Read Online The Realms of Ethair by Cecilia Beatriz - Free Book Online

neat piles.
    She stood abruptly and strode out, the beads
rattling at her wake. A few minutes had passed before she called
out: “Are you coming or not?”
    In the kitchen, they shared the food
between them. Arturion had not eaten properly in days and
thoroughly enjoyed working his way through his portion. On his
left, Karina ate hers with less enthusiasm as if the simple
activity tired her. Her eyes wandered everywhere but
him.
    He recalled his previous assessment of her a
month ago. She was thin, then. Now, her collarbone jutted out
sharply beneath her dress. The conversation he had with Sara
earlier returned to him.
    Karina had been asking for him during her second week in Merleina.
The high priestess and Kala tried to address it without betraying
Arturion’s confidence. They distracted their guest as much as they
could by teaching her the customs and traditions of their land. But
Karina had seen through it. One day, she disappeared into the
forest.
    A messenger of the Devatas, also known as
the Forest Folk, greeted Kala when she came in the morning. He was
sent by one of the lesser princes of the Court. The message had
been short, stating that they would return Karina to them by day’s
end.
    Kala had been frantic the whole day that
she burst into tears when a dazed Karina returned, whole and
unharmed. When asked about what had happened to her, she would only
answer that there was music and dancing at the Court.
    “ You are angry with me,” Arturion
began.
    “Maybe. I don’t know what I should feel about
you anymore.”
    “I am sorry.”
    “It would be nice if you could tell me what
you’ve been up to.” She was offering him an opening.
    He was at a loss where to begin and
admitted it to her apologetically. Karina gave him a measuring
glance.
    “Let’s play a game. You’ll answer my question
and I’ll answer yours. Deal?”
    Arturion agreed.
    “What is a Gate Keeper?”
    “ A Gate Keeper assists people in transition
or what is more commonly called ascension . It does not apply to just anyone. We help those
who have found it difficult to remain in the third dimension – your
world – or those who are ready to make the leap towards the higher
fourth dimension and beyond. Merleina is situated between the lower
and higher fourth dimensional plane.” Abruptly, he changed the
topic. “How are you feeling?”
    “ Fine. My turn,” Karina said
quickly.
    “That’s not a real answer.”
    “It is.”
    “ The truth, Kristina.”
    “ It’s Karina. I said I’m fine. I’ll tell
you if it changes to better or worse,” she said irritably. “I’ll
give you another chance. Ask me a real question.”
    “Why did you seek out the Devatas?”
    “The music.” Her expression softened. “I
always hear them at night. But that evening, it seemed close. I
wanted to see it. I didn’t leave my doorstep. Not really at first.
I didn’t want Kala and Sara to worry. I just wished for the music
and the dancing. I knew there was a dance because Kala had told me.
Someone came and invited me to join them in the celebration. I told
him that Sara had forbidden me to leave without Kala. He said they
were all waiting for me. He promised that he’ll send word to Kala
that I’d be back and that I would have fun. So, I came.” She smiled
at the recollection. “Anyway, Sara lifted the ban. I can come and
go as I want in Merleina and by the edges of the Forest as long as
it’s during the day.”
    “The Forest Folk are wary of humans. Still,
they’ve accepted you as their own. Who invited you?”
    “Kelor-dan.”
    Arturion blinked at the mention of the
prince’s name. Prince Kelor has been a favorite of the Devata for
centuries. A lesser prince but favored by the High King and Queen
of the Devatas. He had never involved himself in human affairs
before. To have his friendship would mean having the Devatas as
powerful allies.
    “You realize it could have been a trick,
someone posing as Kelor-dan.”
    “Yes. Either way, I