Eternal Bloom - Book 5 (The Ruby Ring Saga)

by Chrissy Peebles

  His eyes saddened, and he gripped his spear. “You passed the morality test, so I am obliged to let you choose. It is the way of the island.” He then looked at me. “You have a kind heart and have helped the poor. Your compassion is remarkable and overflowing. Will you sacrifice twenty-five lives to save your own? To be the mother to your unborn child? To be with the love of your life for all time?”

  “Are you telling me this was all for nothing?” I asked desperately. “I can’t possibly take the lives of so many for my own selfish needs.”

  White Coyote’s gaze narrowed. “Selfish? Is it selfish to want to be there for your child?”

  “I-I want to be his mother.” Tears welled up in my eyes. “Don’t you see? I’m destined to be his mother.”

  The old chief looked at me with hopeful eyes. “Then do it. The flower is within your grasp. Just pluck it, and you will have everything you ever wanted,” he said.

  I shifted uncomfortably. “At what cost? How could I live with myself if I—”

  “Sarah will never do such a thing,” Victor said. “If you knew anything about her, you would know my wife is the most compassionate, caring person in the world. Have you not seen that while you’ve been probing around in our minds?”

  White Coyote’s brow furrowed. “Then I’m afraid your journey here is done. It is time for both of you to leave the island.”

  I pulled Victor to the side and glanced over my shoulder at White Coyote. “Just give me a minute to discuss this with him.”

  Victor scrunched up his brow in confusion, then nodded. “Just be careful not to anger him, and do not take long.” He cupped my cheek. “You know this is the only chance we have, but at the cost of so many lives? How can we...” he said, his voice drifting off.

  “We just...can’t.” My legs shook, and my head spun. I touched his face. “We gave it our best shot, but we’re not murderers.”

  Victor shook his head, visibly upset. “Jackson should’ve disclosed this to us.”

  “Why did it have to turn out like this?” I asked in a grim tone.

  My husband gently pushed aside some strands of hair that had fallen over my eyes. “This island may not be our only hope, love. We will not stop trying. I love you far too much to give up.”

  “I love you too.” I buried my head against his shoulder.

  His hand wandered to the small of my back, rubbing ever so gently, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes again. Victor held me tight, and his voice came as soft as a whisper. “We must leave immediately. We still have a little time to keep looking for answers.”

  I placed my hands on top of his. “I’m not trying to be negative, but maybe it’s time to face reality. It has been...a valiant attempt.”

  He gazed deeply into my eyes. “Don’t you do that, Sarah. Don’t you dare give up, because I am not.”

  “I’m not either, Victor, but we have to face the reality that I may die soon. Being in denial and pretending like it isn’t gonna happen isn’t going to help either one of us.”

  “How can I face the fact that the love of my life is dying?” he asked.

  My stomach twisted into knots. “You must stay strong for him, Victor, for our Alexander. Our baby boy is going to need you, and you can’t fall apart.”

  He opened his mouth, but no more words came out as he held me close and wept.

  “I know how much it hurts, but we’re not supposed to spend my last days being sad,” I whispered, staring into his red, blood shot eyes consumed with emotion.

  He just hugged me tighter as grief seeped through him. The realization hit him hard, and the thought that he might lose me forever was more than he could take.

  “Let’s just go home, Victor,” I said.

  The lines in White Coyote’s face softened, and compassion flickered in his dark eyes. “Victor, I implore you not to walk away. You have the opportunity to have everything you’ve ever wanted. Tell your wife to pick the sacred flower, and your son will have the loving mother he deserves.”

  Victor pondered the offer for a moment. “Is there another way? Can’t we save Sarah without hurting anyone else?”

  A frown formed between his brows. “No.”

  Tears trickled down my cheeks. “Then I believe we’re done here.”

  Victor wrapped his arm around me in a comforting gesture, and we started to slowly walk away.

  Wiping the tears away, I stared at the fluffy, white clouds slowly drifting by in the blue sky. The island had been nothing more than a waste of precious time, a dead end, a false hope. Still, we had to explore every possibility. I wanted Alexander to know that I tried everything, that I never gave up and exhausted every single option. I thought about the letter I’d written for my mother to read to him, and the thought tore me apart. I’d also left him video diaries, photo albums, and mementos. A flashback hit me, and it took everything not to burst out in tears...

  Chapter 20

  The key unlocked, and Victor came inside.

  “Hi, honey. How was work?”

  He came over and kissed my lips. “I learned the new lines in the fight scene.”

  “I knew you’d nail it.”

  He glanced down and picked up one of the toys strewn across the table. “What are you doing? Sarah, what is all of this?”

  I ripped a piece of tape. “I’m wrapping up a toy car.”

  He cocked a brow. “Why? And who are all these presents for? Is it Christmas?”

  “They’re for Alexander.”

  Picking up a model train, he let out a long sigh. “Aren’t you getting a little carried away? Our son is going to be spoiled.”

  “No, not at all.”

  “Sarah, we have plenty of time to—”

  “You might have plenty of time,” I whispered, picking up a colorful toy. “This is a Mr. Snail. He plays ten different notes.” My voice wavered. “Alexander loves music, and it will help improve his visual acuity, hand-eye coordination, and mental processing skills.”

  “And when do you plan on giving him this?”

  “You will give it to him on his first birthday.” I stretched across the table and reached for a huge dump truck. “Alex will get this on his second birthday, and—”

  “You already bought him a gift for every birthday?”

  I nodded. “Up to his eighteenth.”

  Tears shimmered in his eyes. “You’re giving up, Sarah.”

  “No I’m not. This is just...well, just in case.”

  Victor touched my cheek. “You mustn’t think like that.”

  I picked up a Monopoly boardgame. “This one for his thirteenth birthday. It was my very favorite game growing up, and I thought he should experience it too. Maybe it’ll be his favorite game too. And see this one?” I grabbed the stomp rocket and held it up high, my voice growing in intensity. “It launches 200 feet in the air, without any batteries or fuel. It’s for his sixth birthday, and I’m sure he’ll love it.” I handed a radio-controlled car to Victor and felt the tears sting my eyes. Thoughts of Alexander opening his presents on his birthday without me was more devastating than anything I could ever imagine. The pain cut through my soul, and I squeezed my eyes closed, wishing I could just have one more year. Is that greedy? I wondered. Is it so awful to want to spend my son’s life with him? “He’s gonna love this racecar. I think it will be perfect for his eighth birthday. And this one is for...” Emotion choked my voice. “Oh, Victor!”

  He embraced me a tight hug. “It’s okay, Sarah. Everything is going to be fine. We will get through this together. We’ve conquered so many obstacles already.”

  I snuggled into his chest as gasping sobs wracked my body. “I don’t want to die,” I said. “I have so much to live for, such a beautiful family.”

  “We’re a strong family.” His thumbs wiped my tears away as he stared lovingly into my eyes. “I don’t care about the odds, Sarah. You’re not going to die.”

  “You don’t know that,” I spat.

  He held me tightly in his arms. �
��I see a bright future for us. I see us walking in the park, holding hands and watching our grandchildren play.”

  I smiled. “That’s beautiful.”

  “That’s reality,” he said confidently.

  * * *

  I returned to the present as Victor’s voice cut through my thoughts. “This is far from over,” he said. “I can tell you that.”

  I nodded. I wasn’t dead yet, and while it was important to face reality, I wanted to hope and believe too. That meant I needed to fight and never give up. Lately, my emotions had been getting the best of me, but I needed to stay strong and focused. It’s not over until the fat lady sings, I mused, and I haven’t sung a note!

  When we reached the edge of the field, White Coyote called my name. “Sarah!” he said at the top of his voice.

  I turned my head. “Yes?”

  With unnatural speed, he hurried over to us and handed me a gold key. “Again, you have passed the test.”

  “What?” I asked in shock. “But you already tested us once.”

  He straightened his broad shoulders and peered at me with eyes that pierced my very core. “Victor was tested with Ethano,” he said. “You were tested with the lives of strangers.”

  “But you gave me the opportunity to kill Ethano as well.”

  “Yes, but that was not your true test. You each had to be tested for character and purity of heart,” he said, his face growing solemn, his towering frame looming over me.

  “But you lied to me! You claim to be testing our morals, but you are the most dishonest—”

  “Sarah,” Victor coaxed, “please just let it go. If White Coyote is willing to help us, we must not question his mysterious ways.”

  White Coyote stepped closer. “Victor could have easily killed the panther with his great strength, yet he had mercy on the animal and let it go because you respected our ways.”

  “That was a test too?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  Victor squeezed my hand in victory, and I grinned.

  “I also tested you and Victor subconsciously through your dreams. I needed to know if you two truly loved each other.”

  I stared at him hard. “Did you really have the power to send me back to California before any of this happened like you said. Before I ever became Immortal? Or were you just messing with my mind?”

  “I could’ve done it. But you refused, because your love is far too great for Victor.”

  “You’ve really tested us,” I said.

  “Yes, I even caused the storm that caused the men to retreat in fear. I needed to see if you would fight for what you wanted so desperately. Rather than leaving with the terrified crew, you refused to give up. You jumped into those merciless waves and swam, exhausted yourselves to get to the island, no matter the cost. Your love for your child is genuine and unconditional, and you have passed every test I have put before you.” He looked at me, then at Victor. “Your hearts our pure, your intentions honorable, your compassion apparent, your love for each other unfailing.”

  “This whole journey...it’s all for the love of our son,” I said.

  His gaze narrowed. “Yes, I know. I am not a dishonest man, though, Sarah. If you had picked the flower without the key, your life would have been spared, but others’ lives would have been taken.”

  My brow furrowed. “And you would’ve just let me pick it?”

  “As White Coyote and guardian of this island, I would’ve stopped you a split second before your fingers broke the stem.”

  “And what if you couldn’t?” I asked.

  “Then many lives would have been sacrificed for yours, however—”

  “There’s always a ‘but,’” I said, rolling my eyes. “Or at least a ‘however.’”

  “This flowers works off the energy of the lost souls you took. You would have lived only twenty-five months for the cost of twenty-five lives.”

  “I would never have sacrificed those people,” I said.

  He stared at me for a long moment. “I know, and that is why you deserve the key. Only the purest of hearts can pick the flower of moral purity without bloodshed.”

  “Thank you,” I said, my eyes brimming with tears. “We can’t thank you enough.”

  He smiled. “Your next clue isn’t far,” he said, then pointed south.

  “Next clue? Can you just tell us where the garden is?” I begged, but when I blinked and opened my eyes again, the old man disappeared.

  Chapter 21

  We walked over huge logs and fallen trees. When I ducked under a tangle of ferns, the sound of water echoed in the air. I rushed toward the sound of trickling water. When I burst through a patch of vegetation, I was amazed at what I saw: a large stone fountain with water gurgling from four stone tiers decorated with flowers. “This is our clue?” I asked. “It looks like a typical courtyard fountain.”

  Victor touched his chin. “Perhaps it’s symbolic of water.”

  “Hmm. So we have snow and water,” I said. “What could it possibly mean?”

  He pressed his lips together and looked away, as if in thought. “Perhaps it has something to do with the various forms of water. When water freezes, it becomes snow, yes?”

  I pondered what he was saying, but the pieces still didn’t come together. “Evaporation would be the next process then.”

  “We passed their purity tests and have the key to the garden,” Victor said. “We know we’re looking for a flower.”

  “All we have to do is find the garden. Once we open the gate, I’m sure the flower will be on top of a hill, maybe even glowing.”

  Victor’s attention drifted to the left. “I am certain those paths weren’t there before.”

  I immediately started walking toward the mysterious new trails as an explosion of floral aroma drifted all around me. There were five different paths to choose from, each carpeted in a different variety of flower. “Which one should we take?” I asked.

  “We should follow the path of the flower from Jackson’s book.”

  “The third one, with the cherry blossoms?” The pastel path seemed to stretch into the horizon.

  The wrinkled lines between his brows relaxed. “Would you like to go for a stroll, milady?”

  I gripped his hand, smiling as we walked, hand in hand, down the fragrant, beautiful path. I had to chuckle at the fact that I couldn’t see my feet as I walked; my bulging stomach obstructed my view. I felt like I was gaining weight for three. I tried to ignore that and focus on all the beauty around me. The gorgeous, plush carpet of fallen petals in shades of pink and white completely mesmerized me, like a pink, soft blanket in the middle of a big, frightening jungle. As I was admiring all the beauty around me, I felt cramps. I breathed softly through them. I didn’t want to worry Victor, so I decided against mentioning them. “When Jackson told me about this island, I was quite skeptical,” I said.

  “I must admit that I was as well.”

  The path seemed endless, but I walked briskly, hoping to reach the end soon. “Jackson went through everything to find a cure for me. What do you think his motives really are?”

  “Those fiendish blue-ringed Immortals followed you to that market and sent Jackson in.”

  “Yes, but Jackson created a diversion by compelling the gunman to rob the store. He wanted to help me get away because he knew what they’d do to me.” I thought about that for a moment. “But what if he only saved me because he knows I bear the mark of Lantera? Maybe he sensed it somehow. He has so many abilities.” I tilted my head. “Do you think he originally came into the store to capture me for the Immortals, then saw the mark and changed his mind? He did look shocked when he first saw it. Or maybe he was really trying to help me, and the mark is just an added bonus for him.”

  “Or perhaps he’s a very good actor,” Victor said.

  I flashed him a grin. “Like you, at the theater?”

  He returned my smile. “No one could be such an excellent performer, my dear...but yes.”

  “He knew
my energy was at a dangerous level, that I was short circuiting.”

  “He needed you alive and knew your body would never hold out.”

  “So his people studied every ancient book, looking for a cure.” I shook my head. “That’s what scares me. What could be so important that they scoured those books for months to save a stranger, someone they don’t even know?”

  A deep line creased his forehead. “I fear they do have an agenda of their own, that they want to use you for some personal gain.”

  “But I’m just a map. At least they won’t be sacrificing me.”

  A worrisome expression crossed his face. “Sarah, we have no idea how treacherous this journey may be.”

  “We do know Jackson’s true identity though,” I said. “He works with the blue-ringed Immortals, but he moonlights for the rebellion, and that makes him a spy. What if Jackson kills us after we do this little favor for him? He’s clearly wishy-washy, and maybe he cannot be trusted after all.”

  Victor’s lips pressed into hard lines. “I assure you he cannot be.”

  “What if we join the rebellion?” I asked.

  “Sarah, I think they would be our best allies. At first, I thought it best not to join either side, that we should stay hidden in the shadows. But we tried that, and they took you. I felt such pain when they took you from me.”

  “If we have to pick a side, the rebellion will protect us, as long as we fight alongside them. I think it is best, Victor.” My voice grew louder as the awful memories of the laboratory returned. “Especially after what those idiots were going to do to me on that mountain.”

  His voice cracked. “They would have killed our son, and I would never have forgiven them.”

  “The blue-ringed Immortals are surely pissed about what you did to their mountain facility. I want to join the rebellion, but what if a war breaks out? Do you really want to be caught in the middle of it? I mean, what if they follow us back to our world and wreak havoc.”

  “Wreak havoc?” Victor asked. “Ethano has already done that, my dear.”

  I grabbed Victor’s arm when a sudden horrifying thought occurred to me. “What if Ethano joins them?”