Free Forsaken (Fated Saga Fantasy Series Book 8) by Rachel Humphrey-D'aigle

“See how easy this is?”
    “What?”
    “Talking. Conversation.”
    “That’s not what we’re doing.”
    “We could be friends you know. Do you have any?” he asked boldly.
    “Of course I do…” It was a lie really. She knew a lot of people. Even considered some of them friendly. But even Milo and Arnon were just old schoolmates that she’d hung around with years ago. Not so much now at all, other than for work. She tried her darndest, but could not think of one true friend. She had acquaintances. Family. She had her mentor, PanSofia. But there wasn’t a single person she had ever called, friend.
    For a moment, this felt rather pathetic. But she shook it off, fast.
    Work mattered. Her visions mattered. Not friends.
    She got up from the table to wash her dishes and put them away. Eddy followed.
    She spun around and confronted him.
    “My personal life is none of your business.”
    “I’d really like it to be.”
    “Why?” It came out before she could stop herself.
    “You’re smart. Sharp. Devoted. I admire that.”
    She looked at him incredulously.
    “I’m Balloch Flummer’s apprentice. A historian, and record keeper. I do value order and devotion, immensely.”
    She looked him over from head to toe.
    He shrugged.
    She caved. “Okay. I can give you, that you appreciate what I do, and that I take my job seriously.” She paused, her breath feeling a little short. “However…” he cut her off.
    “You’re also incredibly gorgeous. I’ve never seen a woman and been so instantly stricken by her beauty.”
    Her breath hitched. “That’s… bold.”
    “Why not? You won’t take my hints,” he grinned at her.
    “Well, Edward , that’s very… flattering…”
    “But?”
    She inhaled deeply. “I didn’t come on this mission to meet anyone. I have to stay focused.”
    “What about after the mission?”
    “You’re just not going to give up, are you?”
    “Take a walk with me, Juliska. It’s too beautiful a summer night to stay indoors.”
    The very idea sent butterflies fluttering through her insides. Or maybe it was the way her name slipped off his tongue.
    “I… I don’t think that would look very… appropriate.” It was all she could come up with as an excuse.
    Eddy grinned. “Ah see. I’m getting to you. You almost said yes.”
    “That’s the exact opposite of what I said!” She refused to wait for him to rebut her and rejoined the table where a heated debate had just begun.
    “Ah, Juliska, maybe you can clear this up,” said Arnon.
    “Um, I’ll try,” she replied, a touch flustered.
    “It’s about your sister.”
    “Amelia,” added Milo. “She told me about a dream she had.”
    Juliska let out a disgruntled groan. She hadn’t realized her sister and Milo were that close. He was a few years younger… oh right, Kay. She and Amelia were good friends. She let out a long sigh.
    “I’m guessing this dream was about returning magic to all the land,” chimed Juliska dramatically. She was annoyed that Amelia had actually told this dream to someone outside her family.
    “That’s the one,” said Milo.
    “She actually believe it’s possible?” asked Arnon, dumbfounded. “It’s a nice thought, I guess, in the pure imagination of it, but it’s…”
    “Preposterous.” Nashua was firm in his assessment. “A more ridiculous endeavor has never been attempted.”
    Juliska agreed, but answered Arnon just the same. “I can’t honestly say what Amelia believes, but knowing my sister… how do I put this? She likes to get on these little kicks about things, and then nothing ever comes of it.”
    “She seemed pretty serious to me,” said Milo. “She made some good points. You know Arnon, your sister Nina was there too. She seemed interested as well.”
    Arnon scowled. He’d have to have a talk with her once he got home. He’d forgotten that his sister and Amelia had become friends after working together a couple years back.
    “Hold up a second,” said Cornell. “I