Read Online Rhuul's Flame by Nulli Para Ora - Free Book Online Page A

The materials were simple, but the designs were intricate. Each building had its own unique pattern of plants and flowers growing up the walls, creating individual mosaics.
    As they got closer, Rhuul observed the Omala as they worked in the fields. They looked similar to Avalea, with varying shades of brown skin, long hair, and tall stature, but that’s where the likenesses ended. Many of the Omala had green tresses, the rest had brown, but none of them had the flame of her eyes and hair. She’s just like me. Similar, to her people, but not quite the same.
    “Avalea?” One of the Omala stood up, squinting at them as they made their way down the road toward town. “It’s Avalea! Quick, alert the elders.”
    Rhuul watched three Omala rush into town, running as if their lives depended on it.
    “Kerran, it’s so good to see you. I missed you!” She lowered Ghena to the ground, rushed over to the farmer, and threw her arms around him. In turn, he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close, tilting his head to avoid the flames on her head.
    Rhuul felt heat prickling inside the skin of his wings. He spread them wide and gave them a few flaps to shake the feeling. He wanted to rush over and punch the Omala’s face in for holding her with such familiarity, his fists already clenched. This is why I need to leave.
    “When the elders returned and told the story, we didn’t know what to think. We sent scouts along the route, but they found no sign of you or the others.” Kerran sounded worried. The look on his face could only be described as utterly sad. Deep wrinkles bracketed his mouth and furrowed his brow as he held her tight, and his voice cracked when he spoke.
    Some of the anger Rhuul felt diminished at the sight of the Omala’s sorrow. There was a sense of loss hanging around him, as if a fog of melancholy pulled any joy from the air.
    Avalea pulled back, her expression matching Kerran’s. “The others haven’t come back? But … but we never saw them. We have to go back. I need to f—”
    “Hell no! I don’t need you coming to me in my dreams again.” Rhuul narrowed his eyes at her and blew out a breath.
    “In his dreams?” Kerran raised both green eyebrows and stared at Avalea with a look of surprise.
    A small smile spread his lips and she shook her head before she spoke. “Sorry, Kerran. Let me introduce Talloc; he’s a Bruna, and the loud, angry, winged guy is Rhuul. They helped me escape. Rhuul took care of Ghena too.”
    “Speaking of which, I’m out of haraka berries.” Ghena turned to Rhuul, held up his empty sack, and smiled.
    “Nice to meet you, Kerran. Have you ever met you?” Talloc took Kerran’s form and chuckled when the Omala was rendered momentarily speechless.
    “I am Rhuul, and I will be lea—” A strange light caught his eye, and he turned in time to see a man of flames charge forward. In his wake were a female Omala and several children with Avalea’s flaming hair and eyes.
    “Father! Mother!” She ran to close the distance between them and held her family close.
    An emptiness all but consumed him. Bursts of pain swarmed through his heart as he watched the scene, but he couldn’t look away. It wasn’t the first time Rhuul found the scene of a loving family painful, but it had never been as difficult as this. It was one thing to imagine Lea’s parents together; seeing them, their love, their concern for her well-being, along with the other children hammered home an important point. I will never have this. He took a step away from them and shook his head, biting back the emotions roiling within him. I don’t need this. I need a realm; nothing else matters. He turned around and stared at the road they’d traveled to arrive at the village.
    Ghena ambled over and tugged on his wing. “Don’t be too hasty, Rhuul.” He scratched his furry belly and looked over his shoulder at the family reunion. “You rescued Ava. At least stay for a meal.” He paused, pulling