Kiran laughed louder at Talbott, turning his turquoise eyes down to me. “Just because we’re equals in the Rebellion, he thinks he can disrespect me now!”
I laughed with him, filling with pride at Kiran’s change of perspective in equality since the first time I met him. He had changed; he had become the most amazing, wonderful man. I would have loved him anyway, but now nothing could stop me from him.
“I think he’s right though,” I relented, struggling to sit up in my black silk dress.
“I know he is,” Kiran grumbled, scooting over to pull me into his arms. “But I would much rather stay here with you.” He made a trail of kisses from my collar bone to my ear and I shivered under his gentle touch.
“You are a bad influence on me!” I teased, turning my face so that he could make his way along my jaw line to my mouth. “And here I thought you were a reformed sinner….” I whispered between kisses.
“In some things, maybe. But when it comes to you….” He pushed me down on the bed and kneeled over me, like a lion getting ready to pounce. His shirt, still unbuttoned, hung precariously open to reveal his tanned, well-built chest. I couldn’t stop my heart from beating rapidly at the sight of him, my pulse thrumming loudly in my ears.
“Kiran!” Talbott hollered from the other room.
Kiran rolled his eyes, looked over at the bedroom door and slammed it with his magic. His eyes fell back on me, mischievous and passionate. I knew I had to intervene or I would never leave this bedroom.
I rolled quickly to the side, and jumped from the bed before he could make me forget why leaving the bedroom was so important anyway. I scurried to the bathroom and shut the door so he would be hindered from following me. I could hear him laughing at me from the bed, and cursing Talbott good-naturedly.
I smiled into the mirror, finally recognizing happiness on my face. It had been a long time since I felt so at peace, so joyful. But the girl staring back at me seemed familiar, for the first time in a long time. I recognized her, without a year of hardship aging her eyes, and frown lines depressing her expression. I recognized this seventeen-year-old, and was happy to see her again.
I tidied my side ponytail, making sure it covered my glowing tattoo strategically. And then I straightened my evening gown of the make-out induced wrinkles. My dress was more youthful than I was used to and I loved it. The low cut neckline pleated into a vee, which ended at a wide pleated sash around my waist. The sash tied in a bow on my side and accentuated my figure I had come to appreciate over the last year. The back of the gown, dipped down identically and the dress flared into a bubble skirt and ended somewhere a little below mid-thigh.
I touched up my makeup and then fingered the onyx necklace that lay around my neck. I took a breath. I had Kiran now; I promised myself there wasn’t anything to worry about. But tonight, the entire kingdom would be together for the evening feast and I had a foreboding feeling I couldn’t shake off.
Last year’s festivities started with Lilly’s trial and me barging into the courtroom demanding that they set her free. I couldn’t believe only a year passed between my first run in with Lucan and now. So much had happened between now and then, that tonight’s celebration felt eerily like a conclusion.
I shook my head, dismissing my absurd fears and tried to breathe easier. Tonight would be another routine performance of Lucan’s crowning jewel, only tonight there would be nothing pretend between Kiran and I. I left the bathroom and walked straight to Kiran, needing his comforting strength.
“What’s wrong?” Kiran asked, feeling my nerves.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Something doesn’t feel right.”
Kiran pulled me into a tighter hug. His magic wrapped around me, comforting my raw nerves. “About tonight?” Kiran asked.
“I don’t know,” I sighed.
A knock at the door received all of our attention and Talbott opened it for Jedrec.
“His majesty is waiting, Your Highness,” Jedrec addressed Kiran with a bow.
“Of course,” Kiran nodded in acknowledgement. “Are you ready, Love?” He held out his elbow to me and I took it, fighting the nerves that wanted so desperately to take over.
We walked down the tower stairs and toward the courtyard where long tables decorated with rich, red table cloths and fall flower arrangements of sunflowers and marigolds sitting under the setting sun. Last fall, the autumn air had been bitterly cold, and the wind had whipped with promises of winter, but this year an Indian summer still warmed the night and orange, and golden trees that blanketed the mountainside moved with a gentle breeze.
Eden, something’s wrong. Avalon’s voice echoed in my head. I tensed next to Kiran, feeling the wave of panic from Avalon flood my veins.
What do you mean? I demanded, plastering a smile on my face for the Immortals that had turned to watch our entrance.
Nobody’s here. I just got back, and I was supposed to meet Jericho and Gabriel, but nobody is here. The safe-house is empty. Avalon’s panic immediately turned to adrenaline as he started going through all of the possibilities.
Could they already be here? Weren’t you going to run surveillance? I asked, trying to stay calm as we made our way across the crowded square. Kiran looked down at me, his expression tinged with worry.
Yes, we were. But those two were supposed to wait for me. And now that I think about it, I
haven’t heard from anyone in two days. I thought maybe it was because I was on assignment back in Omaha, and they were deferring to Jericho. But something seems off…. Avalon’s brain ticked away with scenario after scenario, all leading to terrifying conclusions.
Avalon what do you think happened? I demanded, tired of being a part of his internal deathly-situation check-off list.
I don’t know. He admitted, gruffly. But I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’m with you Eden, if anything happens, I’ll be there soon. He assured me, and despite his worry, I felt proud of his confidence in me.
Ok, hurry! I pleaded, feeling his heightened sense of urgency.
Kiran escorted me to the head table, where Lucan sat with Analisa at his side. Bianca and Jean Pierre also were there, with Amelia, Sebastian and Seraphina. The square was packed with Immortals, thousands of them. This was almost the entire Immortal community. Everyone except the Resistance.
I shuddered, involuntarily though, the feeling that the Resistance was here nagged at the back of my neck. Kiran’s arm stiffened next to me, and I could feel his reluctance to let go when he pulled the chair out so I could sit down. Sebastian and Seraphina gave me worried glances from across the table, and I knew I had to pull it together. They were my friends and could tell when something bothered me, but the entire Immortal community had their eyes on me right now. It was time to produce the acting skills I had become so adept with.
The feast began with a toast from Lucan who seemed in an exceptionally good mood. His light-heartedness and brightened eyes only encouraged my feelings of anxiety and foreshadowing.
Food was brought out on silver platters and the guests were served by lesser Immortals, bound to work in the castle. For the first time, I wondered who was forced to be the servants inside this castle. Lilly had been chosen to be mine, and that seemed to fit with Lucan’s logic of where Shape-shifters belonged. The unfairness of this kingdom seemed to build minute by minute and my fears and uncertainties were instantly replaced with renewed dedication for what I was fighting for.
I barely touched my food though, as Avalon’s thoughts whirled around inside my head. He rode recklessly over the winding mountain highway on a motorcycle that could barely keep up with the pace he demanded. Something was terribly wrong, something that Avalon was determined to fix.
After dessert, Lucan stood up, smiling graciously on his subjects. The sun had dipped further into the sky, cresting over the mountain peaks and painting the horizon with vibrant pinks, oranges and purples. I reached for Kiran’s hand under the table, he squeezed my hand reassuringly, but I felt how my anxiety had spread to him and across the table to Sebastian and Seraphina.
A platform had been set up behind the dining area, where musicians serenaded us during the feast. Now, as Lucan walked over to the stage, I realized the entire thing had been cleared and was now surrounded with Titans. A fresh wave of fear washed over me and small beads of sweat appeared at my hair line.
Lucan stood in front of his kingdom, his face reflecting benevolence and serenity. He looked out into the crowd and met several pairs of eyes, nodding to them as though he were more than happy to see them. When he opened his mouth to speak, for a moment I thought everything would be fine. He seemed in such great spirits that I hoped he had caught the energy of the festival and maybe come back to sanity, but then Analisa turned to Kiran from across the table stricken with panic and I knew my fears were justified.
Something awful was about to happen.
“Dear citizens,” Lucan began, magic aiding in his voice so that it reached across the square. Titans had lined the outside of the plaza, along every building and exit. “How wonderful it is to come together and celebrate those that are lost to us. We do not mourn our fallen brethren but rejoice in full lives, and an existence beyond what mere mortals could ever dream of.”
Lucan paused for dramatic effect and clapping broke out across the plaza. Lucan smiled through the reverence and waited for silence before speaking.
“One brother in particular, recently left this earth and when he did, he left a hole in our community that will never be filled. Amory Saint, the first Oracle, a pillar of our kingdom, an Immortal that seemed to possess true immortality and a thorn in my side,” Lucan’s voice turned sinister and he growled the last sentence. For a moment, I thought he was giving a beautiful, albeit fake, tribute to my grandfather. I found myself just as surprised as everyone else in the plaza to hear the truth of Lucan’s feelings. “Amory, your beloved ancestor. It sickens me to watch you mourn over his death. You people are naïve to think he was on your side. He wasn’t. He was a traitor, a force trying to take peace away from you since the establishment of the monarchy. And you trusted him! But enough about that old fool, for now he is dead. I took his life, I took his magic and now our kingdom is secure once again. Well, almost secure….” He paused and looked down at Kiran and me. “My bloodline, the blood of your kings, has been cursed over the years. Our immortality has slipped from our grasp and we struggle against the shackles of death,” Lucan paused for dramatic effect and then with a confidence that sent warning bells screaming in my head, he continued, “Not anymore. I have found my immortality, the keys to eternal life. And in a few short months, my son will join me. He is engaged to Amory’s granddaughter, Eden.” A gasp went up from the crowd, but it felt forced as if people were pretending this was shocking information and not common knowledge. “Yes, I know it may come as a surprise to you,” Lucan waved his hand indulging them, “but Eden is the daughter of Delia and Justice, the traitors that still manage to elude us even to this day. Some of you might consider Eden a traitor, just by her family ties, but let us not be so cruel. She cannot help who her parents are, any more than she could help who her grandfather was. My son, your Crown Prince, is betrothed to her and their wedding will take place on May first. Today, I want to celebrate them, celebrate their love for each other. Because of her parent’s treachery, she was blessed with the gift of immortality as well. Some have even said, she possesses a new kind of magic all together. She is the future, and with her union to my son, our bloodline will be secure for the rest of eternity.”