by Susan Stoker
He was standing in a tuxedo, holding a hand out to her. She got closer and smiled when she saw the bow tie he was wearing was camouflage. Leave it to him to put a bit of himself in the formal attire.
“We’ve been waiting for you, Varinia.” He spoke in a quiet voice, but one which was full of love. He kissed the back of her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm as they turned to face the front of the room.
Rin felt the warmth of Roman against her side and was surprised to realize she was now wearing a dark emerald-green dress. It was sleeveless and floor length. The bodice was covered in hundreds of sequins, making it sparkle in the light from the chandeliers overhead. It had a small train, so as they walked forward she felt it flow out behind her gracefully. She felt like a princess. Roman’s fairytale princess.
Looking over to her left, Rin saw her sister and mother. Tina was waving madly and her mom gave her a small smile. Luke was standing next to Tina and there was a man standing behind her mom, but Rin couldn’t make out his face.
Roman nudged her and pointed off to his right with his head. Rin looked and saw her half-sister standing next to her husband. They looked regal and extremely happy. Rin smiled up at Roman.
They came to a halt in front of a group of about a dozen people. The women all had varying shades of red hair, and were dressed in what looked like costumes from different times in history. Their men were all tall and brawny. It dawned on Rin, suddenly, what she was seeing.
These were some of her relatives. Valeria, Antonia, Valeriana, Annie, and Britannia. The women who’d found their true loves, just as she had. She knew without a doubt that they’d had the same fears and worries she’d felt before they’d found their loves. Rin looked each woman in the eye and smiled shyly. Yeah, they knew.
A woman dressed in a long white robe stepped forward, a handsome man in a toga by her side.
“Welcome, Varinia. I have waited a long time to meet you. I am Theodosia. We have been watching you and your family, and are happy to have you join us. The road to love is never an easy one, as any of us could tell you.” She gestured to the women standing near her, then continued.
“Thank you for taking care of The Lucius Ring. Go and live your life. Be happy. You will be blessed with many children, and your daughter, and her daughter, and all the daughters to come, will find their true loves without the worry of the legend hanging over their heads. The ring has come to rest where it belongs, with The Theodosia Sword. Thank you for bringing the ring full circle and being open to finding your true love.”
Rin opened her mouth to say something, though she wasn’t sure what, when the mist at her feet rose up and obscured her vision from everyone in the room. It was as if they were suddenly caught in a thick fog bank. Rin turned into Roman and clutched him tightly, sighing in relief when she felt his arms band around her. One of his hands settled on her lower back and the other between her shoulder blades. She inhaled, knowing she’d never get enough of his peppermint, smoky scent.
It could’ve been hours or minutes, but the next thing Rin knew, she was stirring in Roman’s bed, her nose buried in the space between his neck and shoulder. One leg was thrown over his and one of Roman’s hands was resting on her hip.
Rin smiled, loving that her ancestors had visited her in her dream, and that she would never have to worry about her own daughter having to go through the same angst her family had for generations.
Dreams only of you. How true the legend was.
“Sleep well?” Roman asked in a gruff voice, obviously still half asleep himself.
“Yeah. I love you.”
“Love you too. I’m not ready to get up yet…ten more minutes?”
Ten more minutes of snuggling up to her man without a care in the world? Absolutely.
“Ten more minutes, Roman.”
Rin put her head back down and inhaled deeply, contentment spreading throughout her body. She had a million things to do. Work. Finish planning a wedding. Call her sister. Arrange a trip to England to meet MacKenzie…the list went on and on. But here in Roman’s arms, time ceased to pass. It was just her and the love of her life. Everything else could wait.
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This novella was one of six that was published in the “Ever My Love” anthology. If you are interested to read historical stories about the same Lucius Ring which was in this story…please check out the following:
Of Love and Legend by Katherine Le Veque
Forever Her Champion by Suzan Tisdale
Breath from the Sea by Eliza Knight
Only You by Cheryl Bolen
Call of the Wild Wind by Sabrina York
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Also by Susan Stoker
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone (Sept 2016)
Shelter for Adeline (Jan 2017)
Shelter for Sophie (Aug 2017)
Justice for Sidney (Oct 2017)
Justice for Milena (TBA)
Shelter for Blythe (TBA)
Justice for Kinley (TBA)
Shelter for Promise (TBA)
Shelter for Koren (TBA)
Shelter for Penelope (TBA)
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne
Assisting Aimee - Loosely related to DF
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley (Nov 2016)
Rescuing Kassie (May 2017)
Rescuing Bryn (Nov 2017)
Rescuing Casey (TBA)
Rescuing Wendy (TBA)
Rescuing Mary (TBA)
Ace Security Series
Claiming Grace (Mar 2017)
Claiming Alexis (July 2017)
Claiming Bailey (TBA)
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (Oct 2016)
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Stand Alone
The Guardian Mist
Special Operations Fan Fiction
http://www.stokeraces.com/kindle-worlds.html
Beyond Reality Series
Outback Hearts
Flaming Hearts
Frozen Hearts
Writing as Annie George:
Stepbrother Virgin (erotic novella)
About the Author
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.
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