Chapter 4 Words about the Past

EVELYN

My heart flinched when Aiden called me “Eve”, my old nickname. My expression softened for a brief second and I nearly gave in to a smile.

But I couldn’t allow him to speak to me like that, especially not here in the Alpha King’s domain. It was too risky, too familiar.

Even if I wanted to be, I wasn’t that girl anymore.

“I’m a maid of the royal palace,” I reminded him, carefully slipping from his gaze as I spoke. “And it’s only proper for a maid to greet the King’s Guard with respect.”

Aiden’s brow furrowed.

“You shouldn’t call me by a nickname.” I glanced around. “Especially not here. Speaking to a lowly maid like that would threaten and demean your reputation, Sir.”

He ran a hand through his thick copper hair and then uttered a small sigh. “I don’t care about my reputation.”

I wasn’t sure if his words were true. I straightened my posture and made my expression as neutral as possible.

“I must leave,” I managed. “The King isn’t fond of waiting in his chamber alone. It was a pleasure to speak with you, Sir Moran.”

Aiden’s body tensed at the mention of the chamber, and he glanced beyond us before speaking in a low voice.

“The King is in his study now, speaking with Beta Flynn,” he revealed. “That’s why I came over to you. We haven’t had an opportunity to speak after everything that happened, and I have something to say to you-”

He was too close. Way too close. And the way he talked so intimately made me nervous.

“There’s nothing for us to talk about, Sir Moran. Please let me go.”

Aiden sighed again as he stared at me with those eyes filled with remorse. “I know you’re angry with me, Evelyn. You have every reason to be. I’m… I’m sorry. Terribly sorry. I wish I had been there when the Caddel-”

“There’s no reason for you to be sorry,” I cut him off again. I had no desire for him to bring up my old memories. “My family went against the King. We deserved this.” I said plainly, removing all emotion from my voice.

Aiden shook his head.

“I never believed that was the truth,” he insisted. “Despite what anyone has said or claimed, I don’t believe Caddel would ever have attempted to murder the King. Eve, we are family, aren’t we? We trust and support each other.”

A lump formed in my throat. I paused, looking at him, and swallowed. Part of me wanted to turn on my heels and leave this conversation behind, but hearing those words made me weak.

Aiden looked at me eagerly, his deep blue eyes locked on mine. I realized he hadn’t changed at all. A mixture of sadness and warmth ran through me.

Aiden wasn’t one of Caddel, not biologically. But in every sense, he was my family. We grew up together after my father took him into House Caddel. The last time I’d spoken to him like this was three years ago, the day before he left for Hawk Wings, the best and most elite warrior academy in Hescor.

In normal circumstances, a lowborn commoner would never have been accepted to train at the academy, but he had been personally recommended and sponsored by my father, the former Lord Caddel. He had seen the promise in Aiden and pushed for his acceptance.

The fact proved that my father had been right: Aiden became the top warrior in the academy and, according to regulations, was appointed as the King’s Guard.

Only my father would never have the chance to witness it with his own eyes.

I remembered just before we said our last goodbyes, he made a solemn oath to me. We had been younger then, more innocent, and full of hope for the future.

“When I return, I’ll be the best soldier in Hescor,” he swore, a twinkle in those brilliant eyes of his. “And I’ll be your personal guard, Eve. Every lady needs one to travel around, and I will be yours.”

Things have changed completely since then. I was no longer a lady.

“Whether you believe it or not, it’s a fact,” I forced myself to say. “My family chose the wrong side and had to pay the price for our treachery. And we are not family, Sir Moran. Not anymore. All Caddel have been banished, except me.”

Aiden’s eyes flashed with pain.

I didn’t mean to hurt him. But it was true. And it was a good thing Aiden hadn’t been there when the battles had taken place. He had been lucky to be away from the entire ordeal.

He didn’t back down. He stepped forward and placed his strong hands on my shoulders.

I flinched instinctively, but there was nowhere for me to go. I was trapped in his hold, unable to leave this conversation no matter how much I wished to.

“Listen, Eve,” Aiden lowered his voice to a whisper against my ear. It was itchy. “I have been investigating this. There was something strange with Jack Elrod and I think Lord Steven Caddel was framed.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. What did he mean by “investigating this” and my father was “framed”? 

As much as I wanted to believe Aiden’s theory, I couldn’t bring myself to entertain the notion.

The fact of the matter was that my father had supported Jack and my late brother, Connor Caddel, had attempted to stab Cole, though he failed and was killed in the end.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said. “You should stop. This will get you in serious trouble.”

Even discussing about my family or Jack would be considered crime. Not to mention investigating.

“I’m not afraid,” Aiden insisted with a shake of his head, his eyes blazing intently into mine. “If it hadn’t been for Beta Steven Caddel, I would have starved in the streets or been killed by a rogue. If it weren’t for him… I never would have gotten this far. I am willing to give my life for House Caddel.”

Crazy.

Aiden was crazy to call my father “Beta Caddel” in this place.

“Stop, Aiden. You really need to stop.” My voice shuddered.

His auburn eyebrows came together, and sadness painted his expression. His voice softened. He lifted a hand as if he wanted to touch my face, just like in the old days.

“Eve, trust me,” he murmured. “I will help you and your family.”

I shook my head slightly.

“Don’t you want to escape?” Aiden pressed. “Do you want to spend your whole life in this palace, separated from your family?”

I couldn’t speak. My throat felt tight, and all words escaped me.

I missed my family with all my being. I would have given anything to let them be free and unite with them. But the thought was far too unlikably. The King would never allow it.

“I…” My lips parted.

Suddenly, a familiar deep voice rang out not far behind me.

“What are you doing?”

My heart skipped a beat.

I turned my head to see Cole Elrod.

The Alpha King leant against the wall, studying us with his cold eyes.