Alchemist's Kiss by AR DeClerck Read Free Book Online Page A

rain dripped down his neck and ran willy-nilly down his spine. Had he mentioned that he hated the rain? And the cold? And Hyde Park?
    Cora looked up at him through her lashes as the rain cascaded off her umbrella to pool at his feet. “You could share the umbrella, Icarus.”
    “I'll be fine. I don't want to take the chance that you take cold.”
    He swore he saw a blush on her cheeks as she turned her face away. She pulled her warmer fur-lined cape closer about her shoulders.
    He stiffened as the sound of boots met his ears. He reached for Cora's elbow, drawing her closer to his side. She came willingly enough, molding her softer body against his longer frame, as her full skirts swirled around his legs.
    “Lovely day, Adept Kane.”
    Icarus bowed low as the figure of the Grand High Master, the most powerful wizard in the world, came into view. He jostled Cora's elbow as a distinct snort of disbelief from her wafted in his direction. She blinked up at him innocently, and for a moment he was lost in the Gwydir green of her eyes. The curve of her cheek and the welcoming landscape of her mouth called to his like no other aphrodisiac ever had. It was by sheer will alone that he raised his head to greet the Grand High Master.
    “Indeed, Grand Master Orrin.”
    Lucan Orrin was a nondescript man of medium height and build. Nothing about him would alert you to his position except for the heavy press of the magic that clung to him like a shroud. He pushed back the hood to his cloak and shook the rain from his hair like a dog. He turned his wide, innocent smile on them. “I do enjoy a good rain shower.” He studied them for a moment before his smile drifted into a frown. “But you're uncomfortable.” Before Icarus could speak the wizard raised his hand and muttered under his breath. In a few moments the rain stopped completely.
    Cora looked at Icarus with wide eyes. He shook his head, though he was no less amazed at the power the man wielded.
    “There!” The man grinned at them with a wicked sparkle in his eye. “That's better!” He bowed low to Cora. “Lovely to meet you at last Ms. Jenkins.”
    “And you, Grand Master.” she murmured demurely, exactly as Icarus had instructed.
    The man turned his sharp eyes to Icarus. “Now tell me what's on your mind, Adept Kane.”
    “My father, Grand Master.”
    The friendly brown eyes narrowed and hardened. He spit onto the ground.
    “Tell me how you really feel.” Cora said, and the Grand Master's lips twitched a bit before he turned his gaze back to Icarus.
    “Explain.”
    Icarus made quick work of the story of his father's return. When he mentioned Baiandelio and Gecko the Grand Master's face became suffused with an angry red tint. When Icarus was done the Grand High Master crossed his arms and tapped his foot like an angry schoolmarm.
    “How dare they return to this city. London is yours by right of bid!”
    Icarus bowed in acknowledgment of the man's backing, but then shook his head. “My father doesn't care about right. He'll raze the city and destroy the peace we've worked hard to attain.”
    Orrin tapped his chin. “Indeed. The man is a threat to us all. Especially with the tensions between magic and non-magic wielders at the moment.”
    “I thought that was all political propaganda.” Cora spoke up. Icarus shot her a look, but she ignored him and focused her bright smile on the Grand Master. He preened under the attention as Icarus ground his teeth together in frustration. He'd had enough of the magic and science argument. There was no way humans would be able to survive without magic.
    The Grand High Master was in the process of telling Cora exactly the opposite.
    “It's entirely possible that we will be obsolete in the span of twenty years at this rate.” He cast his puppy-dog eyes in Icarus' direction. “Though I see that Grand Adept Kane would beg to differ.”
    “Not at all, Grand Master.” Icarus kept his face impassive. “I defer to your judgment in