The magic of eternity em.., p.1
The Magic of Eternity: Emerald Lakes Book Five, page 1
Copyright © 2021 Britt Andrews
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Cover by: Jodielocks Designs
Developmental and content Editing: Cassie Hurst
Editing By: Aubergine Editing
Proofreading by: Proofs by Polly
Formatting by: Inked Imagination Author Services
Photography by: TalkNerdy2me
Samantha La Mar www.thetalknerdy.com
This one is dedicated to the books and world that gave me my first escape to another world. The story that captivated my seven year old mind and convinced me that magic is real.
* * *
For Narnia and for Aslan!
Trigger Warning
Trigger Warning
This is a full-length RH romance, intended for adults 18 and older. It includes MM content, parental abuse, and sexual assault. There are other themes that readers may find triggering. *This is the final book in the Emerald Lakes series*
The Magic of Eternity
Emerald Lakes Book Five
Britt Andrews
Contents
1. Saige
2. Fischer
3. Cam
4. Kai
5. Saige
6. Bram
7. Sloane
8. Saige
9. Fischer
10. Cam
11. Saige
12. Kai
13. Faris
14. Saige
15. Bram
16. Cam
17. Sloane
18. Fischer
19. Saige
20. Kai
21. Bram
22. Cam
23. Faris
24. Saige
25. Sloane
26. Saige
27. Fischer
28. Bram
29. Saige
Epilogue - Saige
Afterword
Demons in my Bed
Also by Britt Andrews
Giggles trickled through the air, wrapping around me like ghosts. I couldn’t see anyone. Where is that laughter coming from?
My vision cleared and I found myself drifting down the hallway in my cottage, heading for the stairs. Creaking floorboards overhead and the tinkling laughter guided me. I was so curious. My fingertips trailed along the banister, and I barely noticed that I couldn’t feel the smooth wood against my skin.
“Come on, little princesses. It’s time for bed!” Cam’s voice announced. I smiled. My feet carried me to the guest room.
“But, Daddy!”
My stomach swooped, and I audibly gasped. That tiny voice.
“No buts. You two got to stay up later than usual tonight and Daddy’s tired,” Cam told the little girls who I hadn’t seen yet.
A fit of giggles had tears pricking my eyes. “Are you going to fall asleep in here with us again, Daddy?”
I peeked through the crack of the door and took in the scene. Cam’s massive body was completely dominating a tiny princess bed, and two small girls were pressed against either side of him. Well, more like half laid on top of him, because there wasn’t much room. A small nightstand held a night-light that illuminated the space softly, and my eyes eagerly took in the matching princess bed on the other side.
I stepped into the room but nobody reacted. I have to see them.
“Will you tell us the story again?” the girl with the same color hair as mine asked. Her face was covered in freckles and she had the cutest little grin. I sat down on the bed opposite them, my mouth hanging open.
The other girl, the one with deep, richly colored brown hair and ice-blue eyes, nodded enthusiastically. “Pleeeease, Daddy? The one with the pretty queen and her kings.” My eyes flew to Cam’s face. He smiled at the girls, but it didn’t meet his eyes. My heart clenched, but I wasn’t sure why.
“Anything for my girls,” he murmured, kissing each of their heads as they nestled in against his large chest. He pulled a large blanket with a castle and pink dragons up over the three of them, before clearing his throat.
“Once upon a time, there was a beautiful green witch. With long, pretty red hair like you.” He kissed the red-haired girl on her head once more. “And a smile just like yours.” He tapped the dark-haired girl on her chin, and she laughed, flashing that smile that was exactly like mine. “She was the sweetest, kindest witch in the land. Her magic was a magic of life. Of love. Of sacrifice...”
My eyes flew open and I tried to sit up, but found myself unable to move. Pain flared in my lower back, abdomen, and my head. Gods, my head.
“Deep breath, miss. You’re okay.”
I heard the words, but they were soft over the roaring of my heartbeat in my ears. Where am I? Hands. There are hands on me.
“Who...” I croaked, my throat raw and painful.
“Shhh.” Something wet pressed against my forehead, and I groaned in discomfort. The compress felt nice, but my head was throbbing and I couldn’t resist letting my eyes flutter shut.
“H–hurts...”
“This will help,” a voice said, and seconds later, the pain in my body faded and I let myself free fall back into the darkness.
“Give me an update,” a man’s voice boomed, and had I been able, I might’ve flinched. His voice was familiar, yet I couldn’t place it with a face.
Footsteps shuffled around me but my eyes were closed. I was just so tired. Couldn’t open them.
“Sire. She’s been this way for weeks. Nothing has changed,” a male voice responded. It was a voice that I’d been hearing more frequently. Whoever he was, he always spoke gently and with kindness. On some level, I felt safe knowing he was here and that I wasn’t alone with that other male.
A crash sounded. Glass breaking. Cursing. “Figure out what the fucking problem is!”
Silence.
“I believe she needs her ma—”
The familiar voice cut off, and the sounds of a scuffle drifted through my subconscious state. “Well, that’s not happening! Even if I could. It’s not... possible,” the angry male growled. “Notify me immediately of any changes. She so much as flexes a toe, I am to be informed!”
A door slammed. Someone squeezed my hand gently.
I’m pretty sure I’m dead.
Everything is bright. Isn’t that what they say? Go toward the light? Or don’t go toward the light? Which one was it? Either way... there’s a light.
“Welcome back, miss.”
I blinked slowly, and the room started coming into focus. A face materialized over mine, and I gasped, not expecting to see someone so close. The face moved back.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you. I wasn’t sure if you were going to wake up,” he explained. “Here.” A straw met my lips, and I greedily gulped down the water he was offering.
“Where am I?” I asked, taking in the decently-sized room. A comforter and sheets were pulled up over my body. The large bed I was in felt like a cloud. My brow furrowed as I focused on the exposed stone walls and high-beamed ceilings. Familiarity niggled at my brain, and I was frustrated once again that my memory still seemed fucked up.
The side of the bed dipped, drawing my gaze back to the man who had given me water. He was wearing nursing scrubs, his curly blond hair reached his chin, and I noticed the navy blue glasses he was wearing very nearly matched his eye color. This man was probably around my age, maybe slightly younger.
“It’s normal not to remember much when you first wake up after being in a coma for so long,” he said softly, and my body jerked.
I cleared my throat. “Coma?”
He nodded. “For nearly a month now, miss. Do you remember your name or anything prior to this moment?”
Panicking, I sifted back through my mind. What’s the last thing I remember? “My name is Saige Wildes.” I knew that much.
“Correct. That’s good. I need to take some blood. Why don’t you think about what you remember while I do that?”
“What’s your name?” I asked, curious.
The man smiled kindly. “I’m your doctor. You can just call me Balor, if you wish. I’ve been with you the entire time, monitoring your vitals and watching you closely.” He tied an elastic band around my upper arm, and I closed my eyes as he poked my vein with a needle. What did I remember? “Don’t push yourself too much. You’ll likely be fairly exhausted for the next few days. There. All done.”
I glanced down at the crook of my elbow and saw a trail of red trickle from the small puncture wound. Air whooshed from my lungs. Fighting. Yelling. The glint of a blad
“Okay, okay. Breathe, Saige. Deep breaths. In and out.” Balor encouraged me, but I couldn’t get myself under control.
Bloodstained hands. Asrael. My men. Khol. Laurie. Oh gods.
“Babies. Mine. My b–babies!” I wailed, fumbling with the blankets to see if I was still pregnant. Please, gods. Please, please. My hands shook as I threw the blankets off, and a sob nearly suffocated me as I looked down.
“You lost a lot of blood.” My eyes flew to Balor as he spoke softly, as if he were speaking to a cornered animal. “Hemorrhaged. Likely due to the stress of the situation you were in.”
Tears trekked down my cheeks continuously. I found my voice somehow, despite my throat feeling as though it was closing. “And they’re...” Fuck. I rolled onto my side and curled myself into a ball. Inhaling deeply, I tried again. “The babies? Are they—” I shook my head. I couldn’t get it out.
Balor smiled. “Miraculously, your babies are doing great. Everything looks perfect, Saige.”
I knew I wasn’t safe. We weren’t safe. I couldn’t bring myself to ask about them. Exhaustion was swarming me now and I couldn’t fight it. My eyelids were so heavy.
A rhythmic thwacking sound began and with each clap of noise, it was harder and harder to keep my eyes open. I watched Balor get up and rush to the window. He cursed and slammed the window closed, pulling the curtains a moment later. I didn’t miss the grim look on his face, but I didn’t have the energy to ask what was happening outside.
The next time I opened my eyes, the room was dark. Night had fallen while I’d slept, and I felt pressure on my bladder. Not seeing anyone, I pushed myself up, dangling my legs over the side of the bed. I hadn’t been up in a long time, and I hoped I didn’t fall trying to find a bathroom. How had I peed and stuff while I was unconscious? Ugh, they’d probably put a catheter in me.
Inhaling deeply, I pushed myself off the bed, making sure to keep one hand in contact with the mattress just in case. My head swam. From exertion or just being upright after so long... I wasn’t sure. Gods, I really have to pee. A sharp jab shot through my crotch and I winced. What the hell was that? Another jab and I felt a trickle of warmth run down my thighs. Oh shit. I shuffled to the door in the corner, sighing in relief when I found a nice bathroom.
Had my water broken? Or had I just pissed myself? The babies seemed to be really active, and I cupped my large belly as I took possibly the longest pee of my life. I think I peed myself. My unborn child just Chuck Norris’d my bladder so hard I pissed myself. I snorted as I wiped. I bet that was Sloane’s kid. I’d put money on it.
Suddenly it was hard to get air into my lungs, like something was lodged in my throat, cutting off my ability to live. Where are my men? Visions of the last time I saw them flashed in my head and I pressed a hand over my mouth to cover my sobs. I don’t even know if they’re alive.
The bathroom door handle turned, and I hastily stood, letting my nightgown fall to my knees as the door opened.
“Hello, daughter.”
I spun just in time to get most of my vomit into the toilet.
She laughed without humor. More of a sinister chuckle. “I heard you were awake and had to come see for myself. How are my babies doing?”
Leaning against the wall on shaky legs, I slid down as sweat built on my brow. “Fuck. You,” I hissed. Laurie moved through the bathroom, tinkering with things on the counter like she didn’t have a care in the world. I could see her face in the mirror. How did she end up like this? It didn’t make any sense. But I found that I really didn’t give a shit. Not anymore.
“They’re not yours. They will never be yours. A woman like you should’ve never been allowed to have children,” I spat, the words pure venom on my tongue.
She froze, her body unnaturally still. I leaned my head back against the wall and closed my eyes, still feeling a bit shaky after being sick.
“Where are my men?” I whispered the words, my eyes remaining shut. I couldn’t even look at her. She made me sick.
Laurie sighed dramatically. “Where Asrael wants them to be.”
“I need to see them,” I replied, awkwardly getting myself off the ground.
She smiled. Too widely. Too excited. “And you shall. In two days’ time.”
“What? What do you mean? Are they hurt? Tell me, Laurie!” I screamed, reaching for her. Red was bleeding into my vision as rage overtook my body. Before I could touch her though, she snatched my wrists and squeezed hard enough that I felt the bones grind against one another. My teeth clenched against the flare of discomfort as she leaned in, her face inches from mine.
“You’ll see. In two days. Everyone will see what happens to traitors of the crown.” She dropped one of my arms, tugging me harshly out of the bathroom. My feet stumbled over the cool stone floor, still not accustomed to walking or supporting the weight of my body.
“Stop!” I screeched, as I tripped and caught myself on the back of a chair. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” I ripped my arm from her grip, my breaths coming in jagged pants now. Laurie sneered, and I couldn’t believe this was the woman who had given birth to me.
“You’re what’s wrong with me. You’ve been nothing but an inconvenience to me your entire life!” Her eyes flared with pure hatred, making her beautiful face look hideous. Did she think this was breaking news to me? On some biological level, I’d always wanted her attention, a relationship of some sort. For fuck’s sake, she was my mother. But the day she killed Guppy had been the day that hope died completely. You don’t get to pick who you’re born to, but you can certainly choose who your true family is… and this bitch wasn’t it.
“Well then, by all means, get the fuck out of my life! If I ever see your face again, it’ll be too soon. You’re nothing but a power-hungry cunt with the temperament of a toddler.” I breathed heavily, using both hands to support myself as I leaned over the chair. “You and Asrael deserve each other. Evil pieces of shit...” My body trembled with white-hot fury toward these two people who had been doing everything in their power to destroy my life.
Laurie chuckled, and tsked in her patronizing way. She’d always made me feel like I was beneath her. Not as smart. Not as thin. Not as beautiful. Then I realized something. She was jealous. A laugh bubbled out of my mouth before I could stop it, and then just kept coming. I dropped into the chair and laughed so hard tears fell.
“What’s so funny?” she snarled.
I wiped my wet eyes and shook my head. Maybe I’ve lost it. I finally lost my damn mind. “You’re jealous of me.” My gaze darted up just in time to see her face. Her eyes widened only for a moment before narrowing. If looks could kill... “I don’t know how Khol ever tolerated you.”
“More like how I ever tolerated him. He likes to pretend he’s not just as bad as I am. Make no mistake, that demon is—and always will be—mine. Az knows. We’re all connected. Khol can fool the best of them; he’s an excellent liar. It’s one of my favorite things about him. So deceptive.” She sighed and pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She was speaking about him in present tense, and my heart twisted with hope.
“Where is he?”
She looked at her nails for a moment, and my stomach clenched as she grinned smugly. “I suspect he’s still in my bed, where I left him. His appetites are just as strong as they were twenty-eight years ago.”
“He’s alive?” I croaked, ignoring her other words. Tears welled in my eyes because I’d seen the way that blade had pierced his body, the way he’d dropped to the floor, not moving. But if he was alive, then my other men, my loves...
