He had toyed with raising all three, but then there would be too much competition between them. He wanted one devoted son. Plus he needed the other two for equally vital parts of the plan that came later.
“I must go, Master. We have a funeral to plan. A celebration of the Banon’s life,” she spoke sarcastically.
“And then an uprising to inspire…” he finished for her.
“What can say, I am inspirational.”
Fazendiin got a strange look on his face. “Hold on, I’m being summoned.” He vanished only to return a moment later. “Pajak just contacted me. Juliska’s in trouble at home. The baby is coming.”
Tanzea sucked in and threw the drape over the mirror. She had to hurry. She was prepared, but the baby was early. The timeline would have to be readjusted to line up with this development. But she’d let Fazendiin worry about that… she had a baby to deliver.
#
Juliska lay in her bed, exhausted, exhilarated… and at last, holding her son.
He was so small. A couple weeks early, but healthy. And perfect.
Thick, dark lashes; just like Eddy… she closed her eyes at the memory of his face.
The moment her son had come into the world, he brought with him a rush of clarity. And for a brief minute, forgiveness. With all Eddy had put her through she was saddened that he’d never meet his son, and his son would never meet his father.
The anger and bitterness rolled around just under the surface. It didn’t stay buried long.
But in that moment of awareness and weakness, she named her son Colin, in memory of the man that helped her create such a beautiful boy. Her son would redeem the name.
They were on their own, but she’d do anything to keep him safe.
Dread already knocked at her heart over the fact that she’d have to take him to the orphanage and let him out of her sight. She wondered if she could bring herself to do it.
Tanzea had come to her rescue. Again.
Juliska’s water had broken rather suddenly and without any warning Colin decided he wanted to come out into the world. It all happened quite fast after that. Tanzea put a spell around the house so no one would hear the crying of a baby. It was a temporary solution. She’d give Juliska a few days with the child, to bond, and make sure he was healthy before taking him to the orphanage.
Juliska just stared into her son’s eyes. She had no idea if he could actually see her, but he looked back with a gaze that adored her as much as she already adored him.
For a moment, she was at peace with everything.
As long as she had her son, she could manage everything else.
Even being the Banon of the Svoda.
She was in control, and could make certain the island was safe again, for her son, and all children of the Svoda. It’s all any of them had wanted for all the years she’d been on the island. Peace and safety. A quiet life. She wanted her quiet life back. No more chaos. And anger. Fear or pain. Distrust… doubt.
She’d made some mistakes. Some unforgiveable.
It would take a lifetime to make up for them.
And she’d always hold resentment over what Eddy had done.
But he’d given her this exquisite gift… she wanted to let go of the anger but it would not release its grasp. It lessened though. Healing a little.
There was still one thing standing in the way of her perfectly peaceful future…
Amelia.
Juliska gazed lovingly at her son, knowing just what she had to do.
#
Amelia and her followers refused to give up the fortress and life on the island was on hold. Juliska was about to make her move, but first, she had a very important job to do. Fazendiin assisted her in getting off the island with her son. It was early morning just before dawn.
Leaving Colin was the most painful thing she’d ever done. But Fazendiin told her he’d check in whenever she could not. And not to worry, he’d be home soon. She left him at the front door of the orphanage wrapped securely in a blanket. She kissed him goodbye with tears in her eyes, promising to visit each night until he was home with her.
She included a note.
Please look after my son. His name is Colin.
I will return for him soon, but I fear for his life and our home is not safe.
As soon as it is, I will return for him.
In Juliska’s mind, she hoped this would only take a few days, at the most a week. Initially she’d hoped two days, but with everything going on with Amelia, she feared delays.
She hid down the block, and flicked her palm; there was a knock at the orphanage door. A minute later, someone answered, saw Colin, looked around, and brought him inside. It crushed her, to let him out of her sight. It felt unnatural and wrong to be separated from him.
But Tanzea was right, this was the safest way to bring him home to live with her, forever. And keep her secret and her son, safe. And give him the most normal life possible, just like her parents had done for her.
She could sacrifice a few days to misery, for a lifetime of security.
Juliska returned to the island to find it in sudden chaos.
It had gotten out to the public that their beloved Banon Havelock’s death was a murder, that he’d been poisoned, and blame spread fast that it was Amelia and her followers. Svoda were threatening to attack the fortress and make Amelia pay for her crimes. The Balaton were barely holding them off. They had a magical barrier keeping them from getting onto the roadway, but it was failing with all the attempts to bring it down. They didn’t want to use force against their own.
Juliska was called upon immediately for assistance.
She had half a mind to just let the Svoda attack and make their own judgement.
Amelia deserved no less.
Instead, she ordered the Balaton to pop her to the scene at once.
Balaton were struggling to block the Svoda from getting onto the roadway leading to the fortress. Amelia and her followers were at the end of that road in a courtyard just outside the fortress, ready to defend themselves.
Juliska had to act fast to avoid a war.
The Svoda broke through the Balaton’s barrier. They raced down the road, eager for revenge.
“Pop me to the end of the road,” Juliska ordered.
The Balaton did so.
She landed in the middle of them all. The Balaton jumped out of the way as a burst of fire ignited out of her, hoisting her into the air above them.
“This will stop!” she shouted to both sides, threatening to strike anyone down that defied her order. Out of sheer shock, everyone did stop. But tempers were reaching a boiling point.
Amelia and Juliska exchanged an icy glare.
“We are innocent of this charge,” Amelia stated wildly. “And we did not kill PanSofia. We are not responsible for their deaths!”
There were shouts of disbelief from the Svoda.
“Silence,” roared Juliska. They went quiet.
Juliska had no idea who poisoned the Banon as no proof had yet been offered one way or another. But blaming it on Amelia would be too easy… and only make her job later that much easier. Instead, she addressed both groups.
“There is no evidence to prove who murdered Banon Havelock. And until proof is given, this conflict will stop.” She turned to the Svoda. “I realize you are in mourning over the loss of our beloved leader. And our island is in peril. But he would never condone this behavior. Now go home. All of you.”
They caved quickly, looking deflated and humiliated.
Juliska turned to Amelia.
“You… have three days.” She eyed everyone in the group severely. “Make your choice wisely. Choose your side wisely. I am done waiting for you to wake up and smell reality. If you really want to war against those you claim no ill will, you will get your wish. And you will lose. You think by taking over the fortress you have the upper hand. You do not. Consider yourselves my prisoners. You can have the fortress… if you choose to war against your own people
, it will become your graveyard.”
She turned and strode back toward the island, ordering a twenty-four seven guard in place at the end of the roadway, and the entrance of the fortress, to enforce what she’d just ruled. She even authorized the use of force if anyone tried to escape. If someone wanted to voluntarily leave and rejoin those on the island, they were to be brought before the Viancourt first.
The Court approved of her actions immensely. They thought her move swift, pointed and necessary. News spread quickly across the loyalists on the island and they praised Juliska just as they had their previous Banon.
It was a strange thing. But it felt right, what she’d done.
Perhaps she’d be a better leader than she first thought.
Much later that night, after the initial chaos of the day had calmed and Juliska had a few spare minutes to catch her breath, she snuck away to check on her son. She was desperate to see him and know he was okay.
The orphanage was dark. Everyone was asleep. She used magic to unlock the door, slipped inside and searched for her son. It was not hard. Colin was wrapped in the same blanket she’d dropped him off in that morning. He was sleeping in a cradle, next to another infant. Juliska noticed an interesting locket pinned to the infant’s blanket. Two roses, one black and the other gold, entwining around each other with thorns nestled into the vines, sharp enough to actually pierce skin.
What an odd locket, Juliska thought. She forgot about it in the next moment though, her son taking all her attention. She leaned in and kissed his tiny little forehead, and gently rocked the cradle, singing to him softly. She stayed as long as she dare, each minute that past making it that much harder to get up and leave.
“I will return soon.” She stood, slipping the hood off her head, revealing her face. “I love you so much,” she said with a pained voice. She left in a hurry before she changed her mind and just seized him and brought him home.
#
Tanzea had to calm Juliska. She was mid panic attack. Long gone was the calmness and clarity she’d gotten after the birth of her son. With all the chaos on the island she’d not been able to sneak away to see Colin in almost two days. It was killing her. Fazendiin had looked in on him for her, but being unable to put her own eyes on Colin was taking a toll on her already frayed nerves.
The morning after Juliska’s three day warning, six of Amelia’s followers changed their minds about joining her and endured many long hours of questioning, each. This led to all night meetings to discuss the situation after.
It was decided that they’d be allowed to return, but the Balaton would keep a spare eye on them… just in case they were still loyal to Amelia and were attempting to infiltrate the Svoda.
Juliska was surprised to see Balloch Flummer and his family made up this group. She had not realized the historian and storyteller had joined Amelia. But at least he had come to his senses.
The second night, Amelia agreed to peacefully leave the fortress as long as none of them were harmed. They were doing this in good faith, to show they did not wish to war on their own. Amelia did seek a personal meeting with the Banon.
Juliska imagined her sister’s pride was severely injured in doing this. She could not deny it gave her a smug satisfaction. But true to their word they vacated the fortress and allowed themselves to be herded into town, where they were held under group arrest until Amelia and Juliska had met and decided their futures.
With the fortress empty again, the Balaton took over. After satisfied the place was safe and ready to use again, their first order of business was to assist Kanda Macawi home since she’d been stuck on the island for much longer than she’d expected.
Arnon wasn’t so thrilled that she was leaving, and hoped with all going on, she’d be able to return soon. He had only time for a brief goodbye; his job as head officer of the Balaton was keeping him busy almost around the clock.
Juliska agreed to meet with Amelia the next morning. She decided to make her wait a night, and really stew in the fact that Juliska had control over her future.
That night, Juliska finally snuck away to see her son. It was an enormous relief and even more difficult to leave him than before. But he was safe. Even looked content sleeping in his cradle.
“Any day now,” she promised him. “After tomorrow, things will be safe again I’ll bring you home.”
She left him, with a terrible pit in her stomach. That night sleep evaded her. She got up and paced. And paced. And paced some more.
Meeting with Amelia was pointless. This is the conclusion she was firmly reaching.
Amelia would never fully relent, and even if she did, it would not last long before she was right back at it again. She sent a message to the Viancourt that she’d like a meeting at eight in the morning, sharp.
She didn’t care what time of night it was, or if they were awakened from slumber. This had to happen, fast. So she could get this over with and get Colin home. Just as soon as Amelia was dealt with, she’d give it twenty-four hours and then make the magical blip appear that would find her son as a lost one. And then they’d never be separated again.
Going back to sleep was pointless.
She got dressed and decided to head into the office. At least there, she could keep herself busy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Arnon was putting in a late night. He was covering for many posts as much of the guard was watching Amelia and her followers, and keeping peace across the island. He was sitting in what used to be Cornell’s office. The poor man’s mind had never fully recovered and he was no longer in the hospital, but was unable to return to work and needed full time care. A nice couple by the name of Mochrie had offered to take him in, seeing as he had no family of his own left. It was a bright spot in all this darkness, there was still some kindness to be had.
There was a light knock at the door, which was open.
“Ian Crane,” greeted Arnon. “Come on in. You’re not still working are you?”
“Finished for the night. Curfews in effect but I stuck around just in case any of you needed to get somewhere. Saw your light on, thought I’d just check before leaving.” He was shuffling around nervously.
“Is everything okay?” Arnon asked him, thinking there was more to this visit.
He didn’t answer right away and was looking around as if worried he would be overheard. “I um…” he stopped and looked like he’d rather run away.
It was clear he had something important to say, but was afraid to.
Arnon flicked his wrist and closed the door gently.
“This room is secure, Ian. Please… whatever it is… you’re safe to speak here.”
Ian didn’t know how to start. He took a seat but that didn’t help so he got back up.
After a tense minute, he blurted out, “Amelia Cobb did not murder PanSofia.”
He had Arnon’s attention now. “Do you know who did?”
“Y-yes,” he stuttered.
“You’re afraid to tell me?” Arnon guessed in a hushed tone.
Ian didn’t answer but the look on his face was obvious. He was scared to death.
“I don’t think you have to,” whispered Arnon.
Ian shot him a questioning look.
“Just answer yes or no. The person who killed PanSofia, was it Juliska Blackwell?”
Ian knew from the tone in Arnon’s voice that he’d already suspected this. And believed it. He’d come to the right person.
He nodded, confirming Arnon’s question.
Arnon let out an anguished sigh and lifted his hands to his face. His suspicions were true.
Ian had no reason to lie and every reason to keep this to himself. Too many people close to Juliska were turning up dead or severely injured. And finally, he wasn’t the only one to notice.
“Ian. Thank you. I can’t imagine how difficult this was for you.” He didn’t even want to question him about the how’s and why’s. He had confirmation and for now, that was all he needed. “Go home, Ian. Do no
t speak of this to anyone. I will personally handle this, but please know it may take some time.”
“I understand.” Ian nodded gratefully. He’d let the professionals handle this.
He let out a shaky breath and turned to leave.
He’d done it. The right thing. And with the right person. He opened the door and froze.
Eyes locked on eyes.
He nodded in greeting, gathering himself as quickly as possible, but it felt a step too late.
“Hello,” he called out to Juliska. His voice wasn’t as firm as he hoped it would be.
She was just entering the building. In the middle of the night.
He heard a caught breath behind him. Arnon realized who he was greeting. He needed to act fast or their cover would be blown. He sidled up alongside Ian.
“Oh, hello there, Banon Blackwell. Another of us that cannot sleep I see.”
She cast a quick gaze between them before smiling weakly. “And I see I’m not the only putting in another late night.”
“With the island in peril, there’s too much work and not enough of… me,” said Arnon with a short chuckle. “Ian here was just checking in before leaving for the day. Or night… or is it morning already?”
“Just going on one in the morning now,” Ian informed him.
“Guess I lost track of the time,” said Arnon.
“Oh, poor Ian,” said Juliska. “Do you ever get any sleep? Really, I think we’re both fine here.”
“Are you sure, Ma’am? You should have called me,” he said with a hint of guilt. “I’d have been happy to give you a ride, no matter the time. Especially with all going on at the moment. It might not be safe for our leader to walk around the streets at night alone.”
Forsaken (Fated Saga Fantasy Series Book 8) Page 30
