Stella's POV As I spoke, my mom listened intently, her eyes filled with empathy. When I was done speaking, she wrapped me in a warm hug. "Oh, Stella, I'm so sorry that you're going through this. That sounds terrifying."I felt the lump well up in my throat as I hugged her back. "I've been so scared, Mom. I don't know what it means or why I'm having it."My mom squeezed me into a tight hug as her face changed from empathy to shock. "Stella, this is. This is weird," she stammered in her voice."What's wrong, Mom?" I asked puzzled.Mom cleared her throat before talking. "My nightmare. It was similar. The same beings, the same dark room. It scares me, Stella."I stared in utter shock. How could this be? Why were Mom and I having the same nightmares?Mom embraced me closely, trying to comfort me. "Relax, sweetie. Everything will be all right in the end. I don't know what this means, but we'll figure it out together."I clung to her, taking some comfort in her arms. What did it mean that m
Author's P.O.V.Tunisha smiled wryly as she said into the phone, "Don't even think about calling his line again, Sara. We don't want to spook him."But before Sara could respond, Jethro's voice boomed from across the room. "What's going on, Tunisha? Who are you talking to?"For one split second, Tunisha's smirk fumbled before she gathered her bearings once more. "Oh, just. Uh. Business, Jethro. Nothing to concern yourself with."But already Jethro was walking towards her, his eyes fixed on the phone in her hand. "Who is it?" he asked without making any effort to conceal his impatience.Tunisha was taken aback, knowing full well that she could not lie her way out. "It's Sara," she finally replied.Jethro's face darkened. "What does she want to call me?"Tunisha thought fast. "She was just. Uh. Trying to reach you about something. I told her I'd handle it."But Jethro was not buying it. In anger, he snatched the phone from Tunisha's hand. "Sara, what's going on?" he growled through the
Author's P.O.V.She felt the rise of adrenaline within her as she put on her heels and picked up her clutch to put her plan into motion.Tunisha made her way to the club; her heart was racing with excitement because she knew Jethro would be there, and she was ready for him.As soon as she entered the club, Tunisha made a sweep of the room. Her eyes searched and landed on the familiar figure of Jethro. He sat at the bar staring into his drink.A smile played on Tunisha's lips as her mind drew an immediate plan. She would have him notice he wanted her.Thus, she started to sashay toward the bar, her hips seductively swaying with each step.Tunisha cast her eyes around the room, searching for a somewhat familiar face. Instead, her eyes met a stranger; that well-tended man with piercing eyes and chiseled features did something to her; her heart leaped and stuttered.Skirting the tables, she made her way to the bar, her gaze straying inevitably to the way he moved a ripple of muscles under
Author's POV Joe's voice was laced with confusion. "Uh, okay boss. But-"The stranger cut him off. "Just do it, Joe. And make sure she is safe."With that, the stranger hung up the phone and turned to walk away. Joe watched him go, his mind racing with questions.What was going on with this woman and the boss? And what did he mean by "knight in shining armor"? Joe shook his head, chuckling wryly to himself. He had worked for the boss for years, but sometimes he still couldn't figure him out.He couldn't help but turn to go inside, wondering what secrets the boss was hiding and what lay behind that enigmatic smile he flashed before disappearing into the night.Joe-the manager, a gruff but kind-hearted man-nodded as he watched the stranger disappear from the bar. He couldn't help but feel his curiosity rise over what was going on between the boss and the lady upstairs."Knight in shining armor?" he mused to himself, "What is going on here?"He shook his head and headed back to the bar,
Author's P.O.V ★ caramel ★A warm golden light crept along Tunisha's face, nudging her to wake up. She turned and twisted before her eyelids fluttered open to an unseen ceiling. Disoriented, she sat up, and her eyes wandered into the dimensions of the room in an emerging fear. Where was she?She felt a panic set in as she scrambled her mind in trying to remember how she got there. Her mind was like a single board, not telling her anything. "How did I get here?" she asked herself aloud, her voice shaking slightly.She swung her legs over the side of the bed, and fragments of the previous night began to resurface. Flashes of laughter, music, and a stranger's piercing eyes danced at the forefront of her mind. The club, the drink, the stranger's hand on hers. It all came back.The redness flushed Tunisha's face as memories rushed forth in like a tide: the feel of a stranger's lips against hers, hands tracing along her body. She felt a shiver run down her backside as she remembered the lo
Author's P.O.V.Tunisha's heart sank as she opened the door to a room service cart and not the mysterious stranger that had been on her mind. A cheerful hotel employee smiled at her, "Good morning! I brought up a little something for your breakfast."Tunisha masked her disappointment with a fake smile. "Oh, thank you. That's nice of you."As Tunisha had the breakfast tray prepared for her, a sense of unease seemed to prevail. Who had ordered this for her? And why?"Was anyone specifically ordering this for me?" she asked the staffer."Yes, the gentleman who. Ah. Accompanied you last night," the man replied discreetly, avoiding her gaze.Tunisha's face flushed bright red with embarrassment. So, the stranger had ordered her breakfast but hadn't hung around to explain what happened."Thank you," she repeated, trying to cover up her annoyance.As the staff member walked away, Tunisha sat down at the table staring at the breakfast spread before her. She wasn't hungry, but she knew she need
Author's POV Manager Joe didn't raise an eyebrow, but there was an edge of robotic tone in his voice. "I'm afraid you must be mistaken, miss. You checked in here alone, and we have no record of anybody else being with you. You have been in your room the whole time."Tunisha's anger escalated. "That's not true! I know what happened last night, and I want answers."Manager Joe was impassive, his eyes glinting just a second for a silent warning. "I'm afraid that's all I can tell you, miss. If you have more questions, I suggest you try our customer service."She knew Manager Joe was only saying what he had been told to say. She wasn't getting anywhere with him. She turned and walked away, determined to find out the truth on her own.Tunisha walked back to her car as her mind was still full of questions. As she reached the driver's side door, she saw a note tucked under the windshield wiper. She let out a sigh as she knew all too well who had written it.She retrieved the note and read th
Author's POV "Leave the pack and go somewhere far away," Elias said, his voice firm. "And never come back."Tunisha's face contorted in a mixture of shock and amusement. And then, she burst into a smirk-filled laugh. "Sorry, Elias, but I can't lose to Sara," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.Elias's eyes narrowed. "You're not taking this seriously, Tunisha. You need to leave, for your good."Tunisha was laughing louder now, hysteria edging in. "My good? Do you think I care about my good? I care about winning, Elias. And I won't let Sara win."Elias's face darkened. "You're not going to win, Tunisha. You're going to lose everything if you don't leave."But Tunisha merely shook her head, her laughter dying down. "No, Elias. I'll take my chances. And I'll make sure Sara pays for what she's done to me."Elias's eyes flashed in anger, but Tunisha merely turned and walked away, leaving him seething with frustration. She knew she was holding the ace, and she would just use this one
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