Chapter 58 Chapter Fifty-Eight - Gabriella
This past week has been…beyond words. Being alone with Jartre in our little paradise was like living in a dream. I’ve seen and experienced things I never imagined possible. I’ve learned a lot and processed a lot but because of it, Jartre and I have grown so much closer. I understand him so much better, and he feels more carefree than he has been since we met. It makes me sad for it to end, but unfortunately, the real world awaits. However, now that I’m returning home there is a dark cloud of foreboding looming overhead making itself known. I’ve tried to keep it at bay these past few days, but I knew it wouldn’t last.
Jartre transports us back to my apartment, and as I go to take my luggage upstairs, he’s quick to snatch my hand, holding it gently in his. I look back at him to find his vibrant silver eyes clouded with concern.
“Gabriella, what’s wrong?”
“I’m just sad to be home. I was really loving the island,” I sulk.
He gently brushes his thumb against the back of my hand sending ripples of heat through my flesh. “That’s not it. You’ve been off since that vision you had. Do you want to talk about it?”
I let out a deep sigh. I thought I did a good job at focusing on everything else we did, but you just can’t get anything past your animai, I guess.
“This is going to sound stupid, but…I have this strong feeling that I shouldn’t say anything. There’s no reason for it, I just…don’t feel like I should,” I say, my own words confusing even me.
He nods in acceptance, “Doesn’t sound stupid at all.” He lifts my hand to his lips, kissing the back of it.
“It doesn’t?” I quiz in surprise.
“Even as a celestial being, I can admit there are some gifts I don’t understand. Prophecy is one of them. But one thing I have come to learn in my many years is that not everything seen needs to be shared, in fact, it’s usually best you don’t.”
“That doesn’t even make any sense,” I groan, withdrawing my hand and pacing my living room. “I don’t understand why I have this stupid gift. Half the time it’s completely useless. I wouldn’t even call it a gift. What’s the point of seeing the future if you can’t stop bad things from happening?” I say in aggravation.
“You’re talking about your parents, aren’t you?” he asks sympathetically.
I stop in my tracks and take in a lungful of air. “Why was I able to see them die, if not to stop it from happening?” Tears of anger begin to well in my eyes, but I fight them back.
Jartre walks over and tenderly lifts my chin, looking down at me with nothing but compassion. “Sometimes, it’s not about changing the future. Sometimes – I believe – you’re given the chance to see something before it happens, not to stop it, but to prepare you for it, and maybe to allow you to accept that it was meant to be.”
“How can you say that?” I ask with a trembling voice.
“You told me how hard you tried to keep them off the road that day. You did everything a child could think of, but still, the vision came true. Not because you failed, but because it was always meant to be, and you needed to accept that.” He pulls me close, wrapping me up in his arms as I cling to him, laying my head on his chest. “Very few people have a gift like yours, Gabriella, and I believe it’s because there are very few people who can handle it. It takes a special kind of person to handle the burden of knowing the future and the wisdom to know when that knowledge should be shared and when it shouldn’t. For you to say your gut is telling you not to say anything, then you need to trust it.”
I look at him, in awe of his wisdom. He’s usually either sulky and grumpy or flirty and seductive. I don’t think I’ve seen wise Jartre before, but I find it incredibly comforting.
“I’m surprised you don’t just read my mind to find out what I saw.”
“I tried that the first time you had a vision while I was here. I couldn’t see anything. In that moment I couldn’t hear a single thought or see any images. There was a barrier around your mind, and while I could see that as clear as I see you, I couldn’t get past it.”
I stare at him wide-eyed. “There was a barrier in my mind? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I didn’t think it was important, and I also didn’t want to confess to breaking your no mind-reading rule,” he says sheepishly.
“Is there something wrong with me?” I ask with concern.
“No, no,” he assures me. “I wasn’t surprised to find a barrier; I was just a little disappointed. I was kind of hoping that because we’re animais, I’d be able to see your visions, but I guess not.”
I frown. “You expected it?”
“While I still don’t know why you have visions, I do know that not even a God can see the visions of someone with your gift. Believe me, I’ve tried. It just backs up what I said, that some people can handle it while others can’t, which is why so few of you have this gift.” He places a kiss on my forehead to soothe me, and I admit it helps just a little.
“But I’m not a God and I’m not a High Priestess, so why the hell does this happen to me?”
He sighs kissing my cheeks gently. “I wish I knew; I truly do.”
He’s silent for a moment, his eyes getting that far-away look I’ve seen him get occasionally because he focuses his attention back on me.
“I’m sorry, my love, but I have to go. I’m being called.”
“When will you be back?” Boy do I sound clingy, or what?
He smirks, “When do you want me back?”
“As soon as possible,” I say with a firm nod.
He chuckles and places a chaste kiss on my lips, “I promise no matter what happens, I’ll be in your bed tonight.”
“Now we’re talking,” I smirk.
“I’ll be back soon.”
With those parting words he disappears, leaving me feeling cold and lonely as I look around my apartment. I take a deep breath, shaking off the feeling, grab my bag and make my way upstairs. I toss my bag on the bed and get to work throwing my dirty clothes in the hamper and putting clean clothes back where they belong. I’m not at this long when the energy in the room shifts. An intense, gravitational feeling comes over me, very similar to when Jartre or Ezillus have been here, but this is different. There’s a sense of serenity accompanying this feeling that immediately puts me at ease.
I close my eyes and take a slow silent breath. “So, which God are you?”
I walk over to the banister and look down into the living room. Just like in my vision that statuesque 7’1” woman with long, flowing fuchsia hair and eyes shining like silver stands in my living room. She looks exquisite with her East European features and luminescent skin. She’s dressed in a stunning teal kaftan-esque style dress with gold floral prints. Its V-neck comes down to her stomach, while the material is pulled in at the waist, draping down to the ankle on one side and sitting high at mid-thigh on the other. The gorgeous Dolman sleeves cut off at the elbow and flow behind her like a cape made of silk, dancing on the water.
She looks up at me with amused surprise, “You knew I was coming.”
I slowly nod in response as I walk down the stairs, amazing myself at how comfortable I feel having Gods in my loft these days.
“Jartre told me of your gift, but I had no idea how strong it was,” she says, sounding impressed.
“Thanks? So, do you have a name or what?”
She smiles and nods graciously, “I am Zarseti. It is an honour to finally meet you. You can’t imagine how long I have waited for this day.”
“Zarseti…You’re the one who paired Jartre and me,” I say in awe. “I suppose I owe you my thanks.”
She smiles brightly, “You know, you’re the second person to ever thank me to my face for blessing them with an animai. It feels very nice to feel appreciated.”
“That sucks.”
“I’m surprised you’re not asking me why I paired you with Jartre,” she teases.
“When I first learned about all this stuff, I asked myself that a lot, but now I’ve realised I just don’t care,” I shrug.
“Oh?” her voice tinkles in amusement.
“Jartre said you pair souls who are a perfect fit. You clearly thought we were a perfect fit, so here we are. I know I love him, and he loves me, and we make each other happy. I don’t need to know more than that.”
She gives me a heartfelt smile, and I swear it’s like my mother smiling at me. She looks nothing like her, but there’s just something so maternal about her.
“That warms my celestial heart to hear that, Gabriella, but I owe you an explanation. I think it’s time you-”
“And I had a talk,” I finish in unison with her.
Just like my vision, down to the tiniest detail. If only I had visions of the lottery, I could be a fucking billionaire by now. And I wouldn’t be stingy, I’d share my wealth with the people like a good Samaritan.
Zarseti lets out a laugh that sounds so light and airy it couldn’t possibly be human.
“I’m so used to being the one who does that to everyone, I forgot what a novelty it is to have someone do that to me. You truly are a delight,” she says joyfully, but the joy quickly vanishes, and she looks at me with trepidation. “My dear, you’re going to want to sit down for this. I’ve held out as long as I can, but there is much I need to tell you and much I need to explain, and you’re not going to like most of what I have to say, but I hope you will allow me to say it none the less.”
I take in a deep breath, walk over to the sofa, and sit down. “I’m sitting. Between Jartre and Ezillus I’ve heard the entire rainbow of crazy, so whatever you need to say…bring it.”