Eden's Secrets

By Hope Hopkins

Eden, a young woman that just turned 18 has many secrets she holds close to her heart. She hasn’t been able to tell anyone her secrets, she bears them alone. As her mother prepares Eden’s birthday party, she founds out her father king Orpheus is forcing her to marry a man that is ruthless, and kills his wives. Eden feels helpless, she doesn’t know what to do. Her options are slim, marry her soon to be husband or run away. But while she sits in despair, her childhood friend Alexander, the only man she ever loved, comes to her. Helping her escape. Soon Eden and Alexander are on the run from her father and the man she is to marry, they begin their dangerous adventure of survival. But will they make it out alive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hope Hopkins
• Release date: May 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781311137234

Hope Hopkins

Hope Hopkins is a home-school graduate, earning her high school diploma from Penn Forster High School. She also has an Associates in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and studied psychology. Hope is a writer, Instructional Designer/Videographer, artist and musician. In the year 2006 Hope started writing, at first her stories began in drawings, than she started to write short stories, for the longest time she only wrote endings to her stories. Hope started writing after she watched the movie One Night with the King with her mother. She continued to write, but stopped after awhile. In 2009 she picked up writing again never thinking about publishing, she was just writing for the fun of it. Than as more time passed she found Twilight by Stephenie Meyer one Christmas when she was shopping with her mother. Hope was already a fan of vampire stories, so she read Twilight and loved it. She read the whole Twilight series and was further inspired to write more. Check out my website here is the link: http://hopechopkins.com/ And follow me on https://twitter.com/hc_hopkins and google plus: https://plus.google.com/105678323919615625930

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Eden’s Secrets

By

Hope Hopkins

Text copyright © 2014 by Hope Hopkins

All rights reserved.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, events, and places is coincidental.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Epilogue

About the author

Prologue

Rain fell as Eden leaned against a tree. The night was cold and wet. She looked up at the sky. Hot tears stream down her cheeks. Her clothes were soaked from running in the rain. More tears fell as she cried out in forest in a heartbreaking voice. Thunder and lightning clapped in the night sky as Eden fell to her knees wrapping her tired arms around herself shaking looking at the dark Castle she called home.

The Land of Camden, year 1152, ruler of the land, King Orpheus

Chapter 1

It was a bright sunny day in the land of Camden as Eden walked in the garden her mother loved. Her dark black hair flowed down her shoulders as the wind blew the waves of her hair and her dark brown eyes were exuberant, while she worked hard to pretend that she was enthusiastic about her party. She was excited because today was her 18th birthday, yet she was sad. Her mother Isabella was talking to the cook about the dinner and how she wants her cake decorated. Even though Eden appeared to be happy, it was all a façade because she had a dark secret that she couldn’t talk to anyone about.

As Eden continued to walk in the garden, a young man noticed her, because she was a very beautiful woman to look at. Eden turned around and saw the young man looking at her, and for only a moment Eden and the young man looked at each other; they stared at each other far longer than the young man intended to. The young man’s dark brown eyes searched Eden’s as she continued to look at him trying to figure out who he was, because he looked familiar. The young man’s dark eyes captivated Eden and without thinking, Eden took a cautious step towards him. As Eden came closer to the young man, she started to recognize him, but before Eden could speak to him, he entered into the castle. When the young man disappeared into the castle, Eden recognized him and said to herself, Alexander?

The young man was a handsome guard and knight that protected King Orpheus, the guard’s name was Alexander, he was one of the top guard’s for the king, and he was a mighty warrior, who was excellent in battle. Alexander was a tall man with thick brown hair that went down to his shoulders. Alexander walked down the halls of the castle on his way to the training grounds, looking down at his reflection on the marble floors, seeing how much he and Eden have changed and grown in the last ten or more years. Eden and Alexander had known each other since they were children.

When Alexander was a young boy, he was always slim growing up, having wild hair that suited him and was very mischievous. While Eden was quiet, but she was a playful young girl running in the woods as Alexander chased her, holding a grasshopper in his hand trying to put it in her long dark hair. When they were young children, they were close friends, sharing secrets together that no one knew about. Eden and Alexander trusted each other and were inseparable. Most of the time when someone would see Eden, Alexander was close behind; Alexander would hold Eden’s hand as she blushed, loving how he held her hand so gently. Alexander was always the perfect gentleman as a young boy and still was. Eden and Alexander would often walk in her mother’s garden, as Alexander would bend over and picked a rose from the rose bush to give to Eden, as she blushed more. Eden would frequently look up at Alexander, loving his gentleness and charm, his face that was boyish was so charming and handsome, while his eyes were like a sweet dream that Eden did not want to wake from.

Eden and Alexander always played in the woods with their childhood games they had made up, as they went on in the summer days to come in their early years. When Eden was a young girl, she was always smiling and laughing at Alexander’s bad jokes and he would laugh right with her, having a hard time getting his jokes out because he was laughing so much. As Alexander thought of the past he smiled, Alexander and Eden had good times together growing up as young children and into adulthood. But as soon as Eden turned sixteen and grew more into a woman, things started to change for her and Alexander. Alexander was two years older than Eden and he noticed that Eden would hardly talk to him anymore, their relationship that was once strong, was no more. Both Eden and Alexander grew apart; they scarcely saw each other as Eden avoided Alexander for some reason.

Alexander would wonder why Eden avoided him in recent years, he didn’t understand why. There was no doubt about how Alexander felt about Eden; he loved Eden for a long time. Eden enchanted Alexander and he knew he could not live a day without her. But Alexander rationalized to himself, that he was not good enough for a princess that was probably why she avoided him, she was royal and he was a guard and knight for the king. Alexander knew his place in the kingdom of Camden, but he could not deny his heart, he could not deny how he felt every time he saw Eden, he could not deny the love he felt every time he looked into her eyes that he loved so much.

While Alexander walked to the training grounds of the castle still thinking of Eden, one of the king’s guards called out to him. Hey Alexander, the king wants all his guards to come to the throne room. Alexander turned his head in the direction of the guard talking to him. Alright. Alexander went towards the guard and walked down the halls with him.

Eden was immobile as she stood in the garden. Was that Alexander? It couldn’t have been Alexander? Eden thought as she stared at the entrance to the castle, still perplexed. My God, how long has it been since I’ve seen Alexander? Two or four years? Eden wondered to herself as she thought about how he looked now. Eden noticed that Alexander let his brown hair grow out more, which was now down to his shoulders. Eden also noticed that the boyish look in his face was not there anymore, now he had a mature face, the face of a man. Eden continued to stare at the castle entrance, closing her eyes as she thought of the last time she saw Alexander.

Eden remembered the night was cold with the moon out as rain poured down. She was sixteen years old. Eden was running in the night in haste, trying to get back to the castle. Alexander was out in the cold rain putting up the horses in the king’s stables, when he saw Eden running as though her life depended on it. Hey Eden, what are you doing out in this rain? A storm is coming, Alexander said causally, as Eden stopped abruptly hiding in the shadows of the night, breathing heavily. Alexander seen that Eden wasn’t speaking to him as he put up the last horse in the stable, so he came closer to Eden, walking towards her in the muddy ground where she hid under the tree. Eden, are you alright? Alexander asked, as he was inches away from her. Yeah, I’m fine, I am just a little stuck in this mud, Eden said quickly trying to take off so Alexander would not see her. Oh, I can help you out of the mud, Alexander offered. No thanks, I’m alright. See, I’m alright, I just got out of the mud, Eden said as she moved quickly past Alexander, so he wouldn’t see her. Alexander turned around before he lost sight of Eden and said in a concern voice, Eden, are you sure you are alright? Eden turned her head slightly at Alexander and said with a half hearted smile, I’m fine Alexander, have a good night. Tears stung Eden’s eyes as she thought of the memory, she knew Alexander sensed something was wrong, but she couldn’t tell him, she couldn’t tell anyone. While Eden’s memories consumed her causing tears to stream down her cheeks, her mother Isabella called after her saying, Eden, it’s time to come in and prepare for the party. All right, I’ll be right there, Eden said wiping tears from her eyes as she went into the castle.

As Eden entered into the castle, she turned to look back at the land of Camden, which was enormous with many beaches and one lone forest called the Forgotten Forest that remains a mystery to the Camden people. The Camden kingdom dwells on a vast island that was colossal and beautiful, the kingdom was stunning in its splendor and the castle that resides on this land was utterly astounding. But Eden felt trapped within the walls of the castle, this castle was her prison.

After Eden took one last glance at the land, she continued to walk down the halls of the castle and made it to her room, where her two ladies in waiting were to help Eden with her hair and choosing a dress for her birthday party. Eden’s ladies-in-waiting also assisted her by reading letters to her and writing for her; they as well oversee servants; keeping Eden up to date of activities and dignitaries at court, and secretly conveying messages to her. Eden trusted and depended on her ladies-in-waiting, their names were Ruth and Elizabeth.

While Ruth and Elizabeth were doing Eden’s hair as she sat on her bed, helping her to get ready for her party, they began to warn her about her father King Orpheus. Princess, we heard in court that your father is planning to give you away in marriage to King Nexus of Olin. King Nexus? Eden whispered as she turned to look at her ladies-in-waiting. Nexus was the king of the land of Olin, a land that was like the land of Camden, but was more lush and greener, having many waters. Nexus was a coldblooded merciless man that seeks to rule all. When Eden heard this dreaded news, her heart nearly stopped as pain formed in her chest, tears formed in her eyes as she looked at her ladies-in-waiting as they had sorrow in their eyes, she began to cry, because women in this land had no rights.

Whatever the King demanded, she had to do; her father was an evil king, a dangerous man who feared no man. If she defied the king, there were dire consequences. It did not matter that Eden was princess and his daughter, because her father did what he wanted. Eden’s ladies-in-waiting Ruth and Elizabeth gathered around Eden and hugged her as she buried her face in her feathered pillows, sobbing uncontrollably. As Eden cried, she thought about how her father always resented her for being female, Orpheus wanted a son to carry on his name and rule his kingdom, but instead he had Eden, who he thought was worth nothing more than selling one day to some royal family to gain more prestige. Orpheus was an abusive father and husband, and if it were up to him, he would have gotten rid of Eden the day she was born or left her out to die. But Eden’s mother begged the king to let her keep their only daughter.

Now Eden was about to marry a man she did not love who ruled all, a man like her father, if not worse. King Nexus promised King Orpheus peace and more gold for his daughter. King Orpheus didn’t need the gold, but he was greedy. Tonight at his daughter’s birthday party, King Orpheus would announce Eden’s marriage to King Nexus. Eden knew her life was about to changed forever, she knew she would never have any peace or love but more hell here on earth. ‘If only I could talk to Alexander,’ Eden thought as her heart ached. She hadn’t talked to him in years. There was no way Alexander would want to talk to her now. Eden had been so distant towards Alexander. She didn’t mean to be, but she had no choice, she had to separate from him so he wouldn’t find out the truth, her secret she had kept hidden for so long. Eden loved Alexander with all her heart and it hurt her to be apart from him, it hurt her to not talk to him, they were good friends, but they were more than just friends. Everyday Eden longed to tell Alexander her secrets but she dared not utter a word, in fear of what he might think of her. Yet Eden wanted to give Alexander her heart and soul, she wanted to give Alexander all her love, Alexander was the man that she would give her all to, the man she would give everything to. Alexander was the man of Eden’s dreams, she often daydreamed of her and Alexander running away together in the night to new adventures, new lands where they could be free of her father and even marry. Eden was not allowed to leave the castle, her father kept tight reins on her, making sure Eden didn’t run away because she was his prize to get more wealth and land. Sometimes Eden would slip out of the castle without her father knowing.

As time progressed, King Orpheus hadn’t expected Eden to grow into a beautiful young woman, he saw how noblemen and other men in his court stared at her as she walked by with her head down, Orpheus always told Eden to never look a man in the eyes because she was not worthy to do so because she was a woman, women are to never look men in the eyes because they are not a man’s equal. Even when princes would come and visit Orpheus kingdom to discuss affairs of state and capital, he saw them looking at Eden, when Orpheus saw this he knew he had a diamond in the rough that could bring him more wealth than he dreamed of. Though many princes wanted Eden as their wife, Orpheus declined their offers because he was waiting for the right king to come along with the wealth and land he wanted, even though the king he chose to marry Eden would be a murderer. All the while Eden dreaded the noblemen and princes looking at her, some seemed nice while others seemed to be like her father, Eden didn’t want to marry them and she knew that if they ever found out her secret, they would never want her. Eden wasn’t stuck on her beauty, if anything Eden thought her beauty was a curse, she knew that no good man would want her, no man would see her for her, they wouldn’t see the brokenness in her heart and eyes, they would only see her beauty and throw her to the side when they were finished with her. Life seemed so hopeless for Eden.

In the mean time, Alexander went into the throne room with the rest of the king’s guards with Eden still on his mind, and as he walked in, Alexander heard the king speak of his plans. This is a good strategy I have come up with, King Orpheus said patting himself on the back. Once I give Eden to Nexus, I will plan my next plot in taking over his kingdom and eventually take over the world. Alexander just stared at his King, wondering how he could just give up his only daughter, like she was nothing more than a prized horse. Alexander lowered his eyes as he seen that King Orpheus was selling his daughter off so cheaply, only to rule a world he could not even handle. Now listen up, King Nexus is coming tonight and I want security to be at its best, no exceptions, I hear he has taken over a few lands and enslaved his people, he will not take over my land, you hear me, I won’t allow it. I want guards all over the place and at each corner of this castle, guard my kingdom with your lives or I will have your heads. After King Orpheus told his guards what to do and made more arrangements, Alexander and the rest of the king’s guards were told to leave. As soon as Alexander left the throne room, he quickly walked down the long halls of the castle, thinking of plans to get Eden out of this arrange marriage. There was no way Eden wanted to marry this King Nexus, he was a murderer and killed each woman he married because she would only give him daughters and no sons and Alexander knew this. Eden’s life was in danger. Alexander knew the only way for Eden to get out of this marriage was getting her out of this castle and escape to faraway lands. As Alexander thought of ways to get Eden out, he searched for her, he needed to speak with Eden privately, though he hadn’t spoke to her in years, he had to talk to her before her birthday party began. Time was of the essence.

Eden’s ladies-in-waiting had to leave to make more preparations for her party, Ruth and Elizabeth did not want to leave Eden in her hour of need, but they had to. Eden told them to go, she knew they had more things to do, and anyway, Eden wanted to be left alone for a while. After they left, Eden took deep breaths and walked around her bedchamber, feeling alone and lost. Never had Eden felt more alone than today on her birthday, a day that was supposed to be happy and joyful but was instead full of sorrow and hurt. Eden wished she was never born, because she had no control over her life, Eden saw that her life was not her own. This castle was a curse, a prison that Eden had been trapped in for eighteen years.

Eden walked over to her window that overlooked the castle training grounds leaning on the window frame with her head resting on the window when she saw Jared, a man that was in the same age group as her mother. Jared was the man that trained all the king’s men and taught them how to fight and the ways of war, along with learning how to handle a sword and other weapons. Jared was master of arms and weapons. As Eden looked at Jared, she smiled, because many people thought that Jared was a hard man, he looked mean but he wasn’t. Jared was a kind man that knew how to treat people; he was a man of few words, minding his own business. Jared was a disciplined and tall rugged looking man, having charm, and handsome with long dark hair that he kept in a ponytail, having a full trimmed beard.

When Eden saw Jared she wanted to talk to him, she had to talk to him because she felt also though she was about to fall apart into pieces. Eden knew Jared since she was a young girl of five, Jared was like the father Eden never had. Eden often wished that Jared were her father, because Jared treated Eden like she was his own daughter. Eden and Jared were kindred spirits, they both got along wonderfully. When Jared had time, he and Eden would walk in silence, because he knew Eden needed time away from the castle, when King Orpheus would have his violent outbursts and hit Eden. Eden would secretly come to the training grounds and watch Jared train the King’s men. When Orpheus would beat on Eden, he told her that she could not have any lunch or dinner, when Eden’s mother could, she would sneak Eden some food, but when Orpheus found out what Isabella was doing for Eden, she would suffer also. So Isabella told Eden to go out to the training grounds, and a man named Jared would help her, and give her some food, Jared was an old friend. Eden went out to the training grounds, looking around cautiously and sure enough there was Jared waiting for her with a kind smile on his face, giving her food. Eden smiled up at Jared and thanked him, as Jared tended to her wounds when her father beat on her. As Eden would eat her food Jared asked, Does the king beat on your mother? Eden paused looking down than said, Father beats on mom sometimes, but he mostly takes out his frustration on me. It was true, King Orpheus would not hit his wife Isabella too much, he mostly verbally abused her and threatened to take Eden from her.

As Eden thought on these memories, she grabbed her cloak and went out to the training grounds to meet up with Jared. Jared was known as Sir Jared, because he was a knight from far lands were he was the best knight in his province. As soon as Eden made it out to the training grounds, she saw Jared putting up swords and other weapons in the armory. Sir Jared, Eden said in a small voice that sounded like a child’s. Jared turned around to see Eden looking sad like she always did these days. Jared smiled warmly at Eden and said, Well hello princess, what do I owe of this great honor, for a beautiful flower like you to visit an old man like me. Despite what Eden was feeling she could not help but smile and said, You are not old Sir Jared. Jared smiled more while Eden’s sad eyes troubled him; he knew something was wrong. Eden sat on a bench that was outside of the armory, with her cloak wrapped around her as she clutched it to her chest.

Eden, what’s wrong? Jared asked as he sat next to Eden, while she kept her eyes down. My father is giving me away in marriage to a man I do not know, Eden said as she looked up at the sun in the sky, making her brown eyes seem more golden than brown. What?! Eden nodded her head. I don’t know what to do Sir Jared, I don’t want to marry a man I don’t love and to make matters worse, this man is like my father, if not more evil. I have heard of his evil deeds. I can’t do this, I wish I could get away from it all, I wish I could take mom with me and leave this place and never come back. Yet, I know I have a duty to take care of my people, they are my responsibility, Eden said as she kicked a stray rock that fell over. "Though father is