me first.” Javan jets out of the kitchen, through the living room, Tia right on his tail. He climbs the stairs, racing towards Tia’s bedroom then shutting the door behind him.

“You make this way too easy,” she voices, prying open her bedroom door. He doesn’t appear to be anywhere in the room. Tia approaches the closet, ready to strike. Nothing is in there, except a few boxes and hanging clothes. She feels the pie slipping from her hand.

Tia turns around to find Javan, snagging the apple dessert. He closes the door behind him. “Looks like the tables have turned, Miss Trumble.”

She smiles and walks over to Javan, just inches from his face. Her heart pounds, and her lip begins to quiver. With a swift move, she grabs the pie and smashes it in his face. He takes a glob and smears her cheeks. She returns the favor, smashing some in his neat hair. He rubs a handful all over her arms, pie falling all around them. This continues for several minutes until Tia slips, her back landing on the floor.

“Are you okay?” Javan inquires, leaning down.

“Yep.” She pulls him to fall beside her. They both start laughing, Tia snorts, causing Javan to laugh harder. He appears truly happy for the first time since she met him.

“The look on your face was priceless,” Tia howls, her ribs aching.

Javan catches his breath before speaking, “You are pure evil.”

He turns to her and glances at her lips and she senses the familiar knot forming in her stomach. His finger runs through the filling on her face. Javan tastes it. “Mm sweet," he comments.

Their eyes catch, momentarily. Javan’s eyes appear to be fighting demons.

"We probably should clean up,” he remarks. Javan stands and puts out his hand to assist her to her feet. Tia nods. The door opens and the two of them turn to see who is entering.

"I was wondering where you two ran off to. We are taking turns in the shower, then I'm going to set up the bonfire. Javan, you got a little something.” Edwin points to his face. He is covered, as well, with mashed potatoes and gravy.

"Yeah, you too,” he chuckles. Edwin shakes his head and exits, closing the door once more.

"By the way. Why didn't you tell me that he was your brother?" she pries, folding her arms.

"I didn't want you to think we were related. Not like you knew you were adopted.” He lifts his eye brow, then opens the door, leaving Tia alone in her room. She tastes some of the pie on her face. "Hmm, that is good."

Tia is last to shower. Since the others are guests in her home, she offers to wait for them to clean up before her. She throws on jeans and a t-shirt. Tia heads outside to join the group and enjoy the evening summer air. The fire is roaring under the starlit sky and there is music playing in the background. She smiles at the thought of her father.

"He used to love bon fires,” Fera mentions, sneaking up beside her.

"I know,” she answers softly, watching the flames crackle in the dark. Everyone is planted around the fire, except for Javan, who is still dressed in his usual attire.

"Why don't you get him to join the party,” Fera suggests, gesturing his direction. Tia nods and walks up to Javan.

"Don't you own any normal clothes?” she pries, glancing at Javan's dress pants.

"Like what?" he asks.

"Jeans, t-shirts, anything that doesn’t require cuff links.” He just shrugs. "Come on, I bet we have something in the house that will do.” Tia grabs his hand, its warmth radiates against her skin. They enter the house and head up the stairs to Edwin's bedroom.

"You should be around the same build,” she mumbles, releasing his hand. Tia pulls out a pair of jeans from his dresser and a t-shirt. "Will these fit?" she questions, holding them up to Javan's waist. He stares down at her.

"That will work,” Javan finally responds. Tia senses there is something something he wishes to discuss.

“Everything alright?” Tia probes, hoping he will open up.

“The night you were drunk, and I told you that I had a meeting, I was here,” he responds.

“In Edwin’s room?”

“No,” he smirks, “My meeting was with your father. He wanted to see me. He was concerned about you. Osborn made me promise to protect you. Last night, when they grabbed me, I thought I let him down. Not only did I take his life, I put his daughter in harms way and broke my promise.”

“It was my idea to go there last night, I don’t blame you,” Tia replies, a little hurt that Javan’s reason for being near her was because her father sought him out.

“Either way, I haven’t done a great job,” he replies.

“I think you did just fine,” Tia offers, hoping it will make Javan cheer up some. Javan gently touches her fingers with his. He glides his fingers over her arms. Tia absorbs his touch, closing her eyes.

"Look at me,” Javan commands softly.

She opens her eyes, peering into his. They still seem worn and broken. Javan removes his hands from her arms and grabs the jeans.

"Thank you,” he remarks, exiting the room and leaving Tia speechless, as usual. She heads out to rejoin the party. Nathan and Delilah are cuddling on a log. She sees Tia and flashes her a smile. Fera is chatting with Edwin, and Daniel is enjoying a hot dog. Allison and Jacob are both sipping their beer. Quade is two beers down already.

Tia sits down in a chair next to Quade and Daniel. "Want one?" Daniel offers Tia a hot dog.

"No thanks,” she replies, her body absorbing the flames. It’s a warm relief to a chilly evening.

"Where's Javan?" Quade pries, sitting back in his chair.

"I lent him some of Edwin's clothes so he could be more comfortable,” she answers, folding her arms.

"Did you help him dress, too?" he jokes. Tia turns and glares at him before answering, "No, Quade."

He doesn't respond, just stares at the fire. Javan enters the back yard with Edwin's jeans and a red t-shirt on. Tia can't take her eyes off of him. She has never seen him in any other pallet than black and white.

He moves over to sit in the empty seat beside her.

"You look more comfortable,” she comments.

"Yeah, this isn't so bad. It's been ages since I wore jeans, actually."

"Do you want anything to eat? Daniel is making everyone hot dogs,” Tia offers, hoping the tension between them can finally break.

"How about a beer?" Quade buts in. Javan glances at him. "Actually, both sound good,” he responds, pleasantly.