The Immortal Realm Read Online Free Page B

harm can it do? And then if you still feel you belong here, well—you can make your final decision then.” She moved around the narrow bed, tugging at the sheets, smoothing the blankets. She picked up his pillow and plumped it between her hands. His hot fingers touched her wrist. She turned to see his eyes burning into hers. “All this must have put your head in a spin, Tania. I’m concerned that you’re not giving yourself the time to take a step back and think it through properly.”
    â€œYou make it sound like I have a choice, Dad,” she said slowly. “As if I get to pick whether to be Anita Palmer or Princess Tania. It’s not like that at all. I love you and Mum, but the person I am with you two—she’s only half of who I really am.”
    â€œAnd exactly who is this other half?” asked her father. “You told me yourself you don’t remember anything about her.”
    â€œI might, given time.” She placed the pillow back on the bed and gestured for him to lie down again. He sank onto the mattress, sighing as he settled himself.
    â€œAnd in a world where people are Immortal,” he said, puffing, “how exactly does a princess give herself a sense of purpose, Tania?” A hint of impatience came into his voice. “I know this place must seem wonderful to you at this moment, but eventually you’re going to have to decide what you want to do with your life.” He took hold of her hand, his skin hot and damp against hers. “You’re in a fairy story right now, Tania, but what happens on the morning after happy ever after?”
    Tania pulled her hand out of his. She didn’t know what to say to him. Why couldn’t he just go with the flow? Why did he have to analyze the joy out of everything? Why did this have to be so hard?
    He began to cough, breaking the awkward silence.
    She used the moment to change the subject. “We should have brought some lozenges through for you.”
    â€œDon’t fuss. I’ll be fine.” His voice became brisk and teasing; it was clear he wanted to break the tension just as much as she did. “Now look here, young lady, you shouldn’t be stuck in here, getting my germs all over you. Don’t princesses have any duties or responsibilities in this world? Get out there and mingle.”
    â€œI don’t want to leave you here on your own.”
    He picked up his book. “I’m never alone with a new physics textbook,” he joked. “Besides, I’ll just finish this chapter and then I’ll come out. I promise. Your mum’s threatened to teach me one of those peculiar dances.”
    â€œI’d like to see that.”
    Tania got up, leaning over quickly to kiss his hot forehead. “Feel better, all right?” she said. “That’s an order.”
    â€œWomen!” muttered her father, his nose already in the book.
    â€œMen!” she retorted, pushing out into the starry night.
    Tania made her way back into the heart of the valley. All around her, lanterns and torches and bonfires sent shadows dancing. Minstrels filled the night with sweet music; folk danced in rings and formal Faeriesquares or formed long sinuous lines, hand over hand, that wound through the crowds following the rhythm of the pipe and drum.
    Tania paused to watch a pair of jugglers, a man and a woman dressed in black and white diamond-patterned suits, who stood on a high dais and sang as they threw to each other balls that kept changing color: red and green—silver and black—orange and blue.
    Tania was totally absorbed in the performance until a voice whispered close into her ear.
    â€œI’ve been looking for you.”
    â€œEdric!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I went to see my dad.” She wrinkled her nose. “It was a bit awkward. He thinks all this has turned my head a bit. He’s worried I’m going to waste my