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 continuedto 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 mychest 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 andsavory 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.
