Chapter Twenty - Five Jalisa Eight Months Later
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jalisa
Eight Months Later
Iplopped down in the wooden chair and immediately slid out of my tanned sandals, wiggling my tired toes. Leaning back in the chair, I looked up at the bright turquoise sky, welcoming the midday sun’s heat on my exposed shoulders.
“You couldn’t have come at a better time,” I stated, still staring at the sky and watching a flock of birds fly by.
Pilar leaned an elbow on the circular table at the sidewalk cafe. “Yeah, and you know, it really is nicer here than I thought it would be for a Nodoorian city.”
I gave a dry laugh, looking back at her. “What do you mean by that?”
She shrugged, looking around as she tucked a stray of her short purple hair behind her ear. “I heard the whole kingdom was cold and dreary.”
“Some parts are.”
“And I’m very impressed with the fae here. Very attractive.”
She had some very limited ideas about my country.
After the whole battle with Jullian and the dissenters, I decided it was best for me to return to Nodoor.
Ivan didn’t remember me and that was such a gut punch, I couldn’t bear to even look at him.
I was no longer mad that he left. He was trying to spare me of the very thing that ended up happening.
When I saw him at the mansion, there was no love in his eyes.
There was no shared history that he remembered.
Sure, he seemed attracted to me, but it was in the same way that he had been when we first met all those years ago.
And even that wouldn’t have been so bad if not for the fact that I knew it would be only a matter of moments before he would forget even meeting me again.
As soon as I left his side, I’d be out of his mind.
There was no hope of even rebuilding our love again. That was the ruthlessness of the spell.
I had high hopes that after the battle, he would magically be cured.
That we would have killed or caught the witch behind the spell.
Only we didn’t. And despite my deal with Nepa, she admitted that she was not behind the spell on Ivan nor did she know anything about it.
Neither was the rest of his family, who actually seemed sorrowful about it.
Once Nepa explained to them our deal, they expressed less animosity toward me and even were helping to find a cure for Ivan’s memory loss.
We’d captured and imprisoned many, if not all, of the dissenters and no one seemed to know anything.
Except Jullian, who refused to talk unless we were able to secure a deal with him for release.
Of course, that wasn’t happening, and he continued to feign ignorance of who was behind the spell despite our best efforts.
Out of options, I decided the best thing was for me to leave.
Ivan had built a stronger base there than I had.
Pilar was upset with me leaving, but I couldn’t bear the idea of bumping into Ivan who wouldn’t recognize me.
The thought of seeing him with another faerie, holding hands, kissing, made me physically ill.
It wouldn’t be cheating; he didn’t remember me.
It wouldn’t be his fault. I couldn’t take that chance.
I raised a brow at my friend. “You didn’t think the fae here would be attractive after seeing Aaron, Ivan, me, and the others who populated Prinath?”
Pilar waved a hand to the side. “I thought you all were the exceptions to the rule. That maybe the court had selected only the most aesthetically pleasing.”
“Disrespectful.”
“Speaking of Ivan.”
I put out a hand to stop her. “No Ivan talk. I don’t want to know anything about him unless he’s hurt. Is he hurt?”
She scrunched her face, disapproving my position.
“No, but he does look like a lost puppy every time I see him at the bar, glancing around the whole time he’s there.
Like he’s looking for something but doesn’t know what.
Luca and Aaron said they want to stop coming because they feel it’s not healthy, but he won’t let them.
It’s like his subconscious knows you used to work there and wants to be there in case you come back. It’s sadly romantic.”
I closed my eyes and rubbed at the bridge of my nose.
I was already regretting inviting her here to visit.
Although it was mildly impressive that after almost three days, she’d been able to hold that news in for that long.
That didn’t make up for the fact that hearing it made me feel miserable.
I could already feel my chest tighten with emotion and the back of my eyes sting with tears.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Jalisa. I should have kept that to myself. I guess I was thinking it was better than saying he’s been stopping by with some female. Which he hasn’t.”
I opened an eye. “No more news about him, please.”
She mined zipping her lips closed. A waiter appeared, and we gave our lunch orders.
The longer time went by without finding a cure for Ivan, the more I felt hopeless about it all.
Fae and dragon lived long lives. I wasn’t sure how much of this I could endure.
I’d muted our bond, which helped a little, but at some point, getting rebonded to another might be the best option.
Although that would be no time soon. I would wait for as long as my mental health would allow.
Until then, I did everything I could to focus on building a new life focused on what I could control.
As part of that process, I did not stay in my hometown in Nodoor either.
There were too many memories there, and I knew Ivan would visit home and his family.
However, I did spend a couple of months there.
I wanted to keep my promise to Nepa regarding my family’s treatment of dragons.
We built a charity focused on dragon care and were working with former dragons and fae who worked for us to ensure they had the care needed and the proper compensation that they were owed for their years of servitude with our family at meager salaries.
It would take some time, but it was a start.
Once that work took off, I moved to a different city in Nodoor.
I was near enough to still be of use to that cause and far enough not to worry about running into Ivan.
It was also the capital city, which allowed me to pursue my true calling, working for the people.
After compromising with Nepa, I realized that this was what I wanted to do.
It was part of my education to work in leadership, establish change, and be a part of governance.
With my military background and my work in politics before the treaty, I had experience and was fortunate enough to find a position.
I would still have to work my way to more oversight, but I was now in a place where I could be a part of making real change.
I was happy. Most days anyway.
Pilar patted my arm, resting on the white marble tabletop.
“Have I told you how proud I am of you? You really are a self-less faerie. All that you’ve done for dragon-kind in just eight months is impressive.
And although I miss having you bartend with me, I know this is your true calling.
It has to be, because you allowed that Nepa bitch to live, and I would have killed her before I could even think to make a deal. ”
I chuckled. “You did see her at the wedding, right?”
She tapped her chin and squinted her eyes as she recalled. “Oh, yeah. I probably would have died then.”
I nodded, confirming. “I’m very clear on the limits of my strength.”
“You still stabbed a dragon and lived to tell.”
I pushed out both my hands, eyes widening. I was still in shock about that discovery. “I don’t think I will ever get past not knowing Jacob was a dragon. Not that it would have changed things.”
Pilar pushed her seat back. “Good. Alright, I’m off to the restroom. I shall return!”
I nodded as I slipped my toes back into my sandals.
I loved spending this time with her but guiding her through the city and neighboring towns all day wreaked havoc on the body.
My joint pain had become more frequent since muting my bond with Ivan, which sucked but I had no choice.
I would need to visit a hot spring for a good, long, therapeutic soak.
I stared around the café area, admiring the happy fae surrounded by lush greenery and the aromas of sweet and savory scents.
One scent grabbed my attention. Peppermint.
It stood out from the rest, not quite blending.
I turned around in my chair, sniffing the air, and it felt as if all the breath in me had left my body.
Only two tables away was Ivan. He was just casually drinking tea.
He looked as handsome as always, his hair a little longer, but that was the only change.
His eyes fell on me, and I immediately turned around in a panic. I could not stay here. Where was Pilar? I grabbed my tote and pushed my chair back. I’d send Pilar a message to get the food to go, and I would find the waiter, pay for it and get the hell out of here.
I jumped up and headed for the inside of the café.
“Jalisa!” I heard a voice call.
I paused. It was his. Ivan. “No, you know my name because you looked at my picture today and read your journal on us, and you’ll forget me as soon as I walk away.” I continued to walk, this time changing course and heading down the walk path. I couldn’t breathe. I needed to get away from him.
“Jalisa, please wait,” he called behind me.
I quickened my pace until I heard a thump and him swearing.
I turned to see him sitting on the ground near an empty table, grabbing at his left knee.
I couldn’t leave him like that. I was trying to be cold-hearted, but I didn’t want to be mean.
He’d hurt himself chasing after me. I could stand to be around him for a minute to see if he was alright before my heart completely crumbled.
I rushed over to him and crouched down. “Are you okay?”
He jumped up, face relaxed. “Perfectly fine, Jalisa. Just needed you to come back.”
I stood up, scowling. “You faked injuring yourself? Are you serious?” I turned away, but he grabbed my hand. I tried to yank him free, but he wouldn’t let go. “What are you doing?”
“Jalisa, why are you running from me?”
“Why do you keep saying my name?”
He gently grabbed the sides of my face, and for the first time, I saw him. Saw what felt like love in those green eyes. He was seeing me like he knew me. “Because I want you to know that I remember your name. I remember you, Sunshine.”
I shook my head. Unable to allow myself to believe him. I’d dreamed of this moment for so long that it felt unobtainable. “Is this real?”
He grinned at me, dropping his hands from my face. That smile could melt my heart no matter how many times I saw it. “It’s real, love.”
My heart thundered in my ears, and I hiccupped as I swallowed air to breathe. My emotions were overpowering me. “How?”
“Your parents. They’ve been testing cures on me over the past several months.
They didn’t want to tell you because they didn’t want to get your hopes up.
After they explained everything each time they tried and I looked at my journals, it was easy to keep trying.
I’d just forget if it didn’t work. Until I didn’t.
” He picked up my hand and kissed it. “I’m so sorry you had to go through all of this alone, love. ”
We were starting to get an audience, but I didn’t care. In that moment, as far as I was concerned, we were in our own world. “When did this happen?”
He looked to the side, squinting in thought. “Whatever the time it took for me to pack a bag and get here. Oh, and to tell Yosef that I was going to need some time off.”
“How’d you know I was here?”
Someone cleared their throat to my left, and I glanced over to see Pilar give me a little wave. Ah, she was the culprit. “I’ll take care of the food and bill. Go.”
I gave her an appreciative thanks before looking back at Ivan, who raised his brows, awaiting my next words.
I didn’t need any more encouragement. I wrapped my arms around Ivan’s neck, and in front of everyone who was too nosey to look away, I kissed him.
“I’m not letting you go,” I said between quick kisses.
His wings emerged from his back, and I heard surprised breaths from the other patrons and passersby. I smiled, happy that he felt safe enough now to show others his true self. Little by little, we were making change.
He picked me up his arms and then took off into the air, eliciting a yelp from me. “Good, me either. I’m not letting you go ever again.”