Free Phantom of the Heart by Stein Willard Page A

token of love for her very relieved bride.
    “I thought you would be with Orla.”
    Cybralle stepped forward and placed her hands on her Sterling’s hips and pulled her close. She placed a gentle kiss on her temple and stood back to look down into Sterling’s eyes.
    “You look exquisite; just as beautiful as your mother on our wedding day.” She gently cupped the beautiful face. “Orla is a very lucky woman to have found a mate such as you.”
    Sterling shook her head and smiled. “I consider myself to be the lucky one, Umah. She is everything I want, and I love her so much.”
    “Then this is a match made in heaven, daughter. I wish you both all the happiness and love your mother and I have been blessed with.” The silver eyes darkened slightly. “As your parents, we were worried that you were ready to settle for the life of a warrior. That was the life I had lived before I met your mother.” Cybralle walked over to the small table under the large window and poured them both a glass of wine from the decanter. “It was different to what I have now, but I have to admit that all I did back then was to exist. Your mother gave me back my life.”
    Sterling took the offered goblet from her mother's hand and nodded her thanks. She emptied it with one gulp and blushed at her mother's raised eyebrow.
    “I am nervous.”
    “And so you should be, my love. You are embarking on the most fulfilling adventure of your life.” She emptied her goblet and placed it on the table. “It is time for us to leave. Orla and your mother are already waiting for us at the church.”
    Taking one last look at herself in the full-length mirror, Sterling turned to her mother. Cybralle nodded.
    “You look beautiful.”
    Taking her mother's hand, Sterling followed her out the door, down the long hallway, and out to the coach awaiting them. Once she was seated inside, her mother lounging opposite from her, she carefully studied her mother under lowered eyelashes. Her parents were happily married. As a child, she quickly learned not to surprise them in their chambers lest she be the one embarrassed. After twenty-eight years of marriage they were still passionately in love and could not keep their hands off each other. Now that she had found her cause for living, she could easily identify with what her parents were experiencing.
    “Umah…”
    The dark head lifted and sharp, silver eyes focused on her.
    “Yes, my child. What is it you want?”
    “You and mother…you have been together for so long and yet…yet you still act like newlyweds. I want that too. How can I keep my wife happy for an eternity?”
    The silver eyes softened as they studied her. “Love her above all else. Be honest with her all the time, even if you fear the truth might hurt her. Surrender to her, Sterling. She needs to know that you belong to her; heart, mind, body and soul. Your mother and I…we love each other like that.” Cybralle reached out and took her daughter's hand. “But you already possess the most important ingredient for a happy marriage. You love each other. It will be so much easier to succeed.”
     
    ***
     
    Orla nervously tugged at the tight cuff of her wedding tunic as she walked over and threw herself into a large chair taking up the center of the room. She had been waiting in here for over an hour now and still there was no sign of Sterling. The door opened slowly. She did not even lift her head to see who the newcomer was. The priest had been in and out a few times to look in on her and she was tired of looking into his rheumy eyes and pinched face.
    “You are well on your way to fulfilling your destiny.” The deep voice made her head snap up and she frowned at the strange man standing a few feet inside the door. He looked a little familiar, but she knew for a fact that she had never met him before. He was dressed richly and his fingers were adorned with large, golden rings. She slowly came to her feet and found herself towering over the