A Savior's Worth (Book #3)

Chapter Fifty-Nine

"Eldon, you'll want to pay attention to this," Ashton enthusiastically said, for about the hundredth time. About the same damn thing, no doubt.

Still, Eldon dropped his gaze from the ceiling and watched as Ashton attempted to pick up his ring yet again from the desk. But like the previous tries, his hand went through it instead. Ashton quietly cursed himself and glanced at Eldon with desperation.

"I can do this," he assured.

"Remind me why yer wastin' yer time with that?"

"I would like to be more useful. Roaming aimlessly as a ghost can be quite dull. And I can do this; I've told you I can."

"You said you pinched Lord Berney the day we got back."

"I did."

"So, why's it harder pickin' up a damn ring?"

"I have no idea." Ashton stepped away from the desk and rubbed his neck.

Eldon propped himself upright, frowning. "A'right, well, don't give up yet. Maybe the thousandth try will be the one." Ashton laughed. Eldon almost smiled back, except his urge for smiling didn't currently feel plausible—not when he was dressed entirely in black and waiting to leave for Marigold's funeral service at the temple.

Ashton clapped his hands together, regaining Eldon's attention. He walked over and stood near the foot of the bed.

"Have I told you about the story of how I got my name?"

Eldon narrowed his eyes. "You were named after a tree. What else is there to know?"

"The significance of that tree, Eldon."

"What?"

"My father chose my name. He told me that since I was his first born, I was going to follow in his footsteps in becoming the Queen's Guard and—wait, is it still tradition for the oldest child to follow in their most successful parent's footsteps?"

Eldon raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "I dunno."

"Ah, anyway, he named me after the tree, because it has survived every single attack this castle has endured since it first grew in that spot. His hope was that, throughout my entire life, I would remain as strong as that tree."

"Hmm... that's stupid."

"Eldon!"

Eldon's lips twitch. Maybe it wasn't so impossible to laugh right now.

"Alright, then. And what is the story with your name?" Ashton asked.

"Dunno."

"Ah, well, I actually know. I was there when your mother told your father—"

"Stop," Eldon quickly interrupted. "We ain't goin' there." He leaped from his bed and crossed the room to where the mirror on the wall was. Strands of his hair were wildly sticking up in different directions. He raked his fingers through them in a failed attempt to settle them back into place. He could feel Ashton's intense gaze on him, but he refused to look.

"Why do you never want to speak about them, Eldon?" Ashton asked, an innocent tone that only a child should possess.

"Stop."

"It's not healthy to keep things to yourself, Eldon."

"I don't see a point in talkin' 'bout people I never met."

"Oh, I see. I will not push you, then." Ashton walked closer, and Eldon couldn't help staring at him through the looking glass.

"Is there anything else you would like to discuss?" Ashton then offered, folding his arms across his chest. Eldon's jaw clenched as he sensed what Ashton was referring to.