Immortal Essence Box Set: Aligned, Exiled, Beguiled (52 page)

I nodded blindly, hoping I could do it alone.

16. Loser

Ramien used his . . . whatever (I had no idea what) . . . mojo, and we were back in the bedroom where I first met Angela. She was there again,
back
together, and cowering in the corner. “What’ll happen to Amberlee?” I asked, hoping to somehow slow down the events about to unfold. I didn’t want to marry Ramien.

“After she’s paid her debt to me, she’ll be free.”

“What debt? What do you mean?”

Ramien grabbed me by the arm, and shook me hard. “Shut up and get dressed. No more stalling.”

Angela let out a squeak. “Keep quiet, Angela. Or more pain will be in your future.” He laughed.

The girl nodded, mutely.

I tried another tactic, pulling my arm from his grasp. “Won’t marrying me go against the law of the Universe?”

“Ah, you’re finally beginning to think. No, technically it won’t.”

“But I’m not a ferether. I can’t do the things you can do. It’s only been six weeks since I became a kelvieri.” What was he saying? I was kelarian. Born and raised. Kelari was my home. Yet he implied our species were similar. Or did he mean ferether’s and kelvieri were somehow related. 

“It’s true you aren’t a ferether. But, our species are kindred enough that mating with you won’t break any rules. Not that the rules matter to me.” Ramien threw opened the closet door and pulled the same dress he’d wanted me to wear when I first arrived from its hanger. It was still beautiful, delicate. The strapless silver bodice adorned with intricate flowers. Gauzy material went over one shoulder. It was long, the material sleek, like liquefied steel. Next to him the material seemed frail, almost imaginary.

My arrival in Helker with Michael seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had happened. I realized I had no sense of time here. No moons, or suns to give any indication of hours passing. “How long have I been down here?” I sat on the edge of the bed, suddenly so tired it hurt to breathe. My heart ached.

“Your prehistoric interpretations of time are of no value,” he said, waving his hand dismissively. He handed the dress to Angela, which she laid out on the bed.

I fixed Ramien with a needy stare. “How long?” I asked again.

He sighed. “Probably close to a month according to the way kelarians calculate time.”

“What?” I stood. “No way.” I figured maybe a few hours.
A day at most.
None of us ate, drank, or any of the other necessities basic for human and kelarian existence. My immortal body didn’t require those things to survive, but we enjoyed them. “I don’t believe you.”

Ramien scoffed. “I guess it’s a good thing I don’t care whether you believe me or not.” He grabbed my arm and shoved me toward the chair and vanity. “Get dressed.”

I nodded. Turning numbly, I went to the chair Angela indicated, and sat.

The mirror on the vanity in front of me reflected a woman I didn’t recognize. When I first arrived in Helker, Angela had braided my hair. Now the braid hung lopsided along the side of my head. My face looked like something out of a horror hologram. Black, maroon, and red blood covered my face in splotches, spatters, and smears. My eyes no longer shone a vivid blue (the way Zaren described them), but were a dull, almost nonexistent color. A long cut went through my right eyebrow and celestrum seeped from the wound. The shirt I wore no longer appeared lavender, but dingy, covered in blood and guts. One of the sleeves was gone, ripped away at the shoulder. The other hung in a tattered mess, shredded by either the snakes or the
dorvey
. My fingers were covered in blood, the skin under the fingernails blackened. Even my belt buckle, Tortevia, was drenched in all manner of fluids. The only item that remained unscathed was Michael’s medallion.

“Do you mind if I have a bath first? It’s apparently been ages since I was clean.”

His expression caught mine in the glass. “You
are
disgusting. I suppose a good washing would be best. No sense scaring the guests.” He went to the door. “Several of the wedding guests will be your loved ones. I invited your parents. They declined. But the king and queen of Alayeah are coming.”

I gave him a puzzled look. “So my parents will be there? Not that you’re giving them a choice, I’m sure.” Despite the circumstances, excitement beat in my chest. I would see my parents. Though I knew they died, I longed to see them, hold them in my arms, and have them comfort me. I needed them.

He laughed. “True. Zaren and his lover, Palamina, are also coming,” he said with a cruel sneer.

At the mention of Zaren’s name, my heart pounded faster. Zaren! My mind cried out in anguish. It hurt thinking of him with Palamina.

Ramien continued on with his guest list. “I also invited Palmo, Dervinias, and the human, Cheverly. ” While he spoke a huge bathroom appeared to the right of the vanity.

“Angela, help her. I’ll return shortly.”

He left, slamming the door.

I gulped in a huge breath of air, pushing down the new wave of pain threatening to burst.

Angela scurried over. “Highness, let’s get you washed up.”

I wanted to laugh. Ha! The blood might come off my skin, but it would never leave my soul.

Angela helped me out of the chair, and dragged me into the bathroom. She removed my clothes and had me under the water within seconds. My mind was like a blank screen. Empty. I couldn’t think. I didn’t want to. Any sort of contemplation would bring up all that had happened, and I wasn’t ready. If I left my mind blank, I wouldn’t have to remember what I’d done, those I lost, and what was yet to come.

The hot water slapped against my skin in stinging procession. Ducking my head in the spray, I closed my eyes, wishing the water would wash me away along with the dirt and grime.

Venus, come child
.

17. Unbelievable

“Where,” I whispered.

“What did you say, Highness,” Angela asked, scrubbing my back with some sort of brush.

“Nothing,” I shook my head and closed my mouth.
Tortevia
. I said her name with my mind.

Very good, child
, she purred softly.
I must show you something.
As she spoke my mind opened up . . .

The scalding water.
Angela scrubbing my back.
The stifling fogginess of the air.
It all evaporated.

I stood in nothingness. That was the only way to explain it. Emptiness swallowed up my feet. On all sides were stars, stars, and more stars. A menagerie of them in bursts of reds, purples, and blues. Directly in front of me sat an irrihunter, like the gargoyles on old churches.

Tortevia
, I asked astonished.

She roared, extending her wings out and upward, giving me a full view of how massive they were.
Hello, child
, she said with a soft purr. 

Where am I?
I took a hesitant step toward her. The ground, though I couldn’t see it, felt solid. I took another step.

She chuffed, her head moving up and down in humor.
This is space. Didn’t the stars give you a clue?

I snorted.
But it’s firm.

Everything is substance.
Even the matter between objects.
But that’s not why you’re here.

Then why?
I reached her side, and longed to touch her fur.
May I?

Of course.

I sank my fingers into her lush black mane, ran my hand over her furry back, touching the cartilage where a wing extended, and pressed my cheek against hers.
You are beautiful, Tortevia.
Being near her in this way made me long for Sadraden.

Tortevia turned, her violet eyes glowing in pleasure.
As are you.
Now climb on. Let’s go for a ride.

My heart skipped a beat. Hopping on, I situated my naked self in front of her wings, so my legs rested against her neck.

With two giant leaps, her wings beat and Tortevia flew. I let out a squeal of exhilaration. I missed flying almost as much as I missed my mom and dad. Together we went faster and faster.

How are we doing this, Tortevia?
I watched as planets, stars, moons, and suns went by.

It’s possible because of what you are.

My stomach clenched in apprehension. Not Tortevia too.
First Ramien, then my sister, and now her.
I wanted to shout, “I’m a kelvieri. Venus Carania, daughter to the king and queen of Alayeah.” But I didn’t.

What am I?

You are the child of Ith and Aetha, which makes you an Eternal . . . mostly.

I almost fell off Tortevia.
No. That’s not true. My parents—

Aren’t your real parents,
Tortevia
finished.

We closed in on an enormous violet planet surrounded by many moons, and three suns.

This is the planet, Stiel.
Home to the Gods.
They are called Eternals. Aetha’s essence was born there. Your father’s essence was created on Stiel as well, though his body was born on Earth. An unloving mother raised him until the age of eight.

My mouth fell open. I couldn’t believe it. Ith’s mother sounded a lot like Michael’s.

Many millennia ago an Eternal by the name of Egan rose up against the Creator. He and his followers wanted to rule, wanted the Creator’s power. Fearing for his people, the Creator exiled Egan along with those who supported him. They became known as the fallen or ferethers. They have no home, no soul. They are like cockroaches, invading other planets, tasting the essence of higher souls, but never consuming. They don’t have the power.

I don’t understand.
How do you know so much?
The story was fascinating, but it still didn’t explain why Ramien needed me or how she could know what I was.

She roared, and said,
I am the Gods’ Guardian. Anything and everything the Creator wants me to know, I know.

That made sense.
But why me?
 

Because you are an Eternal.
And when you agreed to become Ramien’s wife, you willingly bound your soul to him. Essentially you gave him your soul. Since it was done by choice, not taken, Ramien can consume your soul. Once the ceremony is complete, which won’t be a marriage but a sacrifice, he will be as powerful as the Creator.

How? How can my soul allow him to rival the Creator?

You are as the Creator. A goddess. The ferether was like you, like the Creator, until he was stripped of his soul. Now you’ve offered him yours. Once he completes the ritual, your soul will be fully his.

What’ll happen to me?
I gripped the fur at Tortevia’s neck, fear pounding against my chest.

You, dear child, will no longer exist, except what little part of you may reside inside Ramien.

But, why are you telling me this now? I’ve already agreed to become Ramien’s wife. He can control my body whenever he wants.
Could I find a way to make myself no longer exist? Make my soul disappear before Ramien was able to perform the ritual. I realized even if I had died during Ramien’s senseless game, he still would have had access to my soul.

Tortevia interrupted my thoughts.
You see, a thousand years ago, Ith and Aetha were brought to Kelari with the sole purpose of freeing the souls Ramien held captive. They did, but they couldn’t destroy Ramien and the net he’s placed over Kelari. Only a ferether can destroy a ferether. So they made a pact with Ramien. If he promised not to murder the new bodies of higher souls, they agreed to let him keep the souls of those who died.

When Ith and Aetha created the bodies of those they saved, they made it so they could become immortal, hoping such a drastic step would keep most of the souls from suffering at Ramien’s hand. It worked. Ramien has a lot fewer souls than he did before.

I remembered the Room of Souls deep within Helker, and shuddered.

Ith and Aetha bided their time, knowing someday they would find a way to destroy the ferether. Michael’s conception was the first piece. When they discovered his mother’s pregnancy, they whisked Catherine away, and placed her on Earth. She wasn’t kelvieri, though the immortal’s gift changed her hair color and eyes. Everything immortal went into her child. That meant she would continue to age as a normal human. They knew Ramien couldn’t leave without freeing the souls he held captive on Kelari. So Michael remained safe. Almost a year after Michael was born, you came into the world.
Michael’s match.

If Michael is part ferether, does he have a soul?

I think you know the answer to that, but yes. Michael does have a soul. He’s the only ferether ever to possess one. It’s because of his mother. Her kelarian blood allowed the Creator to grant him one. 

I thought of Catherine, the abominable way she treated her son and had a hard time believing. But then she must’ve been through a lot. I couldn’t imagine the difficulties of living among humans. Pretending to be one, knowing her husband killed aliens for a living.