Emma POVs I held onto it for a second, not knowing whether I should open the door. There was something in that voice, that sounded so familiar, and a tingle of curiosity flowed into my heart. Turning the handle slowly, and opening the door, my heart jolted with anticipation.Standing on my porch was Jethro, his sharp, blue eyes piercing my skin. He looked the charming smile now a grim expression."Jethro," I uttered in surprise. "What are you doing here?"He drew closer to me, his gaze never leaving mine. "I've been looking for you, Emma. We need to talk."A chill ran down my spine as I stepped aside, allowing him to enter. He entered my living room, his eyes scanning the room as if to make sure there was no one else."What's going on, Jethro?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.He turned toward me, his face serious. "I know what's been going on, Emma. I know about Ryker and the portal."My heart was racing, and I was away with but a single thought: "How do you know?"His eyes
Emma's POV I nodded at Jethro, a sense of gratitude towards him. "Thanks for bringing me here, Jethro. I appreciate it."Jethro smiled, his eyes warm with friendship. "No problem, Em. Be careful, okay?"I nodded, taking a deep breath. "I will. You too, okay?"Jethro nodded, his face turning serious. "I'll try to make Tunisha see reason, Emma. I'll talk to her, and see if I can get her to listen."I nodded, feeling a little glimmer of hope. Tunisha was stubborn, but if anyone could get through to her, it was Jethro."Thanks, Jethro. That means a lot to me."Jethro smiled; his eyes crinkled in the corners. "Anytime, Em. Take care."I got out of the car, watching as he drove off. Took a deep breath, and steeled myself. Time to go back and face my pack, and warn them about Ryker's evil plans.I walked through the entrance gate, my heart racing inside my chest. I could feel the pack all around me, their energy familiar, comforting, and unnerving all at once.As I walked deeper into the pa
Emma's P.O.V.We emerged onto the twisting roads of the realm of witches. Elite fighters tugged around me protectively. It was a mixed feeling-exciting, nervous, a touch of fear. What would come next, I had no clue.As we approached the center of the domain, a house came into view. Large, it was, with turrets and towers, shining in soft, almost otherworldly light.The leader pulled his horse to a stop, and I did likewise. "Your mother is here," he said, iron and silk in equal measure.A wave of tension swept over me, my heart racing in anticipation. I hadn't seen my mother in years, not since my banishment.The leader nodded toward the house. "Go in, Emma. Your mother awaits."I steeled myself for what was to come as I took a deep breath. I dismounted my horse and approached the house heart pounding in my chest.I came to the door, and with a soft groan, the doors opened with soft golden light spilling out. I stepped inside. My eyes adjusted to the brightness in only seconds.And then
Emma's Pov I nodded in agreement. "I know, but it won't be easy. Ryker has eyes and ears everywhere. We'll have to tread very carefully if we want to keep her safe."Mother's face turned resolute. "We will do whatever it takes to keep Sara safe. We just cannot let Ryker's evil plans materialize."I nodded, full of resolution. We would take care of Sara, no matter the price it would entail. We were going to keep her safe from Ryker and not let her fall prey to his sinister plot."We need to get Sara to a safe place," Mother said, already racing with plans in her mind. "Somewhere Ryker can't find her.""I have already thought about that," I said. "A friend of mine can help us. She has a place where Sara can hide from Ryker's reach."My mother nodded in agreement. "Good. Let's get her there as soon as possible."My mother and I hastened toward the location, our protection-circle form of magic coating Sara protectively. With every step that I took, I could feel Ryker's dark energy search
Emma's POV I nodded, my voice filled with determination. "Ok, mom. Let's do it. Let's find the artifacts."I then wavered, remembering the last attack. "Wait, is this even possible? The last time Ryker attacked, all of these relics were barely in good condition. The Crystal of Light was cracked, the Feather of Flight was torn, and the Sword of Truth had its edge dulled. how are these ever going to help bring down Ryker now?My mother's face had turned grave. "You're right, Emma. The relics were ruined in the last attack. But we have to try and restore them. We have no other choice."I felt a surge of doubt. "But can we even restore them? I thought they were beyond repair."My mother's eyes shone with a resolute determination. "We will find a way, Emma. We have to. We will find the ancient knowledge, spells, and incantations that repair the ancient relics. And then we will use them to defeat Ryker once and for all."I nodded, feeling a sense of resolve. We would do it. We would find a
Emma's POV As I was following Lia to my room, my mind was racing with thoughts of Elias and the mysterious guardians my mother had sent to watch over him. I couldn't quite shake off this feeling that there was something more to my mother's plan than she was letting me in on.When we were in my room, Lia said to me, turning around, "When you need anything, please, don't hesitate to call. I will be just outside."I nodded, feeling grateful toward Lia. She was among those few people in the palace who didn't seem to have motives.Everything overwhelmed me as I stepped into the grandeur. A big, velvet-draped bed with silk sheets, tapestry hanging on the wall, and a polished marble floor-all these things in one room.But all this beauty in the room was not a salve; instead, my gripe continued within as if I were trapped inside a beautiful prison.I went to the window and looked out. What was Elias doing right now? Was he okay?Deep in my thoughts, I heard a light tap at the door. It was Li
Emma's POV The moment Lia had stopped talking, I knew my journey was going to be quite long. And yet I was ready for that challenge. My mother was counting on me, the realm too."Thanks for telling me all that Lia," I said, appreciative of her candor and devotion. "I'll do everything I can to help."Lia smiled and pulled me into a hug. "I know you will, Emma. You're strong and brave. The queen and the realm are in good hands with you."I moved away from Lia to the door. I would have to get to work as soon as possible now. Tonight, I needed to attend the council, and I did need to study."Where is my mother?" I asked Lia, turning back to her."In the garden," she replied. "Walking and thinking. She's been doing that a lot lately."I nodded and left the room. I needed to speak with my mother before the meeting. I needed to know more about the state of the realm, and what plans she had to stop Ryker.The soft candlelight, as it were, seemed to take on a life of its own-even in the corri
Emma's POV I asked, my mind racing with the possibilities. "Mother, do you think it would be possible for me to take away Ryker's wolf power and defeat him?"My mother's expression turned grim. "Ryker is full of dark magic, Emma. He is a thousand years old. Why do you think he is still alive?"I shook my head, unsure of the answer."Because he has made a deal with the darkest powers in the universe," my mother returned, her voice barely above a whisper. "He has sold his soul for its power and immortality."A shiver ran down my spine. "And that is why I won't be able to beat him?" I asked.My mother nodded. "The only one who can face him off is Jethro. Still, his memories are a hindrance. He still has not gotten over his past, which clouds his judgment."I remembered Jethro, that brooding, mysterious warrior who had been a presence at my side since I came to the palace. His eyes told of a part of the pain, of the anguish. Suddenly, his memories were an onus he carried with him always.
Sara's POV As night fell, we spoke and laughed to make up for lost time. The announcement of the baby's arrival brought tears of joy to our eyes as Emma and Elias announced it. Henry and Anne's reunion was warm and welcomely received.We sat down to dinner at which time Jethro reached for my hand, his eyes locking mine. "I'm so glad to have you home," he whispered.I smiled, knowing full well the deep connecting nerve that was between us, and simply replied, "Me too.".Not one of my loved ones was missing from the dinner table, and for the first time in a very, very long time, I was whole.As the night wore on, Jethro took me toward our chambers with his arm securely wrapped around me."You're safe now," he whispered as his lips tickled my ear.I nodded, finally, the memories no longer weighing on my shoulders. "I'm home," I said out loud.Jethro's eyes sparkled, his lips curving into a smile. "Forever," he replied with a promise.I smiled in return; knowing all was right in the worl
Sara's POV As night fell, we spoke and laughed to make up for lost time. The announcement of the baby's arrival brought tears of joy to our eyes as Emma and Elias announced it. Henry and Anne's reunion was warm and welcomely received.We sat down to dinner at which time Jethro reached for my hand, his eyes locking mine. "I'm so glad to have you home," he whispered.I smiled, knowing full well the deep connecting nerve that was between us, and simply replied, "Me too.".Not one of my loved ones was missing from the dinner table, and for the first time in a very, very long time, I was whole.As the night wore on, Jethro took me toward our chambers with his arm securely wrapped around me."You're safe now," he whispered as his lips tickled my ear.I nodded, finally, the memories no longer weighing on my shoulders. "I'm home," I said out loud.Jethro's eyes sparkled, his lips curving into a smile. "Forever," he replied with a promise.I smiled in return; knowing all was right in the worl
Sara's P.O.V I hummed softly to myself as I cleaned Vincent's bedroom, my hands gliding easily across the surfaces. My eyes strayed to his dresser, toward that one drawer he'd always said not to touch. Curious, I wondered what could be so special in that one little drawer. "A surprise?" I asked innocently.My fingers found the handle and drew the drawer open in a second. Inside were heaps of photos. The first I picked was of a man crowned, an aura of melancholy diffused about him. A lot about him seemed so familiar, yet I just couldn't place who he was.I went onto the next picture couple embracing. The woman's face stirred something in my system. "Emma? Elias?" I blurred my head racing. Then, a sharp pain pierced my head, and pictures slipped from my hands as a groan escaped my lips.A voice reverberated inside my head, "I love you, and you are forever mine." But it wasn't Vincent's voice. There came confusion inside me. Picking up the coronation picture, the rise of tears was to be
Jethro's POV Three Months later…%.Three months had passed since that fateful day. I sat in my throne room, full of the grandeur of a restored kingdom but my heart was still shattered. Ryker's defeat and Tanisha's demise brought peace, but only Eldrid still stirred in my heart.Elias entered, his face solemn. "Your Highness," he greeted low. I did not even look up. "Did you find her?" I asked without any expectation of a different answer.The pause that followed was all the answer Elias needed. "Nein, Your Highness." I looked down, my eyes welling up hot. I had sent Elias to scour the ruins-to search every inch of the explosion site. But there was nothing. No sign of Sara. No indication of her fate.I clung to hope, tenuous as the thinnest of threads but refused to break. She may yet be alive. She must. Elias stepped near. His footsteps made quiet echoes in the still hall. "I have searched every possible place, Jethro," he said, using my name rather than my title. "I have interrogate
Jethro's P.O.V.I stormed down the corridors of Ryker's lair-my sword slicing through the shadows. Guards leaped to intercept me, but with rage fueling my movements, I cut them down with precision.Finally, I burst into Ryker's chamber, my eyes locking onto the man himself.Ryker stood calmly, an amused hint dancing on his lips."Where is Sara?" I yelled, my voice echoing off the stone walls. "Where are you keeping her?"Ryker's smile spread wider, but nothing fell from his lips. "Liar!" I spat, my hand tightening on my sword hilt. "I know you're behind this." Ryker somehow managed to lift an eyebrow. "Sara? Do you think I have Sara? You ought to know me by now, Jethro. If I had Sara, I'd leave a message. But I don't have Sara." Anger spilled over and I was yelling, "You're lying!Ryker's men drew their swords and, in the dim light of the room, angled them at me."Be careful, Jethro," Ryker said, his voice thick with malice. "You're on my turf, surrounded by my men. Your recklessne
Sara's POV I slowly opened my eyes, grogginess fogging my brain. Where was I? The air was heavy with darkness and an eerie silence.A faint splash sounded through the room followed by a cold trickle down my face. I jackknifed upwards, gasping.Someone was sitting beside me, swathed in shadows. My eyes slowly accommodated to the dim light and the outline of a woman appeared."Welcome back, Sara," she said, her voice oozing malice.The woman leaned forward, and a sliver of light danced across her features, revealing Tanisha's sinister smile."You must be wondering where you are," Tanisha said, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Let's just say you're guessing with me."Memories came flooding back to Emma's visit, the figure in black, the knock to the head. My mind reeled; fear clawed its way up my throat.Tanisha did not even bat an eye. "You see, Sara, you're quite valuable to me. Your. Particular talents could tip the scales in Ryker's favor."My heart plummeted. Emma's words replayed
Tunisia's POV I was sitting in my dark living room; only a little light was in view, as it was occupied with dancing candles casting gruesome shadows on the walls. Marcus came in. "Ma'am, our spy says Emma is planning to open Sara's gate of energy for the war," he informed me with low urgent tones.My gaze jerked up; my eyes slit. That gate was the key to unimaginable power, and I wouldn't allow Emma to unlock it. "And?" I pushed my voice tight with anticipation.Marcus did hesitate this time before finishing, "Emma's trying to harness Sara's energy to aid her cause." My fist clenched alongside my jaw. That would be Ryker's death sentence. Failure. Defeat. No, I wouldn't let that happen."We cannot let that happen," I muttered to myself as my mind started racing. "Ryker would lose." Marcus stood before me, a look of neutrality upon his face. "What do you think we should do?" he asked.I smiled, cold and calculated. "We'll kidnap Sara, rendering Emma's plan useless. And this might jus
Emma's P.O.V.I pushed the door open of our modest home, worn out. The last few days had messed with my head, turning into a blur of anxiety and fear, as Mamma's condition deteriorated further with each passing hour. I walked toward her room, apprehension hanging heavy in my heart. Inside, she lay frail, pale with clammy skin."Mother?" I said, my voice barely more than a whisper. I took her hand in mine. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Emma. . my dear," she whispered, just barely audible. I forced a smile onto my face, trying to hide my tears. "I'm here, Mother. You're going to be all right."But before I could get her reply, Lia strode into the room, a frown etched on her features. "Emma, don't tire her out," she reprimanded, firm in her voice. I frowned, suspicion dawning that something wasn't right. "Lia, what's going on? Mother isn't getting better," I said, accusation creeping into my tone.Lia's smile was syrupy and sweet. "Oh, Emma, you know your mother's illness is.co
Tunisia's Pov I snuggled deeper into Ryker's side, my fingers tracing the outlines of his chest. His eyes gleamed with amusement, and I knew he was right where I wanted him."Ryker, now that Jethro knows about me. Secrecy," I started, letting my voice drop to a fragile state, "I will have to be protected even more. More men."Ryker's brow arched, and a teasing smile curled his lips. "So that's why you came to me."I smiled back, feigning innocence. "Can you blame me? You are the most powerful man in the realm after all."Ryker chuckled, his eyes glinting with desire. "And what do I get in return?"My heart skittered as my gaze met his. This was it."Whatever you want," I whispered, my voice husky.Ryker's eyes flashed to mine, an inferno of intensity blazing there. "Will you?" he asked, his voice so low it was little more than a whisper and sensual.My heart fluttered at the sound as I nodded, my lips grazing his. "Whatever it will take to ensure our alliance is solidified."Ryker's