Eternal Bloom - Book 5 (The Ruby Ring Saga) (17 page)

His eyes seemed to return the smile, but a shadow crossed his face. “You may.”

Thoughts raced through my head. I imagined Alexander take his first steps, getting on the school bus for the first time, and I thought of wiping his little tears away when he was sad or skinned his knee. Now I would get to be his mother, and that was the greatest thing of all. I had never even been officially introduced to the little man, yet he meant everything to me, and I was willing to die for him. Words couldn’t even begin to express the love I had for him. I thought about all those hugs, all those cuddles, and all those first milestones. I loved Alexander from the depths of my soul, right the first minute I knew he even existed. I was going to enjoy everything and every moment motherhood had to offer, no matter how small and trivial. I had come so far to save him, to save me, but I would have done anything to see him breathe life. That was why I’d fought so hard for him at the mountain. When Dr. Meyers wanted to deliver him prematurely to save my life, I knew at that very second that I’d die in Alexander’s place if I had to.

Victor gazed down at me and smiled.

I grinned back  up at him, overcome with happiness. “I told you we’d beat this thing,” I said triumphantly. I let out a sob of joy. I sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. My hands shook in anticipation.

As I started to reach for the bloom that would save my life, White Coyote grabbed my hand. His frown lines deepened. “Know this, Sarah. When you take this bloom, twenty-five villagers will die.”

My knees began to tremble at the shocking revelation, and my shoulders slumped. One look into his serious eyes told me it wasn’t a joke. “No! Please don’t tear out my heart like this.”

“This can’t be true,” Victor said, stunned.

I exchanged a shocked look with him, then took a deep breath as I contemplated my dire situation.

“Why didn’t Jackson tell us about these horrible consequences?” I asked.

“He knew you wouldn’t come,” Victor said. “He only cares for your wellbeing so you can help him with his expedition.”

Swallowing hard, I pondered. “He must’ve thought I’d do it once I was this close to the cure. He knows how much I love my son, and he exploited that,” I said.

Victor gazed at the man. “If picking this flower will kill some of your people, why are you not protecting it? Why are you willing to let Sarah pluck it?”

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...

T
he 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.”