Temperance by Ella Frank Read Free Book Online

my sisters?”
    “They are here with us. Safe,” he told her and lowered his hand to cast a soft glow on all three of her sisters, who were lying at his feet. “You were the first to surface.”
    Her heart sped up as she stared down at them, panic-stricken. Then she shook her head, thinking, Surface? That’s an odd choice of words. She couldn’t help but ask , “Surface from what?”
    The stranger seemed to ponder her question, but then he deflected with, “That’s a discussion for another time.”
    Not understanding anything that was going on, she figured the best thing to do was to keep him talking. Isn’t that what the authorities always say if you are attacked?  
    Trying to channel some of Siobhan’s inner bravado, she demanded, “Where are we? Why’d you bring us here?”
    Without answering, he pushed his face farther into the light, and Naeve was shocked by just how attractive he was.  
    He had short, black hair that matched dark eyes with thick lashes. His Roman nose was perfectly straight, his cheekbones impossibly high. As if those traits weren’t disconcerting enough, his lips were just this side of full, and she hated that she noticed.
    What is wrong with me? This man could be a psychopath for all I know, and I’m sitting here thinking how hot he is.  
    He chuckled, and the sound was provocative as it left his throat. “Don’t be too distressed. I have that effect on everyone who looks upon me. It’s both a blessing and a curse of my kind. But to answer your question—”
    Naeve had forgotten she’d even asked one.
    “—I was not the one who brought you here.”
    She tried to shake herself out of the seductive stupor she was being wrapped in as he talked, and then the man gave her a full smile and flashed his white teeth.
    “Best not to think of me that way, Naeve—although it is flattering. You see, you and I? We’re of the Imperial Family here in Arcania, and they’re trying to keep the bloodlines…pure.”  
    Caught somewhere between embarrassed and terrified, she felt her eyes widen as they dropped down and she noticed for the first time that he wasn’t wearing a shirt of any kind. Luckily, he was in pants. From what she could see, they were some kind of lightweight material.
    Then, almost as if she couldn’t help it, her eyes were drawn back to his incredibly handsome face, which was highlighted by the flickering brightness still radiating from his palm.
    Huh. When did that become the least alarming thing in this whacked-out scenario?
    Maybe when she’d seen him for the first time or when he’d started… What? Reading my mind? No, it was something else entirely, and she still wasn’t certain she hadn’t dreamt this all up.
    “The Imperial Family? Ar…cania?” she repeated, her voice uncertain as it wavered over that final word.
      “Yes. You asked me why you’re here and where here is. The answers are simple enough. This is Arcania, and you are here because the Empress brought you here.”
    Naeve felt herself frown, and then she finally gave in to the hysteria that’d been building inside her and started to laugh. She realized that her hilarity was completely misplaced, but was unable to stop now that she’d started.
    I’ve totally lost my mind.  
    She couldn’t remember the last time a dream had been so vivid, and she’d never had one in an imaginary world. She must have had way more to drink than she’d first suspected.
    Choosing to just play along— hell, why not? —she forced herself to calm down and stop laughing as she leaned in closer to this good-looking… relative of hers.  
    “Okay. Suppose I believe you. Why don’t you tell me about this place? This…Arcania.”
    He raised his hand that remained illuminated and gestured her forward. “Come closer, and I will show you.”
    Naeve stared into the light and found herself mesmerized as it started to pulsate like a heartbeat. It continued to hover over his palm as he held his hand steady and