Eternal Conflict - Book 7 (The Ruby Ring Saga) Read online

  Eternal Conflict

  Book 7 of The Ruby Ring Saga

  by

  Chrissy Peebles

  Copyright © 2015 by Chrissy Peebles

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  To:

  My brilliant editor, Autumn J. Conley. Thank you for all your hard work!

  Chrissy’s blog: http://chrissypeebles.blogspot.com/

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=vb.351121651567296&type=2#!/pages/Chrissy-Peebles/351121651567296

  Chapter 1

  We marched into unfamiliar territory, at least to me, but Victor knew it very well. We immediately headed toward the rebel camp, where the troops had bravely gathered for our cause. We’d spent the last few weeks looking for recruits, which was rather easy, since it wasn’t hard to find people who wanted Ethano thrown from power and destroyed. Victor’s most loyal knights joined us as well. I tended to Alexander and stuck with my parents while Victor and his warriors got their battle plans together.

  Lords rented out their land in return for crops and labor. We promised to reward any farmers who helped us, and it didn’t take long for us to meet a farmer who gave us a safe place to stay. They gave us brown bread, vegetables, and fish to eat, for which we were very thankful. The farmers spent most of their time cultivating crops, so they would have food enough to survive another year, but they were anxious to get rid of Ethano, who penalized them with heavy taxes.

  Our main group stuck together in one area in the village of Manito. The houses, barns, and animal pens were clustered around the center of town. Victor thought it was a good place to stay for the time being, because the enemy couldn’t sneak up on us, as it was surrounded entirely by flat land, plowed fields, and pastures.

  My mother walked into the back yard, where I sat holding Alexander. She was wearing a simple dress. My sister, Liz, had put her hair up in a bun. It was far too conservative for her, but Liz was insistent that we look like peasants, so as not to attract unnecessary or potentially dangerous attention. Liz left to go help Victor and Charles. Being single, she was free to come and go as she wished. But I didn’t mind. I loved spending time with my son and my parents.

  “Hey, I was just talking to one of those farmers,” my mother said.

  I cocked a brow. “Yeah?”

  “They’re an interesting bunch. They believe in crazy superstitions over science.”

  “Mom, you knew what you were getting into when you decided to join me,” I said.

  She smiled. “Yes, dear, I know. It’s just funny how different they are from us.”

  “It’s the simple life.”

  “Well, it makes for a nice retirement.”

  “I saw you beat Dad in a game of chess.”

  “Yes, but I’m no match for him in backgammon and cards. I’m truly surprised they have such games here.”

  I smiled. “When you get right down to it, Mom, people aren’t so different after all, no matter when or where they exist.”

  Alexander cooed and gazed up at me, and my mother looked at him.

  “Isn’t it nice to be outside in the fresh air?” she asked, then carried her gaze back down to our little bundle of joy. “And how’s my Alexander today?” she said in a cute voice.

  “Even with everything that’s going on, he still smiles,” I said.

  “This boy is a survivor, just like his mama.”

  “Victor’s back!” I suddenly said, my face lighting up.

  “How do you know, honey?” my mom asked.

  “The bond, and, uh…immortal hearing. I can hear his voice, and it sounds like heaven.”

  My mom smiled.

  I smoothed my hair. “How do I look?” I squealed.

  “Wonderful, as always.”

  I grinned, then bolted to the front of the house. “Victor!” I said. “You’re back!”

  He dismounted from his horse and rushed straight to me. He kissed me, then picked up Alexander. Our baby’s big, blue eyes lit up, and his lips formed into a big smile.

  “He’s full of grins today,” I said.

  “I’m glad to see he’s so happy.”

  “Me too.”

  Victor spent the day with us, while William, Liz, Jackson, and Charles took care of more serious matters. He needed a break because he’d had little sleep for the past week. He was the only man I knew who worked on battle plans all day, then came home to change diapers, and it really melted my heart. He had been a champion coach during my birth and was now an all-around great daddy.

  “Would you like lunch?” I asked.

  “I am as hungry as a bear,” he said, smiling.

  A large kettle hung in the fireplace. We cooked practically every meal in it, and any stew that wasn’t eaten was left in the pot for the next meal. Every day, the fire was relit and more ingredients added. Even though parts of the stew were days old, we both enjoyed it without complaints. After what we’d been through, we were just happy to have a meal.

  After lunch, we laid out a blanket under a shady tree. Victor lay down and played with Alexander, making silly faces at him. I cuddled next to Victor on the blanket. Alexander laughed when his father swung him up in the air, over our faces, then set him back on his chest. We spent a few hours together, and I cherished every moment.

  As Victor rocked Alexander to sleep, I couldn’t help but notice the strong connection between them. It meant the world to me that Victor came home to spend the day with us, something most warrior kings wouldn’t have even considered. Then again, Victor was different than most. In fact, I thought he was the most special guy in the world.

  We took Alexander inside and laid him down.

  Victor looked at him for a moment, then up at me, amazed. “We created such a beautiful child together.”

  Tears welled in my eyes, but no words would come out of my mouth. Victor just kissed me softly and gently on the lips, and I cupped his face as emotion overwhelmed me.

  Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

  “Come in,” I said, breaking away from Victor, even though I wasn’t ready to.

  Dad popped his head in. “Victor, you must be exhausted. Go on and take a nap. I’ll watch the baby.”

  “I can sleep tonight. I’d much rather spend some time with my queen.” He held his hand out to me. “Would you like to go on a ride?”

  I grinned. “I’d love to.”

  “You two have fun,” my dad said. “Alexander is in good hands.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  Thankful for some quality alone time, we took off on horseback across the pastures. I couldn’t stop the huge smile from spreading across my face. The sun shone brightly, and the sky was the bluest blue I’d ever seen. Wind swooshed through my hair. I felt so relaxed and free, and I allowed all my worries to just drift away, if only for a minute. Being married to Victor was exciting and passionate. Our worlds revolved around each other, and I wanted to spend every waking moment with my king. Although I knew that wasn’t possible, because ther
e were so many demands on him, we worked hard to keep our connection, and I was thankful for even just a few hours alone. In the dark shadow of an impending war, our lives were a chaotic mess, and it was a struggle to maintain my sanity. I was always grateful to have Victor there, for he was my greatest support.

  After an hour, Victor led the way into the woods. The scents of earthy oak moss drifted all around me. We crossed a river and jumped over a few fallen trees. The forest was beautiful, alive with so many vibrant colors and sounds. We galloped over a sea of flowers that stretched as far as the eye could see. It was wonderful, just the two of us on a glorious horse ride through the woods, surrounded by wildflowers. So many sweet, wonderful fragrances wafted into my nose, and I’d never smelled anything so soothing.

  Victor slowed, tugging back on the reins. “Ah, yes, here we are.”

  “Where?”

  “In the heart of the forest.”

  As we dismounted, I couldn’t stop staring at the magical landscape around me. “The aroma’s a little much,” I said, more of an observation than a complaint, “like I doused myself in some kind of fragrant perfume.”

  “Your sense of smell is ten times stronger than a mortal’s. It can be overpowering for an immortal at first, but once you adjust, you’ll never forget this place.”

  Once again, Victor was right, because after a minute, my nose adjusted. It was hard to explain, except to say that it was like being in Heaven. “People in my world would make millions off this scent,” I said. “It’s fabulously enchanting. It’d put Chanel out of business. Hmm. I wonder what they could call it? ‘Eternity’? No, that’s taken. What about—” I said, my mind swooning in the swirling scent.

  “Welcome to Bloom Forest,” he chimed in. “We were so close that I had to bring you here.”

  “I smell orange blossom, ylang-ylang, rose, some kind of woody scents, and jasmine. It’s the nicest thing I’ve ever smelled!”

  “I don’t know when we’ll have another moment like this,” he said. “It may not be for a long time, but I wanted you to have this time to connect to my world, to our world.”

  I listened to the chirping birds and the sound of cascading water not too far away. “It’s beautiful, absolutely breathtaking. This world of ours is like a forgotten time, like something out of a fairytale. I feel like Sleeping Beauty in a faraway land.”

  “I suppose our story does mimic the fairytales of your world.”

  “Yes, it does. Once a upon a time, a very sad woman walked through a portal and was mistaken for a princess by a very wicked king…and in the end, good triumphed over evil, and they all lived happily ever after,” I said with a grin.

  He playfully slapped me. “Wicked?” he retorted. “Are you calling your loving husband wicked?”

  I winked. “At first, yes, but you turned out to be—”

  “Misunderstood?”

  “Oh, definitely. The woman was very sad and lonely, but that mysterious stranger made her life bright again. That handsome king turned out to be a very chivalrous knight and even slew a dragon for her.”

  “One she promptly healed.”

  My face beamed. “I did, didn’t I?”

  He smirked. “In what fairytale does the queen do such a thing?”

  “In the one where the queen has a huge heart. The dragon had little babies to take care of.”

  “Babies that wished to devour us.”

  “You can’t blame them for instinct.”

  “What am I going to do with you?” he asked.

  “Whatever you want,” I teased.

  “Then we shall start with this,” he said and passionately kissed my lips.

  Laughing, I broke away. “No, no. You can’t do that until I get to the end of the story.”

  “As you would say, I’m cutting to the chase.”

  I laughed. “Only after the happily-ever-after can you kiss me. Them’s the rules, Highness.”

  “But how can I possibly resist such luscious lips for so long, my beautiful Queen?”

  I blushed. “You do say the sweetest things,” I said, “but first I must finish the story. I have to tell you how the king defeats impossible evil.”

  He stared into my eyes, causing my stomach to flutter.

  “Okay, fine,” I said, totally captivated by him. “Let’s cut to the chase. They lived happily ever after.”

  As soon as I got the last syllable out, he kissed me ever so softly and sweetly, slow and sensual.

  Before our lips parted for a breath, I heard soft footsteps crashing through the leaves, and my heart began to race. Smiling, Victor put an arm around me and pointed. My attention shifted to a unicorn sipping water from a nearby pond. A patch of sunlight filtering through the towering trees illuminated the mysterious creature.

  “Amazing,” I said in a shocked whisper.

  “Our world is a beautiful place to live.”

  “Yeah, and it’s so romantic here,” I said.

  We watched intently for a few minutes before the creature darted into the woods.

  “I’m sorry I’ve been so busy and that we have had to move so much,” Victor said. “I know it is hard on you and our boy, but it is for our safety. We mustn’t stay in one place too long.”

  “It’s all right. I know it takes time to gather soldiers.”

  “I so desperately want to spend more time with you and Alexander.”

  “You will, once we win this war.”

  “Yes.” He gazed deeply into my eyes.

  “And they lived happily ever after,” I repeated, smiling.

  He softly kissed my lips, and I never wanted the kiss to end.

  Chapter 2

  My eyes fluttered open from a deep sleep as my sister violently shook me. “Get up!” Liz screamed.

  “Huh? Wh-what’s going on?” I asked groggily.

  She frantically pulled my arm. “Get up!”

  “What’s going on, Liz?” I repeated.

  “Get dressed, get Alexander, and let’s go!”

  Dazed, I glanced around to the empty side of my bed. “Where’s Victor?” I asked.

  “Fighting.”

  “Ethano?”

  “Ethano’s men.”

  “Shit. They know we’re here?”

  “No. They think we’re part of the rebellion.”

  “What about Mom and Dad? Are they okay? Where are th—”

  “Safe. They just left for the next secret hiding spot.”

  I quickly slipped into a dress, then threw a cloak over it.

  “Sarah!” Victor’s voice rolled across my mind. “I need you and Alexander to go…now! We’ve been compromised.”

  “Aren’t you coming?” I asked.

  “I’m holding off a bridge. If I leave, my troops will surely perish.”

  “Okay. We’ll meet up later.”

  Before he could even answer, a vision struck me. While Victor held off the bridge, troops ambushed them from behind. Victor got away, but all his men were slaughtered in a gory scene right out of a horror film. My stomach clenched at the bloodbath before me.

  “Sarah!” he called.

  “Victor! I just had a vision! You were all…ambushed!”

  “Hurry!” Liz said, shaking me again. “Wake the hell up! Our lives are on the line here.”

  I opened my eyes. “Sorry. I just… It was another vision.”

  She softly stroked Alexander’s face. “Did it concern us?”

  “No. It was—”

  “Then save it for later!”

  I could hear the chaos outside, all those shouts and battle cries and crashing explosions. I shuddered at the thought that we were under attack. I slung a bag over my shoulder, then grabbed Alexander. As if he was completely used to war, he didn’t even awake as we prepared to escape.

  Suddenly, a horribly powerful explosion sent me flying into the wall. Windows shattered, and dozens of small balls of energy whizzed toward me. With lightning-fast instincts, I moved to the left in a blur, just missing the orbs fl
ying at us. They crashed into the wall, and licks of fire shot out in every direction. Smoke thickened the air and swirled all around me. I coughed, my lungs on fire.

  The blow had awakened Alexander, and he screamed in my ear.

  “It’s okay,” I whispered, holding my baby close, trying to soothe him.

  Closing my eyes, I immediately put up a force-field around us to keep us safe. I peered slightly out the broken window. The battle raged on as swords clanked against each other in furious rhythm, our knights against theirs. Dozens of immortals were engaged in combat. I lifted my hood up to hide myself and took a deep breath. Alexander, brutally disturbed from his nap, was so scared, screaming at the top of his little lungs. Energy gathered at my fingertips like electricity. I threw out my hand, hurling dozens of fireballs toward our attackers. Liz joined in, and in no time, we were throwing an impromptu Fourth of July display at the enemy in the middle of the night.

  “Sarah!” Liz shouted. “The back door!”

  Rapid flashes of fire sped toward us, and she pulled me back as Round Two went by. A terrified look spread across her face. A flurry of sparks showered the room as another blast was delivered, and more small explosions erupted all around us. When the house burst into flames, I knew we needed to flee.

  “We gotta get out of here!” I shouted.

  “Got your shield up?” she asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Then let’s go!”

  The wood structure creaked and groaned as we ran for the back door. A wood beam threatened to crash down on us but bounced off our shield. In the midst of fiery flames, I darted into the forest. Pouring in like a torrential downpour, a hail of arrows flew at us next. They bounced off my shield, and I kept running, with Liz right behind me.

  One of Victor’s knights motioned us north, and we followed him to the horses. “Get to the next hiding place!” he said as he helped us climb on.

  I knew exactly where he was referring to, because we’d all been told where to go. I couldn’t wait to catch up to our parents, who would be anxiously waiting for me.

  “We’ll be right behind you,” the knight said. “Go!”