The Eden Series: The Complete Collection (73 page)

“Here, let me,” he said when he was done, moving to sit behind her and gently taking the brush from her hands. He put one leg on either side of her, while running the brush slowly through her long strands. She relaxed, enjoying the feeling of his hands, which looked so tough normally, but were surprisingly gentle when it came to her. As he swept her hair to one side, he placed a slow, warm kiss to the sensitive skin behind her ear.

“Do you think Aziz will come this time?” she asked, tilting her head further to the side as he continued his kisses up the side of her neck.

“I doubt it,” he answered, sitting back again to continue his brushing.

“Why doesn’t he fight? Is this not his war as well?” she said, her voice betraying the anger she felt towards the mysterious third party in all of this.

She could feel Callum’s chest vibrate as he laughed softly. “Aziz is not a soldier, Rose. He is not used to the hardship of war like we are.”

“No, his role is to provide you with an undefeatable army, and yet he fails at that too.”

He laughed loudly now. “My Rose, if I didn’t know any better I would think you feel less than favourable of the man.”

“You never know any better,” she replied dryly.

He circled his arms around her, crushing her back to his chest. She rested her head against his shoulder. “Aziz is a complicated man, and definitely not an immortal. The last time he created those creatures, it took far more out of him then I think anyone imagined. It will take time for him to recover enough to begin again.”

“How do you know he hasn’t created them again? We know nothing of what he does. No one even knows where he is!”

“True, but when someone is your ally, you must trust them. I can only take what he tells me as being honest. What reason would he have to lie?” Rose could think of many reasons, but she knew none of them were based on facts, simply her gut feeling.

Instead of answering his question she asked one of her own. “Why does he push you to fight before he can provide you with reinforcements? He sends you on a mission where you’ll likely be outnumbered. He did it with Brutus too, and look what happened.”

“I will not die Rose, I promise you that,” he said softly against her ear.

“You cannot promise those things Callum. We’ve been through this before. Don’t offer me words that I will use to curse you with should they prove false.”

He chuckled. “Ah my wife, you are always so ready and willing to curse me.” She snorted, but remained quiet. “We will fight this war, and then figure out what to do with Aziz. For now, let us not discuss him anymore. I’d rather be doing other things with you then talking about another man.” She laughed as he quickly, and effortlessly moved her from between his legs to lay her out on the bed. He stretched out beside her, holding himself up with one elbow as he looked down. All his love was in his eyes, and she basked in it. His other hand rested on her belly. “Do you not look forward to being a Queen?”

She remained silent for a moment, caught by surprise at the question. She let it roll around in her head, deciding what her honest answer would be, but she already knew what she would answer. It was easy for her. “I only want to be your wife,” she said, putting a hand on his cheek. “I don’t care about titles, I don’t care about riches, I just care that we’re together, alive and healthy. I want us to grow old together, to see our grandchildren born. I want to have more children with you, and have a loving home to raise them in. I just want us to be happy.” The last part was said on a whisper. She watched as so many emotions crossed his face. There was sadness there, a longing for the same thing, and guilt. Always guilt. For bringing her into his life, one that was solely centred on war and destruction.

“I will make you happy, Rose. No matter what. I
promise
you that.” He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips at first, then deepened it as she brought her arm around his neck, holding him close. She let the conversation drop, and simply enjoyed the moment with the man she loved. The days to come would see many changes, and right then she wanted to be with him while it was just them, and things were as they should be. One never knew if that moment could be the last.

CHAPTER SIX

Jameson hurried along the halls. Most of his men were waiting outside, the sun having just risen. He and Chancellor Ottman had sat all morning going over everything that needed to be addressed before he left. He had complete faith in his chancellor and the High Priest, Alistair, to run the Capital in his absence.

The sky outside was grey still, the morning sun not quite at its fullest. It was cool, but he instructed everyone to pack light. It would be warmer in the south, and it didn’t make sense to carry more than they needed to.

Lost in thought, it wasn’t until he almost walked past her that he realized Diana stood waiting in the hall. Taken by surprise, he faltered to a stop in front of her. “Diana,” he greeted casually.

“Jameson,” she replied, addressing him informally like she always did. Her brows were drawn together, causing fine lines between her eyes. Her normally smooth features looked tight with worry. There was something different about the look in her eyes, and he didn’t like it.

“What is the matter?” he asked, a spike of worry immediately forming in his chest.

“I want to come with you,” she said in a determined tone. He gave her a searching look. She shift nervously under his stare, her eyes lowering towards the ground momentarily, before she looked back up to meets his, beseechingly. “I failed him last time Jameson, I won’t do it again. I know how you feel about me being near the battle, but I can’t stay behind knowing something might happen again. I want to be there in case he needs me.” Jameson didn’t need to ask who she was referring to. Diana had a strange bond with Aiden, one that Jameson respected. Her crystal blue eyes begged him to understand, her lips pursed together in anticipation of his refusal.

Slowly, knowing she wouldn’t expect it, he smiled gently at her. The tension in her mouth eased slightly. “You can come,” he said, surprising them both. He hadn’t known he would say it until he did. Truthfully he wanted her as far away from the war as possible, but he was smarter than that. Despite his own wants and needs, Jameson knew that there was a high possibility that Aziz would make an attempt on Aiden again, especially since he failed in the west. Diana was the only one who could send him back to his home if the need arose.

“Really?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper. Instinctively Jameson reached out to tuck a white blond strand of hair behind her ear. Her spine stiffened at the act. He tried to ignore it, and the pain it caused to see her react to him in such a way. Letting his hand drop, he smiled sadly at her now.

“I know what he means to you, so I will not deny you this. You are not to get anywhere near the actual fighting, but you may stay close behind in case we need help.”

Diana raised a hand to touch the strands of hair he had just tucked away. She didn’t even seem conscious of the fact that she had done so, he noticed. “Thank you,” she smiled hesitantly. “I confess, I thought we would argue about this.”

Jameson chuckled softly. “I gave up arguing with you a long time ago, Diana. It’s never gotten me anywhere.” They looked at each other in silence. So many things were unsaid between them.

Suddenly someone cleared their throat. Jameson turned to see Melaine standing a short distance away. The two women were so different than the other. Where Diana was soft, pale, and blonde, Melaine was darker, her raven hair pulled back from sharp cheekbones and accented eyes. Jameson and Melaine had been lovers for years now, but Diana still held a special place in his heart. The two women were never together like this, and for some reason, he became extremely nervous. Not that he thought either of them cared, but he could still feel sweat on his neck and palms.

“My King,” she greeted, curtseying gracefully in her elegant yellow gown. She turned her head and inclined it towards the other woman. “Diana,” she said lightly. Jameson swallowed nervously. He felt like a child again, caught doing something he shouldn’t.
You didn’t do anything
, he reminded himself. They were simply talking in a public hallway. There was nothing wrong with that.

“Melaine,” Diana greeted back, smiling at the other woman.
Did her smile look slightly forced?
Jameson wondered. He mentally shook himself. Of course it wasn’t Diana was the most genuine person he knew, and she had no reason to feel ill towards Melaine.

“I thought I’d come to see you off,” Melaine continued, turning her attention to him.

“Of course, that would be lovely,” he said in a calm voice, regaining his composure. He would not show these two women that anything was wrong. Because there wasn’t, he reminded himself again. He turned to look at Diana, returning to their regular formal demeanour. “Was that all you needed then?” he asked. He thought he saw her slightly flinch at his dismissal.

Diana smiled, and nodded. “That was all,” she replied. In a quick movement, she walked forward and placed a kiss on his cheek before stepping back again. “I’ll see you outside.” With that, she turned and walked down the hall, her slippers barely making a sound against the marble floors. Jameson stood stunned, wanting to touch his cheek, but knowing Melaine was watching him for a reaction. There was no way she would know that this was the first time Diana had ever done such a thing in over ten years. Perhaps she would just assume that was a normal exchange between them. With extreme effort, he turned to Melaine and smiled gently at her.

“Shall we?” he said, offering her his arm.

* * *

What is wrong with me?
Diana wanted to curse out loud as she practically ran out of the palace. It was supposed to be a quick exchange. She planned just to go to the palace, tell him her intentions, fight him if needed, and then leave. What happened? Suddenly she was in front of him, and she just didn’t want to leave. Diana had seen Jameson more in the last six months than she had in the previous ten years. It was having an odd effect on her, and she didn’t know what to make of it.

Then Melaine appeared, and something white and hot spread through her. She was
jealous
. The idea was almost laughable, and yet she recognized the feeling as soon as she looked at the other woman. Everyone knew Jameson’s mistress, but Diana always took great care to avoid meeting the woman. She didn’t want to face who Jameson spent his nights with, especially when she looked like Melaine. Where Diana was plain, and maybe pretty, Melaine was exotic and beautiful. She had thick dark hair, large expressive eyes, lips that were the colour of a ripe apple, and curves men would die for. Diana looked down at her pathetic excuse for a womanly figure and sighed. Jameson had chosen someone completely opposite of her. Did he even find her attractive anymore, or had he decided he preferred Melaine’s type?
Why does it matter?
She asked herself.
She
had made the decision to end things. What right did she have to feel sorry for herself now?

The worst part was that she had actually let her jealousy get the better of her. She’d kissed him! Her face was still inflamed by the action. Where did she get such nerve? Something had just been boiling inside her, and, for some reason, she felt the need to show the other woman that she had a right to this man as well. She didn’t, though. He hadn’t been hers in a long time. How did he felt about it? Diana could swear he almost lifted his hand to her waist when she had stepped closer. Would he have held her there? Would he have kissed her lips instead? These thoughts made her face flush more. She fanned herself with her hand as she walked towards the stables to prepare a horse. A few servants gave her curious looks. She realized she would have to spend a lot more time with Jameson during this journey. She sent a silent prayer up to the God and Goddess that she wouldn’t do anything else to further embarrass herself.

* * *

Wolf stood in a small alcove in the main hall of the palace. It wasn’t comfortable, squishing himself into such a tiny spot, but unfortunately necessary. The King had been very clear that Wolf was to continue to observe Markus while they were in the Capital. Something about the ruler of the south was suspicious, especially his sudden appearance here. Sure, Wolf thought bitterly, he could blame it on his interest in Elisa. But he didn’t buy it, and neither did the King. No man would travel that far just to propose. And how convenient that Markus should be outside his city walls when they are suddenly besieged by the north? Wolf simply didn’t trust him.

Markus was speaking quietly with one of his men. Wolf hadn’t noticed him do anything particularly strange this morning, but he wasn’t going to leave him alone just yet. Most of the King’s army was outside the city walls, already preparing their horses for the journey to Nysa. Wolf really needed to get to his own horse, but it was impossible with Markus walking around the whole damn palace. He hardly spoke to anyone, didn’t really go into the rooms, just simply walked. It was driving Wolf nuts. Was he remembering the floor plan of the palace, or was he simply just looking around?
What was he even doing?
Wolf wondered for the hundredth time.

“What are you doing?”

Wolf looked up into the confused face of his brother.
Great,
he thought. There went his cover. Taking a chance, he glanced over at Markus, and saw that the other man was indeed looking at him too. His hiding spot had been discovered and now he just looked stupid.

“You’re an idiot,” he mumbled to his brother. Moose looked temporarily offended, until his attention turned to Markus’s slow approach. When he looked back at him, Wolf saw the sudden understanding in his eyes, and the subsequent silent apology. Wolf shrugged discreetly to let him know he shouldn’t feel bad. Honestly, Markus hadn’t done much, and Wolf really did need to prepare to leave.

“Good morning, Wolf, Moose,” Markus greeted. His smile looked forced and did not reach his eyes.

“Markus,” Wolf nodded his head at the other man.