Fate Forgotten

by J. L. Sheppard

  He’d been wrong. Hearing that was the perfect end.

  “I was pressured into coming. Nathan practically forced me. I’m too much of a coward to take the first step. I wanted to apologize at least, but I was afraid you wouldn’t forgive me because I’m not sure you should. And last, I don’t pity you. No one does.” Her gaze fell away from his, and her eyes welled anew.

  He tensed, waiting for what she’d say next, hoping for the answer to his question.

  Her gaze met his. “I let you kiss me because I wanted you to.”

  He smiled. Amazing how just hearing that made his good day a great one. “Not as much as I wanted to kiss you, sweetheart. I’ll always forgive you.”

  ****

  Annie’s wails pierced the air. Valerie awoke startled. The warmth underneath her allowing a pleasant, deep sleep disappeared. She didn’t have time to wonder. Bolting off the couch, she ran toward the sound of Annie’s wails.

  Peering into the room, she found Jake with Annie, tenderly holding her against the expanse of his chest. She hadn’t expected anything less.

  Annie pulled away from her uncle’s embrace. “Val?”

  She neared, then sat on the opposite side of the bed. “Hi, Annie.”

  Wiping her face, she sniffed. “We missed you.”

  “I missed you, too.”

  “I had a bad dream. I’m sorry if I woke you.”

  She shook her head. “Don’t be.”

  “Are you going to stay with us?”

  “Yes, I am.” With her eyes on Annie, she didn’t miss the rise and fall of Jake’s chest.

  Annie smiled widely.

  “Let’s try to get back to bed, okay?”

  Annie lay down still clutching Jake’s hand. Valerie lay beside her and softly ran her hands through Annie’s hair. It took mere minutes.

  Jake carefully stood, then lay on the other side of Annie facing them both. “You have a way with her.”

  Smiling, she whispered, “So do you.”

  “Thank you, Val.”

  Valerie nodded then closed her eyes, smiling to herself and knowing she’d lost the battle with her will.

  Most likely, it happened the moment she set eyes on Jake, and she’d only been fooling herself since then. Either way, she wouldn’t back down now. She didn’t know if it was love or lust, but she knew one look at Jake was all it took. Whatever it was, she was on the road to finding out. No doubt she was still scared, terrified, in fact, but she was more afraid of not giving herself the chance to love.

  If she’d learned anything from her short life, it wasn’t guaranteed to anyone, even immortals. She’d only regret the chances she didn’t take. If she died tomorrow, at least she could say she’d lived and quite possibly, even loved.

  Chapter 22

  As her lids slid open, the pale yellow color of the hotel room walls disoriented her. Valerie had grown accustomed to the purple walls of her room at the demon compound.

  Rubbing her eyes, she sat up in bed, assimilating herself with her surroundings.

  “Have you told her?” Annie’s voice drifted from the living area of the hotel room suite into her room. She hadn’t spoken loudly, but as an immortal, Valerie’s hearing was better than a mortal’s, even if not as acute as other immortal breeds.

  “She knows how I feel, pupa.” Jake’s voice like his touch, even from a distance, soothed her.

  “So she’s staying with us, forever?”

  “I hope she never leaves.”

  A moment of silence and then Annie asked, “Will you still want me then, Uncle Jake?”

  Gasping, she acted, quickly, immediately dashing out of the room and into the living room. Annie in Jake’s arms, they sat on the long couch, Jake’s arms tight around Annie.

  His eyes met Val’s. An undistinguishable emotion flashed across his face. Then his focus went back to Annie. “I’ll always want you, Annie. Always. If it were up to me, you’d be with me forever. Forever.”

  He’d known just what to say, and said it perfectly.

  A conversation she hadn’t been meant to hear. She bit the side of her lip.

  The evidence kept piling up. Ashley, Clyde, Nathan, Lucas, Jenna…they’d all in some way hinted to the fact. Even Annie knew what she hadn’t figured out—Jake cared about her. Was he as fascinated by her as she was by him? She wasn’t sure. It didn’t change the fact she wasn’t his. He’d have told her by now. Last night, he had the opportunity. And she couldn’t forget her gift’s warning—it continued to warn her.

  Annie faced her. Her throat dried, guilt flooded her, her fault the beautiful girl thought her uncle would leave her.

  “Good morning, Val.”

  “Good morning, Annie,” she whispered, choked up. She cleared her throat and closed the distance between them.

  “I need to shower,” Jake announced. “Do you mind staying with Annie for a few?”

  She couldn’t manage to glance in his direction. She didn’t know what she’d see and didn’t want to find out. Her gaze intent on Annie, she shook her head.

  He dematerialized. Seconds later, she heard the shower running.

  Valerie didn’t know what to say, but she had to try. She’d never forgive herself if she didn’t. Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she sat on the coffee table directly in front of Annie. “You ever notice the way your uncle looks at you?”

  Annie shook her head, then looked away from her. She grabbed her hands, Annie’s gaze swung back to her. “When he looks at you, he lights up like you are the only person in the world. That’s because you are the most important person in his life. He’d do anything for you. You are his purpose, and he loves you more than himself.”

  “There is someone more important,” Annie whispered.

  She shook her head. “No, there isn’t, not to your uncle. You are number one.”

  Annie shrugged. “Who is the most important person to you, Val?”

  A month ago she would’ve said her sisters, but they were gone. The question: who took their place? The Guardians had taken her in, protected her. She owed them her life, and if it came to it, she’d sacrifice herself on their behalf, but whose face would flash before her eyes before death?

  Annie. Jake.

  “You,” she said, more sure of that than anything else in her upturned life. And Jake. They meant more to her than anything, than anyone. She couldn’t explain why, except Annie was too much like her, an orphan, and Jake, well, she didn’t understand that at all, but he loved Annie, and Annie needed him. It was enough reason for her.

  “Really, Val? You love me that much?”

  Tears flooded her eyes. “I do, Annie.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you are so special and smart and brave and beautiful.” The words spilled from her lips. “People can’t help but love you.”

  Annie’s eyes widen. “You promise, Val?”

  “Of course, Annie. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

  Annie embraced her. The suddenness made her gasp. Easily, she wrapped her arms around her.

  “You’ll stay with us?”

  “Yes, Annie. I will.”

  “Uncle Jake loves you.”

  She stilled and forced herself to relax. Pulling away slightly, she drew a stray hair away from Annie’s face. “Oh, Annie, you don’t know about—”

  “I do. I feel it.” She patted her chest. “He feels for you like Daddy felt for Mommy, like Mommy felt for Daddy.”

  Annie, a child, wouldn’t know. She couldn’t possibly understand the depth of emotions. An empath, but at her age she couldn’t distinguish love from lust.

  “I won’t leave you, Annie,” she vowed. “I promise. I love you.”

  Seconds later, Jake materialized, fully dressed. She had no idea how he managed to look deadly wearing a pair of cargo shorts and t-shirt with a cartoon on it. The shirt too small for his frame, she could trace the outline of every muscle lining his chest and six pack.

  “What do you think?”

  Bre
athless, she cleared her throat.

  Annie erupted in giggles. “It’s too tight.”

  He shrugged. “It’s too late to return it now. It’ll stretch.”

  Annie giggled harder. Val, for the life of her, couldn’t manage to take her eyes off him.

  “Val? You like? Annie picked it out.”

  She tore her gaze from his chest and met his eyes. “Yeah, yes.”

  “You want to shower before we head out?”

  She nodded. He reached for the remote, turned on cartoons for Annie. She walked past him into the second bedroom in the suite and looked for her bag. Finding it in the closet, she retrieved it and turned. His towering frame blocked her. She searched his eyes.

  “You’re upset.”

  “No.”

  “You were.”

  “I…”

  He wrapped his arms around her. “I know.” His hands trailed up her back. “This is complicated, but I know you love Annie, and I know you have feelings for me. Let’s take it day by day, okay?”

  She had no idea what he meant. Was he blowing her off or just distancing himself for Annie’s sake? She would never blame him for that. Times like these she wished she had listened to her sisters who’d begged her to date. “I understand, Jake. Annie comes first.”

  His dark brows drew together. “Wait. What?”

  “Annie’s the most important person in your life. Whatever we feel, it can wait.”

  He released her waist to cup her cheek. “No, Val, it can’t because I can’t.”

  She trembled beneath his fingertips. “What—”

  “Shh…” He dragged his finger over her lips. “Annie understands.”

  She shook her head. “She doesn’t. She’s scared of losing you—”

  “Annie is mine. She’s my kid no matter what the council rules. You love her…” His eyes sparkled. “Like I do. She’s scared, but we’ll assure her as long as it takes until she realizes how much. I’d never give her up. If they decide I can keep her, I will. Can you live with that?”

  She nodded.

  His eyes glimmered. “Then we’re good, sweetheart. It’ll be Annie, you, and me. We’ll be a family. It’ll work. I promise.”

  “But she’s…” Her mind scrambled, trying to gather her thoughts—thoughts she knew would flow the moment he pulled his body away. She pushed at his chest. His face fell, and reluctantly, he released her.

  “She’s scared. She senses how we feel, and she’s scared you’ll leave her…because of me. I can’t let her feel that way. I can’t.”

  His jaw clenched, eyes narrowed, he shot back, “So what? You’re going to ignore this? Me?” His anger swarmed around them.

  Taking a deep breath, she rubbed her brow. “Try to understand. You know what I mean.” She walked past him.

  He grabbed her elbow and spun her toward him so close the warmth of his body heated hers. “Don’t even think about walking out on me again. Ever again.” His voice thick with the warning, laced in fury.

  “When have I ever—”

  “Not two weeks ago. I won’t let you get away using Annie as an excuse. You want me. I want you. Annie understands.”

  She squared her shoulders. “She’s a child. She can’t possibly understand.”

  “She had two parents who loved her as much as they loved each other. She understands exactly how I feel for you.”

  Her jaw dropped. She misheard, had to have misinterpreted. He barely knew her, couldn’t possibly love her.

  “Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.

  His arms encased her. One hand cupped the back of her neck, holding her head against his chest. Hearing the steady beat of his heart, she took a deep breath. Tenderly, he ran his hands down her back.

  His mouth lingered over her ear. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I do.”

  He cupped her face, pulling her away to stare into her eyes. “I love you more than the air I breathe, the land I roam, and the cause I fight. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you.”

  Her eyes watered, tears threatening to spill. Fear gripped her, fear of losing in love, fear of the day when his fated mate appeared. “I-I have to shower.”

  “We’re okay?”

  She nodded. Reluctantly, her gaze trailed down his face to his chest. She flicked her wrist. His shirt expanded a size larger.

  He smiled. “Thanks.”

  She used her magic for self-preservation, but she wouldn’t admit it to him. Forcing a smile, she walked past him.

  ****

  Like she’d been struck, Annie went down. Jacob, on his way back from getting drinks, spotted her small body slump into the water. Annie would be okay. Val was just a couple of feet away, knowing that and why Annie collapsed, still he couldn’t help the fear that soured his gut. He ran as fast as he could without alerting people watching he was an immortal. By the time, he got there, Val held Annie, cradling her lovingly against her chest.

  “Jake, I don’t know what happened. I don’t know—” Her voice shook.

  He grabbed Annie, held her against him. “It’s okay, Val. She’s just tired.”

  Annie’s body had given out. He knew being around so many people could have that effect on her. It wasn’t physical exhaustion, but emotional. Even mature demons could become exhausted if they didn’t block others’ emotions. At four years old, Annie hadn’t yet learned. He tried to teach her, but that talent took time and practice to develop. Most didn’t completely harness the ability until decades after their first turn.

  “I don’t understand…we were…”

  So worried, terrified in fact. Now that held Annie, he could focus enough to hear Valerie’s racing heart.

  “Is everything all right?”

  His head shot up and spotted a mortal teenager, the lifeguard on duty.

  “Yeah, just exhausted…too much sun.”

  “Would you like to get her checked out?”

  He shook his head. “She’s good. I felt her pulse. She’s breathing, just tired. She didn’t sleep well last night, and it’s been a long day.”

  The lifeguard nodded. “All right, sir. If you need anything…”

  “Thanks.”

  They walked toward lounge chairs and a big yellow umbrella where they kept a cooler with drinks and their towels.

  “Jake?”

  Turning fully to her, he explained, “She’s not used to being around this many people. Too many emotions.”

  “Oh, God.” She shook her head. “I hadn’t even considered—”

  “Not your fault, Val.”

  “But if we hadn’t gone to the mall this morning—”

  After eating breakfast at a restaurant on the pier, they had gone to the mall for Val. She brought a bag, but she didn’t have a bathing suit, shorts, or tank tops. Her clothes had been burned in the fire, and she hadn’t replaced all of it yet. What happened to Annie wasn’t her fault. He wouldn’t let her take the blame.

  “Not your fault.”

  “But I—”

  He leaned into her, pressed a kiss to her lips, and warned, “Say it again, you’ll regret it.”

  Her jaw dropped. “I doubt that.”

  He felt her fear, but it wasn’t much and she tried to hide it. It gave him hope. He smiled.

  He rearranged Annie, draping her against his chest, holding her up with one arm under her butt, then hooked his free arm around Valerie’s shoulders. They walked off the beach, into the hotel, up the elevators, and into their suite. After laying Annie in bed and pressing a kiss to her forehead, he strode into the kitchen where he found Val, her head in the fridge, grabbing a couple of beers. From that angle, he found it hard to ignore her perfect rear. The tiny green bikini barely covered her. For that, he was glad they were in the privacy of their hotel room. Throughout the afternoon, he’d lost count how many men he caught checking her out. Married, with women and kids, single, it didn’t matter. They looked, even though she was with him. He made it known he didn’t care for th
em looking at his mate. Not with words, a look was all it took.

  “You want a beer?”

  He realized belatedly she’d turned. His gaze on her stomach, being as obvious as those idiots. He shrugged, not caring. He could look all he wanted. She belonged to him. She didn’t know it yet, but that didn’t change the fact. And after last night, things between them had changed, for the better.

  His gaze snapped up to her. “Yeah, thanks.”

  Handing him a beer, she walked out of the kitchen into the living room and sat on the couch. He followed her and sat close beside her.

  Without losing her gaze, he took a sip of beer. Then he remembered something she said to him the night before, something that made him realize he didn’t know much about her. He wanted to know more, wanted to know everything, and so he asked.

  “How old are you, Val?”

  “Twenty-four.”

  Sip of beer halfway down his throat, he coughed it up. God, twenty-four? By immortal standards, she was a child—only twenty years older than Annie.

  He cleared his throat trying to hide his shock. “You ever vacation on the beach with your parents?”

  She shook her head. “My parents abandoned me when I was a baby. They left me with my coven.”

  His expression hardened. It didn’t stop him from reaching for her hands and clasping them in one of his.

  He didn’t get it, didn’t understand how a parent could abandon a child. He couldn’t imagine abandoning his child—even Annie, who technically wasn’t his, he hadn’t been able to deny.

  His fated had suffered a lot in her short life: abandoned by her parents, losing her coven. And still she lived happily, or so it seemed. She didn’t allow her losses to cage her, tried as best as she could to move on. Better than him. He lost a lot, but he’d never moved past it. He lived consumed by anger and the futile idea of revenge. Only Annie had been able to tear him away from that meaningless life.

  “I’m sorry, Val.”

  “Don’t be. It’s not your fault.” She shrugged. “You can’t miss something you never knew. It worked out for the best. I was loved and cared for deeply. My coven was my family.”