me.'
Garren looked at them blankly.
'You have nothing to lose. The death that awaits you in my realm will be a much kinder end.'
Garren said nothing. He turned and quickly saddled another beast. Michael watched him, never so unsure of a single decision. He wondered what his father would have done and was in the process of answering his own musing when he realized that the voice he'd heard in his mind had been his father's — something Gabriel had said to Michael about Garren on the battlefield many years before — something that hadn't held an ounce of meaning or made a bit of sense until now.
'You want to know why I didn't take his life. You'll understand the truth of the matter someday. Perhaps when you're all he has left in the world. Just remember this; our tongue is a living tongue, spoken only by those whose blood is pure. Never forget this and show mercy accordingly.'
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Garren raced ahead of Michael and the wingless Adorian through the city but was still close enough to overhear a conversation between Michael and Jareth, who was questioning Garren's ability to still draw breath.
'You can't be serious. Roahn, has he lost his wits? Have both of you?' Michael didn't say anything in response. 'Michael, if you won't listen to me as one of your advisors, then listen to me as your brother-in-law, as your friend. This has to be a ploy to get him past Adorian borders.'
'Then you will be more on your guard than you have ever been, I trust.'
Jareth didn't seem content with Michael's response. 'Hopefully, that was never a question. He gets near her and I'll personally kill him, with or without your consent.'
The possessiveness in Jareth's tone told Garren that he wasn't the only one who had feelings for her.
'If Ariana is ever in harm's way, you won't need my consent. Have faith in my leadership, Jareth, you've never questioned it before.'
'It's not your leadership that I question; it's the persuasion of one who's brought nothing but death and loss to all who encounter him. Do you not see the result of his work in your arms?'
'Her wounds were not caused by him.'
Jareth scoffed. 'I suppose the scars on her back were not his doing either? Proximity to him alone brings misfortune. By the Ancients! Roahn, have you nothing to say?'
Garren cringed at Jareth's words, remembering the dream. That must have been what Michael was talking about when he'd said 'further torment' in his message.
Roahn remained silent.
'Jareth.' There was a long silence before Michael said anything else. 'Keep your eyes open, and your senses fixed. If I'm wrong, then I know you'll be there to come to Adoria's aid. We'll soon travel at a faster pace than your horses can follow. Take heed of the others. Find Duncan and let the Braeden know we're on our way back home. We'll meet upon your return.'
Garren couldn't hear Jareth's response, but guessed it to be in accordance with Michael's wishes. They sped faster into the wilderness beyond the eastern border, leaving the others behind them. Garren looked into the sky and did not hear or see any trace of the Moriors. The strange soldier, Malachai, who had approached him the night before and again in the cell, had done as he'd promised. Even upon discovering they'd been misled, the Moriors would be too far behind them to catch up.
Garren felt numb. They galloped through the thickest parts of the woods, everything silent except for the sounds of the large beasts destroying everything underfoot as they tore through the undergrowth. He closed his eyes, letting the wind hit his face.
Ariana. There were so many things he didn't know about her. Had she been married? He wondered if she had children. If she did, had any of them been killed in Palingard? Without warning, a flood of thoughts and regrets washed over him. Visions of every being whose life he'd taken without cause weighed upon him. He also thought of Tadraem. He hadn't had time to think about his death, but with the miles of empty woods ahead of them, he had what could be the very last chance he ever would to look back on his life.
They were nearing the section of woods where he'd been when, who he'd thought was Tadraem, had spoken of his mother. He thought of Ariana dressed as one of the humans in the sanctuary. His mother would never have been suspected if she knew how to behave. But his father couldn't have been the only one to know, and why would his mother have come to Eidolon in the first place? After years of assuming much about the Adorians, he began to realize he knew very little.
He was surprised that Michael and Roahn were so trusting. They'd had every reason to leave him for the Moriors. They had Ariana and Garren was of little use to them now. Perhaps it was to be assured of his death. He couldn't blame them. He thought of the humans who'd been slain and left at their borders. Michael must think it was his doing and Ariana heard him take full credit for it during observance.
Michael at that moment rode up next to him and gestured that they stop to rest the beasts. Garren looked over, wanting to explain, but no words would come.
'It would be in your best interest to stay close to me once we are within Adorian borders. Unless you wish to rush your execution.'
Garren nodded, keeping his gaze downwards as they dismounted. He could feel Roahn studying him. Probably wondering what his motives were. He didn't even know himself anymore. He had no explanations for his recent change of perception. 'You look as though you have something to say,' Michael remarked.
Garren looked at him doubtfully. Would it be worth even saying? 'I wasn't responsible for the deaths of the humans who were placed outside of your realm. That was done without my knowledge, or approval. Despite that,' Garren paused before continuing, taking a ragged breath, 'I've still… if it were within my power to take back the harm I have caused, take back the lives that I…' Garren couldn't speak anymore. Grief overwhelmed him and he closed his eyes, swallowing back tears. His face grew hot as he tried to hide his emotions. 'To learn that I've betrayed the very realm that gave life to me — '
'That gave life to you? What do you mean?' Michael immediately looked to Roahn, whose expression gave no hint as to what he was feeling.
'My mother was Adorian. I was just told that our fathers were allies, not enemies, and that my father was sent to his death because of it.' Garren rubbed his eyes. 'I didn't want to believe it either, but I can't explain what's happening to me any other way.'
Michael looked straight ahead, wordless.
Garren didn't expect him to either believe or accept anything that he said. He certainly wouldn't have if the tables had been turned. 'Why was she in Eidolon?'
'Probably a vain endeavor, but she was trying to find her friend from Palingard — Sara.'
Garren felt sick. 'Sara didn't perish with Palingard, but I fear her fate isn't much better in Eidolon. She's been claimed as a breeder by Aiden, the same Ereubinian who wounded Ariana.' Her name sounded odd when he said it aloud, as if he had no right to speak it.
'She is alive?'
'I assume Ariana found her. Whether she wanted to or not, Sara would have made Ariana's presence known.'
Michael peered down at his sister, a new kind of sadness spreading across his face. 'I can't imagine what that must have been like for her, she's already lost so much… then to feel betrayed by her closest friend. I should have done a better job guarding her. I should have listened.'
'Guarding her? She killed nine of my swiftest men before being seized by Aiden, who couldn't have been working on his own.'
'Nine?'
Roahn gave a slight nod of his head indicating that this didn't surprise him in the least. It made Garren
