Free The Eden Series: The Complete Collection by Janelle Stalder Page A

let loose!”
    Jameson began to dress, picking plain clothes so no one would recognize him on the streets. It was a long shot, but hopefully everyone would be too busy trying to find a lover or friend tonight, that they wouldn’t be looking for him.
    “Do you think anyone down there truly realizes the danger that threatens us every day?” he asked as he pulled on his tights.
    Turk walked over to the bar, pouring them both a drink of whatever liquor was there. “I don’t think the people of this city are in any way naive to what is going on, but I think everyone, including our men and the two of us, just need one night to forget about it and enjoy our lives.”
    Jameson looked at the back of Turk thoughtfully. The two of them had known each other since the time they started training camp for the King’s army. They had been best friends ever since the day they got in a fight, and Turk beat the crap out of him. A smile crept onto the King’s face as he thought about that day. His father had been so angry with the both of them, especially Jameson. Not so much for fighting, but because he had lost. It had bonded the two boys, however, and they never fought again after that. They were each other’s backup, and they helped each other through the three years of training camp. Both boys had been at the top of their class, so it came as no surprise to Jameson when his father had named Turk the new Captain.
    Getting up, he walked over to grab the drink Turk stretched out for him.
    “You’re right,” he agreed, smiling. “Tonight is our night to relax. I won’t speak of depressing things any more for the rest of the night. If I do, I give you permission to punch me.”
    Turk laughed in delight. “As much as I would love to take you up on that offer, I think I’ll have to pass. I might break a bone in that old, frail body of yours.” Jameson pushed him, Turk laughing at his own insult. “Let us go now, my friend, and walk the streets we live for.”
    “Yes, let’s. I believe Melaine is waiting for us.”
    “Tell me, when do you plan to wed the fair lady?” Turk asked, his eyebrows moving up and down suggestively.
    “You know I’m not one for marriage,” he replied, ignoring the question.
    “You were once,” he reminded him. “Melaine is a good woman, Jameson. She would be a prize for any man to have. Plus, you are the King, and you must have a queen and make children.”
    This was a sore subject for him, knowing that the High Priest and the Chancellor were constantly worrying about this very topic. He had no wife, and therefore no heir. It wasn’t that Melaine wasn’t a good choice for a partner: she was beautiful and knew him better than anyone. It also wasn’t that he didn’t love her, but he couldn’t say that he was actually in love with her. He knew this was unfair, but he could admit it to himself. Only once in his life, out of all the lovers he had throughout his younger years, did he find himself in love. She had been a vision, everything he could have ever dreamt of, but she had left. She had chosen a different life over one with him, and it still stung when he thought about it. It was just something he couldn’t get over, even after all these years.
    “I thought you said no more depressing subjects,” he said to Turk, changing the topic.
    He laughed. “You’re right. Let’s just go and party with your loyal people!”
    “Yes, and hopefully we don’t run into your daughter.” Jameson winked. Turk immediately went rigid, his face turning visibly red with emotion. Jameson laughed at his friend’s obvious discomfort. No father would want his daughter out on a night like this.
    “It’s not funny,” Turk said, pushing him as they walked toward the stairs. “I forbade her to join the festival tonight, and she refused. Can you imagine? It’s as if she doesn’t care about a word I say.”
    “Those are kids for you.” He continued to laugh. “Turk, she is seventeen, and beautiful beyond