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 povI remember all the times that Jethro and I shared—every smile, every laugh, the many various types of adventures that we had taken. All of that is over and gone. Wiped out from his mind as if it never was.An anger surged all over me; against the universe, against fate, against whatever had taken Jethro's memories away from him. Why was all this happening to us? Why were we being ripped apart in such a way?Then my anger began seeping out of me, leaving only deep sadness in its wake. I missed Jethro, missed us, missed the way things used to be.I slowly sat up, feeling heavy-bodied and puffy-eyed from crying. I stared around my room at the photos of Jethro and me, at the memories we'd shared.Then it hit me, like a ton of bricks, that I needed to save all the memories, to keep them alive, even though it hurt so bad. Because while Jethro may not have remembered me, I remembered him. And I always would.I rose to my feet and walked over to the dresser; my legs were trembling
Stella's POV "Okay, then," I said, trying to sound supportive. "Let's do this. Let's make Jethro remember."Sara's face lit up with hope, and I knew that I had to be there for her, no matter what lay ahead.Sara took a deep breath, her eyes searching mine. "I see that you have patched up with Mom after all that she did. I am glad about that, Stella." A wry, sad smile spread on her face as her eyes welled up in tears.I nodded, feeling a pang in my guilt. "Yeah, we worked it out. I couldn't stay mad at her, Sara. She's our mom, and she only tried to protect us, even if she went about it the wrong way."Sara's smile fell away and her eyes began to swim in tears as she turned away from me. "I know. I just wish she'd protected me from Jethro's rejection, the pain he's raking me over now."I walked towards her, my arms out and around her in a hug. "Oh, Sara, I'm so sorry. Wish I could take the hurt away, but I'm here for you, always."Sara nodded, her body shaking with sobs. "I know, St
Eliza's POVNot wanting to aggravate Sara any further, I turned to leave the kitchen. But my attention was seized by a fragment of their conversation as I turned.".Jethro's doctor's appointment today," Sara said in a hushed tone. "We'll finally get some answers."Immediately, my curiosity was piqued. What could Sara be hoping to find out from Jethro's doctor? And what did it have to do with her plan?I had a wave of determination pass over me. Whatever it took, I was going to find out what Sara was up to. I was going to follow her to Jethro's doctor's appointment and see what I could learn.As I left the kitchen, this feeling persisted that something was off. All these secrets of Sara's were getting worse and worse, and I was getting really worried about what she might do.I walked back into my room, my mind racing. What was Sara looking to get from Jethro's doctor? How would it fit together with whatever it was she had planned? I was bound to know more.I devised this quick, kind-of
Mrs. Gilbert POV I watched Eliza go, and the further she got the more I began to think that Sara was right. She was up to something, and I don't know what. Her excuse for going into Sara's room seemed flimsy at best and I couldn't help but feel she'd been looking for something.A sigh heaved from my lips as the first feelers of unease began to creep in. Sweet, innocuous little thing, that was Eliza in my mind; now, I was beginning to think maybe she wasn't so simple after all.She was always quiet about her secrets; now I painfully knew why. What Eliza did raised a big red flag in my mind, and with that, I began jumping at what else she might be concealing.I soon set eyes on Eliza, in the hope of detecting whether she would let fall any of the promised schemes. Somehow, I felt sure there was something behind this that was beyond me to find out just now, and that possibly it would be revealed later on, so I watched.I turned away to walk back into my office, but this feeling that so
Sara's POV I walked into the room of Eliza with my held head high. We refused to talk to each other since my mother had caught her snooping around in my room. I was determined to get some answers."What were you doing in my room, Eliza?" I tried to strengthen the question as much as possible.Eliza jerked her head up, her eyes blazing as she continued, "I don't owe you an explanation, Sara.""I think you do," I said, holding her eyes in mine. "My mom busted you red-handed, ransacking my shit. What were you trying to get your hands on?"Eliza sneered at me, yet with some look in her eyes, it burnt out the flicker of uncertainty. "I was just looking for something," she said vaguely.I lifted an eyebrow. "Something? Of what sort?"Eliza twisted her face, turning cold and calculating. "You'll find out soon, Sara. For now, let's say I'm not the only one with secrets."A cold, hard chuckle. "I'm not afraid of you, Eliza. Or your secrets. So, go ahead. Try to make me feel small. But it won'
Sara’s POVHer words had just made me more furious, but I couldn't relent. No matter what she threw at me, I had to fight for Jethro."You're going to regret messing around with me, Eliza," I said in a voice of steel. "I'm not the same person I was back in high school. I'm stronger now and I won't let you try to push me around."Eliza laughed, malevolently cold and mirthless. "We'll see about that," she said, and there was something of menace flickering in her eyes. "I'm going to destroy you, Sara, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it."The hair on my arms stood up as she let those words roll off her tongue, but I wasn't about to back down and have her accuse me of anything. I'm going to fight for Jethro now that I know what she thinks she's going to do to me. Bring it on, Eliza. I'm ready for you.Just then, as Eliza and I were about to have it out, my sister Stella came in with a questioning look on her face. "What goes on here?" she asked, her eyes darting from Eliza to me.I
Sara's povI sloughed off the covers, got up, and padded over to the door silently. I put my ear to the door to better hear.The whispering grew louder now, and I could hear Eliza's voice. She was speaking to someone, but I could not make out who it was.I felt a surge of anger along with curiosity. Who could Eliza be talking to, and about what?Bit by bit, I slowly turned the knob, trying to do so without causing too much noise, until I finally managed to open it.Down the corridor, there stood Eliza, the phone to her ear. Silent, I stared to make out who, the person in front of her, was talking to. She gazed at me and a slow grin fixed onto her face. "Getting some advice from a friend," she said, honeyed with bitterness.My eyes narrowed, scowling. An advice friend from one so devious as Eliza conjured up darker notions.I made sure my eyes focused and stepped into the hallway. "Who are you talking to?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice low.Eliza laughed again; this time, her hea
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