“I’ll wait out here,” Charles said.
Sarah grabbed her hand, and they walked inside the cave.
“The king let you go?” asked Steven in disbelief.
Adam nodded. “I think that’s probably obvious since she’s standing right here, Einstein.”
Frank rubbed the knots in her shoulders. “Everything’s going to be okay, kiddo, as soon as we get home, back to our old lives.”
“Probably,” Sarah said, holding up her finger. “Except I’m going to outlive all of you. All I ever wanted was to be normal.”
“Come on, Sarah,” Beth said. “We’ll figure this out.”
Nodding, she let her grab her in a tight hug, even though her friend’s words couldn’t comfort her like they usually did.
“Ready to go?” Frank asked, touching her shoulder.
“Yeah, let’s not delay the inevitable,” Adam said. “I’m in dire need of a real bed, a microwave, and a freaking cheeseburger—not to mention I’ve probably got 9,000 e-mails.”
Liz pointed to a square ruby embedded in the wall with an ancient inscription carved into the rock. “Put your ring into the keystone and twist it to
open
the
portal
.”
“That sounds easy enough,” Sarah said, turning to regard her sister intently, all those memories from years of being haunted by her sister’s disappearance and the guilt that came with it flashing through her mind. For a while after that had happened, she couldn’t stop crying. She couldn’t even face her own parents because she couldn’t take their grief. To know that Liz was well came as a relief; to know she could’ve easily popped over to share what had happened to her was like a punch in the stomach. “So why didn’t you come through and tell me you were okay?”
“I thought about it for a long time, but…” Liz stopped, considering her words. “Well, truthfully, I was scared of those things out there. I thought I would never find this place again, and even if I did, I never figured I’d make it alive. Then I met Charles.”
“And you fell in love with him,” Sarah continued, putting two and two together in her mind. Sure, it was stupid and irrational to choose a guy over her family, but love was silly and fluffy-headed, just like Liz said.
Liz shook her head. “No, it wasn’t that. I mean, I met him and we fell in love, but I still wanted to leave. He begged me to not even try it because I might never come back. The more time passed, the stronger I felt for him, and I just gave up hope. I could no longer imagine myself back home, in a world I feel I no longer belong in.”
Sarah stared at Liz as the words circled through her mind, fitting into place. She knew what fear could do to a person. Human nature carries an impressive survival instinct that makes one adjust to every situation, even more so in the case of a lost and scared girl. She couldn’t blame Liz in the least, especially when she was 100 percent sure she might not have acted the same way at her age. “I understand,” she said eventually. “I just wish I had known all along.” With a last smile, she made a fist and pressed the ruby ring against the wall.
A door swirled open, and a wind blew hard.
Liz motioned toward the door, looking at Adam and Steven. “I don’t even know you, but I’ll miss you.”
They nodded and smiled, then darted through the opening without a second glance.
Liz hugged Sarah, tears welling up in her eyes. “I love you, sis. I wish you would’ve stayed, but I’m thankful for the time we’ve shared. Give Mom and Dad my love.”
“I love you too.”
“Goodbye, Sarah.”
“Goodbye.”
Frank put his arm around Beth, her blonde hair blowing all over the place. “Sarah, Beth, let’s go!”
Beth nodded and then met Sarah’s gaze. “Coming?”
She shook her head, yelling over the howl of the wind. “I’m right behind you.”
Frank pulled Beth through the swirling opening, and they both disappeared into the darkness.
“You see that? Frank didn’t even try to fight for me or make sure I followed right behind him. He’s just running away from me, as far as he can get.”
“That’s because he wasn’t the right one for you.”
Sarah stared at the portal. “I think Beth could make him happy. She’s way more his type than me. It’s kind of funny that he’s still stuck with a Bigfoot researcher.”
“It is ironic, isn’t it?”
Sarah choked back the sobs. “Bye, sis. Oh…and one more thing. Have lots of babies, okay?”
Tears welled up in Liz’s eyes as she smiled. “I will, and I’ll be sure tell them what a wonderful aunt they have,” she said, unable to control the quiver in her voice. Just as Sarah was about to walk through, Liz yanked her arm. “It doesn’t matter what world you’re in. If you’ve found the love of your life, it can conquer all. If you walk through this portal, you’ll never see Victor again. You have to ask yourself if you can really live with that, Sarah.”
Memories flashed through Sarah’s mind as she stared down at Victor’s ring that once belonged to his mother: the vows, the long kisses, the beautiful time they shared at the waterfall, and the way he smiled. She had so many fond memories of him, but she did not know if they would suffice for eternity. “I love him, Liz, but—”
“Then why are you leaving, sis?” Liz whispered.
“Because I’m an idiot.”
Liz laughed. “You are! Please stay. We can help people here. I’m telling you, we can make a difference in this world.”
The swirling hole closed with a
hiss
.
“Time’s run out,” Liz said. “You’ll have to reopen the portal.”
The portal
. Sarah peered at it, hesitating. Back in her world, she was nobody, just a face in the masses. But here, she was a queen with the power to change the world. Liz was right. Here, she would be able to do the good that would never be acknowledged in her own world. Like Liz, she could already feel the sense of belonging to this place. “No need. I’m…I’m going to stay,” she said, only wishing she could tell her friends goodbye so they would never have to worry about her the way she once worried about Liz.
Her sister hugged her hard, tears flowing down her face. Sarah had never seen Liz cry like that before. “This is the most awesome news of my life! And don’t worry. Your friends know you’ll be fine.”
Sarah wiped a tear away from her sister’s face. “I’m sure they’ll figure it out. Anyway, how could I ever leave you two? You and Victor are my life.”
“Let’s go catch up with Victor and tell him the fantastic news.”
Running with unnatural speed, like that of a vampire, Sarah and Liz easily caught up. Sarah scanned the area and spotted him across a field, standing next to his horse, his hair ruffled by the breeze, the sun shining on his face. He was a beautiful sight.
Her sister patted her on the back. “I’ll wait here.”
“I’m never going to let him go…not ever.”
She nudged her with a big grin. “Go get your man.”
“Victor!” she screamed, running toward him.
He turned sharply.
“Victor!” she yelled again.
“Sarah? Sarah!”
She ran screaming his name over and over.
In seconds, he met her halfway, smiling. He picked her up and swung her around. “You’re giving up everything to stay here in
my
world?”
“Somebody has to teach me how to be an Immortal,” she said between breaths. “There’s so much I don’t know.”
“You need a teacher? Is that it?”
She brushed his hair out of his face. “I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. If I went back, I’d have all my friends, family, and the convenience of my world, but I’d be so empty without you. You see, it doesn’t matter where I live my life, because as long as I have you, my life is full and complete.” She lowered her mouth to whisper against his lips, “I love you, Victor.”
“I love you too…from the minute I laid eyes on you.” He kissed her long and hard. “Truly, this is the happiest day of my life.” His eyes glinted with a sparkle as he cupped her face tenderly. “Let’s go home, to our castle, my Queen, my beautiful wife.”
She smiled as his fingers intertwined with hers. Their ruby rings glowed in perfect harmony. Never before had she been more proud to wear Victor’s perfect token of affection. She stared up into his amazing blue eyes. “Nothing would make me happier, my King, my beautiful husband.”
His mouth pressed down hard on her lips as her heart pounded like never before.
Epilogue
One year later…
The wind blew through the open window, whirling a cascade of leaves across the wooden floor.
“I’ll get the broom, milady.” Mia dropped the cloth and polish in her hand and hurried out the door into the hallway.
“It can wait,” Sarah called after her, doubting the girl would listen. It had been a year since Mia was in her services, yet the girl still couldn’t stop scurrying around the place like a scared kitten in her attempt to please everyone
—
especially after the lavish wedding Victor had thrown for Jules and her at the castle. Just as Sarah had promised, her gown was absolutely stunning. She was also indebted to Sarah for finding the Gold Minerals of Life that saved her ill father.
At first, Sarah thought the idea of having a servant mortifying, but after a few heated discussions with Victor, she had to admit his reputation mattered, and she had no choice than to embrace her duties as a queen. But Mia wasn’t the only new development Sarah had to grow accustomed to. There were the cooks, a few gardeners, lots of maids, and plenty of visitors and relatives she didn’t even know; some were even strangers to Victor. Six months in, Sarah still couldn’t stop giggling at some of the court etiquette that would have resulted in fits of laughter in her own world.
She didn’t argue with Mia when the girl returned to clean up the leaves. She couldn’t have the whole court giving her that shocked look that told her she had caused another faux pas by stepping out of her boundaries and the expectations placed upon her. With an exaggerated sigh, she put her book back on the chaise lounge and gathered her dress around her, then slowly climbed down the stairs to exit the castle and head into the back garden, where the warm mid-morning sun greeted her.
Birds chirped as streams of sunshine shone on her face. She sat down on the bench to enjoy the privacy of high shrubs that singled her out from the party preparations on the other side. Victor had insisted she stay put until everything was finished, and although every fiber in her body invited her to push through the bushes to take a peek, she controlled her nosy nature and kept true to her word.
Even though she had gotten used to her life, everything happened so fast that she still couldn’t wrap her head around a few things
—
like the ride through the woods after she made the decision to stay or the first night she’d spent with Victor in the large two-bedroom apartment he called a bedchamber. Even though they had shared many nights since, the thought of their marital bed and his arms pulling her against his body for the first time still sent a rush of heat to her cheeks.
Pushing the naughty thoughts out of her mind, she cleared her voice and busied herself with removing imaginary lint from her long, mauve-tone corsage dress that Victor swore complemented her eyes exquisitely.
“Milady?” Mia said, jerking Sarah out of her thoughts. “The king requires your presence.”
“I’ll be right there.” Sarah took a deep breath before following Mia down the paved path into the courtyard and then the adjoining main garden. She stopped midstride, her breath catching in her throat as she marveled at the beautiful display in front of her eyes. Countless chairs and tables with white brocade tablecloths were set around a pavilion adorned with roses. The china and polished silver sparkled in the bright light, almost blinding her. But what impressed her the most were the white and red silk ribbons swaying in the soft breeze, reminding her of her tenth birthday party, when her mother had decorated the entire back garden, turning it into a place worthy of a princess. How could she have known she would turn into a real one when she grew up?
Someone wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her close. Sarah took a deep breath and turned to place a soft kiss on her husband’s lips. “You spared no expense,” she whispered as she peered at the cook, observing the servants carrying a five-tier cake with white frothing and rose toppers.
“Nothing’s good enough for my beloved,” Victor whispered against her ear. “And before you ask, I made sure to send most of the food down to the villages, so you can enjoy a bite or two.” A spark of amusement appeared in his eyes.
“Thank you,” she said, genuinely pleased. When she and Liz made the pact to bring nothing but good to this world, they meant every word. Granted, there was still a long way to go before Victor’s people forgot the suffering they once experienced, but she vowed to do everything in her might to help them.