Forsaken (book 3) (The Charmer series) (23 page)

"This is your nightmare; I promise this is not real!"

"This is worse than my nightmares. I’m in hell!"

"Zara, give yourself!" Screams Dallah from inside the bar.

"Look at me?
Now!" Richard orders.

Meting his intense gaze, he holds his forehead to mine.

"Beat them! It's a dream. Think Zara! We knew this would happen. The people in there are not real.
I promise you Zara, trust me
?!"

Wrapping my arms around his waist, Richard shouts over the top of Dallah's, and Sallack screams.

"Eric! Eric! Rosy kcal silo le eslod insad!"

Lifting my head, from the ground, where Richard was holding it tightly, I see no one. The hundred Vampires have disappeared, the Witches no longer cackle and
Demitri's desirable eyes no longer linger.

Breathing out a sigh of complete relief, I hold onto Richard and place my head into the crook of neck.

"Thank you," I cry to him, hugging the life out of him.

"Zara?
Richard? What has happened?" My father voice echoes through the dark night.

Jumping to my feet, I slam into him, holding him just as tight as I was Richard.

"Child?" He asks whilst soothing me.

"The Witches got to her, made her live though her nightmares," Richard speaks angrily.

"She fought them?"

"I couldn't... Richard... Held me...down," I cry into him.

"It was not real child. They have lost this battle. Be thankful for that. Look at me Zara?"

Wiping my face with my hands, I look him in the eye.

"I have to find them before it is too late. Meet me at home when the ceremony has ended?"

Nodding me head to him, he hugs me tightly and kisses my forehead a dozen times before making his way over to Richard.

Speaking in hushed voices, Richard looks straight at me with a shady expression, then back to my father with a nod of his head.

When my father disappears, Richard stalks up to me with a look of sorrow.

"Let's go inside," he tells me gently.

"What did he ask of you?"

"Nothing.
Let's get this night over with."

“I can't go in like this!" I tell him whilst looking down at myself, and to my amazement I look the same as I did when I left my father’s house.

"Why did you stop me?" I ask, not meeting his eyes.

"It was a dept paid," he tells me gently, meaning I saved him from his nightmares, so he did the same for me.

"Thank you, for stopping me," I tell him and turn my back from him.

Feeling his hand lay upon my shoulder, I let out a sigh as he starts to speak.

"You did well. Stronger than I gave you credit for," he comforts.

"No, you are stronger than I thought," I say as I walk forward towards the bar door.

Sucking in a deep breath and dulling my rocketing heartbeat, I enter the bar to a different atmosphere to when I had left.

Everyone is drinking and laughing with each other happily, as if nothing happened.

I cannot be that person, I cannot act as though I didn't see all of my friends, family, have their life taken from them.

Sitting at the back of the bar, at a two seated table, I take the time I desperately need to convince myself that that was indeed a horrid trick rather than my nightmares really coming to life.

Holding my head in my hands I open my eyes to see two shot glasses under my nose, which hold whisky.

"Calm your nerves," Richard explains.

Picking on up in each hand, I shot them back one at a time.

"There is one hour until the ceremony. Hang in, it's almost over," Richard comforts, making me frown at his weird behaviour towards me.

"You feel sorry for me?"

"No, I can relate to you."

"I don't want this life."

"I know."

"You can relate?"

"Maybe. Listen, don't think I'm a different man, I still hate talking, I don't want to hear about how Ruk was in bed, and always remember I'm not here for you, not when you will need me to be."

"Warming, as always.
I'm not deluded, I know who you are," I smile weakly to him.

"Why are you looking at me in that way?"

"No reason."

However, the real reason is, he was there for me, when all else failed, he was there to help me through. I won't admit to him, but I do like him. I like everything about him; you know where you stand, and how he feels about it, as he has no tact at all.

Moreover, I can see the real him coming through, with the small smiles, the jokes, even if at times they are crude. I hope for his sake, that one day soon, he will be happy, really happy. Like I know I will be soon, when that precious child is placed in my arms.

Placed beside Richard, close to the back of the ceremony, our choice, we wait for the events to take place.

Feeling his eyes on me, I look to him and he gives me a brilliant fake smile.
It's brilliant, because he makes me really smile, I don't think he meant to make me smile, but that's what he got.

As the guests quiet down, the drowning effect takes me wickedly.

God, how I don't want to be here, it's emotionally draining.

I have no tears to cry, they have dried. My heart can beat no faster
than it has in these horrendous last few days.

Taking a deep cleansing breath, we see Sallack come onto the platform where the ceremony will take place.

The sickest thing about this 'mating' is that we are in the exact place that Ruk and I were standing, ready to give our life to one another.

"Ready?"

"No," I reply, keeping my eyes to the front.

"It will be over soon."

"Are you trying to comfort me Richard?" I ask with a raised brow, and when I finally look back to him he looks sad in a way, but there's something else to, but I'm not sure what.

"Don't be stupid Zara," he rolls his eyes and slumps back in his chair.

Focusing back on the front, my eyes fall to the floor when I see Mary and Ruk have taken their places.

Painful, the worse sort if pain, is to watch the man you love wholeheartedly give their life to a nasty piece of work like Mary. She neither, deserves, or, will ever realise what she has standing before her, I did!

"Brother and Beta to the Brothers’ pack and Mary his true mate have come together before us all to share..."

This is when I shut it out, closing my eyes, I visualise nothing but bright sun scorching my face and the stunning sound of music.

Relaxing my shoulders, I dance through the fire in my mind, scorching flames licking my skin.

Feeling Richard's hand press on my knee, my eyes snap open.

"You're floating of your seat woman!" He hisses.

"Really!
" I whisper back, making him roll his eyes.

I like the way I was feeling, the emptiness, the serenity, I need it.

Closing my eyes again, I return to my calm place, and I won't feel guilty over it, I need the escapism.

Feeling his hand hit my thigh, I once again jolt out of my beautiful trance.

This time, looking straight ahead, my heart sinks further into the floor. It's done! They are mated! He is one with her, their bind is unbreakable.

Sitting a little straighter in my chair, I see the joyful smiles on their faces, the love in their eyes, as does every one as they stand from their chairs.
Clapping and cheering, followed by ear shattering howling echoes through the moon lit sky.

It's over, that's it. Will he remember, or is his memory taken forever?

While everyone vacates their seats, I stay seated.

"Leave me," I tell Richard in a surprisingly calm voice, and without a word, he leaves me be.

Alone, looking upon the ceremony grounds.
I stand and make my way to the front, I don't know why; I just feel the need to.

Sitting on the platform, a beautiful feeling takes me by heart.

"Hey mum," I speak up.

"How was that darling?" She asks, appearing at my side.

Looking to her and letting the sigh release, I answer her.

"I feel dumb, how could I be so stupid to think I could have that, with him?"

"No, don't speak like that Zara. It is his loss, I'm sure he will realise that. I need you to do something for me, will you?" She smiles stunningly.

"Of course," I smile back.

"Let me take away the pain, forever? I know that a mother is meant to help you with hugs on the couch and tea in bed, but I can't be there for you how you wish me to. Let me do this," she pleads with tears in her eyes.

"I tried it already."

"I know, but circumstances have changed. I need you to let him go, it's only fair you forget him, as he forgot you."

"I don't want to forget what I had with him, I cherish those memories," I cry to her.

"Just the emotions, I promise. I want you to agree, but I'll do it anyway," she speaks with desperation laced in her tone.

"I..." Feeling my heart swell, beat to a new rhythm, I look to her in wonderment, "you did it," I state rather than question.

"There is my girl, look at the shine in your eyes," she almost sings.

Snorting a laugh, I wrap my arms around her shimmering body.

"You have to leave?"

"I'm sorry darling. Soon, I'll be with you again soon."

Looking out at the chairs and the beautiful hanging decorations, I stand on the platform with a healthy smile in my lips.

I know what my mother did for me, I remember the hurt I felt on a moment ago, I just don't feel it now. I feel ready for the next chapter in my life.

My heart is strong again, my mind is focused, and I still hate Mary with a passion!

"Zara, why are you out here?" Angus calls to me from the end of the row of chairs.

"Just taking a minute," I tell him as I make my way towards him.

"You're happy?" He asks astounded.

"Yeah, I am," I say with a deep breath.

"Such a rare thing to see these days," he jokes as he stokes my cheek with the back of his fingers.

"Well, don't get used to it," I joke back.

"You're mother?"

"Yeah."

"Come with me sweet," he offers his hand.

Looking at his large strong hand, I squeeze my own hands before placing mine in his, and looking up at him sweetly.

"You are precious to me Angus, I don't tell you enough, but you really are special," I tell him followed by a kiss to the cheek.

"Again, you took the words from me," he smirks.

Lifting me under the legs and carrying me like a baby, I let my head fall back and enjoy the laughter that hits my ears, my own laughter, who would have thought I would find that sound so heart filling.

Entering the bar, which has been made private for Mary and Ruk, we have every pair of eyes on us.

Placing me on my feet, Angus kisses my cheek tenderly, and with a tint of lust, as he lingers before taking in my scent. He then winks at me before walking away. Watching him leave, a frown creases in my brow, but is soon taken with a smile when Dallah throws herself onto me.

"You’re ok, I can feel it," she screams in excitement, causing prying eyes to land on me again.

"I'm ok. I remember everything, but I can feel my heart is whole again," I tell her excitedly, and in a whisper.

"Thank goddess. You deserve it sweetie, I wish I could have been the one to make you feel this way," she cries.

"I know. You can have the next one," I joke, and wink at her mischievously.

"Finally, we have you back. I need you to promise me something?"

"Go on," I say suspiciously.

"Don't fall in love, not until you’re really ready?"

"That's an easy one; I promise to you Dallah, I will not fall in love with a man until I know he is the one. That ok?"

"Perfect. Champagne!" She shouts across the bar.

"Dallah, what about Ruk?"

Sighing, she smiles sweetly as she takes my face in her hands and speaks to me gently,

"He is big enough to deal with this. I know you feel guilty, but it is not your guilt to feel."

"What about you, are you ok?"

When Richard and I entered the bar again, we saw the Brothers’ were all well, and very much alive, including Julian. However, the whole thing of Dallah and Sallack being in love in my nightmare is hard to work out. I wouldn't find it a nightmare, it would be cruel to Julian, but love is cruel.

"I am now. When you’re ok, I'm ok," she insists, but I don't believe her. Nevertheless, this isn't the time or place for it.