“It could be, if you’d only give it a chance.” I tried to blink back the salty tears that threatened to run rivers down my heated cheeks. I loved California, my home, and I was insulted and torn because my husband, my soulmate, so desperately wanted to be somewhere else—because he wanted to go back to Tastia.
His mouth twitched as if he was going to say something, but he remained silent.
“Just spit it out,” I said.
“I don’t want to give this strange world a chance. I am out of place here, and I feel as if a piece of me has been ripped away.”
“And you don’t think I feel the same way?”
He looked away.
I glanced down, sadness filling my heart. “I’ve dreamt of a big wedding since I was a little girl, and I never got the ceremony I’d planned,” I whispered. “I wasn’t married in a quaint little church, but in a huge castle, in a room adorned with fancy swords and shields. My wedding guests weren’t loved ones and friends, only your warrior guards. It was a rushed ceremony, and my father wasn’t even there to give me away.”
“I’m sorry it wasn’t the wedding of your dreams.” Sadness darkened his intense eyes as he cupped my face. His thumb wiped the tear that was slipping down my cheek. “I know you grieve for your losses, but I grieve for mine as well.”
“We have each other, but maybe the culture clash is too much.” I pondered. “We haven’t argued like this ever before, and it’s killing me, Victor.”
“I’m just...empty,” he said. “I’ve lost my title, my kingdom, and my people.”
The intense pain in his face was evident, but I still pled my case. “Isn’t your child worth it? We will go back to Tastia in time, Victor. I know this is only a temporary arrangement, to keep us all safe. I don’t wanna leave my home again, but I will because I love you.”
“Thank you, Sarah. You know I can’t stay here. My place is in Tastia. We both know that.”
“What do you hate it here so much?” I asked.
“Don’t force me to say negative things about the world you so adore.”
“Humor me, dear,” I said sarcastically.
He tugged at his pants. “First of all, I dread these awful clothes.”
“Hmm. Well, I wasn’t very fond of being suffocated by layers upon layers of petticoats and frilly dresses and bustles and corsets, but I did it, and I’d do it again for you. I gave up everything for you. I gave up my family, my modern conveniences, my job, and my life to live in your simple medieval world.” I let out a long breath. “I hated those clothes. It was like a never-ending Halloween costume party I didn’t want to go to.”
“Halloween?”
“Yes, Halloween, where everyone dresses up in costumes. I felt silly walking around in those awful gowns with those horrible eighties-prom-gone-bad up-dos. Regardless of what you say, Victor, I refuse to feel guilty about coming back here. I love my clothes, my shoes, electricity, and modern technology, and I won’t apologize for that.”
Emotion poured from his voice. “And now you have it all back.”
“Do I? Do you really think I haven’t lost anything along the way? What about my humanity, Victor? I’m a freak now, like one of those paranormal things I used to chase around. I’m Immortal, for goodness sake, and I have to watch everything I do just so no one suspects what I really am. To be with you, no matter where we are, I have to pretend I’m something I’m not!”
“In my world, you wouldn’t have to fear your abilities,” he argued.
“Maybe not, but I’d have to walk around like Renaissance Barbie, with crazy, power-hungry Immortals trying to kill me all the damn time!”
“There are risks and sacrifices in both worlds. Do you have any idea how worried I was when the hospital drew blood from you? Liz told me all about DNA. While the science of your world astounds me, what would have happened if Liz had been unable to retrieve it? What if they discover us? I feel I must look over my shoulder every waking moment and—”
“Good! Then now you know how I felt in your world. Even here, because of what we had to go through back there, I jump at every sound, thinking Ethano is coming back to kidnap me.”
“I will not allow that, Sarah. I’m your husband, and it’s my job to protect you, no matter what world we’re in.”
“Fine job you did when Ethano tried to sacrifice me in that awful temple of his. If I wasn’t pregnant, I’d be dead right now! I only survived because of the energy of our baby! You didn’t save me. Our son did!” I knew it was a low blow, and I instantly regretted it the second the words left my lips.
A surge of guilt rolled over him. “I should have been there for you. I’ll never forgive myself for what you went through.”
“Do you regret us, Victor? Are you sorry you didn’t marry one of your own kind?” I asked.
“Why would you ask such a question? Sarah, surely you know how much I love you.”
“I’m not from your time, and I cannot abide all your royal customs. I don’t even talk properly, like a real queen. I stick out like a sore thumb. I heard the people in your castle, talking about me like I was a disease, saying I didn’t belong there. They were right. I don’t belong in Tastia, and I never will. Maybe you’re right about us making a mistake, but I don’t think that was coming to California. I think maybe it was us getting together in the first place.”
“Is my way of life really that suffocating, that difficult?” He inclined his head, as if waiting for an answer, and I couldn’t help but notice that his voice had a sarcastic ring to it.
Slowly, the words came out. “Suffocating? That’s putting it lightly. When we lived there, I had to wear and eat whatever was picked out for me. I couldn’t even do my hair and makeup because of all those annoying ladies-in-waiting. I couldn’t even lie around on a Sunday morning without a lecture from the elders. Everything I did and said was controlled, robotic, and dull. I know California in the twenty-first century might not be perfect, but at least here, I’m free.” I thought about it for a second, then continued. “I can do whatever I want whenever I want. I didn’t even realize how much I missed that until I got back here.”
“Regardless of what you were before fate brought us together, Sarah, you’re Immortal now, and it is your eternal destiny to live up the standards given to us. We are royalty and must be an example to our people, our culture, and our way of life.”
“I’m not royalty here, and that means I can play by my own rules.”
“You’re Immortal wherever you are, and you should behave as such.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, the way I always did when I was upset with him. “I’m a freak, Victor!” I stared at him long and hard. “And the worst part is, you did this to me.”
His stunned confusion made me roll my eyes. “You were dying to get your hands on that ring,” he said.
“But you knew what it would do, what power it held, and you didn’t tell me!” I retorted.
He stroked my hair from my face and gazed deeply into my eyes. “I was unaware that you didn’t know. I assumed you were an Immortal princess, and all Immortals know about the power of the ring.”
“And now you want your life back? Well, guess what. I want my life back, too, and you need to quit being a royal pain in the ass!”
The sparkle had left his eyes. “You have your life back, Sarah. At least you’re home.”
“Victor, do you know what you are? Stubborn and selfish, that’s what.”
His gaze narrowed. “I’m what?”
“You heard me.”
“Sarah, I know it’s an adjustment for you to be an Immortal, but at least you’re here, near everything and everyone you love and enjoy. Have you forgotten that I’ve given up everything for you? I only did that to make you happy, Sarah, because I love you and our child more than anything, even more than life itself. Have you ever heard of any king being willing to give up his life, his title, his castle, and all his servants—everything he loved—for the love of a woman? Well, I did that f
or you, Sarah, and now I’m here, in this strange land, living as a commoner in a world I don’t even understand.”
“It might be a simple life, Your Highness,” I snapped in a mocking tone, “but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad life. Besides, it’s the safest place for us to hide out.”
His jaw set into a grimace. “I loathe it!” he roared.
“You don’t have to tell me how much you hate it here. You’ve made it quite obvious.”
“I will stay here eighteen years, for the sake of our son, but not a second longer,” his voice thundered.
“That’s all I’m asking. Then, I’ll leave the world I love and adore and go back to your caveman world, with no electricity and cell phones.”
“I’m so sorry my castle is not equipped for Internet.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I can’t wait to go back to castle life, with all those jousts and royal feasts and corsets so tight I can’t breathe!” I said sarcastically.
“You told me you’re having trouble with your new Immortal status, Sarah, but I thought you loved helping the people in my world.”
“I do. I’m just having hard time adjusting to the Stone Ages.” I slowly shook my head. “I don’t wanna fight like this. You know how much I love you, but we come from two different worlds. We were idiots to think we could just live happily ever after. No matter where we are, one of us will be away from the place we love, and I hate it, Victor!”
We both stared at each other, realizing the painful truth of my words.
My lips pressed into thin lines. “You had no problem when I had to give up everything for you.”
“That’s not true. I felt horrible, but now I understand how hard it truly was on you. Our cultures are so...different.”
“But we love each other,” I said, my eyes pleading. “I love you so much.”
He slowly kissed my lips; he was so gentle, so romantic, so amazing. “You know how much I love you with all my heart. I wouldn’t still be here if I didn’t. I am devoted to you, my love, but I am worried. We don’t have anyone to help us here, nobody I can trust.”
“We had nobody in your world who could fix me either. So what’s the difference?”
“I can’t lose you,” he said, emotion edging his voice, “and it’s driving me crazy that there’s nothing I can do to help you. I can’t just stand by and watch you die right before my eyes. I won’t stand for that.”
“I’m not going out that easy. I’m gonna fight till the end.”
“We need to tell your family what’s going on.”
I stammered, shocked by his words. “No, we can’t. Mom...she’s been through enough.”
“She needs to know, Sarah, so she can prepare. It’s cruel to keep it from her.”
I tried to change the subject. “So...what did the good doctor tell you?”
“She said your body can’t handle such an energy surge. If there is one more attack like that, you’ll be dead in minutes.”
“Is there a way to prevent another attack?”
He handed me a brown bottle of pills. “Dr. Meyers gave this to me to give to you. The medicine will not cure you completely, but it will help control the energy surges. You must take one every twelve hours, without fail.”
I stared at him, my lips parting in astonishment. “And you trust her?”
“I’m a very good judge of character. You’ve said so yourself.”
Confusion swept over me. “Why is she so willing to help me?”
His eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “Because I pleaded with her to save your life.”
“And she handed you these pills, just like that?”
“I told her our wonderful love story, how we’ve overcome all the obstacles life has thrown in our way. I told her about our beautiful baby and how much we love him already. I spilled my heart out to a stranger, something that is not within my nature to do. I love you enough to embarrass myself, Sarah, and that’s saying something!
I touched his face. “That’s beautiful, and I’m touched, babe, but we need to learn more about her and her race before we can trust her one hundred percent. For all we know, swallowing these could mean pouring poisonous toxins into my body. What if she has deadly intentions for me?”
“I don’t believe she does. She seemed genuine and only asked for one thing in return.”
“My first unborn child?”
He flashed his eyes at me. “Of course not. She only asked that we stay inconspicuous and follow their rules.”
I snorted. “We don’t even know what their rules are. Is she gonna give us a handbook soon? The latest edition of Immortalism for Dummies?”
He wrinkled his brow in confusion. “Will you please just give the pills a chance?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Uh-uh. I can’t risk my baby’s health,” I said.
He shook his head right back at me. “Don’t you think they have modern technology that can save you?”
“I think so, but I’m just as scared as you are to put my trust in anyone. This is my baby’s life at stake. I’ve already been pumped full of drugs, and now she’s telling me to take more.”
“She assured me it will cure your headaches, without bringing any harm to the baby.”
“She said I’m dangerous because I’ve been drawing too much attention to the Immortal world. What if this is her version of an easy, merciful way to get rid of me?”
“Can you use your gift of sight? Perhaps you could gaze into the future and find out if Dr. Meyers is really friend or foe.”
“I haven’t been seeing any more visions. I think I’m short-circuiting or something.”
“I won’t lose you, Sarah. Please take the medication. It’s our only chance.”
I threw the bottle at him. “No! I will not take the risk, for me or for Alexander.”
“Then you’ll be dead in less than a week.”
I shivered at the intensity of his gaze. The grim expression on his face said it all, and I could feel the tears stinging my eyes. So many emotions were barreling through me. “Well, maybe that would be a good thing. Then you can go back to your precious world and reclaim your throne. You won’t be stuck here anymore, wearing those awful jeans you hate so much.” I took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “Clearly, meeting me was the worst thing that could have possibly happened to you. You lost everything because of me.”
I turned around and ran through the trees.
“Sarah!” he yelled behind me.
My pulse accelerated. I ran so fast that the trees started to blur. I raced, with all my might, through the vegetation, until I was sure Victor wasn’t following me. I sat on a rock by myself and pondered for hours, then finally returned home and sat on the porch to watch the sunset. I’d been threatened with death, and that meant I didn’t want to miss out on anything in life, big or small. How could fate tease me with the idea of a beautiful child, a son, and not allow me to deliver him into this world? It seemed cold and heartless, and I wanted to scream. I had never felt so alone. And I didn’t mean to yell at Victor. It was my raging hormones or maybe all this energy coursing through my veins. I wasn’t myself. I was having all kinds of crazy mood swings that I couldn’t control. I hoped Victor would forgive me.
The front door creaked, and I glanced up as Victor stepped onto the porch. I hated fighting with him. I missed his touch, his smile, and the sweet nothings whispered in my ear, his soft voice telling me how much he loved me. I took in all his perfect features, from his sharp, smooth jawline to the five o’clock shadow that surrounded his luscious lips.
He handed me a cup of hot, brewing coffee. “I thought this might warm you up.”
“Thanks.” I took a sip and almost smiled when I tasted just the right amount of cream and sugar. “It’s perfect. When did you learn how to use the coffeemaker?”
He stared down at me. “Your father showed me.”
The little things my husband did to capture my heart never ceased to amaze me.
His blue eyes were cri
nkled in a smile. “Watching the sunset without me?”
My shoulders slumped as I set my mug down. “Aren’t you mad at me?” I whispered, looking off into the distance.
His lips set into a firm, thin line. “I’m sorry, Sarah.” He walked over and sat next to me, then caressed my cheek with his hand. “My life is better because you’re in it.”
I cupped his face. “No, I’m the one who’s sorry. I didn’t mean any of those awful things I said.”
His hand grasped the back of my head and pulled me close. All the nerves in my body danced in celebration as my blood thumped through my veins. My heart raced at the thought of being captured in one of his amazing kisses. He kissed me gently, then softer and softer, till his lips were barely touching mine. His slow style heightened my intensity and desire, and suddenly, his lips crashed against mine in a powerful, intense collision of passion. His mouth was greedy and hungry, but I loved every second of it. Our tongues swirled in perfect unison, and my heartbeat spiked as he weaved his fingers through my long hair. I lost all track of time and didn’t even realize how long we were making out. I was so caught up in the moment that I could barely remember my own name.
“I love you so much,” he whispered.
I intertwined my fingers with his as he pulled me against his strong chest and lowered his luscious lips onto mine. “And I love you. I don’t want to fight with you.”
I stared into his eyes. Sometimes when he looked at me like that I could barely breathe. He was a dream come true, and I couldn’t believe Victor was as smitten by me as I was by him. My heart melted at the sight of him. The light shone in his pretty eyes as a breeze ruffled his thick, messy hair.
I was just a fair maiden who had fallen in love with a handsome king, and I wanted to be with that beautiful man with every fiber of my being. I wanted to share a home and raise our beautiful son together, to be his wife forever in every way, and I would have done anything to make that dream come true.
“I’ll take the pills,” I conceded.
“Thank you,” he said. “I don’t want to see you suffer. I think these pills could help.”
“If it’ll give me extra time with you, then it’s worth the risk.”
Eternal Faith - Book 4 (The Ruby Ring Saga) Page 4
