Forsaken (Fated Saga Fantasy Series Book 8) (22 page)

She took a seat to rest a bit.

She had no choice the last few days, but slowly, she was getting better.

She’d done a terrible thing, and Fazendiin had once again come to her rescue.

Somehow, while she was out in the human world, she’d picked up some kind of illness, which had given her a fever. Juliska had never had a fever before and was apparently, what those in the human world would have called, a hallucinator.

A fever, of all things… she was a Firemancer and hot things did not bother her, or hurt her. But this human illness had sent her into a frenzy. She had little recollection of it all. Little blips of memory. But she’d gotten out of bed early in the morning a few nights ago just screaming and ranting like a wild woman.

Apparently attempting to live out one of her nightmares.

Unfortunately, she’d taken her fevered frenzy out on poor Basil, the caretaker, by feeding on him. She’d taken far too much and the poor old man was still recovering.

At least he
was
recovering, thanks only to Fazendiin stopping her just in time, before she took more than the caretaker could recover from.

Basil had already forgiven her, but she could not do the same of herself.

Fazendiin had proceeded to lock her up and take care of her until the fever passed about another twelve hours later.

Juliska had never experienced anything so horrible as waking up after a twenty-four illness she barely recalled, to find out she’d almost accidentally killed someone because of her vampyre side.

Her trip home had been delayed a few days.

Not just so that she could recover and beg Basil’s forgiveness…

She’d gotten herself into an instant panic… what if some freak thing like this happened once she got home and there was no one to stop her. She’d be a murderer!

The only intelligent and safe solution was to let Fazendiin make her immortal.

It was the only way to make certain the need never caught her off guard. That she’d always be in control.

The process was surprisingly simple. And Fazendiin warned her it took a couple weeks to fully take effect. So she might feel a bit weak now and again, but as soon as the process was complete, she’d never have to worry about a surprise feeding frenzy again.

Now she only had to worry about her future. With Eddy, the Svoda… finding out she was a vampyre was one thing. But now she was immortal, like the Grosvenor. If the Svoda ever found this out, they’d treat her just like she was one of them and most likely banish her.

It was too late now.

She’d made the choice and it was done.

Even with the deed done, her thoughts on immortality flipped back and forth. There were so many things she’d have to deal with. It might take away the danger of needing to feed, and give her endless years to live her life, but she’d be immortal and Eddy would not. She’d lose everyone she knew and at some point would have to leave the Svoda. Her condition would become obvious when she stopped aging.

But if having control, and not hurting people, meant she had to live without those she loved, to keep everyone safe from her vampyre side, then that’s a fate she’d have to live with. Which was a truth she’d have a face eventually.

She had her Firemancer’s Pocket guide lying out on the bed. She’d been reading and practicing, attempting to conjure a vision of her future. It was a silly thing to try really, knowing how impossible such a thing was. But her fears made her keep trying.

And she did keep having visions, just not the one she wanted.

The vision she kept having was similar to the same one she’d had since coming here. Of the woman, Isabella Crane. This last one though, had been the oddest of them all. It had something to do with Fazendiin and this woman, but Juliska could not piece it all together.

At dinner that night, he looked at her expectantly.

“Are you ready to go home?”

“Yes,” it came out apprehensively.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I am. I’m just a little nervous I guess. It’s been six months. A lot of things might have changed.”

He was smart enough to know which specific thing she was afraid of most. “If the man truly loves you as he claims, he will have waited for you.”

“And if not…”

“I do not believe there will be an,
if not…
”

“You’re more certain than I am. And what if anyone finds out who I really am?”

“You can always leave. They cannot keep you there. If you need my assistance, you have Pajak and can reach out to me if you’re ever in trouble. The Svoda are your family, but you can consider me family as well. Yes, they raised you as one of their own, and I am confident they will accept you. Even with this confidence, I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t send you off with a caution. Be careful whom you trust with anything you’ve learned about your life. Sometimes the people you think are your most trusted friends, or loved ones, can have a change of heart and become your worst enemy.”

She took in an uneasy breath.

“I don’t want to tell them who I am. Everything I’ve learned here. Is that bad of me, to want to keep it secret?”

“No. It’s your history. Your life. You choose to tell, or not.”

“I hate to lie to them. Especially to Eddy.”

“You will have to choose what to tell, and what not to tell, as well as who. Trust your instincts. Alas, I have seen firsthand what the truth can do. If the old hatreds are still strong within them, you may have reason to be concerned. In that case…”

“Lie?”

“An unfortunate byproduct of the truth, sometimes…”

Juliska stood up and went to the sink to wash her dishes. Fazendiin did the same right after her. Before she left the kitchen she stopped in the doorway and spun around.

“Something else?” he asked her.

“A vision I had. About you.” She stood with her arms against the doorposts, to see his response. It was even, flat almost. Possibly the tiniest hint of interest.

“And this vision distresses you?”

“No. It actually makes no logical sense to me. I know my visions are not why you took me, but I decided to share it with you anyway. Maybe it will make sense to you. Regardless of all that, it’s my way of saying thank you. For showing me everything you’ve shown me. For helping my parents and honoring their wishes. For opening up the world to me. Without your help, I would have gone through life a lesser person. A potentially dangerous person. Maybe that’s not the right way to say it… I’m just… grateful. So thank you.” She took an envelope out of her sweater pocket and handed it to him and walked up to her room to finish packing.

Fazendiin stared at the envelope. He’d hoped for something like this. That he’d gained her trust enough for her to share visions with him. He almost didn’t even care about what waited inside. This was the step he’d been waiting for. Her voluntary trust in him…

He did not open the letter right away. He waited until he’d gotten into the study, and had his tea before finally unable to handle the suspense any longer.

At some point in the future… sorry, I do not know when. Just that it is the future…

There is a woman, one I and others believe dead. I do not know why she has chosen to fake her death or what the two of you are doing together (although it’s clear it is something you both planned), but you should know the following…

She is about to give birth to your child. There is some kind of complication and you bring her to a human hospital seeking help. The doctors make you leave the room and right after, the woman grabs a nurse and says, “Take the girl. Take her to the orphanage. She
must
go there! I can only keep the boy.” 

My vision ends here.

I hope this makes some sense to you.

Fazendiin threw the letter into the fire and watched it burn. He stared into the flames, silently until his mother’s frame appeared in the stained glass.

He let out a satisfied laugh.

“I’ve done it, Mother. Three immortal children… Isabella is having twins…”

Aloyna hid her relief over this news. If her son had any idea how important this was to her, he’d never had told her. But this confirmation gave her life instant meaning. Made hers and other’s sacrifices worth the price.

“You don’t know for sure yet that Juliska’s child will be immortal,” she argued, keeping up her typical appearance.

“I feel confident… Isabella probably doesn’t even know she’s having twins yet. She thinks she can hide it from me once she finds out though. And after some thought on it, I mean to let her.”

Just what did her son have planned now?

“Oh wouldn’t you like to know Mother?” he muttered wretchedly, almost as if reading her thoughts.

Whatever it was, she could not interfere. The timing of everything was pivotal, and if she messed up one thing, everything she and others had sacrificed so much for, would be for nothing.

Aloyna shifted through the glass and left him to his scheming.

She didn’t have too many more years to wait now. And once Fazendiin’s bloodline was old enough, she be set free. If all she’d been told came to pass, then her grandson would free her. He’d break the glass… and she would have the chance to end her son’s life.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The goodbye was quick.

The trip home even quicker.

Juliska had her handbag and new pet, Pajak, in tow.

Home.

Just like that.

Home.

There was the island, her home since she was eleven.

In mere minutes, it almost felt as though the last six month had been a dream.

Where did she go first? Her mother? Eddy? Her mentor, PanSofia? The Banon, himself?

She had a final step before she was officially on the island. Fazendiin could not send her straight onto the island as it would have given away his secret that he could. So he sent her just to the edge near a check point. She saw two Balaton guarding it.

She walked up the pier and stopped, looking at each of them.

They recognized her, and stared, bewildered, unsure they were seeing correctly.

“It’s really me. I escaped,” she lied. She assumed that everyone on the island knew of her kidnapping at the hands of the Grosvenor.

“How did you escape?” one of them asked, dumbfounded by her appearance.

“Never mind that right now. Sound the alarm,” said the second guard.

Juliska sucked in a breath and froze. The alarm? Why?

“The Banon will want to know right away.” He turned and smiled widely at Juliska, extending a hand to assist her off the pier and onto land. “Welcome home, Ms. Blackwell. It is
very
good to see you alive.”

She let out her breath and accepted his help. “Thank you. It is good to be seen alive.”

In the next moment, the island wide alarm rang loudly. Balaton started to pop in believing they were under attack. Arnon Jaocby was the first to arrive.

He froze. In total shock. 

She smiled apprehensively.

He surprised her by rushing forward and embracing her.

“I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it.” He stood back and looked at her.

“Me either,” she shook her head. “But here I am.”

“We thought… we thought we’d lost you… for good.” There was a tear in his eye.

She grasped his shoulder.

“You didn’t. I got away… it’s a bit complicated really.” She had no clue where to start.

“Come. Let’s get you out of here before the crowd gets too thick. The Banon will be eager to see you. He’s been quite distraught over your loss, as have we all.”

While this fact warmed her, she was dying to just catch her breath and see her mother and Eddy. But Arnon whisked her away before she could argue. With a pop, she took another instant journey and was no longer standing next to the pier but in the office of the Banon. Benson Havelock.

She let out a nervous laugh as Arnon steadied her. She imagined the news of her return spreading across the island like wildfire. There were thousands of residents, but the news would spread fast.

“Oh my,” the Banon stammered upon seeing her. “He ran forward and embraced her just like Arnon had done.” She hadn’t really expected everyone to be so welcoming. He pulled back and looked at her. “You’re alive. You’re really alive.”

“Yes. And home. I managed to escape.”

“Unbelievable. When did you get home?”

“Just now, Sir,” said Arnon from behind her.

“Well then, I’m sure half the island already knows,” the Banon responded with a dazed chuckle. “The other half will know very soon. Do you need medical attention? You look well… all things considered.”

“No. I don’t need a hospital. I was well taken care of.
All things considered…
”

“Very well. Come. Sit. Let’s talk for just a minute then I’ll let you go to your family. Your poor mother has been sick with worry. And the young man, C. Edward Gillivray…”

She inhaled and stopped. They all knew then. They must, that she and Eddy had planned to marry. She must have looked worried because the Banon smiled kindly and leaned in.

“No worries at all my dear. You’re allowed to fall in love. But we’ll discuss your future later; there is much to discuss.”

Her insides sighed and quaked all at once. She really didn’t want to think or talk about her future just yet. At least not her job or career. The Banon pulled at her arm, tugging her along. Just as she was about to sit, a door swung open and in flew her mentor, PanSofia. Her entire body seemed to deflate in relief over her apprentices return.

Before they had a chance to speak, more Balaton, plus Viancourt members, including Tanzea Chase strode in. She nodded a welcoming greeting at Juliska.

Quite suddenly, the room was full, and loud and chaotic. Questions thrown at her faster than she could answer all at once.

How had she managed escaped?

Was she followed?

What did they want from her?

What did she tell them?

What did she learn from her time with the Grosvenor?

Had she learned anything of value that could be used against them?

Did she know where to find them?

Where had she been held captive?

It continued, her thoughts spinning. Or maybe she was spinning. This is not what she expected when she first arrived. Some excitement and confusion, but this was too much.

And other than the Banon, not one of them asked about her. How she was. If she was okay. What had happened to her… not that she would have told them the truth anyway, but it would have been nice to hear someone ask, or even feign concern.

The Banon tossed her and apologetic look; at least he seemed to care about her immediate needs. He threw his hands up in the air about to calm everyone when a voice shouted for everyone to stop. The room went silent.

Juliska recognized the voice. She turned until she spotted him.

He stood near the door, looking at her, out of breath and suddenly speechless.

But she knew, the moment she looked into his eyes… he had waited. Eddy had not given up on her. Tears formed, she bit her lip to hold them back. Coming home had been the right choice. Even with all the chaos sure to come in the following weeks, he was worth coming home for.

“Okay, let’s everyone calm down,” said the Banon. “Give our seer a few minutes to catch her breath. She’s been through quite an ordeal.”

The crowd backed off a little, giving her some room.

PanSofia stepped forward. “I’m sorry you were bombarded like that. We’re all very glad you’re safe, and home. It definitely caught us all off guard.”

“I understand,” Juliska returned graciously. “And I’m caught off guard more than anyone. There was a time not that long ago I did not think I would ever see this place again.”

“You’re home now,” Arnon called out from a few feet away.

“Although I’m afraid we’ll have to find you another apartment. We gave yours to a new apprentice. Your belongings are with your mother…” she cast a weary gaze at Eddy. “Until we find you something new, you’ll stay with me.”

They really had believed she would never return. Juliska opened her mouth to say something but was cut off.

“That sounds perfect, PanSofia.” It was the Banon. “A splendid solution. We’ll have our First Seer back in no time and you’ll finally be able to retire,” he aimed at PanSofia. He said all this as if Juliska had simply been away for a short vacation and was back to resume her job.

What was happening here? Had she suddenly reverted to being a teenager? And not on her way to twenty-six year’s old? Why were they planning out her life without even asking her what she wanted or needed? She guessed they expected she’d want to return to her old life. And she did, but not as fast as she believed they wanted.

She caught the cautious gaze of Tanzea Chase. The woman was sitting quietly at the back of the room and just smiled and winked at her. The only one in the room along with Eddy giving her any space.

It was right at that moment that Juliska realized things would not be the same as before. She did not want them to be, but if she did not speak up now, it would all get settled and determined before she could do anything about it.

“I’m sorry, everyone,” she stated firmly. “But I must decline your kind offer, PanSofia.”

The woman just stared, confused.

“Decline what?” asked the Banon.

“No, to all of this. For right now. I
just
got home after being gone for six months. After being a prisoner… I need time.”

“Don’t you still want to be my apprentice?” asked PanSofia.

“Yes. Of course. But…”

“But what? You have much to catch up on. I’m sympathetic to all you’ve gone through…” she leaned in. “You must come home with me. Think of how it will look… of your position. What is expected of you… think of your future.”

Juliska stared, in awe. She apparently was not fond of Eddy.

“I am thinking of my future,” Juliska replied. “And if you’ll have me back, I do still wish to be a Firemancer, and First Seer to the Banon. But I will do it when I’m ready. And that’s not today. And I’ll stay wherever I damn well please and I don’t care what you think about that. If this changes your mind about my position, you can let me know.”

The Banon started laughing. “Oh how I missed you! I always do get a kick out of you. Go. Get settled in. Catch up with your loved ones. We will speak about all of this when you are ready.”

PanSofia looked like she was about to protest but the Banon shushed her.

Before anything else could be said, Eddy strode across the room, picked Juliska up off the floor into his arms and carried her away.

“Where are you taking her?” PanSofia called out.

He stopped and turned around. “I’m taking my fiancé to see her mother. Then I’m taking her…
home.
”

Arnon tossed them a hearty smile. PanSofia’s gaze looked scandalous. But the Banon didn’t seem worried at all.

“You know,” Juliska whispered to Eddy. “I haven’t officially said yes, yet.”

“You will.”

She caught another wink from Tanzea Chase on her way out the door. The woman smelled like mothballs, as usual, but there was a comradery in her gaze that Juliska had never appreciated until this moment. She was clearly pleased with Juliska’s choices.

And though she did hope to retain her position as a Firemancer and take over as First Seer, she found she wasn’t all that concerned about it.

Eddy stole her away, put her inside an enclosed carriage waiting just outside. This gave her some coverage from the curious onlookers that were pouring into the streets after hearing the miraculous news of her return. He told the driver to take them to her mothers and got into the carriage himself. It lurched forward and Eddy sat down beside her, unable to take his eyes off her.

“I can’t believe it,” he muttered. “You’re really home.”

“I missed you,” she told him. “I missed you so much. And there’s so much to tell you, but I have no idea where to start.”

“All I need to hear right now, is that you’re okay.”

“I am. Promise, I am.”

“And tell me we will
never
be apart again.”

“I don’t
ever
want to be apart again.”

He kissed her. Fiercely.

When he pulled away, he slipped off the seat and got down on his knees in front of her. “I don’t know what happened to you, and you can tell me everything, or nothing. I’ll never ask you to do anything you don’t want. And maybe I should wait, but I don’t want to get interrupted again…
Will you marry me, Juliska Blackwell?
”

“Yes.” There was no hesitation. “Yes, Edward. I will.”

He kissed her again and settled in next to her.

“Now that is finally done…” the look of his entire being was that of relief and complete happiness. “Let’s go see your mother. And then I’m taking you home.”

“I thought you said your place was too small for the two of us?”

“I got a new place. I’ve been preparing for your return for months.”

She was speechless.

“When I got that message from you three months ago, I knew right then I would see you again. I can’t explain it, other than I just knew it wasn’t an
if,
but a matter of when. So I bought us a house. People thought I was crazy, especially your mentor. She does not like me and we’ve had a few heated discussions… anyway, it’s a lovely little cottage and I think you’ll…”

Juliska cut him off. Her lips devoured his.

Could life be any more perfect than at this moment?

He hadn’t only waited, but prepared a home for her to come back to.

He truly was perfection.

When they separated, Eddy looked pleased. “I missed you so much I thought my heart might never recover.”

She caressed his cheeks. She’d been so scared about coming home, she’d even thought of stalling… there had been no reason to fear this.

“I was so afraid I would come home and find out you’d moved on,” she admitted sheepishly.