Eternal Fire (16 page)

“
Helena,” Liz said, “it is amazing that you were here, waiting for us. We were nervous about making this trip, but we couldn’t have planned it more perfectly.”

The old woman grinned. “I do have the gift of sight, my dear. I was expecting company.”

“
We’re so happy you decided to meet us,” Liz said. “Thank you.”

“
Yes, thank you for coming,” I said. “I need answers badly.”

“
And so do I. I desperately need to find my husband, Charles,” Liz said.

“
So you are both on a quest for answers.”

“
Yes,” Liz said.

“
Then you shall have them,” Helena said.

“
Thank you,” I said, gripping her hand. “Do you think Victor is alive?”

She motioned for me to follow her inside the cave entrance. The air hung heavy with the smell of damp earth. Walking in, I glanced around the stunning room, awestruck
by the millions of crystals shimmering like diamonds along the walls. Crystal-white stalactites dripped down like giant icicles, and a few sparse stalagmites sprung up from the ground looming over me.

Helena pointed to the limestone wall. “To find the answers you seek, you must simply gaze at the writing on the wall.”

I spun slowly around but didn’t see what she was talking about. I looked at Liz. “Do you see anything?”

She shrugged. “Nope.”

I began to think that the woman was crazy, because I didn’t see a thing. I bit my lip, pondering what to do. It seemed the lead wasn’t going to take us anywhere; it was a dead end and a waste of our risk, gold, and time. Every second was precious if Victor was still alive, and I was furious that we were getting nowhere.

“
Sarah,” she said in a scolding tone, “you shouldn’t have such little faith in me—or such little patience.”

I blushed, embarrassed that the woman could read me like a book.

She pulled some gold powder out of a small satchel she carried and blew it toward the wall. The magical crystals exploded in a burst of gold light, illuminating the gold as the gold glitter swirled all around us.

“
Now look at the wall,” her voice echoed. “As you move from room to room, you will see a story, scenes from your future.”

As my gaze swung to the wall, rivulets of colors swirled and a picture began to emerge.

Liz gasped.

The entire wall had been turned into a portrait of me, smiling and happy, looking down at my swollen belly. I sucked in a breath and let it out slowly as I turned to face Liz, a tear streaming down my cheek. If the picture was true, it meant I would be pregnant, but for all I knew, it could be ten years in the future. “When will I have a child?” I asked.

The woman touched my back softly. “You are with child as we speak,” she whispered.

It took a minute for the words to sink in.
Am I really…pregnant?
It did perfectly explain all the mood swings and the emotions running through me like wildfire, as well as why I felt lightheaded and dizzy at times. I had blamed it on my power coming in, but it was something else entirely. I swelled with a happiness I couldn’t even explain. My hands caressed my stomach. I was carrying Victor’s child—
our
child. I smiled, knowing that our baby had been created in complete and perfect love, on the day when we’d made love in the forest, when Victor created that beautiful thunderstorm. I fell to my knees as emotion overwhelmed me. Even if Victor was dead, he’d left me with a way to carry on his bloodline, with something to remember him by. There was no greater gift, for I’d longed for the day when I could give Victor a son or daughter. I knew I’d cherish and marvel at that little miracle every single day, for the rest of my eternal life. “So that’s why I’ve been so emotional lately!” I said.

“
Don’t forget moody,” Liz added.

Tears streamed down my cheeks. “I’m pregnant!”

Liz squealed and hugged me tightly. “Congratulations, sis. I can’t believe I’m going to be an aunt.”

“
I can’t believe it either,” I breathed out.

“
Let’s celebrate,” Liz said. “Where’s the tequila?” When I gave her a cross look, she patted me on the shoulder. “For me, not you.”

I couldn’t stop grinning as thoughts rushed through my mind. “This is the best surprise and biggest blessing in the entire world,” I said.

Liz gripped my hands, her eyes twinkling. “I guess surprises in our lives can jump out at us when we least expect it.”

I was awed by the fact that I had a tiny human being growing inside of me.
I wondered what my child would look like, if he or she would have brown eyes like mine or blue ones like Victor. I pictured talking, rocking, and singing to my baby, and I couldn’t wait to find Victor and start planning for our new addition. The cold castle would be warmed by the pitter-patter of little feet.

I hoped against all odds that Victor was alive somewhere. Part of me wanted to believe it wholeheartedly, but another part
desperately clung to reality so I wouldn’t be crushed again. I wasn’t sure my heart could handle the news if I found out for sure that Victor was dead. Trying not to drown in grief again, I tried to picture Victor’s face when he heard the news about our baby. I knew he’d be just as excited as I was.

“
There’s more,” Helena said.

As I turned to glance at the wall, I saw more colors swirl in the portrait, and a figure next to me began to form. I stared into the handsome face of my wonderful husband, beaming as he touched my stomach.

Happy tears ran down my face as I collapsed to my knees, consumed by emotion and hope. “He’s alive!” I couldn’t believe it. Victor hadn’t even been at the ceremony in the temple, and Ethano had killed a shape-shifter who’d taken on Victor’s image, just to upset me as fuel for his spell. Now I was positive Victor was being held prisoner somewhere.

Helena stretched out her hand to help me stand. Her eyes glittered as she smiled, and I could tell by the look on her face she was truly happy for me.

I could hardly contain my excitement as I hugged her, then Liz. I sobbed into Liz’s chest. “Can you believe Victor is alive?”

“
The walls tell no lies,” Helena said, pointing to the next room. “The next portrait awaits you.”

Liz stroked my hair softly. “We’re gonna find him, Sarah. I promise you that. C’mon. There seems to be more to the story.”

I didn’t want to see the next portrait. Everything was perfect, and Victor was alive. I’d soon be bringing a beautiful baby into the world. It was the happiest moment of my life, and I was terrified it might be shattered by the next visit.

Liz clutched her heart. “I’m dying to see about Charles.”

I smiled. “I’m sure answers are coming soon.”

As we walked into the next room, swirls of paint began
spreading
rapidly
across
the
cave
ceiling and
walls.
Stars speckled the night sky above us. Then, dead on the ground, I saw Victor and me, while Ethano held our baby, with a smile plastered on his face.

Rage engulfed me. “The bastard!” I shouted.

“
It’s all clicking into place,” Liz said, her voice echoing along the cavern walls. “The reason why Ethan’s shape-shifter spell didn’t work was because there is a life force still attached, only—”

“
It isn’t Victor’s. It’s my baby’s!” I knew in that moment that our baby had saved my life, and I was stunned by the thought. I was supposed to protect that little, fragile life, but the child had saved its mother. I touched my stomach. “Thank you for saving me, my beautiful son.” My voice wavered. The amount of love I felt for the infant already was nothing short of amazing. I looked up at the wall and touched my son. He was beautiful, absolutely beautiful, and the sight of him melted my heart, even if he was in Ethano’s arms.

“
Ethano did disconnect you from Victor,” Liz said.

I let out a sigh. “I knew he had because I couldn’t feel our bond.”

Liz’s lips pressed into grim lines. “Ethano sensed the baby. He wants
your
baby.”

The thought infuriated me. “No!” I screamed. “Never! I’ll kill him first!” Then Helena’s voice rang in my ears: “
The walls don’t lie.”

“
We won’t let it end this way,” Liz said. “The future can be changed.”

I looked at Helena for affirmation. “Can it?”

“
The walls don’t lie, but that doesn’t mean the future can’t be changed.”

According to the current path of events, my child was destined to be snatched from me and raised by a monster. I had to change that, no matter the cost. My heart ached, knowing that my precious child could be used in such a vile manner. I couldn’t imagine not being there for him. I wanted to be there to put a Band-aid on an open cut, kiss away all his pain, and tell him everything was going to be okay.

Without hesitation, I ran to the next room, where the next portrait awaited.

Ethano patted the back of a five-year-old boy, who held out his hands. Fire sprung from them and devastated a city, consuming it with smoke and fire. When I blinked, the boy in the portrait spun around to face me, and I recognized him instantly. He had dark hair, and his blue eyes shone brightly, just like his father’s.

“
That’s my son,” I said in horror. “What’s Ethano doing to him? He’s training him to be a killer!”

“
Immortals do not have power during childhood,” Liz whispered.

“
Then how is he doing that?” I asked. I turned to the old woman. “Where would my son get such powers?”

“
Another legend tells of a boy who would be born from a warrior king and a loving queen with a pure heart. The boy will have unspeakable powers. His father will have conquered countless countries, and his mother will have stopped wars. Your son will either take after his mother and become a hero of the land, or he will take after the bloodline of his father, tyrants who have ruled for centuries. Ethano will choose to take him down his father’s path, down the path of his wicked grandfather. He wants to shape him into evil.”

I was mortified. “How can I stop it?”

“
Can it even be stopped?” Liz asked.

“
This is the current path, but the future can be changed.”

“
How?” I asked.

She pointed to the next room, and I rushed through the cavern opening, my heart racing.

There was a picture of Victor and me in a hospital room—a modern-day hospital room. I gasped when I saw myself in an ugly, backless gown, holding a precious bundle in my arms. Victor had given up his kingly garb for a black polo shirt and blue jeans.

Tears rolled down my face, and I brimmed with happiness. Victor was alive, and I was having a bouncing baby boy. I’d do anything to save all of our lives, even give up the kingdom and people I’d grown to love over the last year. “We have to leave through the portal,” I said. “It’s the only way.”

“
Yes, it is the only hope to save your lives, as well as your son’s,” the woman said.

“
Tell me, Helena, where is Victor now? I must go to him,” I said.

She looked at me, and I knew it was her cue for me to move to the next room, where the next portrait was ready and waiting. Victor and Charles were chained in leg irons, sealed in a giant tomb. The chains had to be something special, or the Immortal would have been able to break them. Torches blazed from the dark, cracked walls of the underground prison cell. There were no windows and only one heavy door.

“
They’re both being held captive in a castle Ethano recently conquered,” Helena said.

Liz touched the image of Charles. “We have to rescue them.”

“
We’ll get them back, no matter the cost. I’ll take in an army and storm the castle.”