Wings of Wrath Read Online Free PDF Page A

had.
    As soon as she saw him, she reached out instinctively toward him: a mother’s welcome. “Salvator!” Then she stopped suddenly, remembering what he was; her hands fell down awkwardly by her sides, even though she clearly ached to touch him. “Forgive me. Your vows—”
    â€œThe apology is mine to make, Mother.” How strange the title sounded on his lips! He had the sudden dizzying sensation of being caught between worlds, unable to manage stable footing in either. “But until my vows are set aside I must hold to them, and yes, that requires I have no physical contact with women.” He smiled slightly. “Even my mother.”
    What did she really think of his faith? The Penitents’ view of the Protectors and their mission was far from flattering. Had she taken that into consideration when she’d asked him to return, or had she hoped that such things would cease to matter once he set aside his priestly robes? There was no need to ask the question aloud; he knew what the answer would be. High Queen Gwynofar would have weighed every option before asking her second child to come home. She knew what his religion was about. She understood the risks of such a course. And she had judged it the best of all her options, even so.
    So here he was, in this strange place that was no longer home to him, where the very stones under his feet seemed to echo his father’s presence. You served a great dream, he thought to Danton, and brought peace to this continent, albeit at the point of a sword. I would have preferred that Rurick inherit such responsibility, but in his absence I will do my best.
    With a smile Gwynofar indicated a nearby table, where a large brass platter of breads and cheeses and another of roasted lamb were flanked by several heavy pewter pitchers and a matching goblet. It was quite an impressive array, given how little warning she’d had of his arrival. Clearly she had been prepared for his return and had even taken into account that he might circumvent the usual protocols in his arrival. Thus had she been with Danton, he remembered, always anticipating his needs. It was yet another quality in her that strangers tended to underestimate.
    â€œI didn’t know how hungry you would be when you arrived,” she told him, “so I prepared a bit of everything.”
    He was indeed hungry and felt his stomach tighten at the sight of such a banquet. He quelled the sensation with effort, giving thanks to his god for testing him thus. Sacrifice had little value if it came too easily.
    His hesitation was clearly not what she had expected. “You are allowed to eat, yes?”
    A brief smile flickered across his lips. “It would be a short-lived faith if we were not.” He stepped forward to the table, and after a moment’s contemplation took up a small piece of bread and a cup of plain water. “However, as a personal offering, I have sworn off all but the simplest fare until my coronation. Doubtless the royal cooks will be relieved.”
    She drew in a sharp breath as if to protest, but he raised up a hand before she could begin. “You asked me to set aside my vows in order to become king. That I will do, in proper time. Until that hour I am what I am, Mother. You called home a priest. Would you expect me to comport myself as anything less?”
    She bit her lip for a moment. “You are as stubborn as your father was, you know that?”
    â€œSo my teachers told me. Often.” He bit off a piece of the bread and washed it down with a mouthful of water. It quieted the beast in his stomach somewhat.
    â€œHowever,” she said, “You must eat a good meal before your coronation. You cannot afford to look weak before the vassals of Danton’s empire.”
    He opened his mouth to argue the point—but then he saw the resolve in her eyes and he sensed the steel will that lay hidden behind her black silk and gentle manners. It