Fantasy of Fire (The Tainted Accords Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

disbelief or horror.
    “You … can’t be serious,” he chokes. I raise an eyebrow.
    I hold up the band. “This band is Kaur wood.” We have fruit and nut trees on Osolis, but only Kaur wood is used as a material. And even then, only in controlled amounts. It’s not found anywhere other than Osolis, and possession of the wood indicates I’m highly positioned. I toss the band to him. “Surely you can see why the Tatum veiled me?” I add with a humorless smile.
    I walk to the entrance to the tent and pretend to look over the Ire. Really, I’m doing my best to keep my posture relaxed with the tension running through my body. I wonder if I’ve gravitated toward the exit in case Adox’s reaction isn’t favorable. Jovan’s words ring in my mind. He’d pointed out my tendency to run from emotionally-charged situations. But it’s hard to pick up the signs that I’m panicking. These traits are obviously ingrained so deeply, I act subconsciously.
    I stride back to the middle of the tent and plant my feet on the rocky ground. I’m not running away.
    “My Solis,” he says. I smile at the Solati term. “It’s … fantastical. Unbelievable. Horrific. But I think you must be telling the truth. No one could think up such a story, let alone deliver it with such factual calm.” He looks up at me from his cushion.
    “You are the Tatuma Olina.”
    “It is nice to hear my name again. You have no idea how long it’s been,” I say with a tight grin.
    He doesn’t smile back. He looks back at the Kaur band and holds it out. I cross the tent and take it from him, crouching down by the chair to his level.
    “You can see I’m not biased with regards to the king of Glacium. Of all people, I should be against him. But, on his behalf, I give his word nothing will happen to your people if my plan does not eventuate. He is worthy of trust.” I take his hand.
    “My mother is another matter. I doubt anyone loathes my mother as much as I do. She was the torturer of the first six revolutions of my life. I haven’t been on Osolis for half a revolution, but I can share with you what my brother, Olandon, has recently told me,” I say, looking for confirmation from the Ire leader.
    I haven’t got as much information as I’d like. But I’ll share what I’ve pieced together and what Olandon has been able to re-live so far.
    Adox nods. The lines on his face are deeper than I’ve yet seen them, if it is possible.
    “There is unrest on Osolis. The villagers are rebelling against the Tatum’s rule. It seems she’s regained control for now, enough to feel safe sending the army across the Oscala, anyway,” I say.
    “In addition to what I’ve shared with you, you have my promise that should the Ire face discovery by Osolis while trying to prevent war, I’ll do my best to protect you from my mother.” I stand, tucking away the band and the veil. Adox watches my hands as I do so.
    “All that time and the Tatuma of Osolis was here.” A faint smile graces his mouth, stretching the age lines around it. I smile down at him and hold out my hand. He clears his throat and accepts my help to stand.
    “I will need to think on what you’ve said,” he says. “This strengthens your plan considerably, but it doesn’t assure my aid or cooperation.”
    “Don’t you want to hear my plan first?” I ask.
    He grins. It’s the first real smile I’ve seen since I’ve been back. “I’d be a fool if I couldn’t figure out a plan only the Ire could carry out.” He pushes the tent flap back before limping out. “I’ll get you your answer by tomorrow.”
    I press my lips together to keep from trying to extract an answer from him on the spot. Adox could still fall either way. If I pressure him any further, it could backfire.
    I repeat our conversation in my mind, listening to him hobble away. There was nothing more I could have said to sway Adox. That was the best I could do. If his answer is still no, I’ll have to return to Jovan with