Frank and Beth had disappeared to her right, where the wide street seemed deserted now. The houses to the left looked barely bigger than cottages that wouldn't withstand a strong autumn wind. She sighed and took that direction, the others following right behind.

Steven resumed the conversation first. "Where are we going?"

Sarah pointed to what looked like a large open space, peering through the houses. "The middle of the town. It's too early in the morning to do much other than wait."

"I thought people got up with the sun to milk cows," Steven said.

"This world's amazing-dangerous, but amazing nonetheless." Adam quickened his pace, passing her.

She grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Wait up! It isn't safe to just venture off on your own."

He seemed to barely hear her. "We gotta take proof back with us. Somebody can always say the film is fake, but if we have something concrete, some tangible proof, I could be the first scientist to prove other dimensions exist. We could prove this is where Bigfoot comes from."

Steven patted his bag. "But I've got the footage, man! I even got the Immortal dude on tape."

"That's admirable, man, but you know someone will say it's like all that fake footage on YouTube." Adam motioned around him. "Boy, I never thought a Bigfoot expedition would turn into all of this, that's for sure. We just need proof-tangible proof."

"Interesting conversation, guys, but in order to be actually able to tell the world about it, you'll have to get out of here first," Sarah said. From the corner of her eye, she noticed something flickering in one of the windows. Who would be awake at this ungodly hour? Regardless of who it was, she was glad someone was up, because she was tired and hungry, and the cold night wind had sent shivers through her. In all the excitement, the others didn't seem to care about such trivial things as keeping warm and eating, but she knew they'd thank her for it later. She took a tentative step toward the house.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a woman clad in an off-white dress peered out. A wimple like that of a nun hid her features, and a fur shawl was draped across her shoulders, going halfway down her legs. "Elizabeth?" The woman's voice came low and hoarse, as if she was still half-asleep. "Is that you, dear?"

Sarah stopped, frozen to the spot.

The woman inched closer and gripped Sarah's arm. "It can't be! Elizabeth?"

With her heart pounding hard, Sarah shook her head. "No. Elizabeth is my sister."

"Your sister?"

"Yes. Do you know her?"

The woman's eyes glinted as she turned Sarah to inspect her from all sides. "She came from so far away. How's it even possible that you're here?"

"I found a way into this world just like she did-sort of by accident." She took a step back, hiding her hand from view so the woman wouldn't notice the incriminating ring. Everyone seemed to fear her or hate her for it, and there was no need to push her luck. "I heard that Elizabeth met a man named Charles, a man from this town."

"Charles?" The woman looked away into the early dawn.

"Yes, that's what we heard," said Adam.

"Charles wasn't born here. He spent a year helping us rebuild after the flood. He met Elizabeth a few towns over." She looked around and lowered her voice to a whisper, as if she was about to share some juicy gossip. "But they had to keep their relationship a secret, you know."

Steven inched closer, his camera and aspirations of fame forgotten. "Why? Was he a rich noble or something?"

"An Immortal, and as I'm sure you know, it's forbidden for an Immortal to court a mere human."

Sarah gasped. "What? Did you say he's an Immortal?"

"Yes. Elizabeth grew quite fond of King William's son."

Sarah's jaw dropped. Liz fell for the son of evil King William, the guy who's trying to have me killed? And furthermore, how can Charles be such a saint, helping these peasants after a disaster nearly destroyed their city, if his father is such a monster? Her sister was so close, she could feel it. Her eyes widened, her heart pounding even harder. "My sister's in the castle then?"

The woman looked away, tears welling up in her eyes. "Dear, your sister married him and slipped on the Ring of Immortality. The other Immortals found out and..." She looked down for a moment before she could finish. "Oh, I hate to have to tell you this, but-"

"What?" Sarah demanded.

"They executed her...and Charles too. The funeral was last year."

Wait...Liz is gone? Murdered? For the same mistake I made? Horror washed over her as she fell to her knees. All her pent-up emotions came flowing out like a tidal wave.

The woman dropped to her knees and patted her back. "I'm so, so sorry. It was a shock for all of us. I can take you to her gravestone in the cemetery if you would like. Perhaps it will give you some comfort and allow you to put it behind you, as we have all had to do. Oh, how awful it was."

Sarah spoke between sobs. "Please. I need to see it for myself."

"We put the headstone up to remember her. She was actually buried with Charles at the castle." The woman looped her arm around Sarah's, and they walked in silence to the other side of town with Adam and Steven in tow, shock written all over their faces. After they passed rows and rows of crude headstones, she pointed at a marble one.

"I need a few minutes alone, if you don't mind," said Sarah, her voice quivering.

"I understand, dear," said the woman, and she turned and left.

Adam touched Sarah's shoulder. "We'll be waiting outside the gate. Take your time."

Sarah knelt, and her trembling fingers slowly traced the letters: E-L-I-Z-A-B-E-T-H L-A-R-K-E-R. "Oh, Liz. I've spent the last ten years looking for answers, looking for you...and I guess now I have them." Tears rolled down her face as she spoke softly, "I know life here is tough, but you adjusted because you were always strong, just like Mom. You even...you even met someone to fall in love with. I am so glad to know you were happy in this place, if only for a little while. Charles must be a wonderful man who truly loved you." She wiped her eyes and then continued. "It looks like I've gotten into the same terrible situation, only I don't know the one who slipped the ring on my finger. He's my husband, yet he's a stranger. I've known him less than a few days.

Oh, Liz, the Immortals are hot on my trail now, and if they didn't spare you, surely I stand no chance against them. Deja vu, I guess. Isn't it funny how fate works?" She wiped a tear rolling down her cheek as she peered around at rows after rows of dry earth and bare crosses. Every few spaces, a gravestone jutted out of the ground, providing a change in the dismal display of poverty. "You weren't just my sister, Liz." She stopped and pulled her nose, her voice failing her. "You were my best friend. I'll never forget the beautiful memories we shared. They might have taken your life, but you're alive in my heart, and that's one thing they can never take away, no matter what they do to me."

Numb and exhausted, she closed her eyes and tried to think of better times, of their happy childhoods, hide-and-seek, skipping rope, and Christmas mornings. "Do I have any regrets? Yes! For one thing-maybe the biggest regret of all-I'm sorry I left you in those woods years ago. I deserted you, and I have never forgiven myself, but I hope you were able to forgive me. Know that I'll always love you, Liz, and I never stopped looking for you. I hope you are...resting in peace, dear sister." Emotion choked her as she straightened her back and, with one last glance back, walked back through the iron gate. She had been looking for answers about what had happened to her older sister, but now she wished she'd never found out. It had been easier holding on to hope than it was to know the truth. She would never have stopped searching, but now she had lost all purpose in life. How can I go back to my life? How can I ever be happy again knowing my sister was killed...because I left her behind?

The others had been waiting patiently in front of a big boulder. "I'm here for you," Beth said, embracing her as she reached them.

Frank wrapped his arms around her in a hug. "I'm so sorry."

She buried her head in his chest and let her tears flow freely into the fabric of his shirt. "She died a year ago-killed by the Immortals when she married King William's son Charles. Liz and Charles were killed. Those same Immortals are after me!"

"I know. Adam told us." He held her tightly. "Everything is going to be okay, Sarah."

Okay? How can he even say that? Nothing is okay. My sister is dead, and I will never be okay again! The pain cut out a huge part of her heart.

They all gave her words of hope and encouragement, but nothing they said could take away the pain in her heart, the only part of her that was still human. She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. Even though she knew she would not find the person she had really come for, she couldn't leave without meeting Gloria. "Maybe we could track Princess Gloria down and talk to her."

Adam shook his head. "Go into King William's castle? There are probably wanted posters of your face plastered on every brick! Every single person in there is probably after your head...literally."

"No way," Beth said. "We have to think about your life."

Frank gripped her hand tightly. "Remember, babe, those are the people who shoot first and don't bother asking questions now or later. I know you want your questions answered, but getting yourself-and possibly all of us-killed isn't the way to go."

"I know! Of all of you, I know! They shot me in the freaking heart. If I could get to Gloria, though, I think she could help us," Sarah pleaded.

"She might be able to," Beth said. "She's Charles's sister."

Steven leaned against a rock and met Sarah's gaze. "Yeah, man, that sounds great and all, but you won't get one breath out to explain yourself before they string you up to be roasted like a marshmallow."

"Why do you even need to find Gloria?" Adam asked. "I'm not trying to be insensitive here, but it seems pointless when you have the answers you need. Let's just get the heck out of here."

Sarah rolled her eyes. Adam wasn't sporting an irremovable ring and running around with everyone out to kill him, or he might have been singing a different tune. "I'll tell you why. Sure, I wouldn't mind finding out more about my sister's life, but that's not the reason. I have a feeling those Immortals from the court will follow me right back home to my doorstep, and so will King Victor. For all I know, King William might even have a way to crash the party. I need to find out how to get this ring off and what I can do to get the Immortals off my back. Until I know that, I will never have control of my life again."

"They're at war with King Victor," Frank said. "They hate him. They might help us based on that fact alone."

"Gloria lost her brother," Beth said. "She won't want to lose you, too, especially over the exact same thing."

"I agree," Sarah said. "I'm sure Princess Gloria loved Liz, and I think she will understand why I pretended to be her. It's her father who is crazy, not her."

"Then we'll avoid him like the plague," said Frank. "Sarah's right. She'll never get her life back until we figure out how to get this ring off."

Adam kicked at stones in the dirt, his brows furrowed. "This sucks."

"This is something I have to do," Sarah said. "If you don't want to go with me, that's okay, but I hope you understand."

"Nobody's backing out on you now, Sarah. We're a team, remember? Now c'mon. Let's head toward the castle," Frank said.

Sarah nodded. Heading into dangerous enemy territory was risky, but it was something she had to do to get answers to the lingering questions in her head-and even more importantly, how to get that ancient wedding ring off her finger. "Let's go."

To be continued....

Please see next page for book 2.

If you enjoyed this story, please let others know by adding a review. This helps others find new authors that they may have never heard of before, but may enjoy. Thank you, I appreciate it so much. Thank you for your support.

Eternal Destiny (Book 2) is available now!.

Eternal Destiny Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JCSMD4.

Eternal Destiny UK Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007JCSMD4.

Thank you so much for sharing Sarah's journey. It was a pleasure having you along. I hope you enjoyed the story just as much as I enjoyed writing it. Connect with me online!

Chrissy's blog: http://chrissypeebles.blogspot.com/.

Book Trailer for Eternal Vows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_w-eZwPJbA.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=vb.351121651567296&type=2#!/pages/Chrissy-Peebles/351121651567296.

BOOK 3.

Daughter of Aphrodite.

Published by C.M. Owens.

Text Copyright 2013 by Christie M. Owens.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, events, or incidents are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to places or incidents is purely coincidental.

Chapter 1.

First Impressions.

"Come on Adisia. The limo will be here any minute," Clara screams to me from the living area.

"This is the shortest dress I've ever worn. To say I'm a little apprehensive would be a profound understatement," I shout back while glaring at the incredibly short dress that is leaving the bad taste of easy in my mouth.

"Well get over it. This is my weekend, and this is our last night to get a little crazy. My maid of honor is going to look hot as hell, and maybe she'll entice a New Yorker to free her mature mind for one frigging night. We're not going back to Connecticut until I know for a fact you've had a good time."

I laugh a little as I wobble out of the room in the incredulous high heels I've been forced to wear.

"I can barely walk barefoot. What made you think these walking stilts of death would be a good idea?" I chuckle out.

Her eyes widen when she sees me, and a blushing hue stains my cheeks now.

"Wow! Sweet hot girl in red! You look incredible. If you can't find a man in that, then New York is completely devoid of straight men," Clara gasps - jaw unhinged, eyes still gaping.

I roll my eyes as I stare into the full length mirror which is decking the wall of our extravagant suite.

"This really isn't me," I whimper.

"I know. That's why it's so frigging killer. You're a goddess in that outfit. I don't know if your dark locks have ever looked so good. Your hair pops against the red."

Great.

"I don't want a man," I grumble while returning to her earlier wish. "I sure as hell don't want a man from New York. Do you realize that sexually transmitted diseases are at an all time high? The men in this city are probably a cesspool for such. I wish you'd quit trying to get me infected."

She laughs wildly at my voiced concern, and I just scowl as we're joined by the other girls.

"Well, Clara, in three days you're going to be Mrs. Henry Whitman the third."