Read Online Genesis by Christie Rich - Free Book Online Page A

“I’m fine with that.”
    He frowned. “I should step down. There
is something wrong with me.”
    “ Yeah. It’s called a broken
heart, Taylor.”
    His expression fell even further. “You
are probably right. Yet, it doesn’t change the fact that I am not
fit to lead my kingdom.”
    I stiffened. “In who’s opinion?” Before
he could respond, I pressed on. “I’ve never seen someone so devoted
to their people.” The closest had been Luke. I flinched, thinking
about him. Was he okay?
    Taylor pulled his knees toward his
chest, clasping his hands casually in front of them. “You do really
care about him.”
    Was that a statement or a question? I
gave him a look, not wanting to have to ask him out loud to
explain.
    “ It was a statement. You are
thinking about him without aid of a compulsion. None of us are
strong enough to influence you from another realm.”
    I sat up straighter. He had a point. “I
need your help, Taylor.”
    “ I know you want me to tell
you who is manipulating you—who you can trust when it is only you
that can ultimately decide that.”
    Seriously? I was a mess. Couldn’t he
see that? “Then help me understand how to decipher these feelings.
Help me make the best choice.” I touched his leg.
“Please?”
    His eyes lingered on my hand. “I really
shouldn’t.” When I opened my mouth to protest, he cut me off. “But
I see wisdom in doing so.” He stood, holding a hand out to me.
“Come. I want to show you something.”
    Now what? He led me outside once again.
The air no longer held the glow of what I now thought of as
morning. It was more like dusk. “What’s with the light?” I
asked.
    “ We do our best to simulate
a normal environment, including sunrise and sunset.”
    Hmm, that would be interesting to see.
I still couldn’t identify the light source, but I was almost
certain it had to do with the air itself.
    We reached the top of a hill that
overlooked the city. Shimmering lights played on the horizon. Now
this was more of what I had expected. Sprawling buildings, massive
highways, full of life. Taylor lowered to the grass, pulling me
with him. “This is my favorite spot to watch a sunset.”
    I raised my brows at him
surprised so much time had passed. The term sunset seemed rather odd considering
we had an entire ocean between us and the actual sky.
    Taylor laughed. “Just watch then
judge.”
    I shut up. Mentally was a bit harder,
yet I managed to focus on the trees off in the distance. Who knew
evergreens could grow here? They were decidedly shorter than the
trees in the mortal realm. He was going to have to explain all of
this to me someday…soon.
    As subtle as a slanting mist, the air
grew brighter. Unlike a true sunset, this enveloped me, making me
part of the process, a cocoon of light wrapping around my body,
sending me into a frenzy of emotions. The ambers soothed, the
russets seduced, the violets lulled. I had never experienced
something so tangible yet indescribable in my life. The only thing
that had come close was when I had nearly bonded with
Heath.
    Uh-oh, at the mere thought of him, my
heart raced. What was it with him anyway? He wasn’t anymore
handsome than the other lords. He didn’t exactly have the best
personality, either. But something within me responded to him on a
level I wasn’t comfortable with.
    Taylor cleared his throat. “Do you want
to know what I think, my lady?”
    I nodded, not able to use my vocal
cords at the moment.
    His hand found mine. “He has been able
to accomplish what the rest of us only wish.”
    I squeezed his fingers. “What’s
that?”
    “ Somehow he managed to truly
compel you.”
    I considered that for a moment before
answering him. On one hand, Heath had been blatant about
compulsion. At first he used it on me every minute he could, but
after our encounter with Ainessa, he stopped. He hadn’t compelled
me once since then. That I knew of anyway.
    Taylor ignored my inner musings. “I
have heard of how you