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

you will have a lengthy flight between every lesson.”
    “Perhaps not,” Azariah said. “But speaking of lengthy flights, do you have something I might drink?”
    Tessanna retrieved a wood-carved cup from a cupboard, filled it with water from a pitcher, and then dipped her finger inside.
    “Wine,” she said, handing it over. “Don’t worry, it is very weak.”
    “Many thanks,” Azariah said. Putting the cup to his lips, he drank until it was gone. “Much better,” he said, setting it down. “Now, about your brother, and our training. I’ve come to ask you to return to Mordeina. You don’t need to live next to him if you would prefer some separation, but I think it would be helpful to have you two nearby in case something goes wrong.”
    “Is Aubrienna in danger?” Tessanna asked. A bit of life leapt into her wide gaze.
    “I do not know,” Azariah said. “And it pains me greatly to admit even that. The shadow of Avlimar should be a safe place, but Mordeina still bears many sinful hearts.”
    “But why?” Qurrah asked. “What has he done to earn himself enemies?”
    The feathers in Azariah’s wings ruffled.
    “Antonil appointed Harruq steward over the kingdom in his absence,” the angel said with a sigh. “The king is not beloved, and those scheming against him will turn those schemes upon your brother. I fear his life will soon be in danger.”
    Before Qurrah knew it, Tessanna’s hand had slipped into his. He squeezed it tight, then met Azariah’s green eyes with his own.
    “We will need time to decide,” he said.
    “And time you will have,” Azariah said, pushing back open the door to their cabin. “I’ll be flying northeast to meet with the paladins, though I won’t be staying long. When my business with them concludes, I will return here for your answer.”
    Qurrah nodded, but he did not stand for the angel’s exit. Another dip of his head in respect, and then Azariah left the cabin. With a heavy gust of air the angel soared skyward, leaving them once more alone in their cabin. The tranquility they’d had before, though, was shattered. Qurrah said nothing, only sat at the table frowning as he tried to make sense of his jumbled thoughts. Knowing his brother might be in danger brought out the strong instinct in him to go to his aid, but things were just not that simple.
    When the great betrayer of Veldaren traveled somewhere, he did not go unnoticed.
    “You want to go, don’t you?” Tessanna asked him as she stood from the table. “But you’re also afraid.”
    “I am.”
    Tessanna stood before their bed and crossed her arms over her chest. She glanced over her shoulder, let her hair fall over her face.
    “Would you like to have me?” she asked. “Help clear your mind?”
    He rubbed his eyes, then blinked as she tossed off her dress.
    “Sure,” he said. “Why not.”
    It did indeed help clear his mind. Afterward they lay naked together, the light of the cabin dwindling as the sun descended below the tree line. Tessanna’s hands traced unseen runes across his chest, her eyes staring into nowhere.
    “If you want to go, we should go,” she said.
    “If that oaf’s a steward, then all of Mordan balances on a precarious peace,” he said. “Our arrival might do more harm than good.”
    “You don’t know that,” Tessanna said, her fingers pinching the skin of his chest. “The angels forgave you. Everyone knows you slew Karak’s prophet, and what of your stand at the Bridges? You gave your life for them, for all of them.”
    “No one survived to tell the tale.”
    “You and I survived.”
    “All the more reason not to tell stories. They won’t believe it, and they won’t care. I’m the man who helped burn Veldaren to the ground. I helped open the portal to let the demons in. To come to Mordeina and insist on aiding Harruq would be disastrous. My very presence will contaminate him.”
    “I’m the one who let in the war god,” Tessanna said. “I’m the one who pushed