by W.J. May
* * *
The fire crackled as hot embers floated into the night air as they camped in the cave Jules had clued them in on. Frank, Adam, and Steven had already fallen asleep.
Sarah smiled at Beth. “Looks like it’s just us gals.”
“Great,” she said. “Maybe you can fill me in on how you managed to tie the knot with that gorgeous king…or even better, what’s up with you and Frank?”
Sarah hesitated. “I guess I can say it’s complicated on both counts.”
Beth grinned and sat down next to her. “I like complicated…and I’ve got all night. We don’t need our beauty sleep as much as those three do,” she said, glancing back at the snoring men.
Sarah laughed. “You have a point.” She glanced down at the ring. “I married the guy because I had no other choice,” she began, then went on to explain the entire story. It sounded insane, even to her, and she was the one who’d lived through it.
Beth squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll find your sister. I’m so glad you found out she’s here in this place because the ‘not knowing part’ was killing you inside.”
Sarah nodded as tears welled up in her eyes.
“I know she’s a beautiful person. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“That means so much to me, Beth.”
“Let’s talk about the king. So he’s hot and a great kisser?” Beth asked.
Sarah’s heart fluttered. “Yes, the best kisser I’ve ever had.”
“Hmm. In that case, why would you feel so guilty about being drawn to him? I’d die to have a powerful king chasing after me.”
“For one, I’m pretty sure the only part of me he wants is my head on a silver platter. In my vision, it seemed like that wasn’t the case, but I don’t trust him. He could be trying to trick me so he can drag me back to his castle for a public execution—to make an example of me since I made a fool of him.”
Beth shook her head. “After the kiss you shared? Girlfriend, I don’t think so. I think that’s what you’re telling yourself, but you’re just running from what you feel. You’ve been hurt by men your entire life, so you put this shield up to protect yourself from any more pain. But somehow, I think Victor has gotten past it. Something tells me you’ve fallen for him…hard.”
But I haven’t…have I? Sarah set her jaw, her eyes shifting to the flickering fire bathing half of the cave in a soft glow. “Whatever. Nobody can fall in love that quick, especially with a complete stranger who starts off by kidnapping you and throwing you in a dungeon.”
“You started off on the wrong foot. But he was in the middle of a war and thought you were the enemy king’s daughter. He knows the truth now and things are different.” She grinned widely. “You got it bad for him. Your eyes are a dead giveaway. You light up every time you say his name.”
“You should have heard the pride in his voice when he introduced me as his wife to everyone as he paraded me through the crowd of people. I had on this fancy wedding gown and this gorgeous crown, and he looked so handsome. I felt like Cinderella, like I was in the middle of some fairytale, some dream.”
“See?”
“But that’s just it. None of it was real.”
“How so? You were there. He was there. It was as real as this cave is—as real as that ring on your finger, Sarah.”
“What I mean is that everything was based on a lie. He’d never marry a peasant like me. He’s next in line to rule the Cardashian Court. And it won’t be long now, because their Immortal king is dying. Anyway, once he takes the title, it’ll make him the most powerful person in this world. What would somebody like that want with somebody like me?”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. He knows the truth—that you’re not really the princess—yet he still wants you.”
“The thing is, I can’t stop thinking about him.” Sarah smirked. “Especially that kiss.”
“How does Frank fit into this equation?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. Frank and I were kind of getting back together, but—”
“But your tall, dark, handsome King Kiss-a-lot is coming between the two of you?”
“Nobody has ever made me feel the way Victor did, and I hardly know him. I know it sounds absolutely crazy. I don’t even understand it myself. We have this spark, this connection, this passion, and this chemistry that blows me away. It’s amazing…yet it scares me. Frank was the last straw, and it was because of him that I’d sworn off men. I just can’t win in the game of love. I guess it’s fine for everyone else, but romance is not for me, fairytale or not.”
“It’s not just your eyes.”
“What?” Sarah asked.
“When you talk about your new husband, it’s not just your eyes that light up, but your entire face and even your voice.”
Sarah giggled and gazed down at the ring, touching it, remembering how he’d slid it on and declared his undying devotion. “Really? Even if he was telling the truth and doesn’t want to kill me, I can’t spend my life here in this world. It’s not where I belong.”
“Follow your heart, Sarah. That’s the only way to know where you really belong.”
“You do realize they only say stuff like that in movies.”
Beth smirked. “Meh. It can happen in real life too.”
“I hope he’s not mad at me for knocking him out, but I can feel that he’s all right now.” Sarah lowered her gaze to her ring again. The soft light bounced from the red gemstone, shimmering unnaturally bright. “I just need to find a way to get this ring off, find my sister, and go home. But enough about me. How’re you feeling?”
Beth rubbed her stomach. “I’m four months along. They tell me I’m having a bouncing baby boy. I guess he did a lot of bouncing when we jumped off that cliff today. I’m pretty sure that would have been against doctor’s orders.”
“I didn’t realize you were even dating anyone. Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Um, I am not really dating—nothing serious anyway. I met this hot guy in a bar, and we downed a couple of pitchers together, drowning our loneliness away I guess. One thing led to another, and…well, bingo, I’m knocked up.”
“Does he know?”
Beth shook her head. “Nope, and I prefer to keep it that way. I don’t need his help or his money. Besides, he’s too hung up on some other chick now. Plus, he’d never understand my research.”
“Kind of like Frank?”
“Definitely…and unfortunately.” Beth laughed, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face.
Sarah hesitated, considering her words. She didn’t want to make promises she couldn’t keep, but she wanted to help Beth feel better. The baby’s wellbeing depended on it. “Well, you know I’m always here for you, and I never got a chance to officially congratulate you.” Sarah reached over and hugged her.
“Thank you,” Beth said between sniffles.
“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t…Sarah, I just can’t have this baby here.” Beth hugged her more tightly. “What if we don’t get back home in time?”
“You’re only four months along, Beth. That gives you five months! We’ll be back home way before that baby’s born, and I’m going to spoil him rotten.”
“I’m not usually such a wimp or a cry baby. I’m sure it’s just the hormones,” Beth said. “I’m sorry.”
“You’ve got nothing to apologize for.”
Tears streamed down Beth’s face. “If we do get stuck here, what about my epidural?”
“Honey, women have been having babies naturally for generations. You will deliver your son one way or another, and you’ll both be fine.”
Beth smirked. “Yeah, I get that, but I’m not like other women. I’m not a fan of pain. They have to knock me out just to pull a tooth, and that’s a lot different than yanking an eight-pound baby out of me!”
“We’re going to get you back home, and you’re going to be a fantastic mom.”
Beth hugged her Sarah tightly, burying her face in
her hair. “You’re such a wonderful friend. I really don’t deserve you.”
Sarah smiled and rubbed a hand over Beth’s back, soothing her. She wasn’t sure about the wonderful friend part. If they didn’t get back home, Beth’s child might just be born in the Middle Ages, and Beth would be in danger of losing her life in childbirth like so many mothers of that era did. Sarah had already suffered the loss of her sister; losing a friend was not an option.
