Emma's POV “What is this dark force, Emma? Is it some people against me?” Jethro asked completely confused.As he spoke I watched him as his head spinned. His balance was weak as he seemed to struggle with something as simple as standing.I quickly supported him with my hands but it was late as he fell to the floor blacking out.I tried my best not to panic and fortunately, I turned to see my mate running towards me with Rachel.“Elias! Thank goodness please come quickly!” I said.They rushed towards me as Elias pulled me close into a hug. He placed a kiss on my forehead as he held my hands “Are you okay my love?” He asked with concern.“I am okay my love, but our Alpha is not. He is in grave danger and we have to take him to safety” I said with a sense of urgency.“What happened to him?” Rachel asked as she rushed towards him.“I'll explain later, just help me take him to a place with grass where we can lay him” instructed.Elias and Rachel nodded as they struggled to lift the Alph
I watched Elias leave and couldn't help but feel uncomfortable; something in my mind told me that he should not leave.I looked back at Jethro. He was unconscious lying there on the bed. Rachel was sitting beside him, continuously looking at his face."Rach, I have to say something." I lowered my words.Rachel's eyes were inquisitive as she looked up at me. "What is it, Emma?""I think I know what's going on," I said. "I think I know what's causing Jethro's weakness."Rachel's eyes widened as she turned to me. "What is it?""I think it's connected to the dark realm," I explained. "I think something from his past is coming back to haunt him."Rachel's face paled. "What can we do?"I took a deep breath. "I have to do a protective ritual—a bunch—but I'm gonna need your help."Rachel nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes to help him."Gratitude filled me for the support that came with those words, and I smiled back. "Let's get started."We began during the stuffy darkness. I knew we had to
Sara's pov The voice laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "I am the ruler of this realm," it said. "And you are my prisoners."That was when I realized, we were in grave danger. We had to get out of this place before it was too late.Deeper into the dark realm we went, till we came onto a massive, twisted castle. The walls seemed to be made out of black stone, the windows aglow with an eerie, red light.They'd ushered us inside, to a throne room housing dark, twisted creatures. They parted as we entered, revealing a figure on the throne.It was a woman, tall and gaunt, with long silver hair and eyes that burned with malevolent energy."Welcome, mortals," she said, her voice oozing with contempt. "I am the Queen of the Dark Realm. And you are my guests."Jethro advanced a step, his eyes flashing with defiance. "We will never be your guests," said he. "We will escape, and we will defeat you."The Queen laughed—a cold, mirthless sound. "You are brave, I'll give you that," she said. "But yo
Sara's POVI tried to call out to Emma and Jethro, but the darkness swallowed my voice.I walked and could feel my heartbeat, pulsing in my chest.I heard a slight rustling slightly up ahead, so I cautiously approached to check it out.When I rounded a twisted tree, there was a figure huddled up on the ground. It was Emma."Emma!" I cried as I jumped toward her side. "What are you doing here?"She looked at me, eyes sunken and skin pale. "Sara, I'm so happy you're here," she whispered.But before she could elaborate any further, a dark figure stepped out from the shadows. It was Jethro, his eyes dark like coal."Sara, you shouldn't have come here," he warned with an ominous growl.A chill ran down my spine. But what had happened to my friends? And what was Jethro's role in all this?"Jethro, what's going on?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "Why are you looking at me like that?"The black energy seemed to seep through Jethro's eyes straight into my soul. "I had changed, Sara,
Sara’s POVOnly then did I realize that it wasn't any longer before we would need to break the bond.Emma's face turned serious as she next spoke. "Sara, there's something about this spell, something you should know. - It's not only going to break the bond between you and Jethro-doll; it's going to clear any minuscule edge of memory between you from his mind."It felt like a punch to my gut. "What? No, no, no, that's not the answer."Emma nodded. "It's the only way to sever the emotional bond between you two. This spell will efface all memory, every moment you have ever shared; every—"I couldn't breathe. Just the thought of Jethro not remembering me, us, was enough to shred my heart into a million pieces."But… what if he forgets who he is?" I asked, desperation almost bleeding into my tone."But the spell will only erase memories of you, Sara. His identity, his past. everything else will stay the same."I slid down beside Jethro's bed as my world came crashing around me. I had to sa
Sara's POV As our stare locked, somehow out of the blue, I had a gush of sympathy inside me, with the tears rolling right from my eyes."Sara, my dear, I'm so sorry," Mom said and hugged me tightly.I cried and let everything out—the pain and the heartache. My mother held me in her arms, stroking my hair with one hand as she whispered in my ear some soothing words."I know, baby, I know," she said. "You are hurt right now, but you are not alone. I'm here for you."I let it all out and looked up at her with tear-filled eyes. "Mama, I miss him so much," I said, in a voice that was shaking.Tears filled my mom's eyes. She nodded. "I know, baby. But we'll get through this, too. We will figure out a way to get Jethro's memories back, and he will come back to you."Carefully I nodded, and a little bit of hope came bursting in. I could feel in front of my mom, I could endure this.We sat down by her side, holding hands, and I narrated the whole thing to her: the spell, Jethro's lost memorie
Author's Point of ViewEmma hesitated to find her words, trying to weigh them so that she would not hurt Sara's feelings. "We think he may have a problem with it- something more than the spell and we need to be careful – not so much for us but for him and you."Sara went pale, her eyes wide with terror. "What is it? What's wrong with him?"She shook her head at her. "We don't know yet but we will figure it out. Meanwhile, we need to keep a look on him, just in case he does something rash."Sara nodded her tear-rimmed eyes. "I want him, Emma. I want him to remember me and take care of me."Again Emma took hold of her shoulder and bit her lip with increased determination."We shall make it, Sara; we shall restore Jethro's memory, and he shall come back to you, for indeed he belongs to you. Note my words."The thing that I had never seen before graced that door—with a big smile, as was usual for her. But those eyes looked tired, and I could see the droop, so low as if she was carrying th
Stella’s POVI slipped back into my room and pulled on my shoes, trying not to make any noise with the steps so Eliza wouldn't hear me and realize that I was following her. As I tiptoed out the front door, I could make out in the dimness of the moonlight; that she was slipping out into the night, still clutching the phone. I followed her that cool night, and my alarm clock went into the attacking rhythm of the tension.What, exactly, would she find out? Just what was she willing to expose herself to in finding out the truth?I followed Eliza still, creeping very cautiously into the shadows, for I kept my distance so as not to be seen. Down the tortuous streets of the town, she led me at last to the leafy oak at the bottom and guided me past it.She was standing out there, looking about warily, and I crept closer and closer to her, trying to catch what she was thinking. Just then, when I was on the verge of being able to hear, a stick cracked under my foot.Eliza whirled around, squint
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