Blue Blood (Series of Blood Book 3) by Emma Hamm (books to read this summer .txt) 📕

“Only in dreams? Child.” The Hag tsked loudly. “If you don’t live in this life, you don’t live at all.”

“I’m immortal.”

Priscilla tossed her arms in the air. “Then live multiple lifetimes for all of us! Dance!”

The creatures began chanting the word “dance” over and over until Mercy finally lifted her hands in defeat. “All right, all right! My goodness.”

She reached underneath her shirt and pulled Ignes from beneath it. Jasper watched intently as she lifted the lizard to her lips and whispered something to him. When she set him upon the ground, he lost his lizard form and turned back into flames. Ignes funneled himself into the bonfire until it was taller than a man. The Elf changed his tune to something far more sultry.

“You wanted a show?” Mercy lifted one arm gracefully over her head. “Then you shall get one.”

Jasper didn’t know what he had expected. Perhaps a gypsy like dance where she clapped her hands and delicate footwork carried her over the trampled dirt. He should have known better. She was far more dangerous than that.

Mercy raised her hands over her head, flicked a saucy glance at the crowd, and snapped her fingers. Jasper’s world turned upside down.

What clothing she wore was replaced with flames. White hot, they were both smoke and heat as they licked over her body and into the cooling air. He was both amazed and alarmed.

He could not have prepared himself for what came next as the fire did not stop. She lowered her arms and wrapped them around her body. One of the creatures near him started plucking a guitar, but he couldn’t look away. Her hips were swaying in tune with the music. Her makeshift clothing had a life of its own as it undulated.

Ombre eyes stared into Jasper’s soul, and she snapped her fingers again.

She was gone. Not gone in the sense that she wasn’t in front of them, but her body had disappeared. She was a woman made of nothing more than fire. He could see the outline of her features, but there was no flesh underneath. Only magma, heat, and illusions.

Jasper gasped, but then she truly began to dance. She did not move like a human. She used the fire as ribbons, banners, strings, and then she gave it life. Around and around the bonfire she moved, her feet leaving scorch marks as she leapt and twirled.

From the bonfire she pulled creatures. Wolves. Birds. Horses. All answered her call. They existed for only a few moments until their fire died. But they only made the show all the more impressive.

And then, just as Jasper had set his tankard onto the ground, Ignes stepped out of the fire.

He was a great red pillar stretching far into the night. Before him, shadows fled and darkness crept back into its hovel. He reached for Mercy with open arms, and she stepped into the cradle he offered her.

Together, they waltzed. Completely in unison and startlingly unnatural. Their bodies twisted until they were nearly intertwined. Jasper felt as though he had been given a gift to see such a sight but also as though he were intruding upon something sacred.

Priscilla had convinced the Centaur to stand. They were dancing an awkward shuffle along to the music he now noticed the Korrigan was creating. The Fairy-like creature must have been a talented telekinetic as he wasn’t actually touching the guitar.

When he couldn’t stand it any longer, Jasper pushed himself off of the log. He was drawn towards them. Even as inhuman as she was now, he had never seen something so captivating.

Jasper hesitated behind the waltzing couple and cleared his throat.

Only when he saw the flame outlined face of Ignes look towards him did he ask, “Mind if I cut in?”

“Do you think you could handle me?” Mercy laughed. A long strand of her hair snapped towards Jasper as she twirled. It left a burn mark upon his forearm.

“I know I would like to try.”

The pair before him stopped. She blinked a few times, and the flames trickled away from her face. He realized she wasn’t completely made of fire. There was a black, hard core underneath the blazing light, a core he assumed was the Phoenix part of her.

She was revealing more of herself to him. Flesh grew back until he could recognize the tan skin, ombre eyes, and blood red hair. He should have known a warning when he saw one.

Instead, Jasper held out his hand.

Her hand sliding into his was as delicate as a bird. Her fingers fluttered against his palm and then stilled. Jasper felt powerful with pride. He had tamed a beast who had never before subjected itself to another. When he looked into her eyes, he knew that Mercy could only be tamed for a short time.

Fire licked at his pants and shirt, but he refused to let his mind linger upon the slight sting. He pulled her into his arms.

The music slowed, and Jasper thought for the first time that the creatures they were staying with might have some kind of plan up their sleeves. They certainly were staring at the two of them with glittering intent.

Her head didn’t tuck underneath his chin as most might have. Well, most came up to his chest, but this was a nice height as well. The top of Mercy’s head was even with his nose. He wasn’t used to that.

Jasper leaned forward and inhaled the smoky scent of her hair. Ah, now he understood why smaller men still enjoyed dancing with women nearly their own height. He could feel the silky softness against his skin, tangling in his beard.

This was why. Because this was bliss.

He shifted his head to murmur in her ear. “They’re watching us.”

“I know. Meddling things.”

“Are you going to stand for that?”

“For as long as it suits me.” Her voice was husky. “Now, are we dancing?”

He spun them around the fire. For such a big man, he had learned at a young age how important