Beguiled (Book 2 Immortal Essence series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

tour of Kelari couldn’t have been the only reason you stayed with Ith and Aetha .” I started up the stairs .
    He c leared his throat. “They told me why I’m on Kelari. What my purpose is. And why they need me.”
    “They need you? For what?” A nervous pang dug at my heart. Did it have to do with me? I feared I already knew the answer. Michael didn’t respond so I asked another question. “ If they need you, or whatever, why didn’t they just swoop down to Earth and bring you back themselves?”
    Michael waited until we reached the wooden door at the top of the stairs. He said, “ They would have, eventually. But they said the turn of events. You being exiled to Earth, was better. You found me, and we connected — ” He gently poked a finger into my stomach. “They said it was better for both of us this way.”
    My heart r aced at the memories his words produced . The way I’d felt in Michael’s arms, kissing him. I swallowed, mentally pushing them away. “It would have been a whole lot less painful for me if they’d just dragged your sorry butt to Kelari.” Sadness clutched my heart. “Maybe my parents wouldn’t be in Helker.”
    He turned his gaze to the floor, away from my questioning eyes.

4. Losing My Religion
     
    Several moments later, Michael still hadn’t said anything. Talk about awkward. Frustrated, I asked, “Should I knock? ”
    My words seemed to snap him out of it. He smirked . T hen his face got serious. “I need to explain some things to you .”
    “What? You’re a merman in disguise ?” I was dripping wet, and though I wasn’t cold, I was uncomfortable. I wanted to be dry, and tucked safely in my castle. Still, he said my parents were here , so I was determined to see this —whatever this was—through.
    “So close.” He chuckled, but I sensed no pleasure in the effort . “It’s about who I am. And what needs to happen. I’m sorry—”
    The door flew open, interrupting . An incredibly handsome man stood in the doorway. “Michael . I wasn’t expecting you to use this entrance. Cheeky. Can’t wait to hear the story .”
    I turned to Michael. “You know him?”
    Michael rubbed his neck. “Yeah, it turns out Ramien is my—”
    “Come in, Venus. It isn’t every day a creature such a s yourself visits my humble realm. Let’s get you some dry clothes. ” He stood back, and bid me enter with flourishing hands. 
    I raised an eyebrow, nestling his name—Ramien , Michael called him Ramien —in my mind for later. “Your realm?” I asked, and then held my breath as I passed through the doorway . Tentative, I stepped into a room that could only be described as sumptuous .
    Lush emerald drapes enclosed stained glass windows. It wasn’t conceivable I would see the suns or moons of Kelari from way down here, surely , I thought . The walls were black and edged in scalloped golden paint. Overhead hung five ma ssive chandeliers. One after an other, lined up like twinkling stars in a row .
    Polished wooden tables sa t on one side of the thickly carpeted room . They were made up of w hite l inens, sparkling silverware, crystal goblets , and dinner plates adorned in gold leaf trim. Enough place settings for ten per table. A large gold candelabrum, filled with flickering candles, rested in the center of each table, and large quantities of uneaten food surround ed them .
    On the other side of the room were sev eral chaises next to end tables . Couches in deep reds, warm gold’s, and whites were situated for conversation. A fifty piece orchestra played quietly, yet beautifully , at the far end of the room. The musicians looked different—like a mishmash of several different creatures. Except their hands. They all had nimble human hands.
    As I took in the room, Ramien answered, “Yes, H elker is mine .” He gave Michael an i ntense look and then added , “I intend to share it with someone. Soon. ”
    I wrapped my hands around myself . As a kelvieri , the elements didn’t