Eternal Echoes, Emblem of Eternity Trilogy Book 2 by Angela Corbett Page B

“One of us stays with her at all times. Only now, we always keep each other informed of where we’ll be. That way, if we need backup, it will be there.”
    Emil nodded in agreement. I shook my head. “This is ridiculous. You know that, right?” They both stared at me. “Unless someone kills me, I’ll be alive at least another seventy years, and then I’ll be born again and it will all start over. We can’t keep this schedule thing up for the duration. People will get suspicious. Jas already thinks you’re both stalkers, and that was before I stopped talking to her. Now, she probably thinks you’ve convinced me to join a cult.”
    “What would you propose?” Alex asked. “I’m sure we’re both open to ideas.”
    I shrugged, getting up. I was tired, and sick of talking about the imminent threat hovering over me. I was going to get some sleep, and maybe I’d have answers in the morning. I started toward the stairs and said, “I don’t know, but something’s gotta give.”
    I climbed the stairs without looking back.

    When I got to my room, I glanced at myself in the mirror. My curls had started to unravel slightly, making it look like I’d just woken up. My makeup had held up well considering the night I’d had—the makeout session with Emil included. Thanks to the kissing, my dress needed a serious date with an iron, but it still looked great too, the folds of the dress cut beautifully against my waist and hips.
    And then there was the jewelry. I ran my hands lightly over the necklace as the gems sparkled under the florescent lights of my room. I didn’t want to give them back, but knew I’d have to. The gift was far too expensive for me to accept, especially when I hadn’t chosen between him and Alex yet.
    I reached up to take the beautiful earrings out first. I felt a little dizzy as I pulled one earring out. I steadied myself against my dresser; it had been a long night. I pulled out the other earring, and just like that, my soulmark was warm, and I was falling.
    I stood in front of a mirror, my pale blue dress a soft, shimmery fabric. The square neck was cut low with intricate cream colored lace wrapping around the neckline and blossoming out from the bottom of my sleeves. The big skirt was pushed out with hoops and fell to the floor. My stays were pulled so tight I gasped, slowly retraining my breath to handle the confinement. My chestnut hair was piled beautifully on top of my head, curls escaping in long ringlets down my back.
    A knock came on the door behind me. I quickly gathered my composure. “Come in,” I said, turning. The door opened slowly. I smiled as I saw who it was, before my mouth slid into a pout. “You’re not supposed to see me yet,” I scolded.
    “I couldn’t wait any longer,” Emil replied, coming toward me.
    I laughed as he wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight. He held my gaze and leaned his head down, gently touching his lips to mine. As I responded, he pressed harder, his hands moving on the bodice of my dress, slowly starting to undo the buttons lining my spine. I felt the tug and immediately pushed Emil back, giving a low laugh. “That’s for later,” I said. He looked mischievous as he cocked a brow. “Besides, if you undo all of those buttons, it will take me another hour before I’m ready, and my mother will have a fit.”
    Emil gave a husky laugh. “I wouldn’t want to cause the mother of the bride distress,” he said, buttoning my dress back up. “So I’ll give you your wedding gift and wait for you downstairs.”
    My eyes widened as he pulled out an intricately carved cedar box. It was stained to bring out the natural light color of the wood, and carved on the top was a single rose. The sides of the box had smaller roses with leafy detail connecting the flowers together. He handed it to me. “Open it.”
    I took it, sitting gingerly on my couch. I slowly lifted the latch. When I looked inside, I let out a surprised gasp. My eyes settled on