Read Online Portia by Christina Bauer - Free Book Online

his palm upward and whispers a quick spell. A small wicker sphere materializes in his hand. “This is it, see?”
    “I do. Now, give it to Portia,” says Tempest.
    A long pause follows. A little too long for comfort. Why is Alden stalling about handing it over? I reach out to him. “I’ll take that, thanks.”
    “You sure?”
    “Positive.”
    Alden hands me the sphere. “Sure. Whatever. So, are we leaving now?”
    Tempest rounds on me. “I need to talk to you alone, first.”
    Alden frowns. “Do you have to? It’s critical we leave right away.”
    The fact that Alden doesn’t want me talking to Tempest? It only makes me want to have the conversation more. “Actually, we absolutely need to talk now. Will you excuse us, Alden?”
    “I don’t like it, but it’s your quest.” Alden stomps off into the trees.
    Once Alden is out of earshot, I focus on Tempest. “What’s going on?”
    Tempest sighs, like he knows what he’s about to say is downright crazy. “Do you know the angel Verus?”
    “The oracle angel? Sure. She had a prophecy for my parents.” My brows furrow with confusion. Not sure where he’s going with this.
    “She asked me to be your Gatherer.” Tempest sighs. “I know this will sound barking mad. Just hear me out.” Tempest scrubs his palms over his face. “Verus said that you and I can save the Firmament. However, we have to do it in a very specific way. I must become your Gatherer. And the two of us must complete the quest alone.”
    A chill moves across my skin. Alone? Alden’s the only one who knows what to do. “Anything else?”
    “Unfortunately, yes. Best for last, luv. Before we open the final seedpod, we must go to Furonium. There’s a special room that you need to visit. And you must wear a formal dress. Those are her instructions.”
    “Wow.” Ball gowns. Special rooms. Oracle angels. Tempest doesn’t look unbalanced, but that’s a whole lot of crazy. And I have the after-realms to save. There’s no room for distractions.
    Alden pops out from behind the trees. “Well, now. Ready to go?”
    My gaze shifts between the two men. It kills me to say this, but I have to put my responsibilities first. “Yes, I’m ready. Thanks for everything, Tempest. I think it’s best if I go with Alden.”
    Tempest’s gaze turns pleading. “Don’t do this, Portia.”
    My heart clenches. This feels wrong. I remember Tempest carrying me away from the ruined Hearth. His presence calms me. It’s like we’ve known each other for years. That doesn’t make any sense. Still, it doesn’t make the reality of the feeling any less. I press my palms against my eyes, like I can squeeze a good decision out of my head. “This is so hard.”
    “That’s enough,” says Alden. “We’re done wasting time.” He lunges forward, grips my wrist, and whispers a quick incantation. The world around me disappears.

Chapter Nine
    The next thing I know, I stand in a darkened graveyard. The ground is covered with tombstones and fog. Shock and anger pulse through every nerve ending in my body. I did not say it was okay to take me here.
    Alden stands a few feet away, his complexion pale with worry. “Sorry about that transfer spell. We couldn’t waste any more time.”
    “Waste time?” My voice drips with anger. “You kidnapped me, Alden.”
    His voice quivers with regret. “I’m so sorry. I just needed to get us started.”
    Every inch of this guy looks miserable. My heart softens a little. It’s not okay to go around kidnapping people. Although with so much on the line, I suppose that anyone can lose it. And all Alden’s really wanted to do is start the quest.
    I scan the rolling countryside. “Why did you bring me here? Is this where the first seedpod is?”
    “No, there’s something else we need to do. Every quest starts off with a small ceremony at this graveyard.”
    I shake my head. Quest ceremonies and abductions? Really? Alden’s acting just as crazy as Tempest. “What’s this