Seeds of Sorrow (Immortal Realms Book 1)

Naya wound her arm through Eden’s, forcing her to march along. Eden cast a lingering glance over her shoulder at the man, who seemed to disappear into the shadows. A trace of a smile remained as she played over the small but fond moment they’d shared. Not many took time to indulge in the simple pleasures of life. How easy it was to overlook the beauty that surrounded oneself. But he, whoever he was, had done just that without making her feel like a fool.

Except, as her mother carted her back into the palace, she felt every bit a fool. If she could have willed the marble floor to open up beneath her and suck her to the depths of the underworld, well, she might have considered that.

Eden was not a child by any means. She was old enough to be considered for marriage. However, her mother insisted on sheltering her. It was only recently that Eden could endure it no more.

By the sun, I am one hundred and twenty-five years of age.

Every moment, it was as if her mother were breathing down her neck or shifting her across some invisible board of chess. Eden wanted no part of it and knew that if her father were alive, he wouldn’t have allowed it either.

“Why must you be such an insolent child? You have no idea . . . ” Her mother breathed out slowly, composing herself as if trying to will the red fury from her complexion. People were beginning to look their way, prodding her into calmness.

Eden lowered her gaze to the floor, pretending to occupy herself with the oversized train of her gown. The detailed fabric rustled in her grasp as she pulled it up, but rather than wait, her mother pulled Eden along and nearly sent her toppling to the floor. A startled yelp escaped her, which promptly turned into a nervous bout of laughter.

“Oh, for sun’s sake, Eden,” Naya ground out under her breath. “Compose yourself. The Omorphia family is here.”

It took a healthy amount of self-control to not roll her eyes. While her mother didn’t know she’d bumped into Calix at the festival, Eden was certain he wouldn’t have cared that her gown was giving her troubles.

She fought hard to contain her nervous laughter, especially as more eyes turned to them, but she felt a particular gaze on her from somewhere in the ballroom. Not amongst the crowd but from elsewhere. She twisted her head, searching for it, and found her gaze settling on the man from the garden.

Inside the palace, Eden could see him better. Even from where she stood, she could tell his hair was auburn, and the candlelight playing off of it only seemed to enhance the red tones. She couldn’t detect the color of his eyes from afar, but she could see the crinkling of a smile at the corners, not yet shared with his lips.

His clothing, unlike that of the rest of the guests, was dark as night, save for the flower she’d gifted him. The dark color highlighted his complexion, allowing his visage to stick out most. Not a boastful costume bright in colors as many of the men seemed to don but something elegant and—as she took note, she blushed—form-fitting.

Eden smiled, trying not to laugh beneath his gaze, but as she did, the man offered a hint of a smile in return.

“Are you even listening to me, Eden?” her mother prompted, yanking her along.

“No.” Eden sighed. Another lecture was on the way, of this she was certain. As if the travel from Lucem hadn’t been filled with enough of that, Eden braced for more.

Except, as luck would have it, Calix approached her, saving her from another tirade. “Lady Eden, I think it was?” the male fished for her name, smiling.

Eden lifted her eyebrows, surprised he’d remembered her name when there were several other nobles vying for his attention. “You are correct, Lord Calix.” Eden reached her hand out to him in greeting.

“You may call me Calix.” He bowed his head, gently taking Eden’s hand and placing a lingering kiss to the back of it.

Eden turned to see where her mother had gone off to. She spotted her talking to another, but for a moment, her eyes locked on Eden’s, and a slow, smug smile spread across her mother’s face. But of course, she thought. This was exactly what she wanted, wasn’t it? With a sigh, Eden decided to give in to the pull of the festivities.

This was why she had longed to come, to be a part of society in some manner. And since she was here, why not experience what it had to offer?

“Very well, Calix. Would you care to dance with me?” Eden asked, then flushed as his eyes widened. “Was that not right?” she asked quietly.

“No, I mean, of course it was. I’ve just never been asked for a dance first.” Calix inclined his head. “It would be my honor.”

Warmth seemed to cling to Calix; it burst from his skin, from his eyes, and even his voice was pleasing to Eden’s ears. Yet, as he led her onto the dance floor, it wasn’t his eyes she searched for. It was the man from the garden, the one who’d smiled at her from afar. But as the music played, Calix led her into a spirited dance, carefully minding the bunched-up train of her dress.

He led her through several dances until her feet throbbed, her chest felt as if it’d burst, and even the breeze coming off the ocean couldn’t cool her down. When she could take no more, Eden made her way to the table of drinks and took up a glass of wine. Crisp berries exploded on her tongue, quenching her thirst but not cooling her.

While she was sipping at a second flute of sparkling wine, Eden’s mother approached, her green eyes focusing on her with an intensity she was familiar with.

“I think we should leave soon,” Naya murmured, scooping up one of the drinks. “I’m developing a headache, and I’m tired. We still have a long journey home, you know. It’ll only tax us both.” The skin near her eyes tightened, and a hint of hysteria crept into her gaze. Eden knew that look all too well—it was the one she wore right before she hurled something across the room or caused the nearby plants to wilt.

Her mother was right, of course. Whether or not the headache was made up Eden didn’t know, but they did have a long way to travel, the Veil wasn’t close to their home, and they’d need to search for a carriage. As much as Eden may have wanted to spend a few more hours in Midniva, exhaustion already tugged at her.

Eden wished to seek out the man she’d spoken to in the garden and ask if perhaps he was willing to share one dance with her before she left. Not once had Eden seen him take to the floor or even ask anyone.

But there was something distinctly off about her mother. She appeared restless, and her pale complexion was flushed. Typically, in such a state, Eden would see the storm rolling in, and falling rains swiftly followed. In this case, she couldn’t tell if her mother wanted to scream or bolt; perhaps both.

“Very well.”

Her mother nodded in approval. “Let us go. I’ve said my goodbyes already, and I need to speak with you about what happened in the garden.”

Eden set her glass down, scooping up the trail of her gown as she followed her mother through the crowd. “Mama, I know I shouldn’t have been out there alone, but why are you so upset?” It was beyond her, and while Eden possessed a wealth of patience, she’d had enough of the runaround and cryptic verses.

Her mother found an alcove in the shadows of the ballroom. Her eyes darted around in search of someone. Who? Eden didn’t know. But she found herself looking around too, hoping to find a familiar face, and when she did, her mother’s words faded into the din of the room.

“Eden, listen.” Naya placed her long finger against Eden’s chin and forcefully turned her head to look at her. “That man is—”

“Ladies and lords, may we have your attention please.” King Travion stood, or rather swayed, on a platform at the front of the ballroom. Even from where Eden currently hid with her mother, she could tell he was deep in his cups. His dark auburn hair had loosened from its hold and tumbled down, clinging to his angular jaw.

“Thank you all for attending,” Travion began but was cut off as King Zryan leaped up to join him. A charming smile curled his lips as his arm slid around his brother’s shoulders. He whispered something to Travion, who then took a seat behind him.

Idly, Eden wondered where Queen Alessia had disappeared to. It was no secret she and her husband were often at odds, which trickled into Lucem’s society. On more than one occasion, both of them had taken their marital strife out on their subjects.

“I will speak on my brother’s behalf, for he seems to have enjoyed this night far too much already.” Zryan winked, then smoothed his hand down the front of his shirt. His eyes scanned the room for a moment, and Eden wasn’t sure if it was her imagination or if his smile fell a fraction.

Her mother reached out to Eden, slipping her hand around her wrist, and squeezed firmly. “Let us go, now, Eden.”

Frustrated with her mother, she finally broke and quietly snapped. “Why? Why can I not stay? Why must you try and control every aspect of my day?” She tilted her head, assessing her mother, and something akin to fear crept into her gaze.

“Mama,” Eden prompted. When it appeared she wouldn’t say a word, Eden readied to leave, but her mother’s grip tightened all the more. Had the man from the garden witnessed her mother’s antics? Eden’s gaze traveled to where he stood, but his attention was on King Zryan.

“Because,” Naya began, then found who Eden’s eyes were trained on. “That man you were speaking to is King Draven.”

It was as if he’d heard his name fall from her mother’s lips, because he turned from looking down on King Zryan—his brother—and homed in on where Eden stood.

Although Zryan continued to speak, all Eden could hear was the thrum of her heart as she attempted to piece every moment of the evening together. Somehow, it didn’t make sense. That man couldn’t possibly be the king of nightmares, the name none spoke unless they wished to curse another. The wretched, vile king who feasted on blood rather than proper food.

The very image clashed with the gentleman who had entertained her for a moment, had allowed her to gift him a blossom. Her confusion must have been written on her face because while she gaped at him, his expression began to harden.

“I didn’t know,” Eden finally wheezed, then let her mother guide her through the guests. “I-I didn’t . . . He cannot be.” Denial snaked its way through her, warring with her experience. Pressure built in Eden’s head, making her dizzy as she blindly followed her mother, but they were halted by two guards.

“I’m sorry, Lady Naya, Lady Eden, but no guests are allowed to leave until after the announcement is made.”

Scarlet patches mottled Naya’s face. Her eyes had grown bloodshot, only adding to her frazzled state. “You cannot be serious. My daughter doesn’t feel well.”

 It wasn’t a lie, at least. Perhaps it was the wine, or maybe the latest revelation, but she felt the floor tilt. Do not faint.

“It’ll take just a moment,” one of the guards attempted to soothe Naya.

Eden burned with embarrassment, but instead of feeling heated, she felt cold to the core as fear crept up her spine. Why had King Draven sought her out in the garden? Why had he spoken to her, endured her idle chitchat? Her eyes burned with the threat of unshed tears. If her mother hadn’t stumbled on them, what would have transpired?

It didn’t matter, for as soon as the announcement was through, she and her mother would be on their way home. Safe.