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

his small face into a frown. “If you’re going to leave, at least say good-bye to her.” As quickly as he arrived, he bounded away.
    His stomach rumbled, the sound causing visions of roasted meat to enter his head. Food was as good a distraction as any in that moment. I suppose I could have a proper meal, but that’s it. When he turned around, Lea and her parents were walking toward him.
    “Rhuul, this is my father, Embral, and my mother, Renna.”
    “Thank you so much for saving her!” Renna didn’t delay and wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing tight.
    “I … You’re welcome.” He rested a hand on her shoulder and held her gently as he took a step back. Renna had tears in her eyes, her bottom lip trembling like a sheet in a windstorm. He’d never seen anyone show such genuine emotion. In Karn, every conversation was calculated to produce a desired result. It was rare for him to see such honesty in expression, and he wasn’t quite sure how to react. For the first time in his life, a scathing remark seemed out of place. He turned his gaze to Lea. Her smile was wide and bright, as though she’d never been happier.
    The fire elemental intertwined fiery fingers in Lea’s hand, the yellow and orange flames of his body flickering much like her hair.
    “My father also extends his gratitude to both you and Talloc. He wants you to know you are welcome in our home.” After she spoke the words, she blushed and cast her eyes to the ground for an instant. Whatever her father shared in that moment, she kept to herself, making him all the more curious about the words that produced that adorable effect in her.
    More Omala gathered, and to his shock, none of them looked at Embral with disdain. There were no angry glances, no sneers, no whispers, no judgment. Even Rhuul was looked upon with friendly smiles. Can’t they see what I am? Don’t they know he and I don’t belong here among them?
    “Please, Rhuul, be our guest for dinner. We have plenty of room for you to relax and unwind while we prepare the food.” Renna wiped her tears and took the hands of the two small children on either side of her.
    “Very well.” When he agreed, Lea smiled at her father and pointed her hooked thumb toward town.
    “Are you going to lead the way again?”
    “Don’t make me change my mind.” He wanted to remain solemn, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t keep a small chuckle from breaking free of his chest.
    * * * *
    Home at last, Avalea showed Talloc and Rhuul around her family’s large house. Talloc was soon lost in taking the form of everything in sight, including the toys of her siblings. With the Bruna entertained, she turned to Rhuul. “I’m dying to take a hot bath. Would you like one?” He stiffened, his jaw tight. “What’s the matter?”
    “I don’t take baths.” His voice was lower, as if he didn’t want anyone else to hear.
    “You what? Why not?”
    He spread his wings and lifted them. “Hard to fit these into a tub.”
    “They aren’t a problem.” She beckoned him to followand led him down the long hall toward the bathrooms.
    “Your father, is he allowed to see his people? Do the other elementals know he is with your mother?”
    “What do you mean, allowed? Of course they know. We visit them often. I’m able to communicate with my grandparents easily enough, but it’s not the same with my other relatives. It takes more concentration for me to hear them. Why?” She stopped in front of one of the bathrooms and searched his face. He looked wistful, and his eyes seemed to stare off into the distance. “Rhuul?”
    “I was just curious.”
    “Curious. Right.” Something was bothering him. It was clear from the way he rolled his shoulders and pressed his lips together in a tight line. She led him inside the room and stopped next to the tub. The long green basin was formed by two large, overlapping leaves. She looked him up and down before she squatted and placed her hands on the