Immortal Dreams (Immortal Realms Book 1)

by Jennifer Sage

  She grazed her fingers along it and then took it off her head again to examine it. So light! It felt as if it didn’t weigh a thing even though she couldn’t imagine how many ounces of silver this was. So delicate and beautiful. “You made this? For me?”

  He flashed her a smile that was laced with pride. “I did. I hope you like it. If not I can make another.” He shrugged.

  “Don’t be silly, it’s extraordinary. I feel a bit silly wearing it though, since it seems more suited for royalty.”

  He laughed loudly now. “Princess, you are royalty. Get used to it.” He took it from her hands and placed it back on her head. It did feel nice, but she still felt like it was on the wrong head. No one had ever given her anything before, not like this. Reaching up on her tip toes she kissed him and smiled.

  Looking through the yards of fabric in awe she settled on a simple black dress and slippers that matched his outfit and walked out, placing it on the bed.

  “Bodhe, is there, um, a bathroom that I could maybe clean up in?”

  He doubled over laughing and made her cheeks burn. “Yes, Sidhe use the bathroom too. Try door number four,” he said, while he pointed to it. She hurried over but didn’t get far once it was opened. She thought she had heard running water when in the bedroom, but this was unreal. A room about half the size of the bedroom was before her. On one side was a cascading waterfall that streamed gently from the natural rock and a large pool of water beneath it. To the other side, all the normal amenities of home. A mirror that was cut into the rock, a toilet, though she could say with certainty that it was nothing like the one at home and another jutting hollowed stone with water pouring in a gentle stream above it and a few ledges. That would be the sink, she gathered.

  “I took the liberty of having our soaper make some special shampoo for you. I noticed that you like rosemary and mint. She took great care in making a very good replica.” He walked over to the little pool of water and handed her one of two stone containers with a creamy substance inside. She took one whiff and was in heaven. If the water wasn’t going to be freezing, this would be too perfect.

  “So, how hot do you like your water?” He asked nonchalantly.

  “You can’t hear me too, can you?” she growled.

  He chuckled. “I can’t, no, but I wish I could. I know you want to try this shampoo and didn’t think you were accustomed to cold showers at home?”

  Oh, that was a relief! If he could hear her thoughts this would definitely never work, no matter how insanely sexy he was. “Medium,” she answered. “Medium to hot, actually.”

  He flicked his wrist and gestured for her to feel. It was perfect. Dropping the towel she stepped in, expecting him to follow but instead he walked out of the room after giving her a quick kiss. Well then, she certainly didn’t need him to shower.

  Instead she let the warm water run over her and even though the blood and gore that was covering her in her world didn’t travel with her, she still felt like she was cleaning it off. The shampoo and conditioner was lovely as promised, and after she toweled off, she walked out of the bedroom and slipped into the dress. He was looking out over the city on the balcony before he turned to her, nostrils flaring.

  “Every time I think you can’t be more beautiful, I’m stunned. Gods, I’m in so much trouble,” he said, licking his lips and giving her a once over. Visibly shaking his head, he stared again at the city instead of her. “So, what happened today, Isabel? How were you hurt so badly?”

  She could see he was struggling with something. She sighed. Might as well get this over with.

  “A Shadow Demon attacked me and the bastard kept slipping from form. I did end up getting him, but I got the crap beat out of me in the process.”

  He grimaced as she spoke. “And Amele? Where was she during your attack?”

  “Well she was right behind me, of course. Keeping the Unseelie from attacking me too.”

  He looked at her sharply. “What the hell is happening that the Unseelie and Shadow Demons are attacking you? Tell me everything you’ve seen since your sight came, leaving only Morkain out. I have to know what’s happening if I have any hopes of protecting you.”

  She shut her eyes and leaned against the railing, beginning the re-telling of events to him. She told him everything from her mother’s letter to the moment when she beheaded the Demon, leaving out the dreams of Morkain, as he instructed.

  He walked in the room and came back out with the sword, thrusting it into her hands. “This will go with you in both worlds and you’ll wear it always, starting now.”

  “But I have…” she stammered.

  “Loth’s sword is not this sword. Don’t try to fight me on this! You’ll wear it, Isabel. And that’s the end of this discussion,” he growled.

  He picked her up and flew her down to a small valley and gently set her down in front of a grotto. It was just a small pool of water but she could feel its energy. She didn’t think being ordered to do something was really much of a discussion but she wasn’t in the mood to fight. She’d done enough of that for one day.

  “Isabel, if you think you’re able to, you can use the waters. I have to think about what you’ve told me.” He dropped the sword sheath in her hand and turned away, giving her a little privacy.

  She thought better of refusing the sword again, as much as it heated her to be told what to do, and instead strapped it to her back. Isabel gazed at the waters, sinking onto her knees in the grass.

  She did as she had done in Albequen, and tried to clear her mind. Nothing. The deep clear water didn’t stir at all. Bodhe pacing behind her didn’t help much either though. She took a deep breath. Mom, some help please.

  The water jumped and her mother’s face just barely appeared beneath the surface. Bodhe was suddenly by her side. “Plain as a storm in the sky is the falsity, my child. Remember my curse upon you.”

  The water went black and her mother was gone. This is false? Is he false? Or did she mean Morkain? Why were there no images this time? What the hell is false!?

  “I don’t understand, Bodhe, I didn’t see any images this time. What’s wrong with the water?”

  He looked at her perplexed. “This time?”

  She just shook her head in frustration. “There should have been more. I need time, Bodhe. I have to go.”

  “Isabel, please don’t leave. Stay with me.”

  She looked at him with sadness. “I can’t. You heard her! She said this is false! Are you lying to me about something? I don’t understand any of this!”

  “Not in a million years, would I,” he grabbed her by the neck gently as a tear slid down her face, wiping it with his thumb. “Isabel, please, that wasn’t a Foresayers vision.”

  Defiance reigned in her now. “No? So am I just a wee mortal again? Not strong enough to have a damn vision? I’ve seen a vision once in the waters already and it wasn’t like that! I saw…God, Bodhe, I saw something so terrible. Don’t tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about because I saw it with my own eyes!”

  “Dammit, that’s not what I meant. You’ve seen your mother in the water, that’s true, but that was her reaching out to you. It wasn’t a Foresayers vision! What do you think you’ve seen and where? I demand you tell me!” His jaw clenched and he gazed at her with a raw fury that made her tremble.

  His beautiful layers of soft curls and warm prince melted away, and she saw just how different he looked now when he was angry. Wind hurled around them both, lightning and thunder all being summoned by his fierce upset. Rain plastered his long hair to his face, his black clothes that she’d thought so handsome before just making him have that much more of a contrast between his ethereal glow and the shadow of his clothes. Would she look so inhuman when all of this was over too?

  The rain pelted her, freezing her from the inside out. But even with the icy visage displayed, her heart was beating warm and hard and painfully in her chest over the words she’d now utter. She didn’t wish it…the fates were too damn cruel.r />
  “I wish to go home.”

  She disappeared, listening as he pounded the empty ground with his fists, his fury only matched by her fear.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Uglies Running Rampant

  “GOOD TO SEE your spleen isn’t hanging out anymore, Bel.” Amele sat next to her on the bed with the TV on low. Isabel sat up slowly, noticing that outside was as dark as the night had been in Loveryn.

  “How long was I asleep?”

  “Oh, not long considering what you’ve been through. Just two days.”

  “Two days! What’s been happening here since then? Is it day or night right now? I feel so off.”

  “It’s daytime, hon. The beasts are still outside, but we’ve been putting a considerable dent in them while you slept. And you did a damned good job of that for yourself, if I may say so. We had to retreat to the house when you were struck down by the Demon, but the guard has been fighting tirelessly since then. And when we saw that you were being healed in your sleep, we sent the healers back out to care for our wounded. Tell me, was it Danua? She’s the only one I know of that could’ve healed you that fast. Jesus, you really scared the shit out of me when you dropped out there and all your wee mortal blood was everywhere. Next time you need to let me know when you’ve been gutted by a Demon. Capisci?” She looked at her with a frown as she took a bite of Cherry Garcia ice cream. “You know, I’m so thankful you went to him that night. If you had gone to Albequen…well, their healers aren’t the same as the Sidhe healers.”

  “I understand you just fine, and yes, it was the Queen that healed me. “Coffee, I need coffee,” she said, holding her head.

  As if she’d been waiting outside the door with the coffee pot, a female came in with a mug of steaming goodness and set it next to Isabel by the bed. She bowed and went back out without uttering a word.

  “Pretty cool, huh?” Amele grinned. “So, my dear, you were having quite the dream again and I have to ask…what’s new in Loveryn?”

  She told Amele the story, and when she got to the part about the waters she gasped. “He actually brought you there? Interesting,” she said as she took another bite of ice cream.

  “Why is that so interesting? I asked him to take me and he did.”

  “Because, my dear halfling, the waters are restricted to those who are Foresayers and we don’t know if you are one yet. He was breaking the law by bringing you there. My nephew has done me so damn proud.”

  Isabel just looked at her and blinked. “But what about the vision in Albequen and my mother in Loveryn? She’s trying to tell me something and I don’t know what the hell it is. I should’ve seen more in Loveryn. It doesn’t make any sense.”

  Amele sat there contemplating her words for a few moments and eating her ice cream. “It’s possible that your mother is sending you messages, but only you’re meant to find the meaning of them. And you will when it’s time. For the moment, however, we have bigger problems outside and we’ll need you as clear as possible to deal with them.”

  She sat up more and sipped her coffee, pulling herself out of bed after a few gulps to walk over to the window. The Unseelie were further back in the woods now and she could see that the battle was indeed, still on. Sidhe were dancing with their swords, bringing a graceful death to all that were within their reach. Their lights swirled in the darkness like a beautiful dance of death.

  Amele began to giggle. “That is a beautiful sword, Bel. A gift from the Prince, I gather?”

  She didn’t even feel it on her it was so light, but as she looked down at her bare skin and the sword strapped on, she just grinned and nodded. “I suppose I should get dressed. Will we be fighting again today?”

  “We may need to, Halfling, but I think we’ll go take a look around and see what is happening in the nearby towns first. If you’re up to it, of course. And aren’t your ears just darling this morning!” she said with a wink.

  Isabel reached up and felt the now even longer pointed tips. They were nearly fully formed now, she guessed. “Sure, whatever you want to do. I’m losing track of time, how many days until the blood moon rises and I’m turned?”

  “You have four more days Isabel. Have you learned enough to make a decision yet?” She watched her curiously as she slipped into some suede pants and matching top and long coat. Re-strapping the sword to her back she put on socks and her boots and stood up. Once the dagger was firmly in place she gazed at Amele. “I have no idea. My body screams for both of them, my heart is leaning toward Bodhe, but after the vision in Albequen I think that it’s Morkain that I am supposed to be with. So, I have no idea. Maybe after tonight with Morkain I’ll know more.”

  Everything pointed to him. Well, almost everything. Her brows furrowed and she noticed the aching in her heart. Isabel guzzled the rest of the coffee quickly and walked to the bathroom to freshen up. Amele just stared out the window in quiet contemplation as she left.

  After splashing some cold water on her face and brushing her teeth, she returned to the bedroom to find Amele strapping on her own weapons. “I think it’s best if we start here and work our way outwards to other cities.”

  Isabel nodded.

  “Remember though, in town the people can’t see what you can as far as the Uglies, so we have to be very cautious not to gain any attention. We’ll be sifting of course, since it’s really not safe to drive. Oh, and due to you not having any glamour of your own just yet, I’ll be shielding you within mine. So you have to stay within a few feet of me at all times, got it?”

  She shrugged before responding, “Sure thing.”

  “Are you feeling alright? After last night’s rendezvous you should at least be nice and relaxed. Orgasms usually have that affect.” She looked at her with a concerned expression, which Isabel frowned at.

  “Are you truly out of your mind, Amele? No, I’m not alright. I have to make a choice soon, and now that I have these other things on my mind too that have come from my mother, I’m just more confused than ever. I don’t know what the hell she’s talking about when she says to think about her curse on me! Just think about it… I’ve been waiting twenty two years just to have sex and now I have not one, but two of the most gorgeous creatures under the sun fighting for my attention, and I can no sooner choose one over the other because I might just make all the worlds look like what’s outside this window. So, no. I’m definitely not in any sense of the word, alright.” She turned and headed for the door.

  “Um, Isabel? We’re sifting, remember?” she said softly.

  “Right,” she seethed as she walked back to her. “Are you sure I can’t kill anything right now? I think I would feel much better.”

  Amele laughed, “There’s my girl. Maybe it won’t be a completely boring evaluation after all. You never know, we might get attacked, and then what else could we possibly do other than defend ourselves?” she responded, doing a pretend pout.

  Isabel smiled. Killing Uglies would be a great venting method since they were part of the reason she couldn’t just enjoy this time with both of her newfound Gods. The energy within her that was getting more intense with each passing day was circulating around and making her lightheaded. She felt less and less like herself, and more and more a person she didn’t know at all; one that truly had meant it when she said that killing Unseelie would make her feel better. It was more noticeable with each dream—the immortal energy that was taking over in her soul—and as she looked at the glowing, golden green in her eyes in the mirror, she knew that she was a very different woman than she was a week ago. Had it really only been a week?

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Gods Among Us

  ~REALM OF the Water Elemental God-Nikolai

  Nikolai leaned over his seeing pool and watched the scenes unfolding in the realms and the chaos that it was creating. His hands gripped the sides of the smooth black marble that was veined with streaks of white, a low growl stirring in his chest at what he was witnessing. Curse or no curse, Isura was going to have to agree
to fix the veil soon, or it would be too late. Shadow beings were slipping into the realms of light and the balance was faltering on a scale that was beginning to concern him. He was not beyond waking the Sidhe woman himself and repairing the wards, if it meant the restoration of the realms. Of course, the motivations were somewhat selfish, and he was fine with that. Being the Elemental God of Water meant that his rule would be drastically dull if the shadows overtook the light. Water and its inhabitants don’t thrive well in the dark, and he was not particularly fond of dark marshes and wastelands, nor was he interested in wiping out the population of every world. No, he would only let this go on for so long. Isura had her fun, it was coming to an end now, however. It was too much work to start over and recreate entire realms.

  The little mortal was fun to watch, though, struggling as she was before her immortality arrived in full. There was so little amusement anymore for them. Not forgotten, but too feared now to be summoned, they were forced to be bystanders now—just watching the events of the realms unfold. He remembered so many thousands of years when they had joyous reign and all the magical beings had revered them, worshipped them, and included them in their celebrations. But, ever since Reisha’s curse that had gone very wrong of the greedy Sidhe male that wanted to rule Loveryn, none of them were called on again. No matter if they were mostly benign or not.

  The Unseelie King had earned his curse with his wicked heart, but had it been any of the other Elemental Gods that were called on besides the Fire Elemental, he would have been alone with his greed in that dark kingdom. None of the other Gods had agreed with what Reisha had done, but it was her right to do as she pleased with him and when it was done they couldn’t change it. When a pact is made between a God and an immortal, they all have the right to do as they wish, and without interference from the others. Just as Isura had the right to let this charade play out, as well. Still, the cruelty had not gone unnoticed by the rest of them. Taking the whole family when it was only the soon-to-be-crowned king that had summoned her was more than she should have done; beyond what any of the rest of them would have done.