Immortal Craving: Immortal Heart by Magen McMinimy, Cynthia Shepp Read Free Book Online

like you'd expect from one of the rulers of the Underworld. “Your sun is warm. Ours is but an illusion—it provides no heat, but it is beautiful.”
    “I’ve never asked you or your sisters about the Underworld.”
    Acacia patted the grass next to her as an invitation for him to join her. An invitation that was more like an order—its unspoken courtesy that what the Immortal Three asked of them, they gave. Kale took a seat next to Acacia and followed her lead, taking the time to close his eyes and lift his face to the sun.
    “You all hide in the shadows, for a very noble purpose, but you must take the time to enjoy the world you live in.”
    Kale didn’t say anything but he nodded. Acacia was right; he couldn’t remember the last time he sat in the sun and just enjoyed the heat.
    “Would you like for me to tell you about my world?” Acacia asked, still keeping her head tilted up to the sun.
    “Yes, I really would.”
    “The Underworld is an unusual place. The part my sisters and I rule is much like your World; it’s really quite beautiful. Our sun has no heat because those who reside behind our gates are comfortable at all times; their bodies maintain a steady temperature around them. Those who reside with us are happy. They live a new life without the needs of their former Fae life. It’s a good end for those who have earned the right to enter our Kingdom.”
    “What about your brothers’ Kingdom?” Kale asked, finally looking at Acacia.
    “Well, theirs is a little different. I can’t tell you the details, but the Dark side of the Underworld has different realms of purgatory—those who barely missed the mark into the Light Kingdom are often given the choice of work they do in our world.”
    “Do you know all who reside with you?”
    Acacia smiled at him. “I wondered if you’d ever ask this question. You know we work under strict rules that determine what we can and cannot do. I see the fates, I know when each of you will join my World, but I can never tell you. Just as I cannot warn you of the deaths of those you love. But I see the future you are running into and there is so much happening outside our worlds. The secret I want to share with you and that I always want you to remember is that I cannot lie to you.”
    Kale narrowed his eyes at her. This was news to him. “You can’t lie to me—so if I ask you when I’m going to die you would have to tell me?”
    Acacia smiled at him. “No, I told you I cannot tell you that. However, should you guess the day, the time, and the form correctly, then I would be bound to tell you that you were right. It is how you word what you ask, so give it a try and ask me the question to the answer you seek.”
    Kale took a second to find the proper wording and braced himself for the answers to what he had long ignored.
    “Did Darion kill Katarina?”
    “No, she did not join our world at Darion’s hand.”
    Kale’s stomach clenched. Katarina is still alive. Then he considered what Acacia said… She did not join our world at Darion’s hand. That didn’t mean he didn’t have her executed
    “Did he have her executed?” Kale asked.
    “No, she was not executed.”
    These were non-answers. Kale sighed as he thought of the right way to word the question.
    “Did Katarina ever join your world?” Kale asked.
    Acacia smiled. “You caught on quickly and yet I don’t know if the answer will bring you joy or cause you more pain… but your Katarina still lives in the Human World. ”
    Kale let out a heavy breath. He wasn’t sure either. Was he relieved or was he feeling a new stab of pain to know she was still alive? Kale hated his heart right then. It was as it always was, in a constant battle with his brain whenever Katarina was involved.
    “You know where she is?” he asked.
    “We know where all Fae are. It’s our job. We see you at birth, we are always aware of you, and we know when it’s time for us to come for you.”
    “You collect the souls of the