The Prevalence
Sequel and Final Book of THE PREMORTALS
Jacqueline Wrenley
Copyright © 2020 Jacqueline Wrenley Yap
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
ISBN: 9798670823937
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To all the readers who took the time to read the first book. Thank You.
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
CHAPTER 1: THE LETTER
CHAPTER 2: CAPREA
CHAPTER 3: SUNGLOW
CHAPTER 4: HOUSE OF RECTNER
CHAPTER 5: THE PRINCE
CHAPTER 6: THE RIOT
CHAPTER 7: RUCKUS CITY
CHAPTER 8: VIENOS
CHAPTER 9: OVERTURE
CHAPTER 10: CRESCENDO
CHAPTER 11: KAIROS
CHAPTER 12: CROSSROADS
CHAPTER 13: THE CHOICE
EPILOGUE
About The Author
CHAPTER 1: THE LETTER
ELAINE
There was a time when I thought my life was going to be a straight road, everything mapped out for me and the events would fall right into place as designed. No turns and no going back, just moving forward, that would be an ideal life, wouldn’t it? Maybe a few bumps here and there, a little side turn but always going straight. With a few occasional acceptable surprises, yet still it would be tolerable. Life would be easier but I was always not in control, and sometimes life had a funny way of unfolding itself especially when it gave a full turn towards the wrong direction. No matter how hard I stirred to where I preferred to be, I would always go back.
I was finally contented and happy. I imagined this was what my life was going to be from here on onwards, I was starting to enjoy the ride but when we crash, someone was always bound to get hurt and the question was who was going to feel the most pain.
Previously, I was from the lower Beta station but since I became an Elite through my match with Curtis, Lord of Pinewood, my life had never been the same. Rerouting my destiny, I had to leave home where I was most loved for a cold and extravagant life I never desired to be in. I was miserable, the Elites were a very conceited and self-obsessed group with their absurd excessive lifestyle, and their no regard for others made them so domineering.
I found out not all Elites were alike though. Curtis was very kind and gracious to me, but my impression of him was not like that in the beginning and I was glad I was wrong with my opinions of him. He made being an Elite much more bearable than being at it alone.
Staying beside Curtis was the path I laid for myself and I was relieved to know I wasn’t going to spend my life detesting my mate like the others who had no form of connection with theirs. Although Curtis and I had this certain mutual attachment, I wasn’t quite sure if this was what I called love. He told me once that he did love me but I never reciprocated it, not intentionally. There was something holding me back and made me doubt if what I felt for him was even real. Perhaps I made myself feel this way because he was my mate chosen for me by the system, or was it because of the past I once lost and I yearned again for that feeling even if it was with somebody different.
But after today, when Curtis dedicated his life to help the Defiers, a group of rebels fighting for change in the Empire, it stirred me inside in a different enticing way. No Elite had ever joined the Defiers and he had no reason to especially since he already had everything. I think he never saw himself belonging to the Elites to begin with after he lost his mother when he was still very young, and it broke him. His estrangement to his father before he passed away wasn’t helping him either. His brother Andrew, the tyrant Duke of Pinewood and the new head of the House of Bermule, whom he loathed the most, was his tormentor.
When we shared the kiss after I was so impressed by his decision in continuing to fight for the Defiers, the exhilarating feeling of losing yourself was consuming but the spell broke when I suddenly heard a familiar voice yet I vaguely remembered who’s exactly.
The startled jump made me turn and hide my face from the embarrassment of sharing an intimate moment in front of someone who wasn’t supposed to see it, and then I recovered quickly. I saw a glimpse of Curtis glaring intently in an unfriendly way at the owner of the voice who unceremoniously interrupted us, before he would be revealed to me.
My eyes were wide open and my mouth dropped upon seeing the figure I was certain would never haunt me again. There he was standing, looming over us with his golden blonde mid length hair and ocean blue eyes. His bright and animated nature still lingered. His smile unwaveringly affable and eyes gleaming with excitement.
This was the very last place I expected him to be with such terrible timing, he was really here in the mess hall, inside the Defier’s hidden base in a cave below a mountain. Repressed emotions suddenly resurfaced like a waterfall, strong and nothing stopping it. He was the sudden detour, a past from home I had completely left behind for good… the man from across the street.
“Ellie! I can’t believe it, it’s really you!” he excitedly said.
I was a loss for words but he kept on smiling, waiting patiently for me to speak. Everything became awkward, he always had this unusual effect on me where I became suddenly mute but I needed to say something fast not to seem too fazed by his presence.
“Uh… yes, umm… this is… my mate Lord Curtis,” I stammered looking at Curtis then back at him. It was the practical thing to say that first came to mind, “Curtis, this is…” I paused realizing I never knew his name.
He laughed finding my clumsiness for words amusing, and then introduced himself, “Devon… my name is Devon.” He grinned widely, extending a hand to Curtis who completely ignored it.
That was not a good sign, I thought.
“So how do you know Ellie?” Curtis asked frowning not taking his eyes off Devon who dropped his outstretched hand.
“I used to work at a bakery across the street from Ellie’s house,” he replied cheerfully.
“Oh really?” Curtis responded and it sounded frigid.
Devon wearing his usual friendly smile added, “Yes… I knew Ellie before she was matched to you. The last time I saw her was when we said our farewell…”
“Okay! So what are you doing here by the way?” I asked abruptly interrupting but trying to sound engaging at the same time, hoping to change the subject. I wasn’t going to let Devon talk about what happened that night at the doorstep of my house. Of course I knew he was not going to spill the details to Curtis but there was no way I was taking any chances.
He chuckled lightly. “I should be the one asking you that question.”
Before anyone could speak any further, Allison entered the mess hall and announced cheerfully, “It’s time to go.”
I was relieved to be rid of that already awkward moment. Curtis stood from his bench and left the table first and I was about to follow when Devon said, “It’s really good seeing you again Ellie.” He was smiling tenderly. The tone of his voice reminded me of our night on the doorstep of my house, how he confessed his feeling
s for me, but only this time I saw his face.
I reluctantly responded with a slight grin. What can I say to him? I was with Curtis now and Devon’s intentions were unclear to me. I wanted to be friendly to him but with certain limits, not implying any form of opportunity beyond friendship in his head. His presence was upsetting, making everything complicated.
Our journey back was faster in the dark and more guarded. A few men came along and went ahead making sure the route was safe while some remained including Olfren escorting us to the fishing town of Gelhem. From there we took the public shuttle back to Coastal City like the one we rode to Gelhem avoiding unwanted attention of an Elite shuttle docking in a fishing town.
We were finally on our own shuttle going back to Pinewood. Curtis was silent throughout the journey which made me uncomfortable. His eyes were closed, I wasn’t sure if he was asleep sitting across from me. With the silence, I had time to reflect.
Seeing Devon again brought back old memories. Every day we saw each other from across the street, although we hardly talked, but I knew there was a certain connection between us the way he smiled and how he made me feel alive and gush at his sight. When he was around, I couldn’t resist feeling exhilarated probably because he was easy to be with and brings out the good in everything.
I then set my gaze on Curtis who was still closing his eyes. He was different but don’t get me wrong, he was a good man and cared for me deeply but he was not like Devon, he was sort of… complex and sad to say broken in a way I couldn’t completely understand, but that was what made him interesting, strong and alluring. He was kind and charming. The sad truth was the feelings I had when I first saw him were not the same compared to what I had with Devon.
Then I shook myself away from this kind of thoughts. I shouldn’t even be allowed to entertain such audacity. My devotion was with Curtis now after I made the pledge.
I was startled when he suddenly moved on his seat and slowly opened his eyes. I quickly averted my gaze to the window beside me, hoping I was fast enough for him not to notice I was staring.
“Sorry I fell asleep.”
I turned my head to face him and grinned. “It’s alright. You look like you needed it.”
He smiled then looked out the window. “We will be home soon…”
Home crossed my mind and I remembered what Curtis had done for me so far, he brought me home to Coastal City despite the impossibility of Andrew’s approval and he risked it all for me. When he became a Defier, it was very noble for an Elite, a huge leap for him, outside of the comfort and the life of luxury he was used to. It was a decision I never saw coming from him, and his determination gave me the resilience I needed. Then I suddenly regretted comparing him to Devon.
“That was something huh?” Curtis suddenly said.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“The children, I mean the Premortals,” Curtis replied shaking his head. “Who knew it was possible, both their mother and father born in the birth chamber but they were able to reproduce a child naturally when it was highly unlikely after the parents were given the sterility serum during the fetus stage. I still find it hard to believe.”
“They made a wise decision though seeking the Defiers help,” I added.
“Yes, they are safe with them.”
I sighed. “I agree but it must have been hard for them to sacrifice their lives in hiding for the love of their children, truly remarkable.” I paused then added, “I wonder what would happen to them if they were caught?”
Curtis shrugged. “They could’ve been captured and probed. Nothing like this has ever happen, not that we know of anyway. The Empire will make sure this will not be repeated again.”
“And we fight to change all that, for a life of freedom and choices.”
Curtis nodded. “No wonder Ryder is so passionate about their cause. Imagine a world like that, no stations, no Numen system, free from the control of a corrupt Emperor.”
“Sometimes she scares me though,” I admitted hesitantly.
Curtis tilted his head and I noticed his expression turned from serious to a grin.
“You? Scared of anything?” he spoke teasingly.
I giggled. “There are some things that scare me.”
He chuckled. “Did I scare you when you first saw me at our ceremony?”
“Yes you did actually, but everything scared me during that time. I really thought you were a stuck up Elite like the rest of them,” I said amused.
He laughed. “And now?”
“I’m disappointed I was wrong after all,” I teased and chuckled. “Were you even scared at our ceremony?”
He playfully pretended to be thinking. “Yes, I was more anxious what you’d look like.”
“And?”
“I guess I was disappointed too,” he answered laughing loudly and I joined him.
“But seriously what were you thinking when you first received the envelope with my name on it?” he asked after we recollected ourselves.
I didn’t answer right away, recalling the day when mom showed me the golden envelope. How nervous I was, and how I wanted to run away from it all. “I thought my life was over and I was angry how everything was so unfair… And you?”
“I was angry too, very angry at everyone especially at Andrew, I blamed him.” He sighed then continued, “I guess you hated me back then.”
I hesitated, I looked down at my hands then back at him before I confessed, “Yes, I hated you along with all the Elites.”
He squirmed on his seat.
“I’m so sorry I made you feel that way,” he spoke softly with sincerity.
I nervously laughed. “We were both confused, nobody gave us a choice but I’m happy the way things turned out.”
He smiled widely. “Me too.”
He paused then cleared his throat. “So uh…” He briefly looked down before continuing, “What a surprise to see your friend Devon back at Gelhem.”
His statement startled me, I wasn’t expecting him to bring this up and I was hoping he would forget about it instead. I froze on my chair, carefully searching for the right words to say.
“Um… yeah, of all the places we could run into each other, I never expected him to be there,” I admitted coolly.
“Were you two close?” he pressed on.
“No we weren’t close, and come to think of it I‘m not even sure if we were even friends. He was just someone I saw from across the street when I go to work,” I explained.
Not only was I trying to convince him, but myself too that what I said to him was not a lie. Talking to Devon that one night wouldn’t qualify us as friends instantly, and I barely knew him and besides, that life ended the moment I became an Elite.
“Oh I thought you were, the way the two of you reacted,” Curtis observed.
I laughed nervously and quickly came up with an excuse trying to save whatever dignity I had left.
“He was just surprised as much as I was.” Making eye contact wishing he believed I was truly genuine.
There was no reason for Devon and I to be more than friends, it was against the law to have any form of intimacy or even the thought of intimacy with someone who was not your mate.
I was relieved when Curtis finally smiled and said, “I guess he was.”
I was glad the conversation was over. It was uncomfortable talking about it. I rather sit here in unpleasant silence until we reached Pinewood than dwell on it.
***
The library was a good place to start searching for a book that would give me a clue if the Premortals existed before our time. Sadly though, I found nothing. I even tried the medical books but was no help either. While I was scanning the pages sitting on a chair, I thought of home and how much I missed mom and dad. The important thing was they knew I was safe and taken care of, and it made them so happy. I was overjoyed as well knowing they were doing fine adjusting to a life without me, and mom’s sort of popular status with the neighbors and dad’s constant teasing about
it would keep them preoccupied for a while.
After visiting them, my stay in Pinewood was much easier. I didn’t even mind wearing expensive Lady’s daytime gown again which I was never really fond of. I closed the book and was about to stand and return it when a footman suddenly appeared.
“My Lady.” He bowed. “Lady Katherine requests your company in her drawing room.”
I was surprised by his announcement. Lady Katherine, the Duchess of Pinewood, never calls on me. She was Andrew’s mate, yet they were nothing alike. I like her but she always kept mostly to herself, never trying to start a conversation, just shyly smiles and she only talks when spoken to, then suddenly she wanted to see me. I wondered why.
I followed the footman who guided me to the west wing of the Bermule manor. It was my first time in these parts since Curtis and I always stayed in the east wing where our chambers and the offices were. The west wing was Andrew’s private wing and I had no desire going there, the thought of going to his territory now made me shudder.
We walked pass the dining room and the parlour, and then on our way towards the grand main entrance. A giant marble tree sculpture stood at the center of the floor gracing these walls for centuries, the sigil of the House of Bermule.
We now proceeded to the other side of the manor. The hallway had the same royal blue carpet stretching through the white floors and the large tall windows had elegant blue curtains hanging on each side with silver ties. This wing had fewer occupants that come and go except for the servants. It had its own library, parlour, and the Duke’s personal study, and all were grander than what we had in the east wing.
A painting of the portraits of Andrew and Katherine wearing their sublime faces, seemingly depicting an illusion of their peaceful nature were hung on the walls. What amazed me the most was the huge hall with no doors to divide its heavenly contents away from unworthy eyes of the ordinary. Inside were exquisite sculptures crawling on the marble walls, naked men and women floating or flying towards what pleasures they seek, and on the high ceiling were paintings of impressive creatures with wings looking down on us.
The Prevalence: Sequel and Final Book of The Premortals (The Premortals Series 2) Page 1