Worlds divided them. Chance brought them together. Only love will save them.
Praise for the Immortal Essence series:
The book was filled with adventure, secrets, and romance, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat." by LM Preston.
"I... felt like I was literally out of this world for a while." by Melissa Lemon.
"Loved it from the first page and was thrilled to be reading something so richly creative and engaging." by Tahlia Newland.
"It's in Michael's and Venus' darkest hours that you can't put the book down." by Brenda Drake
"The twists and turns left me breathless and the writing is beautiful." by Taryn Taylor.
"I liked the way things were described, along with the dialogue." by The Golden Eagle.
"What a ride!" by Taffy Lovell.
"I love a book where the details fit together like pieces in a puzzle..." by Rachel Morgan.
"I fell hard for her characters and found my self rooting for them." by Debbie Davis.
"Her journey and struggle capture the imagination long after the story ends." by Rosie Connolly.
"RaShelle does a wonderful job of creating the angst we all feel when life hands us lemons." by Gail.
"Writing that moves readers to ponder their hearts is good writing, and that's what readers will find with Workman. She's a dedicated writer, talented, and passionate. Readers won't be disappointed. Her protagonist is strong willed, her antagonist is easy to hate, and her mentor is easy to love." by Kathleen Brebes.
"Michael and Venus have probably been the best pairing/couple that I've read about this year! GO READ THIS BOOK! You will love it." by Nancy.
"I enjoyed the atypical love triangle-- one that didn't throw me into extreme frustration-- and the idea that love is deeper than just physical feelings." by Shallee McArthur.
"Truly, at its heart, this is a romance, and a well written and enjoyable one at that. For me, that says something. I'm not a huge romance fan, but this story sucked me in so much that I found myself looking for a spare moment ANYWHERE to read." by Karen Hooper, author of the award-winning Woldchild Saga.
Dedication
For Debbie, my secret weapon.
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Table of Contents
Preface
Under The Bridge
The dream was venom to my sleeping soul.
It wouldn’t stop.
Night after night. Like the rising of Kelari’s suns, the dream was consistent.
Always exacting.
Always relentless.
Always unwavering.
An alabaster door loomed before me. I shivered involuntarily. Doors! Behind them lay the unknown. The door shimmered open and I stepped through without holding my breath like I normally did. There wasn’t any point. I knew I dreamed. The outcome couldn’t be altered.
One overwhelming emotion permeated. Terror. It saturated the air. Dense, like the molten lava dribbling down the side of a distant volcano. The fear wasn’t mine though. I scanned my surroundings for the offender generating the sensation, but saw no one.
Above was darkness. No moon. No stars. Only emptiness. Raging fires dotted the otherwise barren landscape like potted plants. Some of the fires rose into the sky. Others roared low, smoldering against the shadowed ground.
Directly in front of me stretched a bridge over a vast ocean of lava. I ambled toward the center, treading carefully. The lava roiled and hiccupped far below. Heat rose and struck my face, but the bridges’ surface was cool against my hands.
Movement caught my attention.
Something swam in the lava.
It was long. Half of its body covered with scales while the other half moved like a billowing red curtain. The creature burst into the air. I choked on a scream, falling back, slamming my elbows against the bridges’ floor.
The thing, a ferrikat, ascended higher and higher, passing the bridge and continuing upward. I noticed the “curtain” was actually fiery hair attached to a head. It had a face, which arched toward the dark sky. One nose, one mouth, and two eyes. The lids were shut, and long ruby lashes rested against its porcelain cheeks. Clavicle bones protruded at the base of the neck, where shoulders attached to arms attached to hands attached to long fingers, hung at its sides.
A female, I realized, trying to chew away my shock. I knew ferrikat’s existed, but they were rarely ever seen.
From the waist down the body was that of a fish. Scarlet, magenta, orange, and fuchsia scales sparkled or burned. Her tail splayed wide, and was shaped like a dolphin. Abruptly the she-fish stopped, and hung in the air, like a perfectly placed painting. Her face tilted downward, slowly. Familiarity blew through me like a warm wind. The ferrikat opened her eyes.
I knew those eyes.
1. Two Princes
Wishes are like the wings on a butterfly—frail and easily destroyed.
Still, as I watched Kelari’s second sun sink into the Alayeahean Sea, I offered one.
“I wish to find my parents.”
In answer, a frothy wave slapped the sand. Its edges clambered between my toes, a cooling balm, before retreating. I stepped back.
When it came to the sea I was a lurker, an admirer, definitely not a partaker, though I did love the sound of the surf as it broke along the shore. The sea baffled me though. An entity I didn’t understand and had no control over. The waves, the tides, and the creatures beneath . . . all of it left me frightened.
I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath, the salty air clinging to my insides. The wind whipped against my braid and sent my light dress skittering around me like a dancing kite.
Behind me, over the grassy hill, sprawled my family’s castle. Beyond, spread wide with verdant greenery, orchards, and vegetation, was Alayeah. A lush and vibrant countryside kept clean by solar powered energy produced in our city above the clouds, Nimbus. The two entities were separate, but each was intrinsically necessary to the other’s survival. One teaming with rich color, beautiful landscapes, and all manner of life, the other metallic and industrialized.
In between the crashing waves I heard the chk-chk-chk of beetles, the buzzing of insects, and the mawarrr-mawarrr-mawarrr of the tsar monkeys.
My home, I thought, fighting tears. Since my return to Kelari, even the little things, like the smell of the brackish sea, made me cry.
A burst of wind rustled my hair. “You alright, Venus?” Zaren was suddenly there. Precisely when I needed him. He’d used the kelvieri form of traveling, Britorent, which allowed him to get where he had to go quickly.
Zaren’s strong arms wrapped around my waist, and I leaned into his solid chest. Lemons and honey—Zaren’s scent made my insides gooey. Every time he was near, my pulse quickened, while my body relaxed. Loving him, and being loved by him, was more amazing than I ever imagined.
“I’ve been better, but thanks for asking.” I turned and my heart fluttered. His eyes, a bright green, like a flawless four leaf clover, took all of me in. Forever my Formytian, my personal guardian. Forever concerned. Forever perfect.
“We’ll find them, Princess.” His soft lips parted and he pressed them to mine. A kiss meant to be chaste. I needed more, and poured all of the heartache, sorrow, anger, pain, and fear into my response. My hands glided over his sleek, black Formytian uniform and I wrapped my fingers in his dark hair. Sensing my need for more he deepened the kiss, parting my lips with his. Hungry to be as close to him as possible, I stood on my tiptoes.
A rumble reverberated at the back of his throat and sent tingles down my spine.
After several glorious minutes, he said, “Venus, my Princess . . .”
I didn’t let him finish, and pulled his lips to mine. Technically he wasn’t my personal guardian anymore. I’d released him from his oath on Earth. I’d meant it, and made the order official within days of our return to Kelari. Official or not, he continued to be by my side. And secretly I was grateful.
I felt Zaren smile. In reply, I tugged his succulent bottom lip into my mouth. He groaned louder this time, and my heart raced.
“Thank you,” I said, after several more minutes.
“For what?” he asked, the words breathless.
“Being you,” I replied, placing my head against his chest. If only life were this easy all the time. In Zaren’s arms, listening to the waves and the sea birds, I could almost forget. Forget I’d been on Kelari six weeks and in that time discovered much about the plot against me, including the necklace Amberlee gave me for my sixteenth birthday. The irrihunter charm had been dipped in eremite spider venom, which was why I’d passed out. But I still didn’t know where she or my parents were. The one good thing that happened since my return was the relationship between Zaren and I.
Without him I might have died from grief.
In a remote part of my mind, tucked away in a tiny box, were my memories of Michael. I hadn’t seen him since the night he returned me to Kelari, after my exile to Earth. The night I became an immortal, a kelvieri. The night Michael professed his love for me. I hoped he was okay. Zaren seemed certain he was, but I worried.
“What are you thinking about?” He kissed the top of my head, and I snuggled in closer. I didn’t want to ruin the moment by confessing my thoughts of Michael.
“Just anxious,” I said with a sigh.
He pushed me back, examining my face. “We will find your parents. I’m sure once the King of Canaru sees you’re serious about putting his son Palmo to death, he will tell us the truth. I know it.”
If only I held Zaren’s convictions. “I hope so,” I responded, drinking in the angle of his jaw, his flawlessly aligned nose, and full mouth. He recently cut his dark hair, which made his eyes seem even brighter, more exquisite.
“Are you admiring me?” he asked with an embarrassed laugh.
I snorted. “What?” I slapped his arm lightly. Sometimes I wondered if our differences in age mattered. If he thought I was a silly child. But, as he said before, when you can live forever, fifty years is no time at all.
“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” He brushed some hair from my face and I let my worry slip away momentarily. “Your eyes match the sky. A vivid and endless blue.”
My cheeks flushed at the compliment.
He kissed me lightly. “I’ve got to go.”
My face fell. I hated being away from him. When we were apart, loneliness occupied my thoughts. But I was a big girl now, an immortal, a kelvieri. Though I liked having him near, and he liked being near, it wasn’t such a necessity anymore. Occasionally, since he kept his post as my personal Formytian, the other guardians demanded his assistance. I had to be okay with our time apart. And, most days, I was. I appreciated all he did.
“I’m sorry,” he said, rubbing his hands along my arms. “Two new Formytians are at the castle. They must be trained.” He lifted my chin so I had to look at him. “Will you be alright?”
I swallowed. “Of course.” I plastered a smile on my face. “The Chans asked me to join them for their meeting tonight.” It was an important meeting too. Several small uprisings had broken out on the mountainous border of Alayeah and Canaru. In the meeting tonight, we would discuss how to handle the rebels. Most of the chancellors and counselors, the Chans as I liked to call them, alleged the uprisings were because of small indiscretions between landowners, but some thought it was more. They believed war between the two countries was imminent. For those reasons, the Chans sought to speed up my marriage to Palmo. We’d been betrothed since his birth, and though it was discovered the king of Canaru, and even Palmo, was behind my exile, the Chans believed a marriage would smooth over any animosity. It was a ridiculous notion, and I intended to make that clear tonight. There would be no marriage.
“I’ll stop by before it’s over and walk you to your room.” He stroked my lips gently with his thumbs. Zaren knew how to ignite my body.
“Sounds fabu.” I shut my eyes, leaning into his hands. He kissed my forehead and released me.
I watched him take a few steps before he used Britorent and disappeared. Exhaling heavily, I turned to the sea. Both moons reflected off its surface, their mirror images shimmering. The meeting would start soon. I needed to get to the castle.
“You and Zaren? That didn’t take long. I’m sure the old man is beside himself.” He was unexpectedly near, walking slowly in the sand behind me.
Michael.
I knew it, but how had he accomplished such a feat? With my immortal hearing, I should’ve perceived him coming. His voice sounded deeper, more arrogant than I remembered. Conflicting feelings tore through me. A part of me wanted to turn and throw myself into his arms. Check him over and make sure he was still in one piece. Another part of me wanted to smack him, yell at him, and ask him where he’d been the last six weeks. My body didn’t allow me to do either.
He moved up next to me, and I stole a sideways glance. Still as gorgeous as ever. His hair was longer, and covered one eye. A smirk turned his lips. He crossed his arms over a billowy white shirt. The sleeves hung to his wrists and were cuffed. Ties flapped carelessly against his chest, propping the neckline open. The ends of the shirt were tucked into a pair of black pants and on his feet were black boots. He looked good.
“Hel-loooo? You going to talk to me?” Amusement marked his tone.
“No.”
“Damn it.” He laughed, and my lips responded with a smile.
“Where were you?” I finally asked, turning to face him. Rugged, and gorgeous, I thought. My heart raced faster. I ignored it. I chose Zaren. But where had Michael been? I caught his gaze and held it, searching for answers.
“Here and there,” he responded evasively, shrugging.
“Why aren’t you dead?” The words left my mouth before I could censor them. Kelari’s air should’ve killed Michael.
He was human.
Michael cleared his throat and dug one of his booted toes into the sand.
“I’m waiting,” I said, pressing the sand he dug up back into place with my toes.
“Still an excruciating pain in the ass, I see.” He brushed his hair off his forehead and smiled, an easy smile, and its charm shredded my heart. Holy helker he was beautiful.
I crossed my arms, hoping to fend off his magnetism.
“Well,” he cleared his throat again, “it turns out I’m not all human.”
I think my mouth dropped into the wet sand. “What?”
“Surprise,” he said half-heartedly.
2. I Alone
“Are you kidding?”
A bird interrupted my question, calling into the night. I searched the bluff behind Michael, looking for the owner of the noise. Anything to give my mind some time to wrap itself around this newest bit of information. Was his true identity the reason the gods, Ith and Aetha, wanted me to help Michael find his soul mate? Had they known about Michael? “So what are you?” The question sounded worse than it was. I’d met dozens of creatures from different planets over the years. Some green with ten googly eyes. Others were red and similar to spiders, except they spit when they talked.
“I’m—”
“Holy cret, you’re speaking kelarian. How?” I didn’t notice right away because he spoke so naturally.
Michael grunted. “Not too long after your incredible change, I had a transformation of my own.”
“You did?” I wondered what happened and stepped closer, examining his features for a telltale clue to his origin. At the base of his neck hung a silver medallion, b
ound by a leather chord. “What’s this?” I brushed my fingers over it. The steel rippled at my touch. The medallion had a picture carved into it. Of a book. It lay open. On the left page was the image of three beautiful girls. On the right an irrihunter clutched something round, like a disc, in its front paws. On its back sat a boy and a girl. They reminded me of . . .
“Ith and Aetha gave it to me. A sort of present, like your buckle,” he said, clutching the medallion within his palm.
“Nice.”
“Nice,” Michael repeated with a grumble. “Your gods have quite the ideas about you and me. About Kelari. About a lot of things actually. I stayed with them a while before . . .” he let the unfinished sentence hang in the salty air.
“Before,” I prompted. I gave him my best questioning look and he laughed. I realized he didn’t want to tell me everything. What was he? A kelvieri, like me? I touched the taut thickness of his chest, ran my fingers down his arms. Michael grinned, and I flushed, self-conscious. He pretty much looked the same. He even smelled like him—like warm sunshine and pears. Without the overwhelming stench of cigarettes.
“Finished?” he asked, tugging playfully on my braid.
“Something is different about you.” I couldn’t put my finger on it. “If you aren’t human, then what?” I moved away from the friction our bodies created together. His nearness caused me to doubt my decision to pick Zaren. I didn’t need that. I knew I cared for Zaren, adored him really. There wasn’t a person alive who understood me the way Zaren did. Zaren was also completely dazzling. Not to mention kind, sweet, and an incredible kisser. At the thought of his lips on mine, my toes curled in happiness.
“I want to explain, tell you exactly what I am. It’s-” He blew out his breath. “Complicated.”
Beguiled (Book 2 Immortal Essence series) Page 1
