The Eden Series: The Complete Collection (77 page)

He found Logan close by starting a small fire. Aiden breathed a sigh of relief, and started to move towards the warm flames. He needed to thaw his bones. Logan looked over with a quick grin.

“Morning stud,” he said, sarcastically. “I forgot how wonderful it was to wake up and see your face first thing in the morning.” His smiled widened at his joke.

“That’s what she said,” Aiden answered back, reaching his hands out towards the fire.

“Who said?” his friend asked, his face a mask of confusion. Aiden bit back a laugh, and waved him off.

“Nevermind.”

“Ah, it must be another one of your sayings from back home,” he concluded. “What’s it like where you’re from?” Aiden looked up as Logan sat down across from him. His face eager and curious. It was the first time, Aiden realized, that anyone had actually asked him about his life back in his world. The question actually took him off guard. He sat silently for a minute before responding.

“Well, it’s nothing like this,” he answered lamely. Logan remained intent. “There is electricity, and cars, and indoor plumbing, and life is all around much easier.”

Logan’s face lit up like a child’s, although Aiden knew he had no idea what Aiden was talking about. “What are electricity and cars and plumbing?” he rushed out excitedly. Aiden sighed. The last thing he wanted to do that morning was try and explain crap
he
didn’t even understand. He had never been good in science, and had no idea how to explain electricity to someone who’s never seen it for themselves. He tried his best, and explained technology as best he could. Logan seemed elated, and listened eagerly.

“Wow,” he exhaled, when Aiden finally finished. “I want to go to your world.”

“No you don’t,” Aiden said lightly. “I know it sounds great, and some of it definitely is, but everything there is also so hectic. Your world embraces nature and enjoys life. My world ruins everything we touch. We rush through life. There’s a sense of peace here that you can’t find where I’m from.” He looked around at the green grass and forests beyond, and breathed in the fresh, crisp air. It was true what he said, things were slower here, and Aiden liked that.

“Interesting,” Logan muttered. “Well, I think I’d still like to see it.”

Aiden laughed. “Maybe one day.” Logan smiled happily.

“I need food,” Moose announced as he flopped down on the ground beside Aiden. “My whole body hurts, and my stomach is louder than my brother’s complaining.”

“Says the guy who is currently complaining himself,” said Wolf dryly, as he appeared on the other side of Aiden.

“We only have time for a quick meal,” Logan answered, pulling out a pot from a satchel lying near his feet. “Unfortunately when I say quick meal, I’m referring to Tiny’s famous porridge.” Everyone sighed, except Moose, who, in Aiden’s opinion, was blissfully ignorant of what was to come. Nothing stuck in your mouth and gut like Tiny’s porridge. Logan put it over the small fire to warm up. When it was ready, they all ate their fair share, despite the taste. It would likely be the only meal they had for a while, and none of the boys were willing to pass it up.

“I don’t think it’s that bad,” Moose said after a while.

They packed up soon after eating, rolling their blankets tightly and securing them to their saddles. Aiden had been reunited with his horse, Ty, the day before, and the horse was still excited to have his rider back. His large tale swished happily as Aiden climbed onto his back. He gave Ty’s neck an affectionate pat to let him know he wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.

“There you are!” Aiden turned to see Lily running up. “I was looking for you,” she smiled. It still struck him how odd their relationship was. In a good way, of course. Despite the fact that they were not even the same species, never mind the fact that they lived in completely different worlds, there was a strong bond between them. He had never felt as natural and comfortable with another person, especially one of the opposite sex, as he did with Lily. Sure, in the beginning he had been wary of her, and maybe even a little scared, but that was only because Moose had filled his head with all that nonsense about the forest people. Aiden knew she meant him no harm. They had spent more time together and he felt he could trust her.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, breaking into his private thoughts. She titled her head to the side, watching him just as closely as he had been watching her. She smiled knowingly at him, which in turn made him grin a little bit sheepishly.

“None of your business,” he teased. He scooted back on the saddle to make room for her. Without assistance, she jumped up and snuggled back into his chest. She was short enough that Aiden was able to rest his chin on the top of her head when they sat like this.

“Lucky for me then,” she said, continuing their conversation, “that your thoughts are easily readable on your face.” Aiden snorted, giving her side a quick squeeze, causing her to yelp in surprise. A few men glanced at them curiously, but hastily looked away again. He caught a lot of the men giving Lily odd looks. They kept a subtle distance from her at all times. The forest people, as he understood it, were practically just legend in central Eden. Out west they were well known. This far into Eden was different. They rarely saw the preternatural people. To him, Lily was just Lily. She wasn’t any different than he was.

Aiden gave Ty a nudge and the horse trotted towards where Logan and Moose stood leaning against a large tree. Both were watching something unobtrusively. Aiden gave them a questioning look, and then turned to see where they were discreetly looking. Wolf was walking toward Elisa, who stood beside her horse. Aiden pulled Ty up beside them and waited.

* * *

Wolf watched Elisa intently as he casually walked up. It wasn’t until he stood beside her that she finally noticed him. She jumped a little in surprise. A strand of golden hair blew into her face. Wolf fought the impulse to reach out and tuck it behind her ear. She looked so pretty when she wasn’t angry at him, he thought with an inward chuckle. It was a rare time when she wasn’t upset by something he said or did. Her hair was longer now, reaching just below the middle of her back, and was sun bleached from her time in the south. Her skin looked lovely and tanned, and as always, she wore tight, fitted pants like the men, showing off every curve of her body. It was hard, after denying it to himself for so long, to admit how beautiful she was. Everything about her excited him; made him want to lose himself in her. Instead, he ran to other women, trying his best to deny the feelings he had for a girl who wanted nothing to do with him. But it was never enough. It never took the edge of the need he felt every time he looked at her.

He cleared his throat awkwardly, it finally dawning on him that he had been standing there looking at her for quite some time. A slight blush coloured her cheeks. “How did you sleep?” he asked.
How did you sleep?
Gods he was pathetic. Wolf cursed inwardly.

Elisa raised both eyebrows in surprise but kept her voice neutral. “Fine, thank you,” she answered, somewhat wearily. Wolf could feel a small line of sweat build on the nape of his neck. He had never felt so awkward around a girl before, especially not Elisa.

“It’s pretty cold out,” he said, holding out the cloak he was holding in his hand. “I thought you might want this.” She looked down at the offered gift, but made no move to take it from him. He stood up straighter, bracing himself for her rejection. She didn’t trust him, he knew that. Not only that, but she was still clearly angry with him. Despite her outward calm, he could see it simmering in her eyes. His peace offering didn’t seem to be working the way he hoped it would. For a moment they stood still, staring into each other’s eyes.
How had he let things end up this way?
He thought for the millionth time since he turned her away the night she had come to see him.
She
had come to
him
. Elisa, who didn’t show weakness, and constantly fought him and their betrothal, had come to him when Markus had asked for her hand in marriage. And what had he done? Turned cold and told her he didn’t care what she did, effectively pushing her straight into the other man’s arms. It hadn’t taken him long to see his mistake, but it was long enough. Long enough for her to accept the proposal and completely give up on what might have been between
them
.

Breaking the trance, she lowered her eyes and lightly brushed her fingertips along the soft fabric he held. He’d had the palace seamstress make it, and made sure it was of the finest cloth. It was a deep green, meant to bring out the green in her hazel eyes. Eyes that turned cold when she looked back up at him.

“Thank you, but I’ll be fine,” she said. She reached beside her into one of the satchels on her horse and pulled out a cloak made of black. Wolf could see the gold stitching of Markus’ crest woven into the fabric. “Markus already gave me a riding cloak. I can’t really see my needing more than one. Perhaps you can give it to another girl when we reach the south. I’m sure there are many down there that still remember you.” Ouch. Wolf’s smile strained. He could only imagine what it looked like.

He shrugged, resuming his usual indifference. “That’s fine. It was a stupid idea anyway. I told Aiden you wouldn’t need one.” He watched carefully to see her reaction, but if she had one, she hid it well. “See you around,” he said dryly, and turned to walk back towards his friends.

Aiden and Lily sat on Ty, who calmly nibbled at the tall grass in front of him. They watched him approach. Moose and Logan leaned against a tree, his brother’s face turned towards the sky, as if waiting from something to fall. Logan lazily cleaned his fingernails with the tip of a blade. When he reached them, Logan glanced up with raised eyebrows.

“What was that?” he asked.

Wolf shrugged. “What was what?”

Moose snorted, but kept his eyes to the sky. “What was what indeed.”

“Just playing the game boys,” Wolf answered, giving them his usual carefree smile. He gripped his heart in mock hurt, saying, “but it looks like the game is over. Can’t say I didn’t try!” He slammed the balled up fabric into Logan’s chest, and walked away to find his horse, Grumpy. The old brute was sure to calm him down. The last thing he needed was to have his friends remind him of his failure. What he had said was the truth. The game was over. Markus had won her, and damn if he was going to keep getting shot down in his feeble attempts to change that.

* * *

The group watched Wolf walk away, his body language revealing nothing of what had just happened. Aiden had been holding his breath the entire time, he realized, until he saw her pull out the other cloak. Then he let it out in a deflated whoosh. Lily had patted his hand affectionately, but everyone remained quiet.

“Game over?” Moose said now, as they turned away from Wolf’s retreating form. “Why do I have such a suck for a brother?”

“Must be in the genes,” Logan said with a grin, which quickly went away as Moose’s fist collided with his shoulder. Logan rubbed it after, giving his assailant a startled look. “That hurt,” he accused.

“Serves you right. One day that smart mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble,” Moose replied, looking quite pleased with himself.

“That day has come and gone my friend,” Aiden laughed. “Many times.” Logan grinned happily.

“Why do they do this?” Lily asked, to no one in particular. “Why fight each other like this?” Her eyes were still on Elisa, who seemed to be walking around with more clipped movements than before.

Logan let out a sigh. “They’ve always been like this. You get used to it after a while.” He pushed off the tree, and stretched lazily. “Actually,” he continued, “I think it would be rather weird if they
didn’t
act this way.”

* * *

The army stopped again for the night. Her father and the King had pushed everyone as hard as they could, and now sighs of relief echoed throughout the camp. Small fires were built and scattered around the field they stopped in. No one was to set up tents again, but luckily the day had proven warmer than the morning, and still the night air held a bit of heat. They were getting closer, Elisa realized. Normally it would be freezing again by the time the sun went down, but not where they currently were. She guessed maybe two more days, before they crested the hill that led down to the ports that would take them across to Nysa, the city in the sea. Her city now. She sighed, pushing the confusing feelings inside her to the back of her mind like she’d been doing for days now, and went to pick up her bow and cache of arrows.

Food was running low, so her father asked her to hunt for them that evening. The sky was still light with the last remnants of the sun, which would make it easier for her in the forest. Not that she couldn’t see in complete darkness, because she could. She had done many nights of training. Grabbing the cloak Markus had given her, ignoring another feeling that crept up now whenever she looked at it, she buckled the modest clasp at her neck and pulled the hood over her head. She’d be virtually invisible in the forest.

A forest at night was one of the most peaceful places, Elisa thought with a deep appreciation. Animals moved about, but there was a sense of quiet that was hard to find anywhere else. She moved expertly through the woods, stopping now and then to listen for any signs of game. She needed to find water. Even the smallest of animals needed to drink. Unfortunately she didn’t know these parts of the woods like she did the ones around the Capital, so she was going to have to try and find it by her senses. Hopefully the sounds of water rushing would give it away, unless it was a still pond. There was always the choice of smell, which Elisa had used more than once in the past. The scent of the forest changed around water, became richer, more fertile.

Or, she thought more reasonably, she could simply climb to a higher point and see if she could see anything. Deciding on that course of action, she soon found a tree that looked perfect for climbing, and vaulted herself up into the thick branches. The workout was good for her, especially after sitting on a horse for two days straight. She needed the hard exercise. That and she needed
something
to distract her from the incident earlier with Wolf. Her muscles tensed just thinking about it, and she had to force herself to refocus. Climbing was the best way to clear your mind, since one wrong step could leave you broken on the ground below. When she finally got high enough, she looked out in all directions, but couldn’t see water anywhere.