Born Of Fire And Darkness (Book 2) Read Free Page B

can vouch for her identity.”
    “Thank you, Dul,” the messenger said with a nod, barely brushing the token with his long fingers.
    A flicker of annoyance passed over Octavia. Whoever had sent this man should have known she wouldn’t have a token and given the messenger a suitable means to identify her. She was about to voice her irritation when he pulled out a crimson velvet satchel and handed it to her. She accepted without a word. The fabric was the softest she’d ever touched, like the fur of a baby rabbit.
    “The Imperial seal,” Korbin whispered. Sure enough, dangling from a gold cord was a token anyone in the empire would recognize. He glanced at the young man. “This arrived today?”
    “Yes, Dul. I was sent urgently as soon as the bird arrived,” the messenger said, his face showing his excitement at being assigned such an important task. “I’m to wait for a reply.”
    Something about the beautiful package filled her with dread. “Come back tomorrow,” she said firmly.
    “But, Dula—”
    She cut him off. “I’m not a Dula, I’m a Senne. You can sit on the step all night, for all I care, but I will not be giving an answer tonight.” Her mind wandered, going over all the things she feared the emperor might wish of her. She’d accepted his hospitality, not that she’d had any choice, and she had dreaded the moment he would demand payment. Curiosity tinged with dread crept over her. Was today that day?
    Korbin lowered his voice. “Do as the lady asks. Come back tomorrow.”
    The man looked miserable, but he nodded and bowed. “Yes, Dul.”
    Korbin closed the door on the forlorn messenger and waited a moment before asking, “Am I still welcome to come in?”
    Octavia shook herself sharply and realized she’d been lost in thought. “Of course,” she said, but in truth, she had no desire for company.

Chapter 2
    Korbin removed his boots and placed them on the wooden rack by the door before following Octavia up the stairs to her living area. His heart had clutched at the sight of her. She was still as beautiful as he remembered, if a little tired around the eyes. He’d spent time with her when she was convalescing, but once she was strong enough, she wanted to come back here, and she seemed to want some time and distance.
    Considering what she’d been through, he suspected she didn’t rest enough and worked too hard, but he would never voice his thoughts. She wasn’t the sort of woman who wanted advice, particularly from the likes of him. Despite being close to the same age, she had a way of making him feel young and inexperienced by comparison.
    “How have you been?” she asked, her tone distracted as her gaze lingered on the parcel she’d just received.
    “Busy as well,” he said. “I’m sorry I haven’t come sooner.” In truth, he’d been hoping she would come to him, but as the weeks passed, he realized that would never happen. If he wanted to see her, and he very much did, he would have to make the first step to renew their acquaintance. Despite all that they’d been through, he wasn’t one hundred percent sure she’d welcome a continued friendship. They were, as she often reminded him, from different worlds.
    Octavia put the package on the rickety wooden table by the window and went to a compact iron stove to light a fire. She took the kettle resting on a side table and peeked inside before placing it over the heat. “Does your new token mean the emperor made good on his threat to make you a senator?” She grinned over her shoulder at him. Her smile made her even more beautiful.
    “It hasn’t come up since the last time we spoke.” Korbin turned one of her two upright chairs and sat so he could talk to her while she rummaged through her shelves and muttered about not being able to find a matching pair of cups. His chair tilted on uneven legs, forcing him to lean to the side to keep from constantly wobbling.
    She shook her head and laughed softly. “Only Talmorans could