“Have any of you heard when we’re heading out?” Aiden asked. Logan was stuffing his face, so Aiden took the opportunity to change the topic.
“As soon as everyone is fed we’re leaving,” Wolf answered. He glanced over his shoulder at the other army. “Should be a pretty interesting trip.” They all looked over at the other side. A few men met their stares, but quickly looked down again.
“I thought they’d be more vicious,” Logan said.
“They know if they start anything, they’ll have to deal with me,” said a voice behind them. Aiden turned to see Callum standing there. He looked healthier now. After his injuries he had been pale and tired looking, but he seemed to have regained most of his colour back. His long, brown hair was tied back off his face, and he wore a simple leather vest that bared his strong, tanned arms. He looked intimidating, Aiden silently admitted. He had never come up against Callum during either of the battles, and was suddenly glad for it. He wouldn’t want to take on this large man.
“Well that would certainly do the trick,” Logan said. Callum looked at him through narrow eyes.
“You remind me of someone,” he said.
Logan seemed to shrink under his scrutiny. “Is it the Captain? Because we get that a lot,” he said, motioning between himself and Wolf. Callum glanced over at Wolf who simply gave him a cheeky grin. The Prince grunted in what Aiden assumed was agreement.
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Elisa piped in. “I’m Captain Turk’s daughter.” She stretched out her hand in greeting, which looked comically like a child’s compared with the large one that encompassed it.
“I know,” was all he said in return. Then he added, “You look like your mother.” Aiden saw Elisa slightly pale at his words. She offered him a weak smile before placing her hand back in her lap.
“I wanted to speak with you, Warrior,” Callum said, addressing Aiden.
“It’s Aiden,” he replied automatically.
“Aiden,” Callum repeated. “May we go somewhere to speak in private?”
Aiden nodded, and stood up to follow the other man out of the room. As he got out from the table, he took a quick look at the faces of all his friends. They all looked slightly worried.
“Good luck,” Logan whispered.
Aiden rolled his eyes. “Come on guys, what’s the worst he could do to me? We’re all on the same side now.”
“If you say so,” Logan said, looking over Aiden’s shoulder at the already retreating Callum. Aiden shook his head and laughed, turning to walk down the row of tables.
Callum was standing out in the hall when Aiden exited the room. “Thank you for agreeing to speak with me,” he said immediately.
Aiden wanted to shrug it off as nothing, because for him it was, but he didn’t. Apparently it was important to the Prince, and he didn’t want to offend him. “You’re welcome,” was all he said in return.
Callum must have seen the question on his face, because he quickly explained. “I didn’t know what your reaction to me would be, so I appreciate your willingness to speak privately. You have only known me as your enemy. I can only imagine how difficult it is for you to stand here.”
“I don’t find it difficult at all,” Aiden replied honestly. “You have admitted your wrongs and joined our side. I don’t see you as an enemy any longer.”
A small smile pulled on Callum’s lips, but no humour entered his eyes. “I don’t think everyone will be quite as forgiving.”
“Eventually they will.”
He nodded. “I wanted to speak with you about Aziz.”
One of the King’s men was walking down the hall at that moment. Aiden decided to wait until he passed to reply to Callum. He also needed a moment to gather his thoughts. He hadn’t expected Callum to want to discuss Aziz with him. To be honest, he figured this was about the incident with the wind. He figured Callum was more direct than others, and was just going to ask him outright if he’d had anything to do with it. Discussing Aziz instead was a much better alternative.
They both waited for the soldier to pass. As he drew nearer, Aiden noticed him glance at Callum with a certain spark in his eye. A feeling of warning crept over Aiden just as the man purposely bumped his shoulder into the Prince, pushing Callum to the side. Callum straightened himself immediately, his eyes dark with anger.
“Watch where you’re walking, soldier,” Callum warned.
“I was,” he replied, stepping closer until his face was only inches from Callum’s. Aiden moved instantly to their side, his hand firm on the other man’s arm.
“Back off,” he cautioned.
“You killed our men,” the man continued, ignoring Aiden. “You’re no Prince of mine.” Then he spat at Callum’s feet. Aiden pushed him back further, trying to place his body between them.
“I said back off,” he said. “You are not to fight. Those are direct orders from the King. What you do now is bordering on treason.” Another man appeared, positioning himself beside Callum. Aiden could see the readiness to fight in his eyes.
“Leave now,” Aiden ordered through clenched teeth. The other man gave him a quick look before nodding and spinning on his heels. Aiden didn’t move until he was sure the soldier wasn’t coming back.
“Is everything alright, my lord?” the new man asked.
“Yes, thank you, Stefan,” Callum replied.
“These men are looking for a fight,” the man named Stefan said.
“Give them time,” Aiden said, turning to look at them. “Everyone is still coming to terms with us all being on the same side.” Stefan gave him a look of disbelief.
“We don’t have time,” he replied. “If we are to fight against the great Aziz, we all need to be able to stand together. I don’t see how this will work.” He faced Callum now.
Callum was looking into the dining hall, seemingly lost in thought. Finally he placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder and gave him a squeeze. “Perhaps you two need to start setting the example,” he suggested. “Right now I need to find Rose. Aiden, we will talk later.” Aiden got out a quick nod before the Prince turned and walked away, leaving him standing there with the northern soldier. He looked at the man Stefan carefully, thinking over Callum’s words.
“Would you like to join me for breakfast?” Aiden said. The other man looked at him carefully before slowly nodding his head.
“I will sit with you,” he replied. Aiden and Stefan walked back into the dining hall together. He led the way to the table where his three friends sat with their mouths hanging open. It took him a moment to realize that the entire room had grown uncomfortably quiet. When he looked around, he saw almost every pair of eyes on them, all with a look of trepidation. Perhaps Callum was even more astute than Aiden had originally thought. Apparently these men needed to see that it was possible to become one army with the north, and Aiden decided he would be just the man for the job.
CHAPTER FOUR
Rain stared at her reflection. Even in the dim light she could see the fading bruise on her face. She gently poked at the yellow skin along her cheekbone. It would be completely healed in another day or so, she thought. The marred skin was what was left over from a fight she had with men from the nearby village. Thankfully she had walked away with just the bruises. She shuddered to think what else could have happened.
Of course, the men had paid for what they had done to her. The distant memory of burning flesh still bothered her. She would never forget watching one of her attackers light up in flames from her own hand. She shook her head to rid herself of any more memories.
Picking up the silver brush Aziz had purchased for her, she began to slowly comb her long, raven hair. She wanted to look extra nice for dinner tonight. The golden gown she wore made her glimmer and shine like the queen she would one day be. Pearls decorated her ears and neck. On her right middle finger there was a massive onyx stone, cut to catch the light of the flickering flames. For some reason she felt the need to look perfect. Okay, not just for some reason.
She knew exactly why she was taking extra care.
Elex had arrived home early that morning. He’d been away for almost two days. The entire time she had been a ball of nerves. The two armies had come to a truce, and Elex had been sent to get Aiden.
It wasn’t that she had necessarily been worried for Aiden’s sake, because she hadn’t. She’d chosen her side. She had worried for Elex. It took a lot to admit it. He would have needed to fly beneath the cloud coverage, and she’d worried for his safety. It was ridiculous, she knew. And yet, when she had sensed he was near, due to their mental connection after he had fed off her, she had become extremely happy. Odd, considering she didn’t even like Elex.
His magnificent wings had come into view not long after she’d sensed him. Rain had risen from her seat, her breakfast forgotten, when she was stopped in her tracks. He didn’t have Aiden. In his arms was a small, beautiful girl Rain instantly recognized – the forest girl that had killed the Shaman.
Anger like no other had quickly burned through her. One hand had wrapped around the knife that lay on the table beside her. The others forgotten, Rain had zoned in on the girl, intent on getting revenge. But it did not come. Before she could get to her, Elex had lifted the forest girl back into his arms, and turned to shield her from Rain. At the same moment Aziz had come behind Rain to hold her back.
“Now, now, my sweet,” he had crooned in her ear. “Let us not damage the goods so soon.”
Rain could hardly focus on what he’d been saying. She knew he had still been talking after that, but it had faded in the humming in her ears. All she had seen was Elex standing there, his body protecting the other girl. The anger inside her amplified to a point she didn’t know possible. She had wanted to kill him too, just for daring to choose another over her. How dare he protect this girl from her! She had been livid. Lifting her eyes, she had met his, staring over his shoulder at her. He had looked like he’d wanted to say something, so she quickly closed her mind to him. She hadn’t wanted to hear a word. She hadn’t wanted to hear him again in her mind – ever. Betrayed. The forest girl deserved to suffer for killing someone important to Rain, and Elex had taken that away from her.
The knife had dropped to the floor from her hands. The sound of metal hitting the stones rang around the room, echoing off the rocks. Elex had kept eye contact but remained silent. She thought she’d seen his cold mask slip for a second, betraying a silent plea, but it was up before she could blink, and she had assumed she had only imagined it. Taking a step back, she had broken the contact with him and turned to excuse herself from Aziz. She hadn’t waited for his reply before running to her room.
Now, as she sat in front of the mirror, she could feel the same anger building again. She had only to think of the forest girl and her valiant knight, Elex, and her blood would boil. Taking a deep breath, she tried her best to calm herself. If Aziz knew she was more upset about Elex’s betrayal than she was about the girl being here she would be in a lot of trouble. Aziz was a possessive, jealous man.
Like the coward that she was, Rain spent the entire day locked in her rooms. Normally she would have spent the afternoon in Aziz’s study, learning the ways of sorcery from him. He never came to get her that afternoon though, and she’d been reluctant to venture out herself. It was a good thing, she decided. A break from all the books was needed. Plus, there was no way she was going to face Elex again and be able to keep her cool. She just prayed he wasn’t at dinner. If he was, then she’d deal with it just as she did everything. Hiding her emotions was second nature. With Aziz there it would be easier. Sitting up straighter, Rain started to feel more confident about the evening. She’d just make sure to stay with Aziz. Gods help her if Elex got her alone.
Rain entered the dining room just as the servants placed the meal on the table. Aziz looked up from his plate with an appreciative gaze.
“You look beautiful, Rain,” he said. She inclined her head in thanks, moving to take her seat. The chair was pulled out for her as she went to sit. Turning to thank the servant, she froze. Elex stood there, waiting. Without a word she turned back and quickly sat down, ignoring him.
“Are you feeling better?” Aziz asked, his voice hinting at humour. So he thinks it’s funny, she thought angrily. She didn’t see what was so funny about coming face to face with the person who had killed someone you loved. She had promised to revenge the Shaman’s death, and she wasn’t being allowed to do it.
“Slightly,” she lied, her voice tight.
“One day, my dear, you may have your revenge. For now I need the girl in one piece,” he said in a pacifying tone. “As soon as Aiden is within reach you may do whatever you please to her.”
Rain looked over at him and felt slightly better at the prospect of getting her revenge in the not so distant future. At least he understands, she thought. Would Elex try to save his new little pet again? Well she’d like to see him try. The next time she got within reach of the forest girl it would be the end for her. Making sure her mental shields were still carefully in place, she replied to Aziz letting her voice drip with pleasure for what he was offering, while rubbing it in Elex’s face.
“It means the world to me that you would offer me this. I appreciate that you understand my needs,” she practically purred, her words carefully chosen. She watched as they obviously affected him. Aziz’s eyes grew darker as he reached for his wine.
“I’d do anything to make you happy, my Queen,” he replied. She smiled, taking a sip of her own wine. Take that, Elex! She thought with a snicker.
They spent the rest of dinner talking about the lesson plan for the following day. He didn’t seem upset that she had missed an entire afternoon of practice. While they spoke and ate, Elex stood silently off to the side. Rain could feel his eyes on her the whole time, but she continued to ignore him. She didn’t want, nor need his attention. She was to be Aziz’s Queen, not his, she reminded herself.
At one point she thought she felt a small amount of pressure in her head, and couldn’t help but wonder if it was Elex trying to talk with her. Unfortunately for him, her mental shields were quite strong since her arrival in the mountain fortress.
“We need to build up your skills before the war begins,” Aziz said. He reclined in his seat, looking unconcerned and relaxed despite the talk of war. “I want you to be able to contribute to the battle.”
“I would like the same,” she replied.
He studied her closely. “Would you? Even though your family will be there?”
A sick feeling entered her stomach, but she quickly ignored it. “Of course,” she said, keeping her voice firm. “I will do anything I have to in order to achieve my goals.” Could he sense her turmoil? She wondered. There was always that doubt in her mind that she would be able to hurt those she once loved, but she knew she couldn’t afford to think that way. She had to be able to do whatever was necessary. Her father and brothers were no longer her concern – no longer her family. She stared over at Aziz, accepting that he was all she had now. Her life here in the mountains was all that mattered.
Aziz nodded once before pushing back from the table. “I thank you for a wonderful evening, but I must excuse myself,” he said, placing his napkin down on his plate. “There are a few things I need to take care of before I retire.” Rain instantly went on alert. There was no way she was being left here alone with Elex. She could practically sense his eagerness to be alone with her, and she was having none of it. She didn’t want to hear what he had to say.
“Would you walk me to my rooms first?” she asked, making her voice sweet. She’d do anything to avoid the inevitable argument with Elex. Even letting Aziz walk her back and suffering through one of his goodnight kisses. The expectant gleam in his eyes appeared instantly. She fought the urge to shudder.
“Of course I will escort you back,” he said, walking slowly toward her. His look was one of a predator watching his prey. The sick feeling in her stomach grew with each step that drew him nearer. The things I have to d
o, she thought. Keeping a smile on her face, Rain took his offered hand and let him pull her up from her chair. As they walked out she made sure to keep her gaze focused away from Elex.
Rain had just crawled into bed when she heard a knock on her door. Sighing, she got up and padded through her bedroom into the sitting room just beside it. Even with both large hearths blazing, the air had a bite to it. The stone floors assaulted her bare feet, sending chills up her body. When she opened the door, the hallway outside was empty. The usual presence of Aziz’s large beast wasn’t even there. She wondered briefly about that. Perhaps Aziz trusted her now, she considered. Taking a small step outside the room, Rain glanced up and down the hall seeing nothing.
“Humph,” she muttered. She stepped back inside and closed the door. Her imagination must have gotten the better of her. When she turned around she let out a yelp before a large hand covered her mouth. Her body was firmly pressed up against the back of the door. The fact that she wore only her thin nightgown crossed her mind as she stared up into the piercing blue rimmed, crystal eyes before her. Her shock wore off, instantly replaced with anger.
“Do not scream again,” Elex ordered. She narrowed her eyes, unable to reply from behind his hand. Hopefully the hate she was currently feeling could be read easily on the upper portion of her face. “Nod your head if you swear not to scream.” She pressed her lips together behind his flesh, reluctant to do anything he asked. After a moment she begrudgingly nodded.
Elex pulled his hand away from her mouth, giving her more room to move. Without hesitating, Rain immediately pushed at him with all her strength. Her unbound hair flew around her as she pushed him again and again.
“How dare you!” she accused, keeping her voice quiet. “Get out of my room! I do not wish to speak to you.”
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