Free Born Of Fire And Darkness (Book 2) by India Drummond Page A

changed. She’d never spoken about what was done to her at the temple of Braetin while he and Graiphen had confronted Seba. Korbin didn’t want to imagine. He kept picturing the way he’d found her, lying on the stone floor, cold, pale, motionless.
    Retracing his steps, he moved away from the temple complex and headed back up the hill to the inn where Octavia had said she would be waiting for him.
    When he walked up the glistening steps of the small but elegant establishment, he caught a glimpse of her through the window. She sat in the dining room, speaking with one of the serving girls. She looked tired, but had an expression of firm determination that made him smile. Her fortitude was one of the many things he liked about her.
    He went inside to meet her. When she saw him, a flicker of impatience showed on her face, but it disappeared quickly and she smiled. “How was your walk?”
    “Good,” he said. “I barely recognize parts of the district. I was a child the last time I was here, so my memories are unreliable.” He placed the package in front of her. “I found something that reminded me of you.”
    She threw him a questioning look. “You bought me a gift?”
    He shrugged.
    “Thank you,” she said, looking flustered. With her small, delicate fingers, she carefully picked the wrapping apart. When she pulled out the long scarf, she ran her hand over the soft material. “It’s beautiful.”
    “You gave me your scarf one time. I don’t think I ever returned it.” That day had been bitterly cold, and that scarf had been a woolen one. He’d used it to cover his features and hide the blood talisman she’d given him to protect him from magical attack the day his father had killed a dozen people in Centennial Square.
    She paled, and he knew she was recalling the day as well. Why had he brought that up? Why, when she’d so carefully avoided painful topics during their entire journey? He inwardly berated himself for the slip.
    This scarf was much more delicate than the one he’d borrowed from her, light enough to be worn even in warm weather. “It has a hidden pocket in the center edge with a double-fold to securely keep a small item,” he said. “You can keep your identity token in there. That’s what many ladies do. Often, sashes or belts have a small compartment.”
    She put it around her neck and tied it loosely in front of her.
    “Here,” he said. “It’s meant to be worn at an angle.” He reached over and tugged it to the side so the knot was just over her heart. He twisted the ends in the popular style. The color suited her, even though she wore a dress of Kilovian manner and not the latest Talmoran fashions.
    “Thank you,” she repeated, touching the fabric. “It’s lovely.”
    “Are you ready to go?” he said. “Or do you want to eat first? We have a little time. I have to confess, I’m not very hungry. I think seeing the temples below ruined my appetite.”
    She nodded. “I don’t think I could eat a bite. Perhaps we could just go. We can eat later, before we begin the return journey this afternoon.”
    “We may not be able to leave tonight,” he said gently. “I have no idea how long this will take.” He feared it would be much longer than Octavia understood.
    “That’s fine. I’m eager to return home, but tomorrow morning will be soon enough.”
    Korbin nodded but knew her plans were far too optimistic. He didn’t want to be the one to tell her, though.

Chapter 8
    Four imperial guardsmen stopped the ornate wooden carriage that had been sent to fetch Octavia and Korbin to the palace. She fingered the scarf around her neck, trying to keep her hands moving lest they shake. Although she was, of course, worried about having left Vol and her people there in the hands of Liara, an inept, untrained young woman, the thought that occupied her mind right now was confronting Seba and Graiphen.
    She supposed it was unlikely that either of them would be in attendance today. Of course