Nodding, she let her grab her in a tight hug, even though her friend’s words couldn’t comfort her like they usually did.
“Ready to go?” Frank asked, touching her shoulder.
“Yeah, let’s not delay the inevitable,” Adam said. “I’m in dire need of a real bed, a microwave, and a freaking cheeseburger—not to mention I’ve probably got 9,000 e-mails.”
Liz pointed to a square ruby embedded in the wall with an ancient inscription carved into the rock. “Put your ring into the keystone and twist it to open the portal.”
“That sounds easy enough,” Sarah said, turning to regard her sister intently, all those memories from years of being haunted by her sister’s disappearance and the guilt that came with it flashing through her mind. For a while after that had happened, she couldn’t stop crying. She couldn’t even face her own parents because she couldn’t take their grief. To know that Liz was well came as a relief; to know she could’ve easily popped over to share what had happened to her was like a punch in the stomach. “So why didn’t you come through and tell me you were okay?”
“I thought about it for a long time, but…” Liz stopped, considering her words. “Well, truthfully, I was scared of those things out there. I thought I would never find this place again, and even if I did, I never figured I’d make it alive. Then I met Charles.”
“And you fell in love with him,” Sarah continued, putting two and two together in her mind. Sure, it was stupid and irrational to choose a guy over her family, but love was silly and fluffy-headed, just like Liz said.
Liz shook her head. “No, it wasn’t that. I mean, I met him and we fell in love, but I still wanted to leave. He begged me to not even try it because I might never come back. The more time passed, the stronger I felt for him, and I just gave up hope. I could no longer imagine myself back home, in a world I feel I no longer belong in.”
Sarah stared at Liz as the words circled through her mind, fitting into place. She knew what fear could do to a person. Human nature carries an impressive survival instinct that makes one adjust to every situation, even more so in the case of a lost and scared girl. She couldn’t blame Liz in the least, especially when she was 100 percent sure she might not have acted the same way at her age. “I understand,” she said eventually. “I just wish I had known all along.” With a last smile, she made a fist and pressed the ruby ring against the wall.
A door swirled open, and a wind blew hard.
Liz motioned toward the door, looking at Adam and Steven. “I don’t even know you, but I’ll miss you.”
They nodded and smiled, then darted through the opening without a second glance.
Liz hugged Sarah, tears welling up in her eyes. “I love you, sis. I wish you would’ve stayed, but I’m thankful for the time we’ve shared. Give Mom and Dad my love.”
“I love you too.”
“Goodbye, Sarah.”
“Goodbye.”
Frank put his arm around Beth, her blonde hair blowing all over the place. “Sarah, Beth, let’s go!”
Beth nodded and then met Sarah’s gaze. “Coming?”
She shook her head, yelling over the howl of the wind. “I’m right behind you.”
Frank pulled Beth through the swirling opening, and they both disappeared into the darkness.
“You see that? Frank didn’t even try to fight for me or make sure I followed right behind him. He’s just running away from me, as far as he can get.”
“That’s because he wasn’t the right one for you.”
Sarah stared at the portal. “I think Beth could make him happy. She’s way more his type than me. It’s kind of funny that he’s still stuck with a Bigfoot researcher.”
“It is ironic, isn’t it?”
Sarah choked back the sobs. “Bye, sis. Oh…and one more thing. Have lots of babies, okay?”
Tears welled up in Liz’s eyes as she smiled. “I will, and I’ll be sure tell them what a wonderful aunt they have,” she said, unable to control the quiver in her voice. Just as Sarah was about to walk through, Liz yanked her arm. “It doesn’t matter what world you’re in. If you’ve found the love of your life, it can conquer all. If you walk through this portal, you’ll never see Victor again. You have to ask yourself if you can really live with that, Sarah.”
Memories flashed through Sarah’s mind as she stared down at Victor’s ring that once belonged to his mother: the vows, the long kisses, the beautiful time they shared at the waterfall, and the way he smiled. She had so many fond memories of him, but she did not know if they would suffice for eternity. “I love him, Liz, but—”
“Then why are you leaving, sis?” Liz whispered.
“Because I’m an idiot.”
Liz laughed. “You are! Please stay. We can help people here. I’m telling you, we can make a difference in this world.”
The swirling hole closed with a hiss.
“Time’s run out,” Liz said. “You’ll have to reopen the portal.”
The portal. Sarah peered at it, hesitating. Back in her world, she was nobody, just a face in the masses. But here, she was a queen with the power to change the world. Liz was right. Here, she would be able to do the good that would never be acknowledged in her own world. Like Liz, she could already feel the sense of belonging to this place. “No need. I’m…I’m going to stay,” she said, only wishing she could tell her friends goodbye so they would never have to worry about her the way she once worried about Liz.
Her sister hugged her hard, tears flowing down her face. Sarah had never seen Liz cry like that before. “This is the most awesome news of my life! And don’t worry. Your friends know you’ll be fine.”
Sarah wiped a tear away from her sister’s face. “I’m sure they’ll figure it out. Anyway, how could I ever leave you two? You and Victor are my life.”
“Let’s go catch up with Victor and tell him the fantastic news.”
Running with unnatural speed, like that of a vampire, Sarah and Liz easily caught up. Sarah scanned the area and spotted him across a field, standing next to his horse, his hair ruffled by the breeze, the sun shining on his face. He was a beautiful sight.
Her sister patted her on the back. “I’ll wait here.”
“I’m never going to let him go…not ever.”
She nudged her with a big grin. “Go get your man.”
“Victor!” she screamed, running toward him.
He turned sharply.
“Victor!” she yelled again.
“Sarah? Sarah!”
She ran screaming his name over and over.
In seconds, he met her halfway, smiling. He picked her up and swung her around. “You’re giving up everything to stay here in my world?”
“Somebody has to teach me how to be an Immortal,” she said between breaths. “There’s so much I don’t know.”
“You need a teacher? Is that it?”
She brushed his hair out of his face. “I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. If I went back, I’d have all my friends, family, and the convenience of my world, but I’d be so empty without you. You see, it doesn’t matter where I live my life, because as long as I have you, my life is full and complete.” She lowered her mouth to whisper against his lips, “I love you, Victor.”
“I love you too…from the minute I laid eyes on you.” He kissed her long and hard. “Truly, this is the happiest day of my life.” His eyes glinted with a sparkle as he cupped her face tenderly. “Let’s go home, to our castle, my Queen, my beautiful wife.”
She smiled as his fingers intertwined with hers. Their ruby rings glowed in perfect harmony. Never before had she been more proud to wear Victor’s perfect token of affection. She stared up into his amazing blue eyes. “Nothing would make me happier, my King, my beautiful husband.”
His mouth pressed down hard on her lips as her heart pounded like never before.
Epilogue
One year later…
The wind blew through the open window, whirling a cascade of le
aves across the wooden floor.
“I’ll get the broom, milady.” Mia dropped the cloth and polish in her hand and hurried out the door into the hallway.
“It can wait,” Sarah called after her, doubting the girl would listen. It had been a year since Mia was in her services, yet the girl still couldn’t stop scurrying around the place like a scared kitten in her attempt to please everyone—especially after the lavish wedding Victor had thrown for Jules and her at the castle. Just as Sarah had promised, her gown was absolutely stunning. She was also indebted to Sarah for finding the Gold Minerals of Life that saved her ill father.
At first, Sarah thought the idea of having a servant mortifying, but after a few heated discussions with Victor, she had to admit his reputation mattered, and she had no choice than to embrace her duties as a queen. But Mia wasn’t the only new development Sarah had to grow accustomed to. There were the cooks, a few gardeners, lots of maids, and plenty of visitors and relatives she didn’t even know; some were even strangers to Victor. Six months in, Sarah still couldn’t stop giggling at some of the court etiquette that would have resulted in fits of laughter in her own world.
She didn’t argue with Mia when the girl returned to clean up the leaves. She couldn’t have the whole court giving her that shocked look that told her she had caused another faux pas by stepping out of her boundaries and the expectations placed upon her. With an exaggerated sigh, she put her book back on the chaise lounge and gathered her dress around her, then slowly climbed down the stairs to exit the castle and head into the back garden, where the warm mid-morning sun greeted her.
Birds chirped as streams of sunshine shone on her face. She sat down on the bench to enjoy the privacy of high shrubs that singled her out from the party preparations on the other side. Victor had insisted she stay put until everything was finished, and although every fiber in her body invited her to push through the bushes to take a peek, she controlled her nosy nature and kept true to her word.
Even though she had gotten used to her life, everything happened so fast that she still couldn’t wrap her head around a few things—like the ride through the woods after she made the decision to stay or the first night she’d spent with Victor in the large two-bedroom apartment he called a bedchamber. Even though they had shared many nights since, the thought of their marital bed and his arms pulling her against his body for the first time still sent a rush of heat to her cheeks.
Pushing the naughty thoughts out of her mind, she cleared her voice and busied herself with removing imaginary lint from her long, mauve-tone corsage dress that Victor swore complemented her eyes exquisitely.
“Milady?” Mia said, jerking Sarah out of her thoughts. “The king requires your presence.”
“I’ll be right there.” Sarah took a deep breath before following Mia down the paved path into the courtyard and then the adjoining main garden. She stopped midstride, her breath catching in her throat as she marveled at the beautiful display in front of her eyes. Countless chairs and tables with white brocade tablecloths were set around a pavilion adorned with roses. The china and polished silver sparkled in the bright light, almost blinding her. But what impressed her the most were the white and red silk ribbons swaying in the soft breeze, reminding her of her tenth birthday party, when her mother had decorated the entire back garden, turning it into a place worthy of a princess. How could she have known she would turn into a real one when she grew up?
Someone wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her close. Sarah took a deep breath and turned to place a soft kiss on her husband’s lips. “You spared no expense,” she whispered as she peered at the cook, observing the servants carrying a five-tier cake with white frothing and rose toppers.
“Nothing’s good enough for my beloved,” Victor whispered against her ear. “And before you ask, I made sure to send most of the food down to the villages, so you can enjoy a bite or two.” A spark of amusement appeared in his eyes.
“Thank you,” she said, genuinely pleased. When she and Liz made the pact to bring nothing but good to this world, they meant every word. Granted, there was still a long way to go before Victor’s people forgot the suffering they once experienced, but she vowed to do everything in her might to help them.
“Wait until you see the birthday present I have for you,” Victor said.
Sarah smiled. “You’ve given me everything. What else could be left?” she asked, and she meant it. At first, she couldn’t find anything about that world that might appeal to her, but Victor’s love and determination to show her the beauty of real nature and the simplicity of a life away from the hassles of modernity had managed to change her opinion. Now, she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
“You’d be surprised. Now close your eyes…and no peeking!”
Sarah pressed her eyes shut as something cold brushed her cheeks. She reached up to touch her sister’s fingers that covered Sarah’s eyes like a blindfold. “I’m not looking,” Sarah said, laughing.
Liz clicked her tongue. “I’ll make sure you’re not, ‘cause I know you have a few tricks up your sleeve.”
“I was a kid back then. I don’t do that now.”
“You think?” Liz snorted playfully.
As much as Sarah would’ve liked to pretend otherwise, Liz was right. She had always been great at finding out secrets, and no surprise was ever safe from her. She bit her lip as she focused her heightened hearing, eager to pick up any sound that might give away Victor’s plans, but all she could hear were soft, hesitant footsteps and the cook yelling somewhere to her right, “Mind the cake!”
“Okay,” Victor said. “Open your eyes, my love.”
Liz removed her hands, and Sarah slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the glaring brightness but not because she couldn’t see clearly. Her mouth dropped; her heartbeat began to race. She had been dreaming about such a moment for a year, yet there she stood, ready to faint.
She opened her mouth to speak, but the sound remained trapped in her throat as she stared into her mother’s and father’s eyes. “Mom? Dad?” she eventually said. Tears slid down her face as she inched closer to grab them in a tight hug. Hundreds of thoughts raced through her mind. How could this be possible? “You…you went to my world to get them?” she said to Victor.
He shook his head. “I sent Liz in after I received permission from King Taggert.” He hesitated before replying. “I just couldn’t stand seeing you so sad day in, day out, even though you thought no one noticed.” He grabbed her mother’s hand and placed a soft peck on her cheek. “Surprisingly, they didn’t find our story scary at all.”
So many more questions were burning on her tongue. How did he find them? Would they be staying forever? But looking into her mother’s eyes she realized all those questions could come later, and there would be plenty of time, because even if they intended to leave, Sarah knew once they experienced the magic of this place, they would never be able to step back through that portal.
“I’m happy to see us all reunited,” Liz said, her voice choked by tears.
Sarah nodded as the first waves of sobs began to ripple through her, only these tears were sparked by pure joy. “This is the best birthday present ever,” she whispered, laughing, and through the curtain of tears, she noticed her parents crying too.
THE END
Thank you so much for sharing Sarah’s journey. It was a pleasure having you along. I hope you enjoyed the story just as much as I enjoyed writing it. Connect with me online!
Chrissy’s blog: http://chrissypeebles.blogspot.com/
E-mail: [email protected] (I’d love to hear from you!)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Chrissy-Peebles/351121651567296
Other titles by this author:
http://www.amazon.com/Agarthas-Castaway-ebook/dp/B005JPEG9M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1315788423&sr=1-1
Genre: Young adult fantasy/adventure/light sci-fi.
See the book trailer: http://youtu.be/viwT0M8Ms_g
***
The dream vacation that might just turn deadly...
Seventeen-year-old Casey Smith can't wait to embark on her summer vacation, not least because she's finally shed her tomboy image, and now heartthrob Mike seems interested. What starts out great with lots of hot flirting taking her a step closer to winning her crush's heart soon turns into her worst nightmare.
Tossed out to sea during a freak storm, Casey is washed up on what she presumes to be a mysterious tropical island that's on no map she's ever seen. Soon she discovers that being lost is the least of her worries.
In a world that should never even exist, to save the ones she loves, Casey needs to win the war between good and evil...even if it means losing her own life in the process.
Sample Chapter 1 – Raging Storm
“Vanquish fear and panic. Value living. Remember your goal: getting out alive."
–U.S. Army Ranger Handbook
Casey strolled toward her best friends, Mike and Jack, who were standing near the stern of the boat. A faint light flashed in the night sky from the east, and she pointed. “Hey, was that lightning?"
Mike poured a pail of chum into the sea before he offered a smile. “Nah, not on my vacation.”
"Hey, chum-p, that’s our last bucket,” she said.
“It’s five a.m. Night fishing’s over. I say we end it with a big bang by creating an ocean of dreams. Dump it, and they will come.”
She laughed. “This isn’t Field of Dreams.”
“Are you sure about that?” Mike set the pail down and wiped his hands on his tie-dyed board shorts.
Jack rummaged through the colorful, flashy lures in Casey’s dad’s tackle box. “Yeah, Mike’s right. Go check it out. It’s every angler’s dream out there—100-pound tunas galore.”
Eternal Destiny - Book 2 (Second book in The Ruby Ring Series) Page 17
