Destined (Desolation #3) Read Free Page A

frustrated with this  light elf’s circular talking. His charms were beginning to wear thin and my patience was nearly lost.
    li’Morl stepped very near to me, so close I could feel the warmth of his body, so close the hairs on my arms rose and reached out to him. I rejected his natural charm—anything that aroused such a response in me without my permission made me uncomfortable. 
    Even while I raised my arms to gently push him out of such close proximity, I found myself drawn into his eyes. A part of my mind screamed for me to look away—I’d heard stories of Gardians whose minds had been forever captivated by the wonders and beauties of Alfheim and the light elves.
    But in the moment I stared into the elf’s eyes, I thought I saw Desi, hanging by her wrists, her head flopping forward so her hair hid her face from view. I jerked back, shocked at the vision, then immediately leaned forward to peer into his eyes again. But li’Morl moved away, an indecipherable smile on his face.
    “Wait!” I reached out and grabbed the elf by the elbow, tugging him toward me. “What did you do? What did you show me?”
    “Michael.” Odin’s voice held the sting of warning. “Unhand our guest.”
    But I was powerless to obey my king.
    “What is it you think you saw, young warrior?”
    “Desi! You showed me Desi. Is she alive? Where is she? Please—” I tightened my grip and stepped as close to him as we had been before, peering in his eyes. “Show her to me. Tell me where she is.”
    “Michael.” Odin repeated, this time not a request but a command. Fahria put her hand on my arm and applied pressure, pulling me away from li’Morl, forcing me to let go of him and the vision he had given me. 
    li’Morl only watched, the same infuriating smile on his lips. “I’m afraid I do not know what you saw, Michael. You have my deepest apologies.” He ducked his head in a small bow, but it felt insincere. It felt like deception.
    Fahria placed her hand on my chest, her other hand still gripping my arm, and walked me back to the edge of the dome. Odin glowered at me before returning his attention to Heimdall and li’Morl.
    “Ah, the fervor of youth.” li’Morl chuckled, his laughter like pieces of sunshine sprinkling around us. I grit my teeth and dug my nails into the palms of my hands. How could he be so flippant in the face of my agony?
    I shrugged away from Fahria and she smirked, but her lips stayed shut.
    “Shall we go then?” li’Morl asked, gesturing toward the hall. “And Lord Odin, do not fear asking me to serve in this small way. It is the least I can do in thanks for your generosity.”
    “You are most kind.” Odin’s voice stretched tight with tension, but the Alfahr did not seem to notice. I realized then that Odin did not trust the Alfahr, or at least this particular one, very much. I had always assumed their relationship with Asgard was an easy one, but I had never before stood this close to a light elf, never had such an extended interaction with one. The way I seemed to lose myself under his scrutiny, even slightly, disturbed me and fueled my discomfort. Perhaps Odin, like me, disliked anything that aroused so much emotion without his permission. 
    li’Morl stepped forward and as he passed through the dome Odin had erected, the barrier fell away. I wondered if Odin had removed it, or if li’Morl had done it himself. 
    The brief glimpse of Desi hung before my mind’s eye like a beacon. The elf knew something and I would not stop until I discovered what it was. I made to turn and follow the others from the hall when Odin said my name.
    I couldn’t recall the expression on his face as one I’d ever seen before—it looked like shame. He tipped his head, as if unwilling to meet my eyes. He put his hand on my arm and leveled his gaze with mine. I read everything in his eyes—his love for me, his hope for me and for Desi. His fear for his people, for the children of Midgard. 
    “There is