Eternal Conflict - Book 7 (The Ruby Ring Saga)

by Chrissy Peebles

  “A powerful queen? Not even close!”

  “My witches showed me bits and pieces of your world. I saw you turned my brother into a commoner. Imagine my brother, the great and mighty warlord king, used to having people bow down at his feet, serving him, and respecting him, working like a slave with a hammer.”

  “He was a construction worker.”

  “My brother was born from the most royal bloodline there is. How could you reduce him to a peasant?”

  “Why do you care?”

  “Because I don’t understand.”

  “It confuses the hell out of you, doesn’t it?”

  He cocked a brow. “What would make him do it?”

  “Love.”

  “How could love make one of the greatest kings in our world turn into a servant? He had no respect. No power. No status. No one knew who he was and he hid in the shadows, taking orders from others above him. You stripped him of his wealth, his status, his kingdom, and took everything away, and yet, he loved you even more.”

  “No, you took his kingdom away. We left to be free of you, to give our son a chance at a good life. As for me and Victor, you’ll never understand the kind of unconditional love we have. Our love is pure and true, something you’ll never have.”

  When he closed his eyes, I realized he was calling for back up. I was sure his minions were right outside the temple. I lifted my hands toward the ceiling, and a rumble filled the room. His eyes widened in fear.

  “Sarah! No!”

  He thought we’d been trained or empowered by some sort of wizard, but he couldn’t have been further from the truth. The ceiling caved in, and jagged rocks crashed into the water. I swam under and focused on a tunnel straight ahead. The water was murky, but I still could see.

  Suddenly, powerful hands gripped me around my waist.

  We wrestled underwater, and he rolled me like a croc in a vicious death roll. Dizziness overwhelmed me, and it was hard to concentrate on summoning my powers. Ethano tried to throw me off balance, and he wasn’t doing too bad of a job of it. I panicked, but I was focused enough to launch an assault. I threw a stream of electricity at him, and when he let go, I tried to swim away, out of his reach. Pain exploded in my back as a glowing red light engulfed me.

  He began pulling me toward him, and I tried to fight, but it was useless. I needed air. I concentrated, and I managed to break through the red bubble that encased me. Anger flooded through me, and it seemed to power the fireballs I hurled in his direction. One hit the roof, and tiny rocks rained down on top of him. In a blur, he grabbed me again with stunning force. Energy poured from my hands as streams of energy hit him, and bubbles rose all around us as we battled it out.

  Suddenly, the water began to recede before my very own eyes. I wondered if knocking Ethano out had somehow broken the spell. Footsteps echoed. I knew Ethano’s men had come.

  “Ethano!” one called.

  I traced out the closest exit I could find. I took splashing steps as I rushed back to the village I’d been swept away from.

  Chapter 16

  When I found the others, we all embraced.

  “We rescued as many as we could,” Liz said. “Jackson was amazing. He and his men just went to work and started pulling people from the current.”

  “Then we worked together and used our powers to dissipate the water,” Jackson said. “It took every single one of us to accomplish such a feat.”

  I looked at Jackson. “Thank you. I wish I could’ve helped, but I was taken downstream.”

  “We looked everywhere for you,” he said.

  Liz clutched her chest. “I was scared to death!”

  I met her gaze straight on. “We have to take Ethano out,” I said.

  She peered at me. “I know you’re anxious to help Victor and Charles, but we have to help these people. They need us desperately now. We got rid of most of the water, but still.”

  I motioned all around me. “This isn’t just some natural disaster. I had a run-in with Ethano in this temple nearby. He said he conjured all of this up to capture me.”

  Her jaw dropped. “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “You got away though. Did you fend him off with the new powers?” she asked.

  “Well, he put this necklace on me, and it disabled them.”

  “So how did you get away?”

  “I slipped under the water and…” I said, then filled her in on the entire story.

  “Okay. Well, I guess this changes everything. Let’s get to our husbands. We’ll be safer in larger numbers.”

  “No, we have to find Ethano,” I said. “I knocked him out, but he won’t stay out long, and he’s close. If we take him out here, Victor and Charles will have nothing more to worry about.”

  She cocked a brow. “What? Are you crazy? You’re not going back.”

  “I told him I’ll never run from him again, and I meant it. Let’s hunt him down and end this once and for all.”

  She thought about it for a moment. “It would be quite an accomplishment if we take him down right here, right now.”

  “He has witches working with him, so be on full alert.”

  “Where is this temple?” Jackson said. “We’ll all go together. We’ll have more power that way. My men and I will crush him. If we cut off the head of the snake, his so-called loyal followers will scatter.”

  “Um, Sarah,” Liz said, “we’ve got a huge problem.”

  I glanced over to where she was pointing and saw an angry mob of townspeople slowly approaching, holding sticks, swords, rocks, and pitchforks—anything they could use as weapons. It looked like a scene straight out of some old Frankenstein movie.

  “Didn’t we just help them?” Jackson asked, drawing his sword.

  “Stop!” I said. “Don’t hurt them. They’re under Ethano’s spell. He’s done this to me before. It was the very first time I had a run in with him.”

  “Then we need to move,” said a dark-haired man next to me.

  “If he cast this spell, he’s trying to slow us down,” Jackson said. “It’s meant as a distraction.”

  Liz let out a long breath. “That also means he woke up from his nap and is probably long gone. So much for finding and destroying him.”

  I shook my head. “He knows he doesn’t stand a chance against all of us. He didn’t bring enough backup because he thought he could just pluck me away from you. He has no idea who he’s dealing with now.”

  “We’ll get him,” Liz said, “and we’ll never be bullied by him again.”

  “Never again,” I parroted. “I’m going to make him pay for what he’s done to me, to Victor, to all of us.”

  Thinking about getting even just made me angrier. I wasn’t sure if that was healthy or wise, but thoughts of payback fueled the flames of revenge. Ethano had cut me so deeply, and not just physically. How dare he try to kill me? To kill Victor? To take over our world? He must be punished! I had always been a good person, with strong morals. I was compassionate and loved to help people. Still, after everything Ethano had done to me, it was hard to let go of that vengeful spirit. The hurt and grudges were piling up, but raging over unfairness kept me in emotional bondage, and it chewed away at me every day. I knew I was focusing too much on all the injustice, but the man had tried to steal my entire life.

  “When someone wrongs us, it is natural to seek revenge,” said a blond man as we trekked through a field.

  “But we’re overcoming evil with good,” Liz said.

  I sighed. “It’s hard for me to control these intense emotions. I want to be the queen my people need, but I feel like I’m not good enough. I don’t want to feel so…angry.”

  “I understand. You just want peace of mind,” Jackson said.

  “Yes. That’s why I’m fighting so hard. I want peace between all the kingdoms. I think Victor, Liz, Charles, and I can all make a difference in this world.”

  Jackson shot me a side glance. “Peace is all I’ve ever wanted.”

&n
bsp; I smiled. “I know my world is in excellent hands.”

  We continued talking while we walked, and that made me feel a little better. I hoped that once everything was settled and we had our kingdom back, I’d be able to let go of all the angst and fury that had built up inside me.

  Hours passed, and as we journeyed through the tall grass in the overgrown field, I noticed plumes of smoke high in the sky. I called for Victor in my mind, but he didn’t answer, and that troubled me greatly. All kinds of thoughts rushed through my head as I ran like a madwoman through the brush, screaming for my husband. When I saw a large boulder, I jumped on top of it and peered all around me.

  The landscape had been torn apart. Headless knights and corpses of humans and horses littered the field. The armor on the knights bore our crest. My heart sank as I realized that my Victor had lost that battle. Weapons were abandoned, huge craters dotted the area, and battle debris was strewn everywhere.

  Suddenly, as if I had willed it, a vision came into play. There was bright light all around me, streams of energy coming from both sides. The enemy battled us with supernatural powers, but we fought hard, with all our combined might. They’d gathered so many immortals that we didn’t have a chance, not even with our new and improved powers.

  Suddenly returning to the present, I opened my eyes and blinked several times.

  Jackson wrapped an arm around me. “I’m so sorry.”

  “The deaths continue to mount, and I wonder if it’s all worth it. It hurts to know these people died because of me.”

  “They were here willingly. They were soldiers, and they bravely sacrificed themselves for future generations to have freedom, dignity, and prosperity. They chose to fight because they believed in what you stand for, what you’re fighting for, in peace. They fought with bravery, courage, conviction, and devotion to their king and queen. The bodies here are the bodies of the most honorable of men.”

  I closed my eyes as guilt flooded through me. “I just want peace.”

  “The fight for justice, peace, and freedom must go on, Highness,” Jackson said. “We cannot let that tyrant rule the roost any longer. Ethano has killed thousands, entirely unjustly, and he must be stopped at all costs. If he is not, this world will crash and burn. Ethano fights for gain and greed. There will never be peace with him in power.”

  “I know,” I whispered. “It’s just hard seeing so many people die.”

  “They died fighting for a worthy cause,” he said. “Ethano’s numbers are frightening, and he’s got many immortals on his side. We will fight with all we’ve got, but we’re clearly the underdogs here.”

  “You’re right,” I said. “We need more people on our side.”

  “Especially more immortals. You’ve got us, but I’m afraid it’s not enough.”

  “Then we’ll find more,” I said, more determined than ever.

  Suddenly, a rider thundered through the underbrush, and Jackson recognized him.

  “What happened?” Jackson asked.

  “Our men made it,” he said, “but the mortals took a hit.”

  “Where’s Victor?” I asked frantically.

  “I’m afraid I don’t know, Majesty. It was a massacre. We lost lots of good men.”

  Liz caught up to me in a hurry. “We’re both alive, so our husbands have to be okay.”

  “I know, but I called for Victor, and he didn’t answer. Did Charles?”

  “Nope. Not a word.”

  I looked at the black plume of smoke spiraling into the air. What if Ethano captured them or used some artifact to keep them from reaching out to us? Or what if they’re hurt or unconsciousness?

  Just as I ran into the clearing, a soldier grabbed me. “No, my Queen,” he said. “It is much too dangerous.”

  I jerked myself out of his grip. “Please! I have to see for myself.”

  “Ethano is on the loose. You could be captured.”

  “I’d like to see him try.”

  Without another word of explanation, which I didn’t feel I owed anyone, I ran through the clearing, so fast he couldn’t catch me. He was a mere mortal, so I easily outran him. As I ran, I saw complete devastation, from charred trees to blazing infernos. I kept going and twisted and turned around the fire and smoke. I ran down a few hills and stopped when I reached a mountain ledge. Down below, in a meadow far away, a group of men were conversing. With my immortal eyesight, I could have sworn I could see the outline of Victor’s perfect form. Is it just my imagination? Am I being naïve, like that stupid vampire said? Too hopeful? Is my mind playing tricks on me? If it was him, I didn’t understand why I still couldn’t communicate with him using the power of the bond. I worried that it might be a trap, another of Ethano’s tricks. Even though my heart was pounding and I wanted nothing more to run down to greet my husband, I had to think logically.

  “Sarah!” a voice called in my head.

  “Victor! What happened? I lost the connection. I-I couldn’t reach you, and I—”

  “I was hit by an energy blast and was out for hours. My knights hid me in a small cave.”

  “I think I see you, down below.”

  He glanced up, and I instantly knew it was him. It wasn’t a trap, because Ethano couldn’t interrupt our special bond; it was one thing no spell or magic could breach. Yes, Ethano was able to disconnect it, but he could never get inside.

  “Victor!” I shouted, jumping down to the stony ground.

  “Sarah!”

  The next moment was magic, like something out of a movie, both of us running toward each other like two freight trains about to crash. When we met in the middle, he spun me around, embracing me tightly. He looked at me like I was the most precious thing he’d ever owned. I couldn’t look away from him, not even for a second. His gorgeous smile took my breath away.

  “We’ll get through this together.”

  “Together,” he agreed, without saying a word.

  True love was why we had made it as far as we had. Victor was the heart of my soul. I knew we would love each other for thousands of years, and our love would never be lost. I could feel the same pure joy he felt, and our bond was utterly amazing. Victor was part of me, and when I was with him, I felt truly at home, no matter what world we lived in. As long as I was by Victor’s side, nothing else mattered. No matter what happened or what future we faced together, my love for him ran deep. Our fairytale was a forever love, and he had left a lasting mark on my soul. When my husband kissed me, it was more than just a kiss. It was just perfect, and I felt our connection at a deep soul level. He understood and connected with me in every way. We shared a love so deep, so strong, so amazing, but our relationship went beyond love, intimacy, and sexuality. My love would always burn deep, always be unquenchable, and always be for him and him alone. I could feel how strong his love was for me, so real, so genuine, so sincere. I treasured every single kiss, from first thing in the morning to the last thing in the evening.

  He cupped my face. “I was so worried about you.”

  “When I couldn’t reach you, I didn’t know what kind of game Ethano was playing.”

  “Yes, he is always up to something sinister. We must plan our next move. We cannot sit still for too long.”

  I nodded. “You’re right. Don’t let me stop you. We have a war to win.”

  He smiled and kissed my lips again. When he broke away from the kiss, he looked at me sincerely. “I need to talk to Jackson,” he said. “I have a strategy that I am certain will work.”

  From out of nowhere, a group of knights crashed through the vegetation, startling me.

  “Don’t worry. We’re on your side,” said one of the mortals.

  I sighed in relief.

  “Highness,” a knight called, “Ethano is at the Bormado Cliffs. He’s calling for you.”

  “It’s not good, Majesty,” another man warned. “They have King William and Queen Della.”

  A chill shot up my spine. “Then we’ll get them back.”

  Liz appeared n
ext to me. “He won’t bargain,” she said frantically. “If we’re going to rescue them, we need to do it quickly.”

  I touched her arm. “We’ll stall him while we send in some knights. We’ll get them back.”

  She nodded. “If we don’t, I’ll kill him myself.”

  “Not if I do first.”

  “You might want to wait here,” the knight told Liz and me.

  “So you can check it out?” I asked.

  “We have secured the area, but you may not like what you see.”

  I swallowed hard. “What did the monster do now?”

  He looked away. “He has killed the captives, our men, in the most horrific way.”

  “I will finish this once and for all!” Charles said.

  “And Ethano is still there?” Liz asked. “At the cliffs?”

  “Yes, Majesty.”

  “Take me to the bastard,” I demanded, jumping on the horse closest to me.

  Chapter 17

  Victor looked at his men. “Find a way over there and destroy him.”

  “Yes, milord,” one said.

  Liz jumped on a black horse and galloped away. A knight led us to the spot where Ethano was waiting for us. I stood at the cliff’s edge. Our knights were crushed by sadness and horror. On the other side of the deep gorge, Ethano stood with a smug look on his face, as if he was proud of the severed heads up on wooden poles above him, dripping blood onto the ground.

  Anger burned through me as Ethano met my gaze and smiled. I stared into his evil eyes. He’d killed hundreds of our men and put them on display, and he sickened me. Blazing fireballs emerged from my hands, and I aimed for the mass murderer. My energy balls bounced off some type of force-field.

  “You’re not the only one who can use force-fields!” Charles yelled at Ethano.

  “Then I guess I can’t get to you…this time,” Ethano said. “Surrender, and perhaps you shall escape fate’s cruel hand!” he shouted.

  “Never,” Victor said.

  “Then die, dear brother.”

  Ethano’s men pushed a few more prisoners to the cliff’s edge. When I peered closer, I saw William and Della. He was holding them as collateral. William and Della had immortal bindings on, so they had no access to their powers.