Forsaken (Fated Saga Fantasy Series Book 8) (27 page)

“You know me,” Eddy pleaded. “You know I would never do this.”

Juliska thought she might vomit.

She glared at Amelia. “Do not ever call me your sister again.” She ignored Eddy and turned away. No one knew what else to say and the group parted down the middle to let her back through.

Juliska wanted to disappear. Run far away. Why had she come back here? Why did she think this was the right place for her?

It was all a lie.

Eddy didn’t love her.

He’d finally reached that point when he realized he wasn’t going to get what he wanted from her and had to find a way out. And he’d chosen the one thing he knew she’d never be able to forgive.

Or maybe he’d decided that everything she’d told him was too much for him to handle after all. Maybe he didn’t want a child. Maybe he didn’t want an immortal wife and child… 

Hands came up behind her and spun her around.

“Juliska, please,” Eddy begged. “I don’t know what’s happening. What this is. But it is
not
what you’re thinking. I love you. Please, let’s just go somewhere and figure out what happened.”

She said nothing. Just stared at him like his touch was poison.

Why had she believed him?

Fallen for him and given her heart away like a lovesick schoolgirl.

He was just like all the rest.

Accept she’d fallen for it.

Was it just some sort of sick joke? Was he crossing her off his long list of conquests?

It didn’t matter now.

It was over.

Ice encased her heart. Not love.

She would never fall for another man, ever again.

But what to do about the fact that he knew everything? She’d trusted him with details of her life that she did not want others to know. Including that she was pregnant.

“I trusted you,” she muttered helplessly. “I will never make that mistake again.”

Arnon and Kanda attempted to get the crowd to leave, quietly, and let the two sort it out.

“Juliska, the last thing I remember is getting home last night and getting my clothes ready for this morning… and then just now, waking up out here. This is some kind of trick! To keep us apart.”

She let out an embittered huff. “Please, just stop, Eddy.”

Amelia tried again. “You should believe him.”

Loathing. Juliska’s stare turned to complete loathing.

“Let go of me, Eddy.” Her voice came out flat and empty.

He did, but his gaze pleaded with her to let him figure out what had happened.

“All or nothing, Eddy,” she reminded evenly. “There is no more
all.
You chose
nothing.
”

She turned and left without another word or look to Eddy or anyone.

She ignored every shout, question, or sympathetic gaze.

There would be no wedding today, or any other day, for Juliska Blackwell.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Eddy slumped in his chair, staring out the front window of his house.

It was his now, not theirs.

Juliska’s belongings were gone.

Even with the arrival of a mild spring erupting, the house that just weeks before was filled with love and the promise of new life, was empty and cold.

Weeks, without any irrefutable proof to offer. Nothing to prove his innocence other than his word. Which sadly, was not enough. Juliska was an all or nothing woman. And he’d never feared that because he was all in.

It hurt that she cut him off so easily. Believed him capable of such a terrible thing.

She refused to speak to him or see him.

Four months pregnant with a child he might never see.

Somehow, she was hiding the pregnancy. Someone was helping her. This might give him some clue as to who had done this thing to him, but Juliska was keeping her secrets well. And he would not betray her by telling anyone. She probably expected him to.

He wanted to fall asleep, wake up and be in a place where this had never happened and they were married, about to start a family and happy.

Arnon had tried to help.

Cornell as well. He attempted to trace any magic that might have been used but so far, neither had come up with anything solid.

Why?

It was the most important question. What was the point?

Why?

The answer might tell him how to prove to Juliska that he had not betrayed her.

Just why?

Why ruin his life? Why ruin hers?

He feared the answer lied somewhere in the depths of her time with Jurekai Fazendiin. In the things he saw and read between the lines of all she’d told him.

There was some greater scheme in the works… he’d bet his life on it. Somehow, it revolved around the woman he loved.

And he was not part of the plan… at least the future of it. He’d been used. Served his purpose. The Grosvenor had gone right for the jugular, doing the one thing he knew Juliska would never recover from… betrayal. Of the worst kind. It shattered her. And he was helpless to stop it.

Why hadn’t he questioned more? Seen all this sooner? Brought up or pointed out his concerns? Would it have even made any difference?

Amelia had been no help. She didn’t like what had happened and was equally perplexed, but had a lot more important things going on… like starting a war. She was heavily recruiting people to her side.

But she’d lost some. Whatever had happened, it was not a publicity stunt by Amelia Cobb. And if it was, it had backfired. She’d lost followers, who could not side with someone willing to destroy a happy couple. She was even less popular on the island now. And hadn’t been seen out and about much at all.

If he could just talk to Juliska. Look her in the eye and swear to her.

She would have to talk to him eventually. They were still having a baby together and even if she’d never take him back, he would not be written out of his child’s life. She could not keep him from their child.

Except that there was no one on his side, unless he betrayed Juliska’s trust and told someone she was pregnant. He refused.

He glanced around his cold, lifeless house.

He hadn’t gotten rid of his old apartment yet, the one he’d gotten when he’d first apprenticed with Balloch Flummer. He couldn’t stay here anymore.

This was a happy place that had died a tragic, needless death.

He left, closing the door behind him.

It crushed him to do. Leaving meant giving up. Accepting fate.

But what more could he do?

#

PanSofia sat in front of Banon Havelock.

“I’m concerned. Juliska is living in complete denial.”

“Her work is satisfactory,” the Banon argued. “She doesn’t seem… unhappy.”

“That’s because she has not accepted or grieved her loss. This will be come back to haunt her. It could affect her work. You should know, there are theories that Eddy was tricked.”

The Banon looked at her. “What theories? I haven’t heard anything about any theories.”

“Some are saying this was done to discredit Amelia Cobb.”

“Oh and I suppose they think that order came from this office.”

“It’s been discussed. I don’t know how many people think there’s any truth to it.”

“Well it’s ridiculous. I was thrilled with the union. Everyone on this damn island knowns it.”

“There is another theory… amongst some of the Balaton,” PanSofia told him.

“And?”

“That it’s something to do with her time away. When she was Fazendiin’s captive.”

“Nonsense!” said the Banon. He got up from his desk. “There’s not a bit of evidence proving that. Things have been peaceful since her return… accept for the whole Amelia nonsense, but even she’s been quiet.”

“Only because she lost some followers after she was found with Eddy. At least that’s the rumor.”

The Banon chewed on his lip.

“We’d be remiss if we didn’t consider that something more happened to Juliska while she was a captive.”

“Did you have a vision?” he asked the seer.

“No. Gut feeling…”

“Not good enough.”

“It would have been in the past,” the seer scolded. “Is my opinion so easily written off now that I’ve retired?”

“Of course not!”

“Then as Banon, you need to consider the possibility.”

“Even if something more happened while she was away, what purpose would it serve to break up two people in love?” He got out of his chair, his cheeks getting red with anger. “Juliska is not a liability. Far from it! The poor woman has been through hell. Just let her grieve in her own way.”

“You’re missing my point. I’m not blaming Juliska. Can’t you see how someone could be using her, without her even knowing?”

“You’re talking about conspiracies that have no validation. Stirring up trouble where there is none. Unless you can offer proof, this topic is no longer up for discussion. Just leave it alone. You’re retired… so go be retired.”

She jumped out of her chair to leave.

“You’re love for that girl will be your undoing, Benson,” she pleaded at a personal level. “Mark my warning. Vision or not, something is not right. And by the time you see this, it may be too late.”

He said nothing.

He had enough to deal with without listening to rumors and conspiracies.

Just as PanSofia opened the door to leave, she gave a start and stepped back.

Juliska was on the other side of the door, about to knock. She dropped her arm forcing a smile. It was so obvious she’d been the topic of their conversation.

It was getting old. And tiresome. And annoying.

Having people talk about her all the time. Trying to figure out what had happened to Eddy, like he was somehow an innocent in all of this. She wished they’d all just move on. She had.

“PanSofia,” Juliska greeted. “Banon Havelock.”

“Your mentor was just informing me she was officially cleaning out her desk, sort to speak,” he explained. His smile looked as forced as hers. The seer said nothing and just nodded a goodbye to Juliska.

She did not care for the way her old mentor was looking at her. With distrust.

Where did that come from?

She never cared for Eddy, so she couldn’t possibly be on his side.

Juliska shut the door, closing she and the Banon in his office.

“What can I do for my new First Seer?” said the Banon, taking a seat once again. He reached into a drawer and pulled out a potion bottle. She recognized the bottle… if she was a betting woman, Tanzea had made that potion. He opened it and took a quick swig.

“Are you feeling all right?” she asked him.

“Oh, yes, just fine. Ignore me.” He thrust the bottle back into the drawer. “It’s supposed to help calm my nerves.”

“Bad day?”

“It’s always a bad day,” he jested. “Now, what can I do for you?”

“Nothing of importance really. I had a vision regarding…
Amelia…
” just saying her name was like a knife cutting across her tongue. “But it was the same. Nothing new, or of any use I’m afraid.”

“What to do, what to do? This Amelia problem isn’t just going to go away.” He eyed Juliska with gentle admiration. “I must ask you, and I’m sorry that I must… but are you okay dealing with Amelia, considering…”

Juliska didn’t even flinch. “I’m fine with it.” In fact, she was more than fine and hoped to inflict some discomfort on her backstabbing sibling.

“Your mentor is concerned about you. So am I. But if you tell me that you’re up to all this, I will not question it. If you do need some time…”

“I don’t need any time. What I need, is to do my job. I don’t understand why everyone thinks I’m about to break.”

“Fair enough.”

She relaxed her demeanor and smiled. “Really, Sir. I am grateful for your concern, but I’m exactly where I want to be. I’ve never been more focused.”

“Very well. Do you have any thoughts on the matter of Amelia? Any insight… I hate to use the fact that you’re siblings, but anything you can tell me that might help…”

“No, I understand. Amelia… enjoys attention. Always has. If I had to make a guess at her next move… she’s desperate to grow her following. The best way she can accomplish this is to discredit you. I would almost bet money she’ll create some kind of spectacle.”

He sighed, deep in thought. “Do you think Amelia is capable of hurting anyone?”

Her gut wanted to say no. She did not think her ex-sibling capable of this… but she was not sure now. She’d steal someone’s fiancé… and that hurt… Juliska let go of this, burying the wound deep.

“I honestly cannot say, Sir. I think it wise to consider all possibilities. Even if she did not mean to, she or her followers could do so accidentally. Tempers flare. People do stupid things.”

“Hm. Yes. You’ve only just further proven why you’re First Seer. Visions or not, you are very wise.”

“Thank you. Just doing my job, the best I can.”

“And you’re doing it splendidly. Give me some time to think on all this. There needs to be some way to reach a peaceful solution.”

“I hope you’re right. I really do. Because the havoc she’s causing on the island is nothing compared to what she plans on causing off the island.”

“That’s what truly frightens me.”

He didn’t need conspiracies and theories.

He needed action and results.

They had an actual crisis to handle.

“Is living on the island so bad?” he blurted out suddenly. “Haven’t we had a good life here?”

“I don’t think it’s a matter of good versus bad. It’s in people’s natures to want to explore.”

“I do always enjoy your frankness, Juliska.”

Guilt ate at her again. “If I hadn’t been taken… maybe some of this could have been avoided. You’d have chosen a new home, appeased many.”

“Perhaps. My gut tells me peace would not have lasted long.” He looked at her quite seriously. “This stays between us for now. I’ve believe, even though I do not want to, I may have to let Amelia and her followers leave. Otherwise, a war might break out.”

She sighed. “I expected nothing less. But I think there’s still time. A chance to find a solution.”

He nodded. “We will give it our best, won’t we?”

“Of course. Splitting apart friends and family will only further hurt our people. Whatever conclusion is reached, it must be fair and accepted by all.”

“I agree. I very much agree.” He let out a coarse breath. “I think talking through business with you, works much better to calm my nerves than that damn tonic.”

She chuckled.

“Have a good day, Juliska. Take care.”

She nodded and departed, returning to her office. It was not a typical office with a desk and a chair. She was slowly converting it to her needs as Firemancer as it was currently decked out to serve PanSofia, who was a Watermancer.

Juliska groaned when her mentor stepped out from behind a partition with a small box in hand.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt. Gathering a few more of my personal things. I’ll be by, or send someone by, for the rest over the next few days.” She set the box down instead of leaving.

Juliska found this irritating and let out a sigh. Her old mentor never used to bother her like this, but lately, she couldn’t stand to be around her. It was like she was hovering for no valid reason.

“It must be strange for you,” Juliska stated, attempting civility. “Not having to come to work each day.”

“A little. I’ll adjust. I hope you do as well.” Her tone insinuated Juliska was not.

“I’m adjusting just fine.”

“No. You’re not. You’re lying to yourself, Juliska Blackwell. And it will keep you from doing your job, properly.”