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
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 POVI just stood there, indecisive, while Jethro was still seizing, the wild, almost feral light glaring from his eyes. I knew I had to act, or maybe I would lose him forever.But before I could take even a step forward, he growled again, his voice low and menacing. "Get out, Sara! Call me Tunisha, or get out!!"I stumbled back, rather alarmed. Tunisha? What kind of a name is that? Why had Jethro insisted that I phone? Who had anyone ever phoned?No sooner did it cross my mind than the door suddenly burst open and Elias and Emma both tumbled in. "What's going on?" Elias asked out loud, looking frantically around the room.My eyes alighted on Emma and she appeared rather bemused. "Sara, what is happening to you? Why are you on the floor?"I tried to stand up as I attempted to answer her. "Jethro. he's not himself. He's asking me to call Tunisha, who's Tunisha?".Emma's face contorted one level further in bewilderment. "Tunisha? What. what is he going on about? Why would he ask y
Sara's POV "I don't know who I am anymore," Jethro whispered. "I don't know what's real and what's not."Her heart went out to him. She knew how hard it had to be for him to have his memories ripped away from him."We will help you find yourself again," Sara said, squeezing his hand. "We will help you to remember who you are and what you mean to me."Jethro's eyes locked with hers, and for a moment, Sara thought she saw something there, a glimmer of hope. But then, his gaze slid away, and he pulled his hand from hers."I'm sorry, Sara," he said, his voice chilly. "I don't know who you are."Sara felt as if she'd been socked in the gut. She knew he didn't remember her, but to hear him say it like that was almost as if he slapped her across the face."It'll be all right," she said, steadying her voice. "We'll go through this together."She only found emptiness in Jethro's eyes. He was gone, lost in a sea of forgotten memories. And Sara didn't know how to reach him.Author's ViewpointL
Sara's POVNodding, I tried to find the grasp at all that hope, but it was hard to see that Jethro's memories with his ex were still in place and all of those moments with me were gone. It was like losing him all over again, but what I would do to keep that from happening, I had no idea.I drew back, swiping the tears from my eyes. "What if he won't, though?" I barely said it.Soft, sympathetic face from Emma. "Then we will also face that. But I have to believe that Jethro's memories of you, deep down inside, are still there. And with some time and patience, they will resurface."I nodded in a hopeful manner, but it was very hard to do so when deep down inside, I knew that Jethro remembered his ex-girlfriend and was sane, while he never knew me.Suddenly, Elias came out of the room. Serious was all over his face. "Sara, can I talk to you for a minute?" he requested.I nodded, and a feeling of fear suddenly took hold of me. What could Elias want to talk to me about?"Let's go into the
Sara's POV Elias cursed under his breath. "That's just great," he muttered. "We need to find a way to make him regain his memories, and soon."I nodded for it. "I'm game," I said. "I'll bring back all his memories if I have to."Emma put a hand on my shoulder. "We will do it together," she said. "We will help Jethro regain his memory, and we shall pass this as a team."I smiled in gratitude at my friends. Of course, with them there beside me, surely we would come out of this ordeal united, with Jethro remembering me once again.As I turned to go back to Jethro, there he was, standing at the door, his eyes so cold and hard."Get off me," he growled in a low, rumbling voice.I shivered but stood my ground. "Jethro, please," I said. "Listen to me."But he only turned and walked away from me, leaving me spent and broken.I followed him with my spirit leaving, sinking in a despairing feeling. Why wouldn't he remember me? We had so much time together, happy and unforgettable, sometimes ver
Sara's POV I nodded while emptying the mug, then got to my feet. Elias slid his arm across my shoulders in a brotherly manner when we were outside the coffee shop."Let's get through this together," he said, and for the first time since Jethro's rejection, hope stirred inside me. Maybe, just maybe, I would heal and move on with Elias by my side."As he looked at me, his care for me all the time," I couldn't help it. Then I remembered Emma—how close Elias and she seemed to have gotten."Elias, can I ask you something?" I stated as we approached his car."Of course, Sara," he responded, opening the door for me."Have you and Emma made things official?" I asked casually.Elias turned his gaze on me, his eyebrows raised in surprise again, and said, "Official?""You know, like a couple," I explained, really feeling somewhat awkward.He started chuckling and shook his head. "No, Sara, nothing has been made official with us. But I do have to say that I care about her; she is a great person.
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