The Heart of Two Worlds Read Online Free PDF

miles to join the Runaways by means they’d never have dared to use normally. Sheer necessity had forced them to abandon all precaution: the Outsiders were so busy coping with disaster after disaster that they were unlikely to have batted an eyelid if they’d seen someone running improbably fast or shooting through the clouds. Even if they’d been seen, what would have happened? All over the world, people had one overriding concern: to find shelter from seawater floods, erupting volcanoes and cataclysmic earthquakes. These highly respected dignitaries were standing beside Feng Li, another Runaway born and bred, and Cockerell’s wife and son, Akina and Takashi. Three more pairs of dark, almond-shaped eyes staring enigmatically at Oksa.

6
T HE I CE Q UEEN
    E VEN BEFORE D RAGOMIRA INTRODUCED N AFTALI AND Brune’s eldest son, Oksa had no difficulty recognizing Olof Knut, who was as tall, solemn and charismatic as his father. Standing behind his wife—the statuesque, golden-haired daughter of two Runaways—he looked ready to brave a thousand perils. It was the striking couple’s daughter, though, who gave Oksa pause for thought. Tugdual’s cousin was about fifteen years old and a typical Scandinavian beauty. Dressed from head to toe in beige—jeans and baggy cable-knit jumper—her translucent complexion offset by dark brown lipstick, she was as radiant as fresh snow. Oksa immediately named her the “Ice Queen”, feeling inexplicably troubled. Kukka favoured her with a chilly yet inquisitive gaze. The Young Gracious shivered, rather daunted by her startling beauty, while Dragomira was reminding everyone about the close ties between the Pollocks and the Knuts. Kukka’s gaze slid away from Oksa and alighted on Tugdual, who’d just walked over. Kukka’s face immediately lit up with an icy smile.
    “And here’s my beloved cousin,” she said, straightening up.
    Her clear, clipped voice cut through the air like a broken shard of crystal. Quick as a flash, she grabbed a vase from the table she was leaning against and hurled it at Tugdual, who just had time to duck to one side to avoid being hit in the face. The china exploded against the wall, shattering into a thousand pieces. Oksa screamed, while Kukka’s parents cried out in indignation.
    “That’s some welcome, little cousin!” said Tugdual, sidling closer, hands in pockets and a mocking expression in his eyes.
    Fragments of china crunched under the soles of his heavy shoes.
    “I’ll have you know I’m taller than you!” Kukka retorted.
    She took a couple of steps forward to stand in front of him so everyone could see she was really a couple of inches taller than him, which didn’t faze Tugdual at all—on the contrary.
    “I wasn’t talking about height, little cousin, but maturity,” he answered smugly.
    “That’s rich coming from you!” retorted the Ice Queen, tossing back her mane of blonde hair. “Ruining the lives of your entire family is a brilliant way of showing how mature you are! Thanks a million, cousin, on behalf of all the Knuts…”
    This time it looked as though her barb had hit home. Tugdual went pale and took a step back, his fists clenched. His face was gaunt and his nostrils quivered, as if he were struggling for air. Oksa would have given anything to be able to soften the blow dealt by Kukka’s remark. The other Runaways filed out of the room in embarrassment, leaving the Knuts alone. Oksa was the only one who couldn’t contain her curiosity. Although she reluctantly went out, she sat down on the steps of the main staircase in the shadowy hall so that she could watch them unseen.
    “In case you’ve forgotten,” continued Kukka spitefully, “may I remind you that my aunt Helena—who also happens to be your mother, remember?—struggled with severe depression after her darling son decided he was a great black magician. Ring any bells? Or that, due to the selfishness of that pseudo-magician and his dubious experiments, eight