Eternal Echoes, Emblem of Eternity Trilogy Book 2
Read Eternal Echoes, Emblem of Eternity Trilogy Book 2 Online
Authors: Angela Corbett
Tags: #Young Adult Paranormal
Eternal Echoes (Emblem of Eternity Trilogy, Book Two)
Copyright © 2013 by Angela Corbett
Cover photography by
Lani Woodland
Cover design by
Alma Tait
Internal design by
Novel Ninjutsu
Author Photo by Heather Zahn Gardner
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Published in the United States of America by Midnight Sands Publishing, Utah
For Colten and Natasha,
who taught me the power of hope.
I’m honored to be your sister.
A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to the John A. Moran Eye Center. The John A. Moran Eye Center is committed to the goal that no person with a blinding condition, eye disease, or visual impairment should be without hope, understanding, and treatment.
“An amazing debut featuring a strong heroine YA readers are yearning for, as well as two love interests you will swoon over.”
~ Jennifer Murgia, author of
Angel Star
and
Lemniscate
“
Eternal Starling
is a beautiful love story. Its pages are filled with a unique mythology, breathtaking romance, and two drool-worthy men. I'm glad I'm not Evie because I wouldn't be able to pick between them!”
~ Lani Woodland, author of
Intrinsical
and
Indelible
"Angela Corbett creates a special, different and exciting world. The story of soul mates is impeccable, flawless and feels extremely real.”
~ Cristina Scutaru, Walking on Letters
“With a protagonist who can stand up for herself and two men that both have ultimate potential, I found myself eating up every second of
Eternal Starling
.”
~ Heather Gardner, Fire and Ice
“This YA book is truly breathtaking! The soul-mate plot is exceptionally different from many others, and it was so difficult to decide between Alex and Emil.”
~ Jean Vallesteros, Jeanbooknerd
“I loved, loved, loved
Eternal Starling
. The book is full of love, romance, surprise, intrigue, mystery and two hot boys! What more could you want???”
~ Jennifer Howell, Latebloomeronline.com
“A unique, intriguing and amazing read! I highly recommend it!”
~ Jenny, OnceUponATwilight.com
“Angela's writing style is addicting, intriguing and flawless.”
~ Katie B. MundieMoms
“Evie is just the kind of strong female lead that I’d been looking for, and it is a love triangle that is done right, with the ‘winner’ never being obvious.”
~ Rywn, Book Brats
“This take on eternal love will leave you wanting more.”
~ Yara Santos, Once Upon a Twilight
I pushed a chair under the door handle and scrambled to the corner. My eyes swiftly searched the room for weapons or an escape. My gaze fell on the cloudy window to my right. I wondered if I had time to flee—and how far I could get. It was a brief thought. I knew I would not leave without him. Could not. I cared for him too much.
A bang on the door vibrated the entire cottage as the ocean waves crashed violently against the cliff below. Another crushing thump followed, breaking the chair I had used as a brace. The door swung open and hit the wall, framing the fierce mob. There were even more of them now. And they had him. My breath caught in terror as they threw him toward me. He met my eyes, angry and determined.
They circled around us slowly.
This time, I couldn’t run.
I glanced at him for direction. It was a mistake. Those few seconds were all it took for the attack. Before I knew it, a sharp pain hit my stomach. My eyes widened in agony and shock. The blade burned as it cut through me. I gasped. This couldn’t be happening. It wasn’t supposed to happen. My breath hitched as I met his eyes and reached for the person I’d loved, more than I ever thought possible.
And the knife twisted.
Being surrounded by people who wanted to kick the living crap out of me wasn’t a new feeling. In fact, I’d been surrounded by people who wanted to kick the living crap out of me, kill me, and take my soul a few months ago. I just thought I’d moved past that stage of my life. Apparently, I was wrong. The punch wasn’t unexpected, but I didn’t think it would actually knock me off my feet. Given my lack of defense, my central nervous system was pretty surprised by the maneuver. I moved gingerly, testing my pain level. My stomach clenched at the spot I’d been hit, but I wasn’t dead. Yet.
I stood, brushing wisps of hair out of my eyes as I prepared to defend myself from the next series of kicks—but at the same time, a familiar heat started pulsing from my back. I teetered, and the dizzy feeling overtook me. As my mind started to spiral, I had the fleeting thought that this was a seriously bad time to be thrown into the past.
“Aaaaa!” I yelled, falling to the ground. I glanced at my dress, gingerly lifting the fabric that had been slashed open.
Emil rushed to my side, his brows pulled down in a worried frown. “Are you hurt?”
I looked at my shoulder, taking inventory. “No, the plastron protected me. I was only startled.”
Emil’s eyes softened as his lips lifted in a loving smile. “You’re fencing, my love. Not flying kites.” The flax colored strands in his wavy shoulder length hair were highlighted in the sunlight. We were alone in the middle of a large field.
“This task would be far less vexing if I could wear breeches instead of a dress.”
His eyebrows rose and his lips twitched slightly. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you in breeches.”
I smiled, heat rising in my cheeks. “Yes, well it would be enough of a scandal if anyone found out the Duke of Blackwood was teaching his Duchess to fight. There’s no need to add breeches to the story, regardless of their practicality.”
His lips curved into a half smile. “I must admit, when you asked for my help, I wondered if you were planning to challenge someone to a duel.”
I smiled mischievously. “That would be quite an adventure.”
He grinned. “You’ve always broken the mold, my beautiful Cass. I could control the seas more easily than tell you what to do.”
I pushed my brows together in thought. “I wonder if you regret not marrying someone more biddable.”
He lifted his hand to my cheek and slowly stroked the smooth skin. “I convinced the most intelligent, beautiful woman in the world to be my wife. That makes me a
very
lucky man. I found my true love, my other half, in you. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Cass. I will never regret a moment.”