Exiled
Immortal Essence, #1
Immortal Essence, #1
by RaShelle
Workman
Publication date: January 17th 2016
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publication date: January 17th 2016
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
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| New Cover Design |
WORLDS DIVIDED THEM. DESTINY
BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER. ONLY LOVE WILL SAVE THEM.
Venus isn’t from Earth, she’s
from Kelari. On her planet she’s next in line to rule, but there are those who
will go to great lengths to make sure that doesn’t happen. Including frame her
as a traitor.
Accused and sentenced, the gods
of her planet exile her to Earth. They’ve given her one week to help a human
find his true love. If she doesn’t succeed, she’ll die, but if she does she
might lose her heart.
BuyLink: Amazon
When she reached the water’s edge, she fell to her knees, eager to quench her thirst. Before the water touched her lips, a warning of danger stopped her. The hairs on the back of her neck rose. She glanced around.
She heard
him before she saw him, his words sailing over the rapidly moving stream.
“I
wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Startled,
she glared, trying to make out his form. When her eyes finally found him, she
stared, open-mouthed. Awed. Amazed.
Her first
human encounter.
He’s . .
. handsome I guess. Then quickly reprimanded herself for such triviality.
Setting
her mouth in a firm line, she asked, “Why not? I’m thirsty.” The words came out
whinier than she’d intended. Years of combat training taught her to be on
alert. But she hadn’t been prepared to run into a human so suddenly. Questions
about the dark-haired boy bombarded her.
Her
dehydration encouraged her to set them aside. She needed a drink, now or she
worried she’d faint. Still keeping her eyes fixed on the boy, she bent at the
waist, ready to plunge her mouth into the water.
The boy
spoke again.
“Come
here, you can have some of mine.” His voice reminded Venus of soft velvet,
though the words came out slurred. One leg shook, like he’d been filled with
writhing ants, the back of his thigh pounded against the thick, rotted tree
stump he’d folded himself on.
Everything
about him screamed dark and handsome, except his skin, which resembled hers. He
appeared to be brooding, eyebrows scrunched, faraway look in his eyes. Plus, he
reeked of angry attitude.
From
where Venus stood, his eyes looked black with dark lashes and eyebrows. There
was a scar, which ran straight as an arrow, from the tip of his nose to his
left cheekbone. His clothes were all dark. A long-sleeved black shirt over a
black t-shirt and dark blue jeans, at least that’s what she thought his
trousers were called, and black lace up boots. Had a storm cloud come along, he
probably would’ve been invisible to her eyes.
“What’s
wrong with this water?” she yelled, though she’d already stood and started
across.
“It isn’t
clean. You could get sick.” His mouthed twitched, like he barely contained a
smirk or a snide comment. “Nice boots, but where are your clothes? Not that I
mind.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms and elbows on his thighs and
watched her cross.
The icy
water splashed against her legs. It reminded her that all she wore were her
boots and unisa. She’d spent time with Zaren in nothing more . . . in fact
less, because she didn’t like to wear shoes, and never experienced a need to
cover up. Looking down, she realized how much of her body was exposed. A blush
tried to creep across her cheeks, but she ground her teeth, shaking it off.
“Uh, I
lost them. Are you sure you don’t mind if I have a drink?” She inclined her
head toward the thermos next to him. Her throat became more parched, if that
were possible. She resisted running over, chugging it.
“No, go
ahead.” He picked up the red thermos, unscrewed the lid and held it out.
Venus
rushed over. After a swallow, she realized it wasn’t water. The liquid burned
all the way down. She gasped, dropping the thermos. Grabbing her throat, she
watched the honey brown liquid spill onto the rocky dirt.
Her
throat constricted, but she choked out, “That isn’t water.”
He chuckled, wicked. “It’ll warm you up. Soothe your insides.”
He chuckled, wicked. “It’ll warm you up. Soothe your insides.”
Gagging,
she fell to her knees at the water’s edge, stuck her mouth in the stream and
drank. With relief, her thirst started to subside. After several mouthfuls, she
stood and turned. Water had soaked the ends of her waist-length hair as had
some mud. When the frosty ends touched her skin, she jumped and swore. He
snorted at her noticeable discomfort. His face revealed a look she’d seen
before, on male kelarians, especially after they’d had too much of what humans
called alcohol.
“I’d be
happy to help warm you up, too.” As he spoke, he stood.
“You can
take your foul thoughts and go straight to your—”
“Hey, I’m
trying to be chivalrous.” And before Venus realized the tainted plan he’d
devised, he grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her.
Until
that moment, Venus hadn’t considered what her first kiss would feel like, but
she knew this wasn’t right. Hard, full of anger. He pressed her lips open and
she tasted the alcohol on his tongue, sickly sweet. His arms locked around her,
crushing her body to his. She sensed a pleading in his embrace, a longing for
an unfulfilled wish.
“Release
her. Now,” Zaren yelled.
The human
pushed Venus away, wiping his mouth.
“Come on,
Venus,” Zaren grabbed her hand, pulling her from the foul boy.
She
watched stunned, as the brooding human smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Venus.
Funny,” he said, his words full of venom, like her name had been laced with
poison.
She
pulled her hand from Zaren’s. Anger ripped through her along with a gripping
sadness at the loss of her family and her irrihunter. That this boy had the
audacity to find humor in her name, at her, Princess Venus, daughter of King
and Queen Carania, rulers of Alayeah, the biggest kingdoms in all of Kelari,
was unacceptable. How dare he? She wouldn’t have it. Her heart ached and her
body hurt, but she ignored the pain. Head held high, she marched over and
slapped his face. Hard.
“Don’t
ever touch me again.” She gave him a defiant stare, daring him to try.
“Well,
Venus, you’ve no reason to worry. Your name alone will keep me as far from you
as possible. The Goddess of Love, how ironic.” He chuckled without humor and
turned. Head in his hands he sunk onto the dead stump.
At the
sight of him in such a condition, her anger abated, replaced by an unbidden
grief. She pushed the bizarre feelings away with vehemence. Surprised she felt
anything but furious at him, she made her way to Zaren.
When they
were a small distance away, Venus said, “What an annoying human. If I never see
him again, it’ll be too soon.”
Zaren
cleared his throat and walked ahead.
“What?”
Venus asked, catching up and grabbing his arm.
“That
annoying human is Michael, the boy you’re required to help.” He took a step
forward, but stopped. “Humans and love,” he grumbled and stomped ahead.
Venus
stopped and looked back, profoundly shocked. “But—”
He
sighed. “Clothes, first.”
Author Info
RaShelle Workman is an
international bestselling author. Several of her books have been translated
into Turkish and her BLOOD AND SNOW series has sold over a million copies
worldwide. When she isn't writing, she enjoys baking, creating new taco
recipes, and watching Supernatural.
RaShelle lives in Utah with her
husband, three children and their three dogs.
And sign
up for RaShelle's newsletter to receive free books and get information on book
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