Sarah nodded, even though she couldn’t understand how a stone would ever bring about such a miracle. “So they found out they were connected after that?”
Victor barely bobbed his head in response as he continued with the story. “Yes, but the real shock was yet to come. On the way back to the camp, they were stabbed by robbers. Not only did they have the power to fend off their attackers, but they also lived even after losing an immense amount of blood. Taggert then realized the rare rubies and diamonds had to be spinning some sort of magic, so he decided to use them to make his rebel troops Immortal, so they could break the tyrant’s rule.”
“Did it work?” she asked.
“Yes. They discovered that the diamonds or rubies, when worn on the body, would make one immortal. The rubies had the special power of creating a psychic bond between mates, so they were only handed out in marriage.”
“So where’s your diamond?”
“Only the originals wear diamond rings. Once they were turned into Immortals, they had children who were Immortals. The adult Immortals receive ruby rings when they are married.”
“And Taggert still lives?”
“Yes. King Taggert is our current leader. He’s always been king of the Immortals.”
“I’ve heard talk about him dying. The shape-shifters even mentioned it.”
“
For some inexplicable reason, he is slowly passing, and no one knows why, considering that he is supposed to be Immortal. He is the first one to face such a fate, so perhaps it means that his time is simply coming to an end. It’s a shame, though, for Taggert is not only a wonderful and loyal friend, but he’s also kind and generous.”
“Tell me more about King Taggert and the rebels,” Sarah coaxed.
“Well, weeks after his find, he made masculine diamond rings and handed them out to the resistance. The moment the ring was placed on a finger, it sealed and wouldn’t come off. The resistance easily conquered our leaders and overthrew the kingdom.”
As Victor fell silent, giving her time to process the information, she tried to picture the land as it was a long time ago: poor and in need of a strong hand who wouldn’t let the people starve. Maybe Taggert and his wife brought about a few of those changes, but she wondered what happened in the long run. “I can’t believe the Immortals can have children,” she said, breaking the silence. “Were there many?”
Victor laughed. “Yes, plenty. I was one of them. Initially, they believed their newfound immortality wouldn’t allow them to bear children, but once they discovered that they could bear offspring just as before, King Taggert founded the Royal Council and enacted a great number of rules. He declared that Immortals could have no more than two offspring, and he also concluded that no human could ever be turned Immortal. Of course, there were rare exceptions throughout the centuries.”
“And if a human put on a ruby ring, they’d become Immortal…like me,” Sarah whispered.
“Yes. No one knows where the mystical stones came from, though legend claims they were stored there by a goddess, who used the cave to hide her treasures. One of my goals in life is to figure out the true answer to that mystery.”
“Is there a way for a human to return to being mortal?”
She noticed his instant hesitation, as though he didn’t want to share what he knew. “Once the magical ring has touched your skin, Sarah, it is there forever. You will never be human again. You are now an Immortal being. I am sorry, but you must learn to accept it.”
“Yeah, I figured,” she said, sounding defeated. “I guess I just need more time to process it.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “I’m sorry you weren’t given a choice. If I could go back, I would.”
“It’s okay,” she whispered. It was easier to drop it than to ponder the what-ifs. Even if he wanted to turn back time, he couldn’t. She just didn’t want to think about it anymore. Her eyes felt heavy as she snuggled against his broad chest and drifted into an uneasy sleep in the safety of Victor’s arms.
Chapter 13
When Sarah finally awoke, she found the place next to her deserted, though Victor had taken off his cloak to prop it under her head as a pillow. She found him in the next cavernous room, whispering with Lana, a huge frown wrinkling his forehead. The moment they saw her approach, they stopped their conversation. She knew it was because he was worried, but he didn’t want to burden her more than necessary. A few minutes later, they left their safe haven and resumed their journey. Even though he tried to entertain her, something about his attitude had changed, but she didn’t feel it would do any good press the issue.
Eventually, they reached the woods again, followed by a serene clearing.
Victor stopped in his tracks and pointed through the giant purple and green leaves. “We’re here. This is the place rumored to hold the Gold Minerals of Life.”
Sarah’s heart jumped in her chest.
Finally
! It was what they had come for, and it felt surreal. She focused her gaze in the distance. Through a meadow of colorful flowers, a wide, brown arc led to a cave.
Lana cocked a brow as she regarded Victor coolly. “Your Highness, don’t you think it’s time to tell your wife about the legendary beast that resides in this ancient place?”
Victor’s expression grew grim.
So that’s what they were whispering about this morning.
Sarah threw him a sideways glance. “No, he happened to leave out that little tidbit. Care to elaborate, dear?” The sarcasm in her voice came out stronger than she intended. She bit her lip so she wouldn’t burst out in laughter at his pained expression.
He slid an arm around her waist. “I was going to tell you…as soon as the right moment presented itself.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Do I look like I scare easily?”
He smirked. “Of course not. You’re unlike any woman I’ve ever met.”
“Damn straight! Now fill me in on this creature so I know what we’re up against. I refuse to leave this place without the minerals, regardless of lions and tigers and bears, oh my!”
Lana motioned toward the cave. “I am not sure we can complete this quest. No one has ever found the Gold Minerals of Life. Immortals in the past have come out empty-handed…or dead. Please consider my warning. I have brought you here because you requested me to accompany you, but I do not believe we will leave here with the minerals and our lives intact.”
Sarah gulped. If it was scary even for a shape-shifter, it was definitely a risky move, but they had no other choice. She was as good as dead anyway. The Gold Minerals of Life were her only hope. They had to try…or die trying.
“If he will not tell you of the dangers, then I shall,” Lana’s voice broke into her thoughts. “Legend says a monstrous dragon covered in red scales guards the minerals, and it doesn’t take kindly to strangers invading its territory.”
“A dragon? Okay.” Sarah nodded, amused. “So it’s true. I’ve landed right in the middle of a fairytale.” She glanced at the jagged opening.
I wonder if everyone lives happily ever after in this one? Hmm…
“Think old scaly breeches is expecting a few guests for dinner?” she joked. “I hope shish-kebob isn’t on the menu.”
Victor squared his shoulders. “Only one way to tell.”
In a burst of golden light, Lana transformed into a magnificent hawk. She let out a high-pitched whistle, like that of a steam engine. The bird of prey soared upward, flapping her wings as she flew off into the clouds, toward the opening of the cave.
“Lana, get back here!” shouted Sarah. She turned and met Victor’s gaze. “She’s going to investigate without us. What if she finds the minerals and leaves us in the dust?”
“She’ll never find them that quickly. Besides, she needs us.” Victor pulled Sarah close, maybe noticing—or sensing—her nervousness. He kissed her softly on the forehead. “I assure you, my Queen, that we will not leave without those minerals. We have come too far and risked too much to leave empty-handed.”
She squeezed him tightly, hoping he could put her doubts at ease. “But nobody’s ever found them before. What makes us so different?”
He gently pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. “Because we won’t give up—not when our lives are on the line. I swear, Sarah, I’ll do anything to keep you safe and alive.”
She nuzzled into his neck as he held her tightly. How she loved his broad shoulders and muscular body. It felt good to be in his warm, strong arms. She felt safe, warm, and protected—at least for the moment. It felt like anything was possible, that they could triumph over any obstacle thrown at them. “Being in your arms feels so natural…so right…so good.”
His face beamed, and the soft rays of light caught in his stunning eyes, making them shimmer even more brightly than before.
Sarah lifted her lips to meet his, ready to give herself to him, open up like she had never before. A tiny spark seemed to ignite between them just a moment before their lips met, and then a voice from behind made her jump.
“The cave is empty,” said Lana. “I suggest we take full advantage of this opportunity.”
“I don’t believe it!” Victor grabbed Sarah’s hand in a firm grasp, his voice dripping with determination. “They have to be in there somewhere. We must make haste. Our goal is to find them and leave as quickly as we can, before the creature returns.”
Sarah let out a long breath. “Maybe we should trust Lana’s judgment. Maybe the minerals are as much a myth as the dragon.”
He shook his head. “No. It’s not a myth. There are dragons, Sarah, and this one’s aim is to keep people away from the minerals.”
“No myth,” Lana agreed. “I’ve personally seen one of these nasty creatures.”
“And I’ve fought them in combat,” Victor said.
“Okay. Why the hell not?” Sarah muttered. “As a kid, I always wanted to be a dragon slayer. Nothing like living out your childhood dreams.”
They walked briskly through the meadow, Sarah’s feet sinking into the soft grass. The stillness and silence was unnerving. They pushed through the shrubs and finally reached the mouth of the immense cave. A cool breeze blew over Sarah’s skin as she slowly walked in. She slipped on a wet rock and stumbled, catching herself against the slimy, mossy green wall. She let her eyes adjust to the dim light. The further they walked in, the more her heart thumped.
What are we really going to face in this horrible place?
Victor ripped off a bottom portion of his shirt and wrapped it tightly around a long stick. He made two more and began to swiftly wave his hand. A moment later, a red ball of fire emerged from his outstretched palms and lifted to hover in midair. As he held up one of the sticks, the newly created torch sputtered, then flared and hissed.
“Victor, you never cease to amaze me,” said Sarah in awe.
He winked, then almost as if showing off, he blew a stream of air, and the fireball blew out just like a candle in the wind. It was fantastic to watch, yet Sarah wasn’t sure she wanted to live her life like some kind of superhero. Even though Victor said there wasn’t a way, she had her suspicions that the ring could come off somehow.
I could be normal again…human.
Letting herself think there was a loophole in the Immortal contract was the only way to keep herself from completely freaking out.
Otherwise…
Victor handed her a torch, and she waved it above her head as a damp, musty smell invaded her nostrils. Her foot crunched down on a…
A twig?
She looked down and gasped. The floor was littered with bones, hopefully from animals, but possibly from humans, every one of them picked completely clean of any flesh. Sarah decided she had to stay strong and not scream like some little helpless princess. “Any idea exactly what we’re looking for?”
“Not sure,” Victor said, scanning the dark limestone walls around him.
Lana held her flaming torch up high, illuminating the moss clinging to the rock overhead. “Anything that glitters would be a good start.”
Well, duh.
Sarah knew that much. “There’s nothing in this chamber, so let’s head into the next one.” Her voice echoed off the cavern walls. Dripping water from overhanging stalactites plopped on her head. She could have sworn the rhythmic sound was a clock, ticking away the precious seconds before the beast returned to its lair. Even still, she couldn’t help but smile. At least they were still breathing and had a chance to find what they had come for. Her sister used to refer to cavern drippings as “cave kisses.” Sarah held back the tears and knew they had to find those minerals at all costs. She was strong and determined. Her sister’s life—as well as her own and those of her friends—depended on her success.
Victor slipped his hand into hers and squeezed. She felt the warmth and strength of his hand surrounding her, giving her reassurance. Together, they walked deeper into the cavern.
Chapter 14
The narrow way broadened into a wide area a few feet away, stretching to the left and right, as far as Sarah could see. Taking a deep breath, she reached the ledge, planting her feet in the ground inches from the abyss below, and stared down at the lava lake. The hissing gases snaked into the air, carrying with them an overpowering sulfur smell and bitter fumes that almost made her gag. She covered her mouth with her palm and leaned forward to peer into the lava that spewed fifty feet into the air. Crackles and pops echoed from the impenetrable stony walls as the ferocious lava simmered like a pot of boiling-hot water. “Dead end. Now what?” she muttered with a frown, her mind already working on overtime to find a different way around this obstacle.