Dreams of Eden (Ace of Queens # 4)

CH.16 The other woman

Chapter 16

Alec had no idea for how long he was asleep. His muscles had never been more relaxed, his mind was never calmer and his pulse never smoother.

When he felt the familiar sparks move over his face, his eyelids started to flutter open. He felt his lips pull back into a sleepy smile as his eyes found Eden wrapped in his arms. She was crushed against his chest as she traced a finger along his features.

"Did I wake you?" She whispered.

"Yes....but it's okay," Alec sighed happily as he moved closer to her.

"You said my name,"

"What?"

"You said my name in your sleep," Eden told him. "Do you dream about me?"

"All the time," Alec said as he looked down into her brown eyes in the dark room. "I have dreams of Eden."

There was a pause as Eden searched the green of Alec's eyes.

"I like the way you say my name," she said after a few seconds.

"I know you do," Alec closed his eyes again and took comfort in how good she felt in his arms. "It's a beautiful name."

"My mom named me," Eden tucked her head under Alec's chin.

"I'm sorry about what happened to her....." Alec's heart twisted as he remembered the conversation in the lab.

"All my life...... I always felt like an outsider looking in," Eden's quiet words started to drive the sleep out of Alec's eyes. "Like I didn't belong."

Alec pulled back and looked at the girl in his arms. He felt her start to turn away when he remembered Clare was behind her. He pulled Eden back to his chest so she wouldn't roll onto the little girl.

"Clare isn't here," Eden told him when he lifted his head to check on her. "She woke up a few minutes ago and left."

Alec looked back down at Eden. Her face was turned towards the direction of where Clare had been asleep. The puffiness under her eyes was evidence that she had been crying. Alec placed a hand on her chin and turned her to face him.

"You belong, Eden," he said to her. "You belong here."

"Alec...." Eden's eyes watered at the corner. "I was dead. I should be dead....that's why they're always here. They are what I should be."

Alec's heart twisted in his chest as he thought about what Eden was saying. His wolf whimpered from the physical pain he felt as he thought about Eden not being alive.

"You belong here, Eden," he said firmly looking into her eyes. "With me."

"I'm scared," Eden's voice quivered. "I....I don't want to die."

"That's not going to happen."

"Yes, yes it will," Eden nodded as tears came down her eyes. "He....he will find out I left and he will come back for me."

"Who?" Alec's brows furrowed. "Who are you talking about?"

"I see him in my dreams....." Eden shut her eyes as tears rolled down the sides of her face. "He knows I cheated death."

"Eden," Alec called her name. Eden shook her head as she refused to open her eyes and look at him. Alec leaned closer and cupped her face in his hand. As she laid on his other arm, Alec pulled her closer. Eden raised her hand and placed it over his on her face.

"Look at me," Alec said to her.

Eden's eyes took their time to open. A storm of fear and uncertainty danced in the brown of her eyes as Alec rubbed her cheek with his thumb.