Demon Within (29 page)

Garlan looked at his son and while pleased he was alive, he hadn’t forgotten what he’d done.

When Sabe and Kai spoke with Garlan the previous night, advising him of the options open to him, he’d been relieved. All this time, he’d thought it would be the Highland Lord that was after taking his throne, never his own son.

Kai gave Saul his orders; he was to watch Roulan constantly, escorting him everywhere. He didn’t trust him not to run.

Everyone made their way to the dining room and took their places. The table was filled with fresh fruit, cold meats, pastries and fresh bread. Kai’s mood surprised Sabe and hoping it remained calm, sat next to Nissa as she joined them from her room.

Sabe leaned towards Nissa. ‘I’m glad you’re not leaving.’

‘So am I.’ Blushing, but not feeling too shy to turn away, Nissa kept Sabe’s gaze.

‘If yesterday’s situation hadn’t been sorted, I was going to ask you if you’d like to stay here, with me.’

A smile started to spread across Nissa’s angelic face and dimples started to form, making Sabe grin.

‘I would have said yes, without hesitation.’

‘I’m relieved to hear that. I don’t know what I’d have done if you’d left.’

Nissa could barely find words to reply. If it hadn’t been for Kiera, she would still be gawping at him.

‘Eat! Before it all goes.’ Kiera nudged Nissa’s arm, bringing her back to reality.

‘Aren’t you eating?’

‘I’m not hungry.’ Kiera shook her head.

Grinning and suspecting her stomach was unsettled at the thought of Jace’s return, Sabe leaned behind Nissa and whispered to Kiera.

‘It’s a refreshing change to see you so distracted.’ He suffered a sideways glare from his sister for his cheek.

‘I think I’ll go check to see if our guests have arrived.’

Standing outside under the terrace, Kiera waited impatiently for Jace to return and after a short wait her heart beat hard in her chest as he and his parents approached. He had the power to make her heart melt, something she thought no one…other than Kai, could ever do.

She greeted Jace and his parents with a wide smile. ‘I’m glad you’re here, come on, everyone’s waiting.’

Ellanor smiled at Kiera, she could see her son had a lot of affection for this young woman but worried he might get hurt.

Kiera greeted Ellanor then addressed Caster.

‘Don’t worry; everything’s going to be alright.’ She gave him a reassuring smile then waved them to follow her inside.

Kai greeted them in the hall and Ellanor felt her stomach turn at seeing him; she’d never get over looking at him and not think about Adram. Staring up at him, tears welled in her eyes but she fought them back as Caster squeezed her hand.

‘Thank you for coming, I know you’re probably worried, but I’ve called you here for a good reason.’ Kai held out his hand and when Caster took it, he smiled.

Ellanor couldn’t stop staring at Kai; every aspect of him was like his fathers; vivid green eyes, even his hair had golden shimmers mixed among the dark and light blond coloring.

Aware of her staring Kai looked down and smiled. ‘I’m sorry I was rude to you yesterday, it was a shock hearing your words.’

‘I’m sure it was, it’s me that should apologize, I should have thought a little more before speaking out.’

‘We’ll talk, you and I, but first I think your husband needs to confront his brother.’ Kai turned to Caster, ‘Don’t you?’

Caster swallowed hard. He hadn’t expected to see Garlan today, he thought he was here to talk with Kai about an alliance.

‘Is he in there?’ Caster pointed towards the dining room.

‘He is. But you don’t have to meet him there. I’ll have him brought out and you can go to another room, if you prefer?’

Caster shook his head. ‘No, I think I’d like everyone to hear. I’ve kept silent long enough.’

Kai nodded. ‘Good.’ He moved towards the dining room, closely followed by his guests.

When Caster walked slowly into the room, Leon instantly rose from his seat to greet him. Smiling as he approached and extending his hand, Leon stared at Caster and smiled.

‘It’s been a while Caster, I’m glad to be by your side on this day. Have courage, and claim what is rightfully yours.’

Garlan suddenly snapped his head around after hearing Leon’s words. Shuffling around in his chair and leaning over the back, he looked at the man with Leon and gasped.

Caster took a step closer towards Garlan. He’d not thought he would be so calm, and surprised he was able to form a thought, spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

‘It’s been a long time my brother.’

Garlan’s eyes widened in disbelief as the man who looked exactly like his father address him.

Everyone suddenly stopped what they were doing and looked at Caster, his hands placed on his hips and looking down at his brother, he took a deep breath.

‘You didn’t expect I was still alive, but I assure you, I’m here, finally ready to face you.’

Eloise rose from her chair and looked towards her father, then Leon. She started to make her way forward but Kai spoke from behind Caster and his family to address everyone.

‘I think Garlan has some explaining to do.’ He waited a moment. ‘Isn’t that right Garlan?’

Eloise didn’t move, she stared at her father then back to Caster, there were similarities between them, she’d not seen it yesterday but now seeing them together it was a little more obvious.

‘Father?’

Garlan had still not managed to speak, his shock at seeing Caster shocked him into silence. Rising from his chair and turning to look at Caster and Leon, standing together, he frowned.

‘Leon, am I to assume, you knew Caster was still alive?’

‘Yes, Garlan, you are.’ It was the first time Leon hadn’t addressed him as ‘my lord’ in public, nor did he bow. Garlan started to shake.

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

Caster stepped forward before Leon could answer, and staring at his brother, eye to eye, he spoke aloud for everyone to hear.

‘I told him not to tell you. Don’t think to wriggle out of this brother; Leon is fully aware of the reason I ended up at the bottom of that gully. It was your hands that pushed me.’ Caster looked around the room. ‘And everyone here should know too.’

Garlan gasped and his breaths became heavy. He felt everyone’s eyes burning into him, waiting to hear what he’d done, and it was too much for him to bear. Storming past Caster and Leon, then pushing between Ellanor and Jace, he tried to leave. Kai blocked his path.

‘You’re not going anywhere.’ Widening his eyes as he stared down at Garlan, Kai grinned.

‘Sit… down.’

It wasn’t a request, it was a command and Garlan dare not ignore him, especially since his son had already caused too much trouble already. Taking a few steps back and looking towards Caster, he took a deep breath.

He didn’t have anywhere to go, and had to accept and acknowledge that Caster could rightfully claim his birthright as King of Brightstone.

‘Caster, I, I think we should talk, alone. We have a lot to discuss.’

‘Yes we do, but until I hear you acknowledge my claim as truth, we’re not leaving this room.’

Lowering his head and smoothing down his waistcoat, Garlan hesitated. Looking towards his daughter his brows furrowed as he spoke. ‘I’m sorry Eloise.’

Eloise moved closer to her father; she took his hands and looked to him with questioning eyes.

‘Is it true?’

‘Yes, it is.’ He nodded and couldn’t bear to look at her, shame overtook him. After a few moments he looked towards everyone.

‘He is my brother, and he is rightful King.’

Staring at her father Eloise snatched back her hands and glared at him. ‘You… you tried to kill your own brother?’

Garlan started to cry, he could only manage a nod.

‘I don’t believe it, this isn’t happening!’ Eloise turned to look at Caster. ‘You told me yesterday you knew my mother, I want to know exactly how you knew her.’

Caster drew in a sharp breath. ‘I think we should leave that for another discussion.’

‘NO! I want to hear it now!’ Her voice rose, surprising everyone, even Kai cocked a brow and grinned how such a gentle creature could bellow so loudly.

Hesitating and looking to Ellanor, who nodded for him to continue, Caster pursed his lips before speaking.

‘Your mother, Charlain was to be my wife, and after I was removed, my brother took her for himself, against her will.’

Breathing hard, Eloise’s eyes widened.

‘Go on.’

‘Eloise…’ Garlan’s hand touched her arm, but she snapped it away.

‘Shut up!’ Glaring at her father before turning back to Caster, her brows rose as she waited for more details.

‘Leon, would you continue, please?’ Caster knew Leon would be kinder than he, his resentment for the way Charlain died, still gnawed at him.

‘Of course, my Lord.’ Leon bowed to Caster, making Jace and his mother stare with wide eyes.

‘Eloise your mother was a beautiful and gracious woman; she was held captive by your father and after your birth took her own life. She never could accept Garlan as her husband, nor forget about Caster, and so using her ‘gift’, she set fire to her room and burned to death.’

Eloise’s wide eyes stared at Leon. ‘She killed herself?’

‘I’m afraid so, I’m sorry Eloise, I couldn’t tell you.’

Everyone in the room was quiet and all eyes were on Eloise. Wanting to comfort his lover, Kai stepped forward but Eloise held up her hand and he stopped. Her breathing labored as she felt her anger rise. Balling her fists and glaring at her father under scowling brows, she was so angry. Roulan had told her their mother died after she was born, saying it was her fault. He told her it was his father that gave him that information, and now knowing the truth, she was furious. All her life she’d been made to feel guilty over her mother’s death.

Eloise began to shake and tremble as she grew angrier while staring at her father. Kai noticed the change in the room first, it was getting colder.

‘Eloise?’ Kai took a step forward and held out his hand. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Nothing!’ She snapped.

Sabe rose from his seat and moved around the table to stand beside Ellanor, he couldn’t stop staring at the pendant around her neck, he wasn’t sure, but it seemed to be glowing.

It was the cutlery and plates on the table that started rattling first, making everyone look and stare, but then the table itself started shaking. Gasps fell around the room and Nissa and Leon looked at each other before moving their eyes to Eloise.

There was a loud noise, like the clap of thunder; everyone jumped in surprise and Kai knew Eloise was bringing a storm, whether she was doing it on purpose, it wasn’t clear.

She was still staring hard at her father, and her fists strained by her side as they balled tighter.

Above everyone’s head, a flash of light streaked across the ceiling. Ellanor and Jace huddled against Caster in disbelief at what they were seeing. Nissa tried to get to Eloise, but Leon stopped her.

‘Stay where you are, my dear.’ Leon looked towards Kai and nodded, ‘I think you should be able to take care of this.’

Stretching out his hand, Kai tried to distract her. She was focused on her father and didn’t see. ‘Eloise…look at me!’

Another flash of lightning flickered; it crackled as it formed around her and her father. It was worrying. The room was getting colder by the moment and Garlan started to whimper.

‘Eloise, please, forgive me!’

She wasn’t listening. Sabe leaned towards Ellanor and pointed his finger to her pendant.

‘Forgive me Ellanor, but didn’t Teila say that pendant was from an angel?’

‘Yes, I thought it was from Adram, but she said it was from the same angel that gave Eloise her gift. Why?’

‘Look at it!’

Ellanor looked down then Caster stared at it too. ‘It’s… glowing.’

‘I’ve never seen it do that before.’ Ellanor looked towards Eloise, then back to the pendant.

‘I think I should leave the room.’

Sabe held out his hand. ‘Take it off and give it me please Ellanor.’

She hesitated at first, but then seeing another streak of lightning over Eloise and Garlan’s head, she quickly removed it and handed it over to Sabe. He quickly left the room. It took a few moments, but the temperature in the room settled back to normal. Everyone turned to watch Eloise, but she was still in a trance-like state.

Reaching his hand to the side of her cheek, Kai touched his fingertips gently to her face.

‘Eloise, look at me…please.’

Blinking and drawing in a sharp breath, Eloise turned to face Kai. Staring for a moment before falling against him, wrapping her arms around him, she began to cry.

‘It’s alright, I’ve got you.’

Kai frowned at Ellanor. ‘It was the pendant; it seemed to make her powers stronger.’

‘You’re right.’ Ellanor nodded.