A knock on the door jolted me out of my passion.
Damn! We need our own place.
“Yes?” I barely managed.
“
Let’s go,” Liz said. “You said we were leaving an hour ago to see Beth.”
I let out a breath. “Be down in a minute.”
Soft, tender lips pressed gently against mine in short, sweet kisses. Victor then whispered in my ear, “I love you more than anything.”
“
I love you too.”
“
I’ll do anything to save our family, even if it means staying here for a time.”
“
That means everything to me, Victor.”
“
After long centuries of darkness and loneliness, I’m thrilled to have a loving, loyal, dedicated wife, and I’m even more thrilled to raise a family with you, Sarah.”
“
We’re going to have a beautiful life,” I said, cupping his face. “Our love will conquer all obstacles that stand in our way.”
“
Nobody can take away what we have,” Victor said.
“
Nobody,” I agreed. There was an honest sincerity in his eyes, and I believed every word he spoke in those hushed, romantic whispers.
“
I’ll let my brother run things for now, but in time, I must return and reclaim my throne.”
“
You have made a wonderful compromise, my King,” I said, “and I know it’s a lot to ask.”
His eyes twinkled as he kissed my hand. “We’ll raise our son to be loving and generous, just like his mother.”
I smiled at the thought. There would be nothing more fantastic, more satisfying than having a kind and loving son. We refused to let Ethano program our son with his propaganda or to turn him into the monster I’d seen on the fortune-teller’s cavern wall. Our Alexander would live up to the true meaning of his name.
* * *
I walked into Beth’s hospital room carrying a huge teddy bear I’d purchased from the hospital gift shop.
Her eyes lit up the second she saw me, and then she glanced at Victor and Charles. “Uh…hi, everyone,” she said. “Frank told me you were back in town, Sarah. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
I hugged her, and she embraced me tightly.
“
I was so worried when you didn’t come back through the portal with us,” she said.
“
I’m fine,” I said, gripping her hands.
Her gaze drifted back to the guys. “Victor and Charles, you fellas are looking good in those tight shirts. It’s really hot.”
I playfully slapped her. “Stop! They can’t help it my dad’s not exactly a bodybuilder. We had to raid his closet, but we’re going shopping after this.”
“
Those shirts do
way
more justice then those cloaks they wore. Not one muscle is left to the imagination.”
Liz walked in after parking the car. “Beth! We’ve missed you so much.”
“
It’s great to see you.”
Liz held up a bag of fast food. “Burgers and fries, anybody?” she squealed in excitement. “Your nurse said it’s okay.”
“
You shouldn’t have,” Beth said.
“
Well, I remember hospital food from when I had my tonsils out. I’m sure it hasn’t gotten much better. Plus, I’ve been waiting a decade for a Whopper. They didn’t exactly have drive-thrus where we were.”
She laughed. “You’re right about that,” Beth said, reaching for a fry. “Oh, this is heaven! Thanks, guys.” She popped another fry in her mouth. “What you did for Frank was amazing. I saw it all on television. He stopped by, but I was sleeping.”
“
Frank showed me a picture of little Christopher. He’s adorable, with blond hair and blue eyes, just like his mama.”
Beth grinned. “Thanks. Now tell me, how did you guys get through the portal?”
“
It’s a long story,” Liz said.
“
Yeah,” I said. “Just know we’re gonna be here for a while.”
“
Let me take a wild guess,” Beth said. “You’re in trouble with the Immortals.”
I bit my lip. “Something like that.”
“
You’re more than welcome to stay with Christopher and me.”
“
Thanks for the generous offer, but we’re staying with Sarah’s parents,” Victor said.
“
That’s great.” She looked at Victor and Charles, then Liz. “Hey, would you guys mind if I talked to Sarah alone? I have some things I need to clear up with her.”
“
No problem. I think I hear a vending machine calling my name,” Liz said, looping her arm around each guy. “You wanna see how one works?”
“
We’ll give you two some time to talk.” Victor walked outside the door.
Beth’s eyes welled up with tears. “Sarah, I’m so sorry I didn’t wait for you when we left through the portal. I thought you were right behind us.”
“
It’s okay. I chose to stay behind.”
“
You should’ve told us. We thought something horrible had happened. Frank and I staked out the portal countless times, looking for a Guardian to follow. We even held a few expeditions there with the team.”
“
How are they? The team?”
“
They’re fine, but they’re worried sick about you.”
“
I’m sure they’ve seen the news by now and know I’m still alive and kicking.”
Beth met my gaze and let out a long breath. “I’m sorry about the whole Frank thing. I never meant to get in the way of you two.”
“
I was over Frank long before that, even if he wasn’t over me.”
“
He’s still not over you,” Beth said.
“
I’m sorry I got in the way.”
“
I love him,” Beth said. “I really do. I want nothing more than to be a family.”
“
He’s a great guy—maybe a tiny bit obnoxious, but still a great guy.”
She laughed. “I hope to win his heart back again someday.”
“
You know my favorite saying, right?”
She grinned. “Sure. Love can conquer all.”
“
Do you love Victor?”
I gripped her hands. “With all my heart.”
“
I’m happy that you’ve found true love. No one deserves it more than you.”
“
Thank you.” I touched my stomach. “I’m having his baby too.”
Her entire face lit up. “Oh, Sarah! Congratulations!”
“
Thanks, Beth.”
“
No wonder you’re beaming.”
“
I know. Victor and I couldn’t be happier.”
“
It is strange seeing Victor here in our world, in normal clothes. How is he adjusting?”
“
It’s too early to tell.”
“
Are you going back to Tastia when everything dies down?”
“
I’m sure that’s his plan. I’m sure he won’t give up his kingdom and title to stay here forever. I can’t deny that part of me hopes he’ll fall in love with the place and give it all up for a wonderful life here with our child in a modern-day world.”
“
Only time will tell,” she said.
“
Was Frank pissed at me when they arrested him for my murder?”
“
He didn’t hold it against you, Sarah—not once.”
“
He’s such a saint.”
She laughed. “Perhaps a sarcastic one.”
We both chuckled.
I touched her arm. “How long do you have to stay in the hospital?”
Her lips pressed into a grim line.
“
What’s wrong?” I asked.
“
The doctors tell me I’ll never walk again.” She looked away as her voice began to tremble. “My spinal cord was severed in the accident.”
I gripped her hands. “Gosh, Beth, I’m so sorry.”
A tear rolled down her face as emotion consumed her. “I’ll never run on the beach with Christopher or dance again. I won’t be able to go on any expeditions in the deep woods. My life is over, Sarah.”
I hugged her and held her as she wept, and I tried to whisper words of comfort and encouragement.
“
What’s wrong?” Liz asked.
Beth looked up at her. “I’m paralyzed from the accident. I’ll never walk again.”
“
I’m so sorry,” Liz said. “I’m here for you if—”
I cut Liz off. “Remember when Ethano’s men found us at your castle? We escaped, and there was a battle.”
Liz nodded. “Yeah.”
“
You healed that horse who was fatally wounded.”
Liz met my gaze, aware of what I was about to ask.
“
Can your gift be done on a human?” I asked.
Beth’s eyes widened. “What are you saying?”
“
I’m asking my sister if she has the power to heal you.”
Liz set down her coffee. “I’ve only healed animals.”
“
I know, but
can
it be done?” I asked.
“
I don’t know,” she said. She looked up at Victor. “Can it?”
“
Liz isn’t strong enough yet,” Charles said, “but she will be in time.”
Victor shifted his stance. “There’s only one way to find out.”
Liz inched toward Beth. “Do you want me to try?”
“
I’m willing to try anything,” she said.
Liz closed her eyes and touched Beth’s legs, and a yellow light began to swirl around. A wind came out of nowhere and grew stronger by the second. Cups, cards, and other items blew off the bedside table. Papers from the chart hanging on the wall swished. A loud howl broke through the eerie silence, and then it began to die down.
“
I need more power,” she said. “I’m losing the connection.” She inhaled deeply. “Charles is right. I’m not strong enough yet.”
Victor gripped Liz’s left hand while Charles gripped her right. I put my hand on her leg. With the energy of three more Immortals, Liz was able to reestablish the connection. Charles guided her through the process, telling her how to stay focused. The wind whipped across my hair as the long, horizontal window shattered with a
boom
. Little bolts of lightning flashed above our heads, and tiny orbs of energy surrounded the bed.
“
Almost there!” Liz yelled.
My head pounded, and I fought not to pass out.
A nurse’s voice almost caused me to lose the connection when she rushed in and tried to pull us away from Beth. Liz collapsed, and the wind immediately stopped. “What is going on?” the nurse roared.
Thunder boomed as lightning flashed. Peeking out the window, I could see the dark clouds rolling in. Instantly, I knew Victor was summoning a rainstorm. When I glanced at him, his eyebrows were arched in concentration.
“
A tree crashed through the window,” Victor said.
She looked out as rain pelted the window. “What tree?”
Victor closed his eyes and moved the woman out of the way as the giant, towering tree next to the hospital suddenly crashed through.
“
What’s going on?” the nurse asked, stumped.
I stared into her eyes. “You didn’t see anything. Lightning struck, and a tree crashed into the window, but everyone is okay.”