“How do you look at me and see all that?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never looked at a woman and seen much of anything before.”
“So all the things I’ve heard about you are true?”
“That and a few things you probably haven’t heard.”
“You can’t know you love me so fast.”
“If you’d told me that a couple of weeks ago, I would have agreed with you. But it happened the moment I introduced myself to you. I just… fell. And kept falling. I’m still falling and I don’t think I will ever reach the ground. It’s intoxicating and frightening all at once.”
“Eddy I…”
He cast her a wide grin. “You just called me Eddy.”
It had slipped out.
He grinned. “I won’t give up you know. I will make you believe me even if it takes a lifetime.”
Juliska closed her eyes, the beats of her heart pounding hard. She opened her eyes to see that Eddy hadn’t moved. His gaze still captured hers.
“Even if it takes a lifetime, Juliska.” He backed away a few steps. “I didn’t expect you to just fall in love with me in an instant. Besides, you’re too stubborn for that.”
“Then maybe you don’t know me at all.” Juliska grabbed his jacket and pulled him back to her. She was about to kiss him when she stopped herself. “Eddy. If you ever break my heart, I will have to kill you.” She batted her eyes innocently, but he saw the truth in what she said.
“I know. And I would let you. Any man who would break your heart deserves nothing less.” He reached up and put his hand over her heart. “You’re not the only one who’s scared.”
And with that, he kissed her.
Wrapped his arms around her.
And Juliska Blackwell fell madly in love with Colin Edward Gillivray.
CHAPTER 8
It was hard to believe the quest was almost over. The weeks had passed quickly and they’d just set up camp for the final time, deep in the woods in Eastern Canada. Not too far from where their quest had begun.
They’d gotten a late start that day and it was nearing dark already. They were surrounded by miles and miles of dense woods and a series of rivers and lakes. It was definitely remote and private. But also a bit boring. Although Cornell and Milo both believed the density of the area would give them lots of security.
Still, no one thought that winters here would be hospitable in the least. Even more unforgiving than the island. Regardless, they’d give it the proper research time, just as they had with the others.
But it was their last few of days living in the tent before going back home.
Later that night, Juliska disappeared into her room. Eddy went to his not too long after. And just a minute later they were together. They’d created an entrance between their rooms. It was stupid really. Everyone knew. They weren’t hiding anything.
Much later that night, they lay in bed staring up at the ceiling, when Juliska rolled onto her side. “Eddy…” there was a timid edge to her tone.
He rolled to his side and kissed the tip of her nose. “What is it?”
She tugged at her lip with her teeth, apprehensively.
“You can ask me anything,” he teased.
“I don’t know why this is so hard,” she berated herself.
“Now I’m getting worried.”
“It’s not like that… I don’t think…”
He sat up and motioned for her to do the same. “Just say it.”
“I’m wondering what happens when we go home?”
“Oh, is that all?” Eddy jested. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I’ve been thinking about that too.”
She waited for him to start.
He stroked her cheek, softly. “On my part, I don’t want to ever be separated from you. I can’t imagine a day in my life without you in it.”
She let out a visible show of relief.
Eddy looked disheartened. “Did you still think this was all just a farce?”
“No. No I didn’t… I really didn’t, it’s just… things will change after we go home.”
“This, us… doesn’t have to.”
“There’s something I haven’t told anyone yet,” she whispered. “And not that it couldn’t be guessed really as I’m Second Seer to the Banon, but PanSofia, my mentor, has decided to step down soon.”
“Ah. So you’re getting a promotion.”
“I guess. Yeah. I don’t know when, exactly, but my life will get even busier.”
“Are there rules that you can’t have a life outside of work?”
“No. But, I just wanted you to know what you’d be getting into. It won’t be like this.”
“As far as I’m concerned, the matter is settled.”
“How do you mean?”
“We know it will have to change, but we don’t want to be apart. So there’s only one solution. You’ll have to marry me.”
Juliska sat up a little straighter. “Marry you?”
“Is that such a foreign thought?”
“Yes,” she admitted breathlessly. “I never thought of myself as the marrying kind. And we barely know each other. I mean, we’ve only actually known each other for a month.”
“And yet you don’t want to be parted from me.”
She let out a relenting sigh. “But marriage? That’s a much bigger step.”
“I have my entire life to wait for you to say yes. Although I hope you don’t actually wait that long,” he replied quickly.
He motioned for her to lie back down. She did.
“Let’s get some sleep. All that matters right now is we know we don’t want to be apart, the rest will work itself out.”
“You’re right.” She tried to let the worry leave her with each exhale. It didn’t work though. She rolled to her side, looking at the man she never wanted to be parted from. She didn’t want to change a thing. She’d thought his scruffy dishevledness was a sign of laziness, but it was just him. Just Eddy. Her Eddy. She loved every bit of him.
Was it enough?
A knot centered around her heart, squeezing.
Things would be much different after she got home. There were not any strict rules that she could not marry, and yet PanSofia often warned her that being so involved with someone could take away her focus. Would the Banon mind? Would he change his mind about her being First Seer?
And if they were okay with it, was she?
It meant permanently giving him her heart… he already owned it, so why not?
Why not take a chance?
And if it didn’t work out?
What if her new responsibilities proved too much. Maybe he thought he could handle what she was, and what her job required, but what if he was wrong?
“I can practically hear your thoughts…” muttered Eddy. “Stop worrying so much.”
She closed her eyes and sighed. It had only been a month and yet he knew her on a level no one else ever had… even her adopted parents, or mentor. He rolled over when he didn’t hear her respond.
“It will all work out. I promise.” He pulled her closer.
“You’re right. I think I came into this world a natural born worrier.”
“You can always put your worries on me. I can take them all.”
She sat up a little and looked him in the eye. “I’m not worried. Or afraid. As long as we’re together… as long as we have this, right here…” Tears formed in her eyes, she looked down to hide it.
He picked up her chin. “You don’t have to hide anything from me. Especially happy tears. And extra especially if they’re because of me,” he teased smugly.
She rolled her eyes and smiled. “I am happy. You make me happy, Eddy. I thought I knew what it meant to be happy but I was wrong. These last weeks have made that very clear.”
“Now that is… sad. You’ve never been happy?” He sat up again. She did the same.
“Not like this. Loved… I was loved by my adopted parents, but I was never happy. And then once I found out
I was a Firemancer, my life was pretty much set up for me. I was needed. Respected. Appreciated even. Satisfied, I thought. And I guess I thought that satisfaction equaled happiness…”
“You know, I love the island and the life we have there. The protection, the security… but sometimes I think we get a little too wrapped up in the little world we’ve created for ourselves and forget that sometimes…” he paused. “Sorry, I’m trying to find the right words…” it took him a moment. “We should all have choices, I guess is what it comes down to. Even if our home never grows and expands beyond the island’s borders, we should have choices. I chose my line of work and I’m lucky and grateful. You were not given any choice.”
“I’m okay with it though. I do like what I am, I just never realized how unfulfilled my life was… how empty it had been.”
“You’re not now?”
“No… not at all.”
“That looked like it was painful to admit.”
“Not painful… frightening.” She grabbed his hands. “I’m not one of those needy girls that require constant attention and affirmation… but giving myself to someone so completely and unconditionally…” She let go of him, not sure how to finish.
“You were not joking when you told me you’d have to kill me if I ever broke your heart, were you?”
“That’s what it feels like,” she exhaled. “There’s something swelling up inside me I’ve never felt before and I want to let it out. I want to feel it. I want to share it, with you. This… us… it has to be all or nothing. I need you to be so sure. And that feels like an impossible and selfish thing to ask someone. How can you know it will last forever?”
“No one can. But if there was ever someone I wanted to try this with… Juliska, I can’t promise everything will be perfect. No one’s life is. But I would rather go through this imperfect life with you, than anyone else. And that I am absolutely certain of.”
Her barriers cracked open.
The walls crumbled to dust.
She allowed his words to break in and melt away any fear she still clung to.
“Ask me to marry you again,” she whispered.
He hopped out of bed and dragged her with him. She shook her head and grinned when he got down on one knee.
“Juliska Blackwell, let’s spend the rest of our imperfect lives together. Never a single day apart. Will you marry me?”
She opened her mouth to answer him when a deafening boom crashed somewhere outside the tent. She gasped. Eddy got to his feet.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
They looked at each other, time standing still in a terrifying moment.
A voice shouted, “We’re under attack!” It was Arnon.
Eddy and Juliska scrambled to dress. He took her hand and they met everyone in the front room. They were preparing to fight. Arnon, Cornell and Nashua didn’t pause to explain; they raced out of the tent to face whatever was out there.
Milo came up to her. “We’re under attack.”
“By whom?”
“Don’t know. Ready yourself.” He nodded at Eddy, and Balloch who’d just joined them. Juliska’s breath caught in her throat. Milo and Balloch headed out to join the others. Eddy squeezed her hand, but he had to go too. She tried to let go of him, but her fingers refused to release his hand. A terrible feeling in her gut… if she let go now, it was for good.
“Sorry. I have to go. Be careful. And I’m going to make you answer my question just as soon as this is over.”
She released him, but the unease growing inside her did not ebb. He disappeared out of the tent. More booms and crashes surrounded them.
“It sounds like a war,” she stammered.
“Are you trained in battle?” Kanda asked her.
“Um… yes…”
“Never been in one?” she guessed.
“No.”
“You’ll be okay. Stick to your training. More than that, stick to what you know.”
What Juliska knew was Firemancy.
They ran out to join the others.
It was chaos. And smoke. And flashes of light, followed by things exploding all around them. Juliska had trained to battle, but never like this. And even with magic on their side, they were a small army.
Her fellow quest members had created a line of defense around their tent, using it as cover behind them, not that the canvas gave them much protection. They shot off spell after spell over their heads, creating a magical shield to ward off the incoming ambush.
Except there was no magic or devastation actually reaching them.
The smoke cleared some, and everything that had exploded was a good twenty feet away from them. Was this intentional? Not getting too close… and their magical shield was only good for a few feet around them.
Juliska saw Eddy around the right-hand side of the tent, but let him stay focused. Just at the edge to her left was Arnon, and Cornell around the side. They were giving each other a confused look.
“Everyone gather at the front!” Arnon ordered a moment later.
The explosions were slamming into things all around the tent, sending debris flying; but not close enough to hit them or the tent.
They created a line of defense at the front, the remnants of the magical shield holding, for now. Juliska stayed just inside the entrance, unsure how to help. She caught a tense glance from Eddy.
“It’s like they’re just letting us know they’re here…” Cornell shouted. “Makes no sense.”
“Nothing is even getting close to our shield,” Arnon noted.
“A diversion?” questioned Nashua ominously.
They all looked at each other. A diversion for what?
“We have nothing of value with us,” insisted Milo.
“Maybe they want our research?” suggested Balloch.
“That could be valuable to the right person,” agreed Arnon.
“And just who is they?” asked Kanda.
The smoke cleared even more, the explosions stopping. Everyone trained their gazes into the woods, searching. A flitter of smoke-like movement, and then another, darting between trees. They moved so fast it was impossible to catch a clear view… but only one thing moved like that.
“Grosvenor…” muttered Cornell in dismal revelation.
They cemented their defensive stances, palms at the ready.
“There’s more than one,” warned Arnon. He saw at least three shadows he could count so far, possibly more.
“Let’s hope not all nine are here,” said Nashua. He was itching to be in his wolf form, but his human form had more of a chance of surviving this foe. The Grosvenor rarely attacked out in the open like this… it meant there was a purpose behind it. A purpose the quest members didn’t know and could only imagine.
“Maybe we need a diversion,” said Kanda. “Keep them busy.”
Nashua spun and stared her down through resolved eyes. “No. Not from you…”
“I can’t hide what I am forever, Brother.”
“But it does not have to be today.”
“Maybe they already know…”
Nashua said nothing, but the rage in his gaze led them to believe he’d already thought of this.
“What is this about?” demanded Arnon. What secret had they kept from him?
Kanda said nothing, eyeing her brother, hard.
Arnon stepped closer. “If it’s the reason they’re here I need to know.”
“I just counted five figures,” Cornell shouted.
Kanda and Nashua did not explain and they reformed the defensive line, aiming overhead- a flash. A boom. Something powerful rent the space between them all, scattering them in all directions.
Eddy pushed Juliska down to the ground, rolling them to take cover behind a downed tree.
If the Grosvenor had been playing with them, testing them, or warning them, it was over. Perhaps it was not a diversion at all, just a test to see if there was any worthy foe in the group.
Arnon jumped to his feet to take stock of everyone. He’d
landed just inside the tent entrance and came running out, relieved he didn’t see any major injuries- there was a hissing dark mass flying toward them. His arm shot upward, a spell shooting out of his hand hitting the Grosvenor’s head on. It created a charge of light that crackled over them.
Smoky masses danced and darted in between the light bursts.
They needed to regroup, fast, if they had any hope of surviving this battle.
“To me,” Arnon shouted. “Regroup!”
Slowly, they worked their way back to Arnon in front of the tent.
Eddy pulled Juliska off the ground.
“I’m fine,” she told him. Feeling rather useless… she wanted to add, but kept to herself.
“Stay close,” he begged her. “I don’t want you out of my sight.”
While Juliska enjoyed the sentiment, she refused to be a useless tow behind.
“I have to do my job. You have to let me.”
He agreed, but the distress in that choice was obvious by the pained look on his face.
“Help the others. I’ll be fine, Eddy.”
He let her go by the tent and rejoined the others, who had regrouped.
“We need to figure out what’s going on,” said Cornell. “If we just keep playing poor defense we’re not going to make it out alive.”
“Suggestions?” Milo asked everyone.
Kanda eyed her brother pleadingly.
“No. That is a last resort.”
“Maybe it’s not your choice,” she argued through clenched teeth.
Juliska wasn’t certain what was going on, but it was clear Nashua was trying to protect his sister. It hit her what she needed to do. Create a diversion so the others could fight. And if they were here for Kanda, and whatever she was hiding, perhaps this would give them a chance to protect her as well.
Eddy turned and cast a quick glance at her, almost as if he knew she was about to try something and was begging her not to. But there was no other option. They’d all die. At the least, Kanda might, or she might be taken by the Grosvenor… better to just die in that case; it was a death sentence to be captured. It was a rare thing for someone to return alive after.
Juliska refused to allow this to happen.
Eddy had turned away but she smiled at him, a sense of peace and calmness coming over her. Her decision felt right.
The Ghost, The Dragon, and The Lost King (Fated Chronicles Book 4) Page 8