Tears of War Read Online Free PDF Page B

laughter. “Well, maybe they won’t see any.”
    Kellinar came through the door, a plate of food in his hand. “What’s so funny?”
    Maleena shook her head. “I’ll let Anevay tell you later.”
    Kellinar moved the scroll Anevay was looking at and set the plate down. She stared at him. “You didn’t have to do that.”
    He dropped a kiss on her hair. “I know, but you will never get around to getting it yourself and you need to eat. I can feel it. Is there anything I can help you with?”
    She sighed and leaned back in her chair. “No, not really. But if you want to find Taela for me, I could really use her help with this. Some of the images are easier for her to read.”
    “I will hunt her down for you.”
    Maleena waited and walked back through the Great Hall with him. “What have you got planned for the day?”
    He ran his hand over his braids. “After I find Taela, Dhovara and I are going to spend time working with Tania. It won’t be long before her dragon is ready to Slide, Aylene’s only a month younger than Latia. Tomorrow Dhovara and I both take our turns on the boats. The other senior mages can help with Tania then of course.”
    She smiled. “Sounds like you will be busy.”
    He smiled back. “Busier than I’ve ever been.”
    They walked out onto the inner plateau. The lake at the far end sparkled in the sun and next to it five young dragons slept. Two greens, two blues, and a gold. Loki’s gold, Merru, was nowhere to be seen. “When do you leave?”
    Kellinar’s face took on a grim look. “As soon as my turn on the boats is over. Another reason I need to work with Tania. Her magic is quite strong.”
    “It won’t be easy leaving Anevay behind.”
    He let out a long breath. “Truthfully, I’m glad Latia is too young to Slide well. If I could find a way to make Taela and Paki stay, I would. I understand we need to get the nations behind us, but Trilene is not going to welcome us with open arms. At least Serena understands what we are walking into. Taela never left Haraban when she was growing up. She lived a sheltered life there.”
    Worry and sadness rolled off him. Maleena’s heart went out to him. “Galdrilene can’t fight this war alone, Kellinar, and you can’t shelter Taela from the world.” Maleena leveled a stern look at him. “And you can’t make her stay.”
    Pain flashed across his face even as he laughed softly. “Don’t I know it. When I suggested it might be best to stay, she threatened to stab me.” The laughter died leaving only anguish in his ice-blue eyes. “I don’t know what I would do if something happened to Taela or Anevay. Losing Serena would hurt more than I can express. She has always been my friend. But what I feel for Taela and Anevay…”
    Maleena reached up and placed a finger against his lips. “I understand. You know I do. I wouldn’t be able to bear it if something happened to Mckale.” She wrapped her arms around his waist in a hug. “Anevay is staying here out of harm’s way and Taela is not without her defenses. She may have lived a sheltered life before the call, but you forget she survived the Kormai. And you are wrong if you think for a single moment she is not just as worried about you.”
    He sighed and returned the hug, smiling. “Did I ever thank you for not dying on me?”
    “Not in those exact words, but yes.”
    “Then I’m saying it again.”
    Maleena glanced up as the aura of an approaching person rippled across her mind. The aura had a brisk, sure feel to it. “Tania is looking for you.”
    “I still have to find Taela.”
    “I can find her for you if you like. In fact, I can find her faster.”
    “Thank you, Maleena.”
    A slight, young woman strode through the doors of the Great Hall. The sun shone off her rich black skin. Her black hair hung in a multitude of braids. The blue and white beads on the ends of the braids clicked as she walked. She smiled as she approached them. “Dhovara said I might find you