The Realms of Ethair Read Online Free PDF

respond, she had
counted on him to be calm about it. “Close your eyes,” he
instructed more gently.
    “Why?”
    “It will help with the dizziness.”
    She complied. She felt Arty loop her arm
around his neck and carry her inside the house. He settled her down
on the sofa in the living room.
    “That was fun.” She smiled up at him,
teasing, trying to ease his concern to no avail.
    He moved away from her and paced the room
deep in thought, his surroundings forgotten. Kristina shut her
eyes, Arty’s activity was making her dizzier and her head ache.
    “ There’s something I need to tell you,”
Arty finally said.
    “It’s not life-threatening, is it?” His mood
infected her that her light-heartened tone sounded forced.
    He hesitated.
    “ Are you in trouble?” Her eyes flew
open.
    “No. I am not.”
    “What? Did you find something about my
sickness? Am I…”
    “I’m not sure. I asked someone about you. She
said the symptoms are familiar but it’s an advanced stage – as if
it’s accelerated threefold. She wants to see you as soon as
possible.”
    “Okay. So, where is she?”
    “That’s the other thing. Kristina, I need you
to keep an open mind on what I’m about to tell you.” He met her
gaze and drew a deep breath.
     
    Don’t think about it
now , she recited to
herself like a mantra. Most of Arty’s story seemed impossible to
believe; yet, it explained a lot of things about him, his behavior
and how they had met.
    “ How long will it take?” Kristina asked.
She kept her eyes closed to ease the lightheadedness caused more by
the shock of learning the truth about him than her
illness.
    “We’re not sure.” Arty shook his head. “Your
situation is…unique.”
    “ You’re going to have to try harder if
you’re to tell my sister that I’m leaving.” She rearranged the
throw pillow supporting her head. It slipped from the sofa’s
armrest and her skull hit the wood with a dull thud. Gentle hands
lifted her head and placed the pillow underneath.
    The cushion beneath Kristina shifted as he
sat beside her and held her hand with both of his. The heaviness
she felt on the crown of her head gradually dissipated.
“Better?”
    “Yes.” She sighed. “Thank you.”
    “ Open your eyes.” Kristina cracked an eye
open. No sudden wave of nausea assaulted her. She released her
breath and gazed up at him.
    “Much better,” he murmured after examining
her face.
    “How did you do that?”
    He shrugged.
    “It’s something you learn in our land. I’m
not allowed to tell you – I’m not even sure I can explain something
so natural for us to do.”
    She pulled her hand away from him. There were
so many things he couldn’t or wouldn’t say and most of it seemed to
concern her. It – he was beginning to irritate her.
    Fine. Don’t bother telling me
anything anymore , she
was tempted to say.
    “You’re angry with me.”
    “I’m not.” Arty still doubted her. “Look, I’m
trying my best to understand your side of things. There’s just too
much to cope with. Your home doesn’t even sound like it’s a part of
this world. Now, I have to go there and leave everything
behind.”
    “ No one’s forcing you to leave.” He
frowned. “It is a choice you have to make on your own.” Arty had
something more to say; then, stopped. His mouth pursed into a thin
line. He was quiet for a moment, his face devoid of emotion, and
stared at the staircase.
    “ We have to go,” he whispered and moved to
grab her hand.
    She pulled away.
    “Why?”
    A creak resonated from the upper floor.
    “Trust me.” The urgency in his eyes betrayed
his calm demeanor. He extended his hand towards her. “Please.”
    “ Take his hand, Tina,” her mother’s fearful
voice whispered. For a moment, she saw her mother’s spirit beside
Arty. Her face was directed at the area where he was looking before
she vanished completely.
     
     

Part II
KARINA
     

Chapter 5
Kristina
     
     
    The moment her hand touched Arty’s,