she kept thinking about Garren, but whatever the reason, she couldn't just shut off her emotions. He had released her. The look in his eyes, both that day and in the visions where she'd encountered him since, wasn't malicious, wasn't evil. His hold on her was far from being in her control, even had she wanted it to be.
She wandered through halls and rooms of various sizes and purposes, until she came to a heavy wooden door in the corner of a broad gathering area. She was pleased to discover it was a library.
She took a lit candle from the hall and carried the flame to the sconces that were fastened along the wall, revealing immense bookshelves and several generous chairs. She pulled a couple books out, flipped through the pages, surprised to see there wasn't much dust on any of them. Adorians, she gathered, were enthusiastic about education. It made her feel a bit lacking. She remembered hearing about Sara's mother and father, who'd gone off to school in Ruiari years before Sara was born. Ariana's father had told her those schools were no longer in existence, having been turned into orphanages, or training camps for human soldiers. The humans had made an effort to protect themselves — it just hadn't held a candle to the forces of the Laionai.
She ran her hands along the shelves, feeling the bindings of the books. They were deep with artistry, metals woven into the trim and decorative designs embossed into the leather. She was so involved with inspecting them that she wasn't paying attention and ran into a rolling ladder that was attached to the wall. It made a loud squeal as it was jarred to life. Startled, she stepped back, only to bump into something else behind her. She turned to see not what she'd run into, but who; a very well-built, pleasing to the eyes,who.
'Forgive me, my Lady. I didn't mean to frighten you.' He was tall like her brother, but had skin that more closely resembled Duncan's, tanned enough to give him a healthy glow, his hair a light brown color, with just a hint of auburn to it. He seemed to be about her age, or maybe a few years older. He leaned against the bookcases with a smug grin on his face.
She found herself blushing as she realized that she was staring at him. 'You should feel honored, I don't frighten easily.'
'So I hear.' He laughed. 'I'm Jareth. And I do believe I am the last one in Adoria to make your acquaintance.' He took her hand and brought it to his lips, bowing his head as he did so.
She would have to at least give Adorian males credit for being a lot more civilized than any of the men in her village, who were barbaric in comparison. 'Well, Jareth, I'd very much appreciate it if you didn't address me so formally.' As soon as she said the words, she heard a noise that sounded very much like a dragon, which made no sense until she looked down and saw that it was indeed a kind of dragon. A small creature with jade green scales and a plum-colored chest sat at Jareth's feet. He crowed as he peered up at her.
Jareth gestured to his little friend. 'I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce you. This is Cryx. He's my faithful companion, useless in the most important of assignments, but comforting in the least of them. He tends to have a bit of a temper, so he'll pitch a fit if you don't pet him. And the bit about formality — understood.'
She smiled, having never heard of or seen a dragon so small before. She leaned down to pat him on the head. He cooed, leaning his head into her hand so she could more effectively reach behind his pointy ears.
'Wherever did you find him?' Cryx thumped his foot on the floor as she found a ticklish spot below his chin.
'Being such a ferocious beast, he scared off my prey on a hunt several years ago and has been my ward ever since.' He knelt to see Ariana eye to eye. 'I've been close to your brother for a long time. He took me as his student years ago, when we were still at the Iidolis. Eventually my antics won him over and he became more than a mentor, he became my friend. I introduced him to my sister.'
'Genny.' Ariana was excited to be able to follow a conversation.
Jareth was surprised. 'Yes, Michael doesn't waste any time does he? So you must already know that Jenner's my father?'
Ariana nodded her head. 'Indeed, and I've had the pleasure of meeting your mother as well. They're both lovely. So, am I to assume, since you said Michael was your mentor, that you're commissioned in some way?'
'Yes, I'm one of his commanders. Caedmon and I are his closest advisors, though you haven't met him yet, either. He's scouting Eidolon's outer regions.' He rose, offering his hand to her. 'Your hands are freezing.'
She didn't get a chance to respond. The door opened and Duncan rushed into the room, interrupting them.
'They've returned. Michael has requested our immediate presence.' Duncan was out of breath, his words striking the air with a vehemence that was almost tangible.
Jareth started toward the door. 'Louthai ere erothim, tay callesto — '
'Hold your tongue lad, she speaks Adorian. I'll leave it up to Michael to decide what he wants to disclose. Forgive me, Ariana, we must go, I can't tell you anything just yet.'
She nodded, not wanting to test his patience by pressing for information.
Jareth looked over at Cryx, who'd made himself comfortable beside Ariana. 'He knows the way back to the main hall and can find his way back out to my cottage from there. Do you mind him staying with you for a bit? He doesn't really like to be alone.' Ariana nodded. Why not, she was already caretaker to one beast, why not two?
'I have someone who might like to meet him,' she whispered to herself as the men's boots echoed down the corridor and into the main hall.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Michael sat in an ornately carved wooden chair near a fireplace at the back of the room. His boots tapped erratically on the floor as he waited for everyone to arrive. Only five elders, who were of the bloodline to the original monarchs of Adoria, were present for these meetings.
Caedmon sat beside Michael, his face a perfect reflection of his grief. He and his men had arrived nearly an hour before, the three dead among them having been buried in an unmarked grave where they had fallen. Michael had been shocked to see Caedmon arrive back so soon, but was more alarmed at Garren's newfound abilities. It compounded the fears he was already wrestling with after the ordeal with Ariana. He was caught up in his thoughts when Duncan and Jareth entered the room.
'What's happened?' Jareth asked as Michael stood to greet them.
'I will let Caedmon describe the encounter to you.'
Caedmon stood, wiping a hand over his forehead. 'Garren was waiting for us in the woods when we emerged from Adoria's northernmost border. Before we were even aware of his presence, three of our men were slain. Once we confronted him, Riedar rushed him against my orders and, without touching him in any way or so much as moving a hand, Garren scarred Riedar's face beyond recognition.'
'Did you not hear him coming?' Duncan asked. Michael could tell he was trying to put the question delicately, but it offended Caedmon anyway.
'Do you think that I'd have three dead Adorians if we had?' Caedmon approached Duncan. 'I'm in no mood for your mouth, Braeden, not tonight, not — '
Duncan placed his hands on Caedmon's shoulders. 'Friend, I meant no offense.' Caedmon shrugged off Duncan's gesture, and slumped back down into his chair, holding his head up with one hand, the other held across his chest.
Michael closed his eyes, drowning out the voices of the elders as they argued back and forth about what their course of action ought to be. Garren had always been a sage fighter, knowing Michael's next move before he made it.
'Perhaps the time of the Oni has come,' Michael offered.
'If you believe this,' Jenner asked, 'then why did you spare his life when you had the chance to take it from him?'
Michael swallowed hard. He simply couldn't answer that question. 'I chose to be merciful to him out of honor. He was pinned to the ground without arms. Hardly the demise I'd intended.' Michael rose to pace the outer edges of the room.
'Your hatred of Garren does not change his fate,' Jenner said. 'It makes no difference what dishonor or
