"I remember it because my name was in it somehow . . ." She gazed off as if trying to remember.
I tilted my head, squinting again. "Tell me more."
Her smile disappeared. "Well, I wish I could remember more of the story. I don't think it ended too well for them." She looked up, considering. "Or maybe it was the rest of the people who didn't fare so well."
"No, I mean, tell me about the place you lived before this. Tell me about your house, and your car, and the city you lived in."
Sadness altered her expression. "I don't remember much, feelings mostly. The pictures in my mind are so blurry. And it's like, when I try to remember them, my head starts hurting." She rubbed her palm over her forehead as if it was hurting now, looking off in the distance behind me.
I studied her for a minute, wanting to ask her more questions, but also wanting that far-off look of sadness to disappear from her eyes.
Suddenly she looked back at me. "Will you tell me what you're building down by the river in your free time?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Have you been watching me, Morning Glory?" I grinned, but her eyes widened and she looked down, as if she'd just been caught. I laughed. "Eden, I'm kidding. Is it okay if I call you Eden?"
She looked up at me and laughed a small laugh, too, but then went serious. "Yes, of course." She looked down and then back up at me. "And I do watch you sometimes," she whispered and then looked away. "I'm sorry. It's very rude . . . how much I . . . watch you."
My heart did something strange in my chest and I just stared at her for a minute. This beautiful, quiet girl—the blessed one—had been watching me? I didn't know what to say to her, so I opted for simply explaining my project. I cleared my throat. "Uh, I'm building an irrigation system. All this carting water in jugs and containers seems really . . . time consuming when there could be an easier way." I sat up. "I actually read about it in a fiction book I can't remember the name of now. I mean, you know, before Hector banned fictional books. But it's not like it came with directions or anything, so it's a matter of figuring it out. I think I've got it though. And if it works, it could water all the crops in about half the time. I'm hoping it will mean a spot on the council for me."
Eden looked surprised. "You want to be on the council?"
"Yeah. I want to go out into the community and work."
Eden nodded. "What kind of work?"
"I don't know. From what I hear, the council members work in businesses all over—I'm sure Hector or one of them could find a place for me, you know, if I prove myself."
"So you'd live up at the main lodge?"
I nodded. "That's the plan."
Eden's eyes widened and she glanced down at my mouth as if she was thinking about kissing me. I looked away. Even I had more sense than that.
I stood up and Eden jolted slightly. "I better go. I'm expected back with some holy water."
"Oh, okay," she said, standing up, too. "I'm here every day from noon to two." She shrugged, looking embarrassed. "You know, if you ever want to have lunch here instead of with your friends . . . or, I mean, not that you would, but . . . if you did, or . . ." She shook her head, laughing softly. "Why would you?"
That strange feeling came into my chest again. "I'd be honored to have lunch with Hector's princess."
Her face seemed to fall slightly, but she caught herself and smiled. "Okay," she whispered.
I studied her for a second again. "Speaking of Hector, this probably wouldn't be okay with him, you know," I said.
"I know," she replied, and I couldn't read the expression on her face now.
I paused, knowing I should tell her I wasn't going to be back, but somehow, not being able to. Being in her presence after all this time felt so good, and it seemed the idea of spending time with me brought her happiness, too. "Goodbye for now, then." I smiled and turned and made my way back to the spring where I gathered the water needed at the birthing tent.
I was too late. When I got back, Helen Whitney was holding a healthy baby boy.
CHAPTER FIVE
Eden
The next day, I settled in at the spring, my heart beating triple time, filled with hope that Calder would join me. He never did and as I hiked back to the main lodge, my mood was melancholy, lonely, and disappointed.
I had loved him for so long it seemed. But talking to him, getting to know him just a little bit made that love seem silly and juvenile—made up. He still made my heart beat out of my own chest and his beauty mesmerized me, but now the desire to know who he really was filled my thoughts.
I wanted to talk to him all day long, to hear that deep, throaty laughter that washed over my skin and made me shiver. His voice sounded like warm spring rain falling on a gravel road.
He didn't show the next day either, and so the third day when I sat down on my rock, sans snake, thank the gods, I didn't expect him to show. And so when he suddenly appeared at the rock entrance to the spring, I gasped out loud.
Calder smiled, and another boy with black hair appeared behind him, pushing him through so he stumbled and laughed.
The boy behind him bent over and put his hands on his knees and stood there for a minute obviously trying to catch his breath.
Calder nudged him and said, "Wimp," as he waded through the water and pulled himself easily up onto the large rock. I scooted over to make room for them.