As the words left Michael's mouth, Garren saw a face that made his heart freeze in his chest.
Michael rose and approached the other Adorian, bracing one arm against his in a supportive grip. It was obvious how much it tortured him to be near Garren at all, let alone speak to him.
Garren rose from his seat, and knelt. 'Forgive me,' he whispered. Caedmon placed his hand on Garren's head. It lingered there for a moment, a sob erupting from the Adorian's lips. His fingers shook as they pulled themselves together, gripping Garren's hair in a fist.
Garren's head pounded with the pressure on his scalp, but he stayed still — frozen, as Caedmon released his anger.
Sobs gave way to weeping as he let go, his hand still hovering over Garren for a moment before he reached down, his chest still heaving, and pulled Garren to his feet to face him. He held Garren's hands by the wrists. 'These hands,' he choked, pausing in his words, 'these hands have taken flesh and blood from me! All three of those slain on that day left behind wives and children, who are now my wards to watch over. A senseless act of brutality, left for me to explain to their loved ones. All to deliver a message that had such little value in comparison to the lives you took.'
Garren steered his gaze again to the floor, a lump in his throat. He could say nothing that would even begin to ease the loss that he'd caused.
Ariana, having heard enough, pried Garren's wrists free, taking Caedmon's hands in hers instead.
'It has not been in vain. Nothing will bring them back to us, but their deaths led to the downfall of Eidolon's most able fighter. The Adorians who lost their lives fought with the purpose of protecting man and defeating Eidolon, and what more of a victory can any Adorian still living claim? That Garren stands amongst our people as one of its citizens.'
Caedmon squeezed her hands before releasing them. He cleared his throat, then looked back at Garren. 'Know that though there is no longer a debt, the cost of your forgiveness was borne by our people. Its memory will not fade easily.' Caedmon turned and left, walking alone away from the crowd.
'He'll heal.' Ariana looked up at him, a sweet smile positioning itself on her lips. She motioned for him to sit back down.
Many others came to them throughout the remainder of the evening, some of whom were Michael's and Jareth's fellow fighters. Garren had never felt so insecure or humble in his whole life. His head ached, and all he really wanted was to lie down and close his eyes.
He leaned over and whispered in Ariana's ear, 'Do you think it would offend your brother if I retired for the night?'
Ariana shook her head. 'He looks exhausted still as well. Perhaps tonight was not the best time to do this. Go then, get some sleep. You'll be more comfortable in your chambers tonight than the last arrangements that were made for you.'
Garren smiled. 'Oh, I don't know. Cold stone does my back well.'
'I'll walk you to your chambers.' Garren turned to see that it was Jareth, who hadn't yet said a single word to him. Garren wasn't sure how to feel about the offer.
Michael leaned into the wall nearby with his palm holding his weight, listening with a doubtful look on his face.
Jareth smirked. 'If I were going to do him harm, I wouldn't announce to the public that I would be the last one seen with him.' He looked over at Ariana and laughed under his breath. 'Why is everyone always assuming my intentions are malevolent? I seem to recall already having this conversation once, though in a much less crowded place.'
Ariana shook her head and laughed as well. It was obviously an inside joke. It slipped under his skin, and idled there, irritating him just enough to outweigh his humility. He lowered his gaze to keep from scowling. Michael must have sensed it, because when Garren lifted his gaze he witnessed a look crossing between Michael and Jareth that made Jareth suddenly change his demeanor.
'I simply want a word with you. I don't think that too much to ask.' His voice was much less abrasive and arrogant.
Garren nodded, and looked back over to wish Ariana good night, but she was already gone. He caught a brief glimpse of her hair as she walked out of his sight.
'I have no quarrel with it.' He looked directly at Michael to convey his approval. Whatever it was that Jareth wished to say to him, it could not be unwarranted. He started out of the room, Jareth behind him.
They walked for a minute in silence. Garren heard the click of their boots echoing off of the walls, and down the corridor. He hadn't paid much attention to the stone of the walls before, but they were indeed resplendent, if anything definable. They were so pale in color they almost looked translucent. Slowly he realized he had seen it before — the temple.
His eyes truly hadn't adjusted to everything in their world. He had been so accustomed to the dark, desolate nature of Eidolon that he could not take in everything in Adoria at once. Jareth waited to speak until they stood outside of Garren's chambers.
'It doesn't interest me in the least that you have come across some sort of revelation, in which everything that you have been taught or trained has simply vanished from your consciousness. Don't be fooled for a minute by my kindness to you. I'm bearing your presence out of respect for my friend and my father — nothing more. It's no secret that I care about Ariana, and even if my feelings were unrequited, she's still Michael's blood, which makes her of even greater importance to me. If the thought even crosses your mind to do her harm, your fate would be better if you took your dagger, and plunged it into your own heart, for I will not be so kind. I'm not fully Adorian either, so what has been done to Middengard has been done to my people as well. I've heard mention of returning to Eidolon. Hear me, Garren. If you intend on leading him back into something to his detriment…'
Garren finally had to interrupt. 'He has no need to accompany me. I understand every word that you speak, and would speak the same were I in your position, but you must understand that had I meant her harm, I would've done so long ago. I had her at sword's end and released her. Why would I have let her live?'
'Passage into this realm! How can you have been a leader and yet be so foolish? Why would I not believe that the Laionai or Ciara herself has conducted everything that's transpired? A human army is commissioned and miraculously you have a change of heart? You're either an imbecile, or you're under the impression that I am.'
As much as Garren felt apologetic, it still took everything in him not to allow his temper to rise up at Jareth's tone. He exhaled slowly before responding. 'I've never known truth, but now it's as if I have known it all of my life. I can assure you I will not harm anyone in this realm.'
'I didn't come for assurance. I've come with a warning. Any step you make in the wrong direction will be your last and don't think I'm the only one watching you.'
Garren sighed. 'I wouldn't trust me either, Jareth. But what would you do if you were in my shoes? How could you possibly make amends for what I've done, gain honest respect and trust?'
'With an act I doubt I'll live to see. You can show me your repentance in a form more valuable than useless words. Only then will I grant you my trust.'
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
You are without allies. Had you but taken the right path, you would be at our side. You could have aided in her capture and saved the lives of nine of our men. Did you believe that you would be immune to the judgment of the Laionai?' Tadraem leaned into Micah, his sweat dripping down into the boy's eyes. Aiden stood along the far wall, watching. 'Answer me!' he yelled, grabbing Micah by the collar and lifting him.
Micah's lower lip quivered and tears started to well up in his eyes.
Tadraem threw the boy to the floor. 'I don't suppose you have the words to say.' Looking down at him, Tadraem began to circle Micah, his boots making a shrill scraping sound as he bore his weight down onto his heels.
'High Lord, why don't you inform our young traitor what the penalty is for such a deed as that which he has
