We surrendered peacefully, as Victor ordered, and gave up our weapons without conflict. The tribal warriors quickly searched our belongings and stared us up and down.
“Anyone can claim to be a king,” the bear-man said. He then looked at his own small army. “Take them to the dungeon.”
Enraged, Victor made a move to punch the man, but I quickly spoke to him in my mind: “Don’t, luv. We need to let them take us to the castle.”
“I won’t be thrown in a dungeon like some kind of common enemy.”
“Just go with the flow. This is all part of the plan, remember? If you fight them, they will never side with us.” Of course I blocked out the sudden thought that he had once thrown me in a dungeon like a common enemy himself.
A wolf-skinned man tied rope around our necks and hands, forcing us to follow behind their trotting horses. It was hard to keep up, since the horses had four legs, much longer than ours, and they moved faster than we could walk. I knew I could easily break the ropes, but it was important to play along with the game. Victor peered at me, and I shot him a reassuring look.
“Seeing you like this makes me want to tear them apart.”
“No, Victor. Just hang on.”
“I’m not good at playing prisoner.”
“You have no other choice. If you fight them, we’ll never get King Halldor’s help.”
“Fight them? I would destroy them without so much as a second breath.”
“Please don’t ruin this. It is our only shot at getting help to conquer Ethano.”
He hated the idea, but I knew it was really the only way for us to get into the party. After all, we hadn’t exactly sent our RSVPs.
“Are they savages?” I asked Victor.
“No, but many fear them. It is believed that they gain strength from the animals they slaughter for pelts. They have a taste for blood and a thirst for battle. They fall into a frenzy when fighting, and they are known as berserkers, another name for ’bear coats.’”
“Great. And I was just expecting knights.”
“They are far more vicious than any knights I have ever encountered. I have no doubt that I could quickly dispose of them, but they have superhuman strength, endurance, and agility, and they fight relentlessly, with insane fury and courage. They do not fear anything, neither pain nor death.”
“So they’re pretty much invincible, these berserkers? I asked.
“Most would find them…unstoppable.”
“All the more reason to get them on our side, don’t you think? Now play along like a good little prisoner, Highness,” I thought, slyly winking at him.
We were separated from our knights and taken to a cell on the far south side.
I gripped my hands around the rusty bars. “I fear for our knights’ safety.”
“They will not be executed.”
“How do you know? And why did they separate us?”
“They don’t want us to influence the others.”
“Oh, I get it. They’re questioning us separately, like on all those cop shows back home. I just hate to see their version of good-cop/bad-cop.”
“Excuse me?”
“Never mind,” I said, blowing out a long breath. “Some plan, huh? Instead of having a heart-to-heart with the good king, we’re now stuck in a dungeon. I think it’s backfiring on us.”
“I did not fight back there because I believe in our plan. Have patience. Good waits come to, uh…”
I smiled. “Good things come to those who wait,” I corrected, gripping his hand and admiring his attempt. “I’ll stay positive.”
Suddenly, the door clicked open, and a pelted man simply said, “Come,” motioning only to me.
I nodded, and when Victor protested, I shot him a reassuring glance. “Have some faith in me,” I whispered. “We’re in this together.”
He nodded and stepped back, knowing that everything was riding on how we behaved. Fighting the guards wouldn’t help our cause.
The door clicked shut again, and I was escorted through the corridors and up a stone staircase, then led into their royal court. There, instead of animal skins, the men were dressed in tight tunics, with a broad skirt at the waist. Their trousers, some tight and some loose, were held up with a sash or belt, and their hair and beards were well groomed. The women wore long skirts or dresses, and some were clothed in an overdress held up by two shoulder straps fastened with oval brooches. Most of them had their hair tied back.
The king was dressed in a dark blue and gray, long-sleeved garment that screamed wealth, status, and power. A dark blue cape with elaborate golden embroidery was draped over his shoulders, and a crown adorned his head. I would have guessed him to be around thirty, but he was likely much older than that, since he was obviously an immortal. He was also wearing a gold medallion with a blue stone in the middle.
“I am King Halldor,” he said, his voice gruff and powerful.
I bowed deeply. “It is an honor to meet you, Majesty.”
“Rise,” he said.
I slowly stood and met his gaze.
“I chose not to speak to Victor, your king, because I despise him—if it is even him at all. For all we know, you are imposters. I will discover more by speaking to you.”
“I am Queen Sarah Fesque of Tastia. My husband is King Victor.”
Before I could elaborate, the door opened, and a pack of wolves darted in, running straight toward me. I looked at them and debated using my powers against them, but I held off. The wolves circled me, and my hands began to shake. I had no idea what they were up to, and that was the worst part of all. I certainly hoped they hadn’t just summoned me in there to be Alpo for the king’s gnashing house pets.
“Shape-shifters,” the king said. “They make the best, most loyal bodyguards. This tribe knows of Queen Sarah. If they do not remember you, I’ll be forced to execute you. We do not abide lying and treachery here.”
“I would never lie about my identity.”
He smiled. “For your sake, you had better be telling the truth in that, my dear.”
In a burst of brilliant light, the wolves transformed into people, and I gasped when I caught sight of two familiar faces, Titano and his wife Lana. They both were garbed in their traditional outfits of feathers and face paint.
“Lana!” I said, excitement flooding through me.
She grinned, then bowed. “Hello, my Queen.”
“Hello.” I looked at Titano and smiled, and he bowed deeply.
“Is this the real queen of Tastia?” the king demanded, obviously an impatient man who had no time for fanfare or unnecessary displays of emotion.
“Yes,” Lana said. “None other.”
“Why are you here?” I asked.
She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Ethano has taken away our land and everything Victor gave us.”
I let out a long breath. “I am so sorry.”
“Do not apologize for the vile things that fiend does,” she said, frowning. “When we refused to form an alliance with him, he put out orders to kill all shape-shifters.”
“We were kindly given refuge here,” Titano said.
My stomach clenched; the atrocities never stopped when it came to Ethano. “He fears you.”
“We are only a small tribe,” Titano countered. “Our numbers do not even compare to his.”
“But you have amazing powers. That is what he fears most, being overpowered.”
The king looked at me. “Now that I know I am speaking to a true queen, please tell me why you have traveled all the way to our faraway country.”
“As you know, we’ve been overtaken by Ethano as well.”
“Yes, his terror tactics and barbarism have infected the entire world like a plague. However, he has worked out a treaty that will protect royal parties.”
“I implore you not to associate with that tyrant, good King.”
“We will do what we must do to save our people, though I will try to avoid making an allegiance with him. We have
been a free people for 1,000 years, and we would like to keep it that way.” King Halldor then peered at me. “I take it you are seeking refuge here as well.”
I shook my head. “No, Majesty. I have a proposition that will benefit both of us.”
“Do get on with it then, milady.”
I explained the entire plan, including the combined powers we had, with the help of Jackson and his men. “With our powers and your numbers, Highness, we can defeat Ethano once and for all.”
Titano looked at Lana, stunned, then turned to face me. “With the king’s permission, my tribe would consider it a great honor to fight next to you in battle.”
“If you put the immortals with enhanced powers on the front lines with my tribe and regular immortals and numerous knights behind us, he wouldn’t have a chance.”
My gaze shot to the king. “May Victor join us now?”
“There is great anger and strife between us,” he said.
“Please put it behind you, Majesty. Ethano is conspiring to kill you. He will take your kingdom from you, and you will lose everything. If we work together, all the kingdoms and lands can be restored to their rightful owners, and peace will befall this world again.”
“If we lose, Ethano will kill everyone inside this castle, just as he did in the last two he overtook. It is a great risk.”
“We won’t lose,” I assured him.
“You might have brilliant powers, but it will not be enough.”
“That is why we are here. Victor and I just want to restore peace to all the land, and we need your help.”
“I will give you a room in the guest wing. Stay for the millennium celebration. Every living leader from every country is coming.”
“Including Ethano,” I said, more of a statement than a question.
“Yes, he will be in attendance. I will consider what he has to say and ponder both requests carefully.”
“Please do not forsake us just because of your angst with Victor. I can promise you that Ethano has bitter plans for you.”
“I loathe Ethano just as much. I can promise you, my Queen, that my ultimate decision will be in the best interests of this kingdom and the people here.”
“Thank you for considering it.”
“My men will escort you to the royal bedchamber. Victor will join you soon.”
Chapter 21
The suite they led me to was amazing, adorned with portraits, plush carpeting, statues, and priceless antiques. Women in simple dresses brought in dozens of dresses for me. I took a bath and slithered into a pink and white gown.
Victor was gone for hours, and I’d been told that he was talking to the king. I knew he’d be with me soon, so I didn’t interrupt him with any mind-chat. When he finally walked in, I smiled. He was also cleaned up, dressed like a wealthy nobleman. He was so handsome, his smile so bright.
“Victor!” I said.
He kissed me on the lips. “You look stunning.”
“Thank you. And so do you.”
“Thank you.”
“Did you make any progress?” I asked.
“I tried to, but he would not give me a firm answer.”
“It’s a big decision for him, not as cut and dry as it is for us. We must give him some time.”
“Why don’t we go for a walk in the garden, my love?”
“Are we allowed?”
“We are guests, Sarah, not prisoners.”
“Some upgrade, huh? From dungeon to nobleman in less than a few hours.”
He smiled and put my arm in his. We walked outside and basked in the bright, warm sunlight. The clouds were big and fluffy and moved across the blue sky lazily. We walked all around the gorgeous property, talking about how much we missed our son. We encouraged each other to keep going, to keep fighting, even though our hearts were aching for Alexander. When I glanced up at the castle, I found it to be quite striking. I was really back in medieval times, back in Victor’s world forever.
He gazed into my eyes. “I waited hundreds of years for—”
“For me to sweep you off your feet?” I finished.
He pulled me close and softly kissed my lips. “Indeed.”
“You’re definitely my hero, my knight. You’re so chivalrous, and you do all those daring deeds to protect and fight for us.”
He kissed my hand. “I want to be a better king and husband.”
“I couldn’t ask for a better man to love me. You’re everything and more.”
His eyes looked away, and I knew something was troubling him. Suddenly, I could feel it: He was letting me in, past those brick walls he always put up. He was reluctant to share his feelings, but he trusted me. He was so troubled by his past, by his father. He wanted to make amends for all the hurt he had caused, especially to Della. She had already passed on, though, and he couldn’t tell her all he needed to say, and that pained him deeply.
“She knew,” I said.
“I should’ve told her.”
“She forgave you and wanted you to be happy.”
“I won’t let another minute slip away. When this war simmers down and we are home, I must make amends. I must set everything right, make restitution or offer compensation.”
Victor’s guilt about all the wrong he’d done in his past kept him in an emotional prison. I knew if he went through the work of making things right, he would finally be free. In the past, he’d been nothing but a tornado of destructive energy, seizing country after country and leaving death and wreckage in his wake. Now, he had an opportunity to clean up the mess and rebuild once again.
We sat down on the iron bench.
“You need to forgive yourself,” I said.
He looked down. “That is the most difficult kind of forgiveness there is.”
“If you do not, it will continue to destroy you.”
“A heavy burden lies on my shoulders, my love, and I am still haunted by dark memories. Those secrets never let me rest.”
I cupped his face. “Right now, right here, forgive yourself. Don’t let the guilt and shame bleed into your life any longer.”
“It’s been a long process, but I think I can do it.”
“You can, baby. You are the man your mother knew you could be. I see that man right before me.”
“I must no longer live in the past.”
“Right. We’ll live for the future.”
He looked at me as tears pooled in his eyes.
“I-I forgive myself,” he whispered.
I felt my own eyes watering as the oppression slowly faded away. I threw my arms around him, and he hugged me tightly. Since we were bonded, the heaviness from both our souls lifted.
“I would never be the man I am today if you hadn’t walked into my life,” he said, his voice wavering. “You inspired me, made me…honorable. Because of you, Sarah, I will be a better husband, father, and king. I love you, my Queen.”
“I love you too.”
It was such an emotional breakthrough, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled. A lifetime of hurt, guilt, and regret was cast away, and for the first time since I’d met him, I saw a light of true hope in my beautiful husband’s eyes.
* * *
We went back to our room and got ready for the banquet. I wore a fancy red dress with a sweetheart neckline, along with a beautiful pendant. Victor was handsomely dressed and totally fit the part of royalty.
We sat at the table with some of the major power players, kings who’d already surrendered to Ethano. We talked about politics, the arts, literature, the sciences, theology, and more. I found them intriguing and delightful. A queen asked Victor about his battles with dragons, the talk of the land. He had everyone’s attention as he told tales about his dragon slayings.
“Victor, you are so charming in person,” a beautiful redhead said. “From the rumors, I feared you would be a savage.”
“I lost my way for a few centuries, but I’ve now seen the light.”
She smiled.
“What made you become
a warrior?” a blonde asked.
“It was a way to prove myself to the world, to my father. He was so pleased that he gave me Tastia to rule.”
“Yet you wanted more?” a dark-haired man questioned.
“Yes, I was influenced by greed and power, a trait I inherited from him. I fought many wars and took over many countries, but I learned from my mistakes. Now, I am on a quest to make amends to all I have hurt along the way. I won’t hide my sins. I confess them openly to you. I am truly sorry for any bloodshed I have caused.” He then turned his attention to me. “My beautiful wife taught me that a man can change. We have a wonderful son together and want nothing but the best for him. For all our children, we must make this world a better place, a world of peace, freedom, and harmony. No more can we allow pain and violence a foothold here. We all have a right to live in peace. It might take some work, but I know our land can heal.”
“No more eternal conflict,” I said. “We are tearing ourselves apart, and we must put an end to that. We need to fight, because change will not happen by itself.”
“Can this peaceful world you speak of, this utopia, ever exist?” a man asked.
“Yes,” I said. “If we try today, there will be fewer deaths tomorrow.”
“And what if you disappear from our world again?”
An intense look spread across Victor’s face, as if he felt insulted. “This is my home. I am here to stay.”
A man set his glass down and shot him a serious look. “War causes bloodshed. If we do not go to war, our knights, immortals, and innocent villagers will be spared.”
“If we do not fight, a madman will rule the world. With him in charge, you will never know one day of peace.”
“Why must we put anyone else through the horror of battle?” a woman argued. “Fighting against Ethano is surely a death sentence.”
“He fights with brute force,” I said, “but we are not defeated yet. We can and must fight back.”
“You talk about peace, yet you wish to go to war,” the man said with a grunt.
Victor crossed his hands. “Going to war is sometimes necessary to create lasting peace and stability. War must sometimes be waged to tear down tyrannical governments.”
Eternal Conflict - Book 7 (The Ruby Ring Saga) Page 15
