Mortal Enchantment Read Online Free PDF Page B

source of our power, would I sprout wings? I hoped it was true, but the sensation quickly faded.
    We trudged toward the arched passageway leading into the grassy courtyard. A massive stone fountain sat directly in the center of the quad. As we approached, thin lines of water shot into the sky in what looked like a professionally choreographed show. I spun around, counting the balconies protruding from each level. During one of our dream visits, I stood on one of those balconies next to Dad. Together, we had watched the air court elementals practice weather magic.
    At the very thought of Dad, my chest ached with a mix of worry and fear.
    While lost in thought, we’d been greeted by a group of air elementals. Embarrassed for not noticing them, I gave them a weak smile. They bowed in response, which only made me more uncomfortable. No way would I ever get used to that.
    Air elementals tended to marry within their own court, keeping their unique characteristics intact. Each was stunningly beautiful with their white-blond hair, lilac colored eyes, and pale yellow feathered wings. I could only imagine the scandal that took place when Dad brought Mom here. Unfortunately, neither of them ever wanted to talk about it.
    Of all the courts, air was the most conservative. The men wore yellow, loose-fitting tops and matching drawstring pants. The women were a bit more stylish with yellow silk fabrics draped over them in layers. Some were strapless while others exposed only one shoulder or covered both completely. They didn’t care much for heavy make-up or jewelry.
    A surge of energy jolted me out of my thoughts. It raced through my veins, filling my body with a warm vibration. It was stronger than what I had felt when I first arrived in Avalon. This was intense, powerful. The skies erupted in a lightning storm. Thunder crashed loud enough to make some of the elementals duck. A bright white light flashed, and a split second later, the ground rippled with an electronic surge. A rush of heat snapped at my temple. I lost my balance and fell.
    Jarrod came to my side, grabbed my arm and helped me up. “Are you all right?”
    I held one hand to my forehead, trying to suppress the forming migraine. “What happened?”
    “You called on the power of our element.” A younger female elemental said as she approached. She had to be around my age. “This will help,” she said as she rubbed a white cream on my temple. I closed my eyes and a hint of white shimmer flickered. When I opened them, the pain faded away completely. She backed up a few steps and bowed. When she rose, her bright smile made it impossible to look anywhere else.
    I glanced around at the crowd watching us. They looked as surprised as I was. “It couldn’t have been me. I don’t know how to do that.”
    “I thought only King Taron could summon lightning. But since you are his only daughter, it makes sense that the power was passed on to you.” She looked into the skies as the thunder continued to roll. “Without the king, it will take some time for us to calm the skies.”
    The elements are tied to our emotions. Something I’d felt triggered the storms, but I had no idea how to replicate it. A trained elemental could've calmed the skies. Unfortunately, Dad insisted I would be taught when I came to live with him, making me completely useless right now. Knowing there was nothing I could do, I said, “I think now would be a good time to go inside.”
    “You can follow me. I’m Ariel, by the way,” she said, sliding the bag off my shoulder and onto hers.
     

     
    The great room had air court banners hanging from every archway. The cathedral ceiling was made of stained glass, allowing the lightning storm I’d somehow created to flicker across the walls. Pale yellow candles in large golden sconces illuminated the foyer. Cream colored stones covered the walls with white marble flooring. A few scattered wooden pews lined the walkways, but beyond that, the decorations were