was meant. He could almost see her in his mind. Almost.
And then it happened. Some would call it an epiphany. Others would recognize it as a realization. It all became clear. The story hit him so hard because he needed it to. It had, in some way, opened up the possibility that he did not have to live his life alone. He needed to know more.
So he researched it. He went to the library – Jacqueline’s library. They passed each other each day, never even noticing.
Jacqueline, however, had experienced no such realization. The closer Logan came to her, the more depressed she grew, and what’s worse, she did not even know why. Down and down she spiraled, to the deepest depths of an impenetrable sadness.
An overdose of medicine was how she tried to end it. Sprawled on her bathroom floor, pills scatter around her, a bottle haphazardly rolling against the door, she glimpsed the light of her former lives. A cacophony of images played in her head. The dam had broken as she lay there dying, and a small sliver of hope pushed back the depression. It barely gave way, but it was enough.
She did not die. Whether it was sheer luck, or if Jacqueline had willed herself to live, she hung on until her roommate found her.
Jacqueline’s depression was soon pushed aside in favor of a newly discovered zest for life.
Finally, against all odds, after thousands of years and countless lives, they found one another. It was in a coffee shop. Jacqueline stood in line, waiting for her order while Logan sat nearby, reading a book he had borrowed from her very library.
He looked up just as Jacqueline turned. Time slowed. It was clear to Logan immediately. She was the one for whom he had been waiting. She dropped her beverage, but hardly noticed. Jacqueline knew only a few seconds later.
In that moment, to them, it was love at first sight. In reality, it was a long imprisoned love finally freed from the chains of an evil curse.
Neither spoke. They did not have to.
Logan stood, and Jacqueline took a hesitant step forward. He reached out a tentative hand. That first touch – his hand grasping hers – was electric. The embrace which followed was urgent. The kiss was volcanic. Thousands of years’ worth of pent up emotion erupted. There was nothing else. There was only Jacqueline and Logan, long lost lovers from an ancient time, finally together at last.
They married the next day. A few days later, their memories returned. They remembered their past lives, but their relief outweighed their sadness.
A month passed before worry started to set in. They thought the curse had broken, but how could they be sure? Would they die, and go back to living loveless lives? Or would their lives continue, letting them grow old together as man and wife?
Another few months of research turned up an old woman who claimed to be a seeress. Logan went to her alone, but she knew nothing. Mystic after mystic, he consulted, but none could tell him anything for certain.
Finally, after nearly a year of searching, Jacqueline took Logan’s hand. “Let it be, my love,” she said softly. “So what if we’re only together for a few more years? Let’s take advantage of what we have left.”
“But I can’t stand it. I can’t lose you again!” he answered vehemently.
“What happens, happens,” she replied Logan began to retort, but Jacqueline placed a single finger on his lips. “Shhh,” she cooed. “Just go with it. We’re together, now. Be happy.”
Logan’s protests melted at her touch, and neither spoke of the curse again, though it always remained in the back of Logan’s mind. Jacqueline, for her part, gave herself wholly to the notion that she would focus on what time they had. All else be damned.
Time, as it is wont to do, seemed to pass in a flash, and the thirty-third anniversary of their births approached. Nervousness filled Logan’s mind as the day finally dawned. It passed in a blur as they each tried to focus on other things. But even Jacqueline found it impossible as midnight approached.
It came and went, and nothing changed. Logan and Jacqueline dared to let a little relief into their minds, and dozed off.
When they awoke, the evil witch Elna sat in a chair at the foot of their bed. Thousands of years had not changed her in the least.
“Finally awake, then?” Elna asked. Neither Logan nor Jacqueline spoke, so Elna continued, “I have been thinking as I watched you two reconnect.”
She paused pensively for a long moment. Finally, she said, “Wondering, really, I suppose. Is it selfishness which makes you want to end my curse? It wouldn’t be the first time selfishness guided your actions, brave warrior. Do you want love for love’s sake? Do you want to live for her? Or is it your own happiness which dictates your course?”
“I—“ Logan began, but was quickly interrupted.
“Rhetorical question, boy,” Elna hissed. “So I think a sacrifice is in order. Prove your unselfishness, and I will release you both. Do not, and the curse continues. You have half of an hour to decide.”
And with that, she was gone.
Thirty minutes passed swiftly. Jacqueline offered suggestions, but Logan ignored them. He knew what needed to be done.
Elna returned. “Have you decided, then?”
“Take me,” Logan said simply. Jacqueline began to protest, but Elna silenced her with a wave of a gnarled hand.
“Take you?” Elna asked, a hunt of a smile on her aged face.
Logan stood. “I will continue with the curse or whatever other punishment you deem fit. Kill me. Maim me. It doesn’t matter. Just leave Jacqueline alone. Release her. She didn’t do anything wrong. I killed Barnabus. The punishment should be for me alone. Anything – I will do it willingly. I will live in any hell you can conjure if it means she walks free.”
Elna thought for a moment.
“Very well. I release you,” she said with another wave of her hand. She vanished without another word, leaving a stunned pair of lovers in her wake.
Happily ever after? Maybe. I hope so.
If you enjoyed this story, please don’t hesitate to take a look at my new novel, Heartkeeper: Volume One. It is available on nearly all electronic formats. For more information about this or my other works, please visit https://nrsearcy.blogspot.com.
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