She bowed low to the ground, "No, my Lord. Ciara wishes to speak with you."
He laughed, genuinely amused. "Tell her my answer is the same. If she wishes something from me, then she may ask it when her part of the covenant has been upheld. Then we will see."
Usilet nodded, "Yes, my Lord."
"Before you leave — " He held out his hand for her to kiss it, "I want you to go to Caedmon. In dreams if you must. There is darkness in him, I can see the hatred in his eyes and it pleases me. Remind him how much Garren has taken from him."
Dismissing her, he walked back toward the pool, tightening his jaw as he saw the water, now dark and visionless.
"Make him remember, Usilet!" he screamed. "Do whatever is necessary!"
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
NINE DEAD
Michael pulled up Ariana with one arm around her waist, the other at her shoulder. The color had returned to her face and her breathing had steadied. He moved her shirt from her shoulder, exposing unharmed flesh. Her wounds were as gone.
"Ariana," he whispered, his voice wavering with emotion.
Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him, a dazed expression on her face. "Where am I?" Her voice was low, hardly a whisper.
"Adoria. You are home, dear heart." He half-laughed, half-sobbed with relief as he sat on the bed beside her. "Do you remember anything?"
"No." She reached up, noticing the injury on his arm. He'd forgotten about it himself. His wings were bleeding in several places, and he had a rather large gash in his leg, but he couldn't feel any of it now.
She gasped, her memory having returned to her. "I'm so sorry, Michael, I shouldn't have — "
He hugged her, stopping her mid-sentence. "Ssh. Don't be sorry. Had I been more forthright, you would've felt more comfortable confiding in me. I'm simply grateful that you are… Ariana, you were barely breathing."
Jenner was seated on the opposite side of the bed from Michael. "Child, I bore witness to this. It was he who entered and spoke life back into you." He stood, stepping aside for Ariana to see Garren.
To Michael's surprise, she recoiled into his arms at the sight of Garren.
"I haven't the desire to so much as look at him," she said bitterly.
Michael waved his hand, indicating for Garren to be taken from the room. He appeared to be out cold; whatever he'd done had drained him completely. Michael turned his attention back to Ariana as Jenner ushered everyone else from their presence. He didn't speak again until they were alone.
"I'm sorry about Sara. Forgive me, please, for not speaking with you more candidly. Know that she had no choice in the matter, her words were not her own."
"I know they weren't," she said, her expression wistful. "She's a hollow shell of who she once was. But she is among the living." Her countenance fell grave as she reached up to her left shoulder, rubbing where the sword had pierced her. It seemed to all be coming back to her. "What has he said to you?"
"It was not a short journey here. We discussed many things, least of which is his maternity. He is part Adorian; I saw this for myself as he entered without hindrance. The only thing that kept me from killing him in Eidolon were the Adorian words that came from his mouth. You were right on several accounts. He wasn't responsible for your wounds or the visions that you've been having. He has been experiencing the same, or so he claims."
The expression on her face as he spoke of Garren turned sour. While part of him wanted her to feel that way, the other part of him noted it as significant that her perception of him had changed.
"This is a new reaction for you."
"I heard things come from his mouth that felt untrue, yet seem without reproach. I recall well being wounded by one of his men and him coming to me as I lay bleeding on the ground, saying the only reason he wanted me alive was because I had knowledge of Adoria that the Ereubinians wanted. Did I dream that he stayed with me through the night? I felt his presence each time I regained consciousness, but at the same time I heard him say clearly as I speak to you now that he was responsible for the dead who were left outside of our borders. There was nothing but vile retribution in his tone, Michael. I witnessed evidence with Sara that he'd spoken for her as a breeder. Her lip was bloodied and her cheek bruised."
Michael brushed aside a piece of hair that had fallen into her face.
"Where was he when he said these things, when you witnessed this interaction with Sara?"
"Observance."
It took him a moment to realize she wasn't being sarcastic. "You were in observance? How did you go unnoticed?"
"The humans wear white cloaks. I slipped in with them. It was easy enough. Besides, I didn't go unnoticed. There was a young boy who knew you, who discovered me."
"Micah. He was the one out of twenty-two men who we let return to Eidolon on our last run-in with Garren's men."
"Was this the ambush that Jareth mentioned? How many Adorians were there in the second party?"
Michael grinned sheepishly. "A little over a thousand. Give or take."
"My, it's a wonder you made it out of there alive!"
He squeezed her arm, smiling in return. "You don't know how relieved I am. The reason I asked where you were is because of some of the things that Garren disclosed to me on our journey here. I don't believe he had any reason to be dishonest with me when he said the humans who were slain were killed without his knowledge or consent. I also recall him saying that Sara was claimed by one of his other men. Aiden, I think."
She pondered this for a moment before responding. She reached for her necklace, only to remember that it was no longer on its chain. She felt for it in her pocket and realized, sadly, that it was gone.
"Your necklace?" Michael asked.
"That amulet belonged to Mother." She wanted to ask him about it being pulled, so oddly, from her neck, but thought better of it. "Sara called out for Aiden, while we were in the city. He's the one who chased me into the woods."
Michael recalled what else Garren had said. "He was also apparently the only one capable of catching you. Nine dead?"
Ariana smirked. "Did you doubt it? They may have the ability to selectively conceal themselves, but that doesn't aid them in their unwieldy choice of animals. Those horrible beasts are loud and awkward in their movements." Her face fell then, her distress visible in the line of her mouth.
"What is it?"
"You didn't come for me alone."
He shook his head. "No, I didn't, but Ariana, there are things that I've failed to tell you." He proceeded to tell her the truth about the day they'd found her in the old world.
"Oh, that. I should have told you — I've always been able to conjure a spinning ball of light at my whim." Her face held enough gravity that for a moment, however brief, he thought she was being serious. Then, her smile gave her away. "And you didn't think telling me something like that was important?"
"I've met many times with the council since your arrival, and the consensus is that you have powers that have yet to be harnessed. Father must have known. Whatever lives were lost in coming to your aid, they were given in service to Adoria. Whatever this is between you and Garren is not chance, but fate."
"Don't be mistaken, I still regard him as who he is. But I'm wise enough to see that there are greater things at work than what's readily apparent. He's saved your life now on two occasions. He was well aware of whose sister you are when he met you again in Eidolon."
She looked confused. "How is that possible?"
"When I took Micah back to his realm, I sent him with a message that warned Garren to leave you alone. I still believed him to be the source of your injuries from the dream."
"Michael, I didn't intend for any of this to happen. All I could think about was Sara and — "
"When Garren wakes, I'll speak with him, see what he can tell us about the humans. Find out what chances we have of saving her."
"Thank you." Ariana reached over to his sleeve again, shifting it slightly to expose the wound. "Y
ou're still bleeding."
He turned his arm to look at it. It really wasn't his arm that was painful; it was his leg, which had started to throb. "Yes and you need rest. I will walk you up to your room." He rose from the bed, holding out his hand to help her to her feet.
"Garren still believes me to be dead doesn't he?"
Michael nodded. He supposed so. From what he saw, Garren had fallen out just prior to Ariana coming to.
"Don't tell him then, that I am alive. I wish to tell him myself."
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
WHAT IF IT IS NOT A DREAM?
It was nearing afternoon. Ariana had slept most of the remainder of the dark hours and well into the daylight. She awoke to find Jareth by her side. He was battle-worn, with a broken arm and what he'd said he assumed to be several wounded ribs.
"I seem to recall you saying once that Michael wouldn't allow you in here no matter what hour of the day it was."
"I wasn't going to rest until I saw for my own eyes that you were all right. I think he'll allow me this transgression."
She propped herself up against the headboard. "I'm fine Jareth. Please go and rest. We can talk about all of this later."
He looked hesitant to leave. "Please assure me that you aren't naive. Don't put your hopes on Garren. I say this not only out of my own interest, but also for your sake. I don't want to see your heart broken when it's decided that he'll be put to death. And he will be."
She reached out, taking his free hand in hers. "You risked much, riding into Eidolon. You've been a much-needed friend and confidant. Thank you for that." She could see the disappointment in his eyes as she said the words. She was still too unsure of how she felt about Garren to respond any other way. "I'll be prudent. I promise."
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it before leaving her.
She rose to change clothes and saw Koen sound asleep in Kaitlyn's doorway. She hadn't seen the girl since before she left. Peering in, she found the room empty. Ariana considered leaving Koen to his dreams, but the sight of him made her heart ache and so she bent down and pulled him like an oversized rag doll into her arms. He'd been sleeping harder than usual and it took him a moment to wake up fully and responded to her affection.
"I suppose I owe you an apology too." She scratched him under his chin, laughing as he tilted his head back so she could better reach him. "Sara was there Koen. I saw her. She's alive."
Koen nudged her neck with his nose. If she didn't know better she'd think he'd actually understood what she'd just said and was giving his approval.
"I'm not giving up on her, don't worry. For now though, I have some questions that I'd like answered." She stood up. "And I'm not giving Garren a choice in the matter."
She chose a cream-colored gown, with a midnight blue velvet cloak to change into. The dress had white crystals sewn into the bodice, around the hem at the bottom, and on the sleeves. It would serve just fine for how she intended to greet Garren.
Once she was outside of his cell, she gestured for the guard to open the door. He carefully pulled a single silver key from his pocket and slipped it into the lock.
As the heavy wooden door opened, Ariana could see Garren curled into a ball on top of the small bed that was in the far corner. He hadn't touched the food that had been brought to him, but she could see that he'd had his wounds tended to. There were several cuts on his face, and a bandage was wrapped around his lower right calf. His boots were heaped in a pile on the floor, along with his breastplate and the rest of his armor.
She closed the door behind her as she walked into the cell. The temperature was comfortable to her, but Garren shivered as he lay sleeping. She moved into the shadows, standing just beyond the light that shone from the window.
"Garren," she whispered. He stirred at the sound of her voice. "Uskori mathro lestre ave nouromai." Her voice carried in the cell like the haunting echo of a ghost. He opened his eyes.
She stepped out of the darkness, the crystals on her gown shimmering as she'd intended, and continued to speak to him in Adorian. "Istho exist aeloro ghant."
He struggled to sit up and face her. Once he did, he lowered his gaze to the floor. He stayed quiet, making no move to address her.
"My blood is on your hands."
He raised his head as she spoke, tears in his eyes. It surprised her. This was not the same countenance that she'd witnessed in observance. His eyes were red and swollen, his handsome features stricken with grief.
"Can you say nothing in your own defense?" she asked.
"I cannot…" the words caught in his throat. "I reached you too late. Had I known that you were right there beside me, in the sanctuary…"
"You made claims that you were responsible for the deaths of the humans. Do you deny this?"
"Aiden was in the sanctuary. I believe he was responsible." It made sense to her now. He must have had his hand on Sara's shoulder to make sure Aiden knew who he was accusing of treason.
"You are not surprised by my presence?" As she spoke, he brought his gaze back down to the floor. He now sat on the edge of the bed, his legs bearing his weight as he leaned on them.
"I have seen you in this manner before. I assume it's either my delirium that's conjured you, or your spirit has come to release me from this existence. Or I'm dreaming."
She walked close enough to feel the heat from his body. She knelt down in front of him, cupped his chin with her hand, then rising up enough to reach him, she brushed her lips against his.
"And what if it is not a dream?" she whispered.
He remained motionless at first, his eyes still closed from their kiss. She moved her hand to the side of his face and he turned into her touch, bringing his own hand to cover hers. He sweetly swept his fingers along her skin, moving to her wrist. He lingered there for a moment, rubbing it with his thumb before reaching out and pulling her into him.
His kiss was deep, but soft. She let herself fall into his embrace, letting the strength in his arms hold her up. When he finally drew back, she was surprised to find herself in tears as well.
Garren stroked her cheek, smiling through his sobs. "You're alive." He sat back so he could see her. "I don't understand. I saw you moments from death with my own eyes."
She lowered herself to the ground at his feet and looked up at him. "I don't have an answer for that — I was hoping you might. You were the only one in the room."
Garren shook his head. "Whatever strength brought you back is not my own." He took her hand, held it to his chest. He looked weak and exhausted. "The look in your eyes when I caught up with Aiden — I wanted to tell you so badly that you were safe."
She smiled at him. "I know. I don't remember much, but I felt your presence. I knew I wasn't alone. You stayed with me through the night." Suddenly, she remembered it.
"What is it?" he asked, reaching down to caress her face.
"I dreamed of my father. It was morning. He came to me, held me in his arms and told me that Michael was almost there. I'd forgotten about it until now."
Garren withdrew his touch and sat back farther on the bed, a coolness abruptly spreading over his face. His change in demeanor was so sudden that it startled her.
"You shouldn't be here, Ariana." He looked away from her.
"I have nothing to fear by being with you. The decision is mine to make."
The tone in Garren's voice was more like what she'd heard in Eidolon and it chilled her to hear it. "I'm sorry for misleading you."
Words formed in her mind, but she couldn't get them past her dry throat. She reached out and tried to take his hand again.
He grasped her wrist, stopping her before she could touch him. "Don't you hear what I'm saying? Don't mistake my joy over your resurrection as anything more than what it is — a weight removed from a heavy conscience. I feel nothing for you."
At first, she could do nothing but sit, stunned. Finally, she wrenched herself free from his hold and rose to her feet, rubbing her wrist where he'd gripped it.
She stood before him, trying to say something, anything — but closed her eyes, reeling with shock. She swallowed back tears. "There isn't an ounce of truth in your words, but I will not plead for your affections."
She turned to walk from the room, pausing once she reached the doorway. "The council will convene in three days."
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
DON'T THANK ME
Aiden knew to keep his eyes to the floor, not because he'd ever been summoned to the Laionai before, but because of all the times he'd heard Garren reliving his first encounter with them. Aiden knelt down before them, his whole body tense with apprehension.
As the Laionai entered the room, a thickness entered with them. It was a corpulent dripping thing, tainted with the odor of decay. He felt his stomach turn. The closer they came to him, the more pressure he felt building up in his lungs, but he didn't dare breathe.
"And what of the girl?" The voice dumbfounded him. He raised his head enough to affirm his suspicions.
"But… you're… you're dead. I saw the blood on the ground where you were slain." The words fell clumsily from his mouth.
"Such little faith, Aiden. Did you think an ordinary Ereubinian would be able to gain favor with their eminence? With the Goddess? Did I not grant you back your speech by their power?"
"But — I don't…"
Tadraem rushed Aiden, grabbing his shirt, and pulled him within inches of his face. Aiden could see the sweat pooling in beads along the hardened lines of the priest's skin, the leathery look of his neck.
"Enough of your insolence," Tadraem growled. "You're blessed to be in this position, far more than you know. Why did you not tell me about the girl?"
"I was held in my chambers by Garren's men. I couldn't…" Aiden sucked his breath in, trying to control his shaking, as Tadraem pulled a blade from his belt and held it against Aiden's throat. The smell of urine flooded his nostrils and Aiden realized he'd wet himself.
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