Eternal Faith - Book 4 (The Ruby Ring Saga) Read online

  “Yes, Sarah,” he said, enthusiasm booming in his voice. “I would do anything—or wear anything—for you and for our son. I think you know that already, but I want to prove it to you.”

  “I’ve always wanted to have a wedding in the little church down the street. Liz was supposed to be my maid of honor, but I guess she’s more of a matron now that she’s married. I can’t believe I’ll finally be able to invite all of my family and friends to share in our happiness!” My voice began to quiver as I imagined the scene in my head. “My father was always supposed to give me away.”

  Victor suddenly knelt down on one knee, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small, black box. He popped the lid open, and the glistening of a two-carat, pear-shaped diamond immediately caught my eye. Even in that glistening, sparkling daydream, the ring was the shiniest thing of all.

  My jaw dropped, and I screamed in excitement, then stared at him for a long moment, completely stunned.

  “Do you not like it?” he asked, worried about my silence.

  “Like it?” I ran my hands through his tousled hair and kissed his perfect lips. “Victor, I love it! It’s perfect, just like you.”

  “You can wear it on your other hand since the ruby ring adorns your wedding finger.”

  Rivers of tears streamed down my face. “Oh my gosh. Is this moment actually real? Is this really happening?”

  “Unfortunately, this is all somewhat fabricated, My Queen, but I can sure you the real ring is sitting safely inside my dresser drawer.”

  I grinned.

  As he slipped the glittering diamond onto my finger, he said, “Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me again, Sarah? You still haven’t given me an answer.”

  “Yes!” I screamed, leaping into his arms.

  He embraced me and slid the ring on my finger.

  “It’s a perfect fit,” I said, somewhat surprised.

  “Your sister told me your size when she caught me searching for wedding rings. I had no idea of your customs, but Liz has been very helpful.”

  I glanced down at the gorgeous stone. “I can’t believe she kept her trap shut about this.”

  He stared deeply into my eyes. “Do you have a date in mind, My Queen?”

  “Well, I’d like to have the baby first.”

  “That’s fine, for we have all the time in the world,” he said, kissing my lips.

  “Gosh, I have the best husband in the world,” I said. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you too.”

  Chapter 11

  I couldn’t stop smiling all morning, for my thoughts were constantly on so many upcoming things in my life, namely the birth of my child and my dream wedding to follow. I wanted a cozy, intimate, quaint ceremony with my friends and family, nothing too big or small. My mind was bursting with all kinds of ideas. I wanted a photographer, a videographer, and a limo for sure. “Baby, I’m so excited to start planning our wedding,” I said.

  He looked up from the bridal magazine Liz had given him. “White cake sounds delicious.”

  I glanced down at the fancy wedding cake in the magazine. “Hmm. I usually prefer chocolate.”

  “Then you, My Queen, shall have both!” he said, pointing at a cake in the magazine with one chocolate and one vanilla tier.

  “Victor, you spoil me.”

  “’Tis my duty as your spouse and king, milady,” he said with a smile.

  I smiled and threw my hair into a ponytail, then took one last glance into the mirror. “I’m getting fatter,” I said. “Look at my face. No wonder Liz insisted we go for a power walk this morning.”

  “You look...hot,” Victor said.

  I chuckled. “Why on Earth did I ever I teach you that word?”

  “Because it is the perfect way to describe you, darling,” he said as sunlight danced through the curtains, highlighting his piercing blue eyes, his strong jaw, and the shadow of a beard.

  “No, you’re the one who’s hot.”

  He smiled. “I can’t take my eyes off of you.”

  I cocked a brow. “Really? In jogging pants and a frumpy old sweatshirt?”

  “Sarah, you look beautiful in—or out of—anything.”

  Our eyes locked, and everything around me disappeared. An electric shock shot through my body when he slipped one of his strong, gentle hands to the nape of my neck and pulled me close, my skin grazing against his in an embrace. Tilting my head, I closed my eyes, ready to melt into his embrace, and I parted my lips against his.

  We shared a fiery, insane chemistry. I tangled my fingers through his thick, soft hair as the kiss deepened into a passionate lip-lock—long, fast, and intense. He poured all his body, soul, and emotion into the mind-blowing moment, then kissed me again—this time slow, tender, and passionate, so perfect, so right, and so romantic. Sparks flew as I opened and closed my mouth to the rhythm, wanting to devour him.

  He skimmed his fingers through my hair and wrapped his arms around my body. I stared up, barely able to hold his gaze. His lips lowered ever so gently against me in a soft touch, growing stronger as sparks flew. His breath felt hot on my skin, and heat rushed to my cheeks. After all that time, I still couldn’t fathom how anyone could be so irresistible.

  The phone rang and jolted me out of my delightful trance. When we pulled away from each other, my heart was pounding like a drum.

  I glanced down at the phone. “It’s Liz. You know what? I’m gonna take a rain-check with her and spend the morning with you. Who wants to go hiking in the snow anyway?”

  Victor chuckled as his cell phone started ringing. “You ignored your sister’s call, and now she’s beckoning me. Go spend some time with her, Sarah. Otherwise, she’ll be pulling into the driveway. We both know how insistent Liz can be. Besides, we’ll have the rest of the day...and tonight too,” he said with a wink.

  I smiled. “You can’t get enough of me. Can you baby?”

  “What’s a man to do?” he purred. “I have valiantly fought man and beast, yet those gorgeous, feminine curves of yours render me as helpless as a little lost kitten.”

  Victor’s phone rang again, and I knew if one of us didn’t answer, she’d call a million times more. Victor handed me his phone, and I answered it in a huff, tired of being interrupted. “What, Liz?”

  “Don’t you ever pick up your phone?” she asked in a frustrated, scolding tone.

  “Listen, I’m coming. I just...got distracted.” I shot Victor a grin, and he smiled widely.

  “Distracted, huh? Wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with a hot, sexy medieval man, would it?”

  “Perhaps a little.”

  “I knew it! Come on, Sarah. You guys had all night. Can’t you stay away from each other for five minutes?”

  “He says he likes my curves.”

  “It’s the boobs, sis. Big knockers are a big hit with men of all eras.”

  I chuckled. “I’m leaving now.”

  “Huh? You haven’t even left yet?”

  “I’m on my way,” I said, kissing Victor on the lips and waving goodbye. “I’ll see you in a few.” I hung up the phone and hurried to the car.

  * * *

  Liz and I had decided we were tired of being cooped up in the house, so we met at a local hiking trail.

  When I pulled into the empty parking lot, I saw Liz standing by a snow-covered pine tree, smiling and waving me over. She was dressed in a stylish black suede coat with matching hat and gloves. She placed her hand on her hips and grinned. “So...I heard he officially popped the question.”

  I playfully rolled my eyes. “We’re already married, Liz.”

  “True, but he never actually asked you before. He just threw you in a musty dungeon and threatened to kill you, and when you agreed, you had a quickie.”

  “A quickie?”

  “Yeah. A five-minute marriage ceremony before he literally tried to rip your clothes off.”

  “Wow. You make it sound so...awful.”

  “Meh, it kinda was,
but who cares? So it started off on the wrong foot. Look at you two now.”

  “I can’t believe he asked me. I’ve been so moody and weepy lately, not to mention fat, with my skin breaking out here and there.”

  “You’re allowed to be moody, chunky, and blemishy, Sarah. You’re carrying his child, for goodness sake. Scream, cry, and laugh all you want. It’s completely acceptable during pregnancy, and you’d better take full advantage of it now!”

  We both burst out into laughter.

  “I want our wedding to be far different than the first time,” I said. “I want it to be beautiful. I want music, a big, beautiful gown with a train, and all of my family there to witness it.”

  She grabbed my hand. “Let me see that new ring of yours,” Liz said, glancing at my finger. “Gosh, Sarah. It’s absolutely gorgeous on you.”

  “Thanks for helping Victor pick it out.”

  She smiled. “You’re so lucky I went with him. He was gonna get you an emerald. Can you believe that? I explained to him that diamonds are a bride-to-be’s best friend. He’s so...clueless. Of course, Charles isn’t much better.”

  “It’s beautiful, and I’m the happiest woman in the world,” I said as I headed down the trail. Victor was giving me my childhood dream wedding. I was ecstatic and couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. Even though we were power walking, I felt like I was floating on air!

  “I can tell. You’re glowing. Is that the pregnancy or the proposal?”

  “A little bit of both.”

  “I’m gonna throw you the biggest bridal shower ever!” she said.

  I laughed. “How about we stick to a baby shower first?”

  “Deal, but you’re getting both!”

  “I wouldn’t deny you the pleasure of planning them,” I said with a chuckle.

  Her eyes beamed. “I can’t wait. You won’t be sorry.”

  “I’m sure you and Mom will pull out all the bells and whistles.”

  “Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Liz then glanced down at my ruby ring that glittered in the sunlight. “Do you miss the bond Ethano took from us?”

  “Nah, I’m fine without it. I didn’t have that long to get accustomed to it anyway.”

  She walked briskly. “Well, I miss it. It was something special Charles and I shared.”

  “You love all the whistles and bells that come with being Immortal, don’t you?”

  “I can’t lie. I do love it, and I don’t ever want to be a plain old human again.”

  “At least we don’t have to go around drinking blood.”

  “I know, right? We don’t have to hurt anyone. We’re strong. We have super-human eyesight and hearing. We have superhero powers. We get to live forever. Who wouldn’t want that?” She let out a long sigh. “I love being Immortal, but I really miss the bond. Maybe one day I’ll figure out how to get it back again.”

  “I’m really fine without reconnecting it,” I said.

  “Why? Because your survival was dependent on Victor’s?”

  “No. It’s just that...well, we’re doing fantastic without it.”

  “If Charles dies for any reason, I don’t want to live.”

  “Don’t say that, Liz! I love you way too much to lose you.”

  “Well, don’t worry. The bond is dead as a doornail anyway, and Charles and I plan to live a long, eternal life.” She shot me a look. “Hey, you’re a little slower than usual. Are you sure you can handle a hike?”

  “C’mon, Liz. Just because I’m pregnant, that doesn’t mean I’m incapable of a little exercise. I need to feel energized.”

  “We could power walk around the mall instead of out here,” she said.

  I playfully slugged her. “No way. You’re a shopaholic, and you’d be stopping in every store.”

  She laughed. “You’re right. It would never work. Besides, it’s not that cold out here.”

  “I love the fresh air.”

  Liz drew a smiley face with her boot in the dusting of light snow.

  “Still a kid at heart, aren’t you?” I said.

  She smiled, and we took the trail to the right. “So...we’ll go home and shower, and then you put on your best maturity outfit and—”

  “Liz, I don’t think—”

  She held up a hand. “No excuses, young lady! You need to look fantastic because I’m treating you to lunch, a manicure, and a stylish haircut.”

  “Thanks, but what’s the special occasion?”

  “Special occasion? Who needs a special occasion? I just think my sister needs to quit feeling so...pregnant and frumpy.”

  “I don’t feel frumpy.”

  “You won’t when I’m done with you. Girl, I’m going to make you look like a pregnant goddess.”

  “I’d appreciate that. Victor and I do have dinner plans for tonight.”

  “I know, and you’re going to look fabulous.”

  I grinned. “Thanks, Liz.” As we continued walking, I realized it felt so wonderful to be outside. “How does it feel to be back?” I asked.

  “Hmm. I have mixed feelings about it.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I missed my old world here in California, no doubt. I wanted electricity, hot showers, and television. And how on Earth could I possibly live without hair dryers and the Internet and Starbucks? I wanted my old life back, but more than anything, I wanted my friends and family.” She pondered for a second, then continued. “When we first came back, I was so happy to be here. I love all the modern-day conveniences and appliances.”

  “And toilet paper,” I added. “Don’t forget the Charmin!”

  “Yeah, definitely that. It’s been so great to be able to text and Google, to see my old friends again and hang out in my favorite places. Being surrounded by my family is even more amazing, but something’s missing.”

  “Missing? Like what?”

  “I guess it’s just...well, I miss that simple life.”

  I pondered her words carefully, trying to determine if I missed it too.

  “There, I never had to hide who I’ve become. Being Immortal is considered a great honor. In this world, not only do I have to hide it, but I’m considered a freak. I want to go back someday. I have to.”

  “You sound just like Victor.”

  “I’m a nobody here, Sarah. Back there, I was a somebody, a princess everyone adored and loved.”

  “Yeah, with all that wealth and power and—”

  She shook her head, interrupting me. “No, it wasn’t just the fancy gowns and expensive jewelry. I did everything in my power to make my kingdom a better place to live. I made some real differences there. Here, I can’t do that. Here, I’m just...normal.”

  “If given the chance, would you go back permanently?”

  Walking briskly, she met my gaze. “I’ve come to realize that California isn’t my home anymore. Dornia is. I didn’t choose to come back. I was just hoping we could sneak into Ethano’s castle, find Charles and Victor, and sneak out before that tyrant ever got back.”

  “I’m sorry it didn’t work out the way you planned, sis.”

  “There has to be a way we can conquer Ethano and go back home.”

  “In time, I’m sure we can, but for now, I have to stay here, because of the baby.”

  “I’m not going anywhere for a while. I’ve talked about it with Charles. I’m Immortal.”

  My eyes widened in mock surprise. “You don’t say?”

  She laughed. “Let me finish. I can live forever, so I figure I might as well stay here until Mom and Dad and everyone we know and love passes on.”

  I frowned at the thought of losing my parents and everyone I knew and loved, something I’d never really thought much about before.

  “We should enjoy our time here together with them,” she said, “but after that, I want go back home.”

  “You wouldn’t miss it here?” I asked.

  “Of course, to a degree. I’d miss the modern conveniences and my friends and family, but if I stay here and outlive e
veryone, there will be no one to come back for. In time, I can learn to live without curling irons and television, just as I did before.” She gazed over at me. “I want it all back—the castle, the title, the fantastic life I led. I’d take it any day over all of this.”

  “I get it. You love it there,” I said. “You made that clear when you wouldn’t leave with me through the portal at Sabrino Cave. Still, you can’t deny how excited you were once you did come back through the power of that necklace.”

  “I admit I was initially very excited, happy that I’d be reunited with family and friends. I thought I’d be able to step back into my life as it once was, and when I got here, I realized technology had come such a long way. I was reminded of so many people and places and things that I’d missed. Still, I cannot live the rest of my life hiding who I am.”

  “We can hide and still lead a wonderful life, Liz.”

  “Do you really want to spend all your time and energy running and hiding? Not only do we have to watch out for certain other Immortals, but there’s also the government to think about. Do you know what they’d do if they realized the kind of power we can wield?”

  “I love it here, Liz. I don’t need a big, fancy castle and a crown on my head. I’m happy in the home Victor and I have created. For now, it’s just the two of us and our dog, and we’ve got a baby on the way. For me, it’s the perfect life. I have all that I need right here.”

  “I know, Sarah, but when Alexander is eighteen, you really must let Victor return to Tastia. He’s a king. Surely you can’t be so selfish as to keep him away from the life he loves and knows, to reduce him from ruling a great and mighty kingdom to a nobody living in a white house with a picket fence.”

  “I don’t have any intentions to force Victor to stay, but even after Alexander is eighteen, will he really be safe there? What if Ethano corrupts him as an adult? What if he befriends him and poisons his mind? Staying here is not just about me.”

  “Admit it. You love having Victor all to yourself. Here, he is only the king of his very small, insignificant castle, and you don’t have to share him with anyone.”

  I raised a brow. “What?”