Caedmon, motioning for him to pick up the pace.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Tadraem turned from where he'd leaned against the door. He'd heard enough to affirm his suspicions. Michael's sister. He rushed to Aiden's chambers and entered without knocking.
Aiden lay back against the headboard of his bed, his new bride sitting naked, rubbing his feet with oil. She had a bloodied lip and a newly swollen eye.
Tadraem sat on the bed and let his eyes wander over her. 'Her name is Sara?'
Aiden nodded.
His mouth watered at the site of her. It had been months since he'd visited the temple and taken care of his physical needs. Still, those vessels were worn out — used. They were nothing like this human, whose innocence was so strong he could almost taste it. He touched the slender column of her neck and then massaged one breast, flicking her nipple with his thumb. Having lost her soul so recently, he could almost feel the fear radiating from her. It pleased him.
'Jules and twenty-one of his men have been slain,' Tadraem shifted to rearrange himself, uncomfortable from his erection. 'They encountered Adorian forces upon return from Ruiari.'
Aiden leaned forward as Tadraem spoke, not the least bit bothered by Tadraem's attentiveness to his new plaything.
'Now is the time for the revenge of yours that I spoke of. I'm sending the remainder of Jules' men, through what will appear to be your authority, into the outer regions with instructions to slay every human that resides in the lesser provinces. We've more than enough of them in the main cities to make up our forces against Adoria, the rest are of little use to us.'
Aiden grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from his bedside table, handing it to Tadraem when he'd finished with it.
How is this revenge?
Tadraem tore the paper, letting it float in pieces to the floor. 'Your allegiance is to me now, which means you must unquestionably follow what I say. Upon waking tomorrow, you'll find that speech will flow freely past your lips again. Once those who already question Garren's abilities hear of Jules and Garren's failure to avenge him, it will be enough to secure their faith in your commands. Tell no one of this. Garren's forces at large mustn't be aware until after the humans are dead. Then we'll see where Garren's loyalties lie. I believe it to be only a matter of time before his own men turn on him and you will be there waiting to claim their loyalty, having already avenged our fallen by power of the Goddess, your miraculously recovered speech as the proof of it.'
Aiden smiled as Tadraem made his way to the door.
'And Aiden… try not to break your new toy. It would be a shame.'
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
'Have you seen Ariana?' Michael approached Jareth from behind, causing him to jump. 'You really ought to work on that.'
'No. Not in the last few hours. And why be on guard in a protected rea… nevermind.'
It had been almost a week since Michael's encounter with Jules. He'd returned home to discover that Duncan had given Ariana yet another weapon, this time a bow and arrows, which both worried and angered him. It would be one thing if it were recreational archery that she fancied, but he had the sinking feeling that she had no intention of using Duncan's gifts for sport.
'I've heard her mention exploring the old world on more than one occasion — don't give me that look Michael, I didn't encourage her.'
Michael grimaced. Keeping up with her was going to be the death of him.
'Let her go,' Jareth laughed. 'She's not a child.'
'It's not her age or maturity that concerns me. Has she said anything more of Garren to you?'
Michael hated to ask him this, hearing anything about her attention toward Garren seemed to make Jareth's skin crawl, but Ariana had taken to confiding in Jareth. Michael tried his best to not let it hurt his feelings that she hadn't spoken to him.
'Thank you for reminding me. She's managed to not mention him in over a week.' Jareth scowled. 'You're going to look for her aren't you? Do you want me to come with you?'
Michael considered it for a minute. 'You mean, 'Can I come along pretty please because I'm in love with your sister?' Sure. I could use the company.'
'You, my friend, can be an ass sometimes.' Jareth stood with a telling grin on his face. 'Duncan told her about the entrance near the Aidolis. That might be the first place we try. We aren't going to let her know that we were looking for her, are we?'
'No. If she knows I'm trying to keep an eye on her, she'll be that much harder to manage.'
'Has it occurred to you that she might not need managing?'
'Has it occurred to you that my father might have spent her entire lifetime lying about her existence for no reason — no? It hasn't occurred to you because the idea is ludicrous. Thus, her protection has my full attention.'
Jareth shrugged. 'I'm just saying that perhaps you should consider seeing her as an equal, trust her with your thoughts, your concerns. That's all.'
'My equal? You mistake me. That sword I was telling you about? It matches perfectly the description of the fabled sword of Ereubus, said to be hidden just beyond the borders of Arcadia.'
Jareth smirked. 'You seem to be under the assumption that I stayed awake for ancient human history. Allow me to correct you.'
'Jareth, I am not saying these things lightly. That sword took the first human soul and hasn't been seen for nearly three thousand years. She saw Arcadia as it once was — no doubt through the power of holding that very sword. Bronach said a being spoke to her there as though life and death itself rested in her hands. You saw her touch the Aurora stones, and while she thinks it bears no meaning, she's wrong and so are you. She is not my equal. She is worth more than all of us combined and Eidolon knows it.'
Jareth seemed to understand this. 'We'll need to take a lantern with us.'
They reached the entrance to the cave. Jareth turned the wick up on the oil lamp as they descended deeper into the shadow. Michael kept his ears open, hearing nothing but their steps. It was a long way into the old world from that entrance. It did eventually empty into a courtyard, but it was after nearly a mile of darkness. He hoped she had taken Koen with her.
He was grateful for the beast, no one could come near her without its approval; it amazed him. He'd never seen an animal so attentive before.
It was low at first. Michael was in front of Jareth in the narrow opening and motioned with his hand to quiet him. 'Lower the flame,' he whispered. He heard someone talking ahead of them, and assumed it to be Ariana speaking to Koen. He couldn't make out any words, but it certainly sounded like it could be her.
Light burst the darkness in front of them, so intense that it appeared as though the sun had sunk beneath the ground. It happened so suddenly that it caused Michael to stumble back onto Jareth, who fell to the ground. Michael quickly regained his footing and ran toward the source.
As they approached the end of the tunnel, Jareth grabbed Michael's arm and pulled him back into an alcove. 'Wait,' he whispered, 'look.'
