Half-Orcs: Book 06 - The Prison of Angels Read Online Free Page A

go from the mightiest priest of our lord to a mere winged man who even the lowliest scoundrel could pierce with his sword.”
    “Humility in an angel?” Qurrah said, smiling at Azariah. “And to think you act like the age of miracles has passed.”
    “It is with humility I can accept the coming changes and prepare for them. My priestly spells vanish. Perhaps it is our descent to this world, our proximity to its sin and corruption. Perhaps Ashhur slumbers, or Celestia’s control over him has increased in response to the war that sundered her land. None of these things can I change.”
    He opened the door to their cabin, holding it so the two might enter first. Tessanna took Qurrah’s arm, hovering close beside him as if she were afraid. Normally Qurrah would think it an act, but there was never any knowing with Tessanna. Her mind, while worlds better than when he first met her, was still a fragile thing, and rarely predictable.
    Inside the cabin was their bed, a small table, and a dormant fireplace. It wasn’t much, especially compared to the splendor his brother now lived in, but it was theirs. Given how he and Tessanna had nearly destroyed all of Dezrel, it felt like luxury enough.
    “How fares my brother?” he asked as he thought of Harruq. He sat in a chair beside the table, and Tessanna sat next to him, her head leaning against his shoulder.
    “I will speak of him soon enough,” Azariah said, flashing an indecipherable smile. “He is the reason I came, but I would first make a request before I lose my courage. I cannot change the loss of my power, but I can adapt. I can embrace this new world we are to rule. Qurrah…can you share with me your knowledge of the arcane arts?”
    It took a moment before Qurrah could compose his thoughts.
    “You want me…to teach you?”
    “Is it so strange?” Azariah asked. “My hands were not meant to hold a blade. Tell me, could you take up your brother’s swords with any degree of skill?”
    “Well, no.”
    “Then why should others expect the same of me? I once wielded great power. I would do so again.”
    “He would be the perfect pupil,” Tessanna whispered into his ear. “He is an angel, after all.”
    Her giggle showed her true opinion on the matter, however.
    “There must be better teachers than I,” Qurrah said. “What about Tarlak? He even lives in Mordeina.”
    “He travels with King Antonil on their campaign to retake the east, and I cannot afford to be away for such a lengthy time.”
    Qurrah’s brain scrambled for other alternatives.
    “The Council of Mages,” he said. “What of them?”
    Azariah shook his head.
    “If you think Ker carries a distrust of my kind, you should hear the opinions of the Council. No, they will not teach me. Neither will the elves, for those who still bear the gift of magic in their blood are closely guarded, and are not prone to sharing.”
    “Not all of them,” Qurrah insisted. “I’m sure Aurelia would be willing to—”
    “You must understand something,” Azariah interrupted. “I hold a position of great respect. Should mortals hear of my training, I would be mocked, or doubted. There are many of my own kind who distrust the learning of magical spellcasting, even a few who would declare it blasphemous. That you are here, acting the recluse, helps put my mind at ease concerning this matter.”
    “I could teach you,” Tessanna said.
    “Wait a moment,” Qurrah said. “Wait…”
    “From what I know of you, I fear I would not be an appropriate student,” Azariah said. “Magic comes to you easily, and its very nature is unpredictable. But I will accept…should your husband have no objections.”
    Their eyes turned on Qurrah, and he felt like a caged animal. Tessanna’s fingers played with the neckline of his shirt, and the tension in her shoulders told him she feared his rejection. Letting out a sigh, he kissed the top of her head.
    “We will both teach you as best we can,” he said. “Though I fear