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

him and spoke. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”
    “I understand. I truly do. I know you’re afraid, but—”
    “I’m not afraid.” Her tone had grown hard and she clenched her hands together in front of her. Her knuckles whitened under the pressure. Everything about her gave lie to her words.
    He softened his tone. “Octavia. This is me. I saw what my father did to you. Anyone would be frightened.”
    “I’m not afraid,” she repeated, but her words held little conviction. She looked around the room. “I don’t see how I can leave the city for weeks or even months, not when I’m the only conduit here.”
    “What about your assistant? Can’t she help?”
    “Some,” Octavia admitted. “Others can go to hospitals in an emergency. The Talmoran healers might not like our people much, but they won’t turn away someone who is dying.”
    “You’ll consider going then?” Korbin asked.
    She looked as though she might agree, but then shook her head. “What am I thinking? Of course not. I can’t go. Talmoran healers might be able to help with the sick, with the births and the elderly, but not with the death rites. And they can do nothing for those who need advice and meditations.”
    “The emperor won’t listen to me without you there, backing me up. If Seba falls under the power of my father’s temple, under Braetin’s influence, because I couldn’t convince them of the dangers, I’d never forgive myself.” He hated to manipulate her, but Seba must not be allowed to be possessed by the Spirit of Shadow.
    Octavia nodded in exhausted defeat, as though a weight had landed on her shoulders. “Very well. I agree that can’t happen. If you cannot do this, then I must.” Her tone was bitter and angry.
    Her accusation stung. She couldn’t seem to understand that if the emperor told Korbin to bring her, he had little choice. If he showed up without her, the consequences would be worse for him than not showing up at all. Making Korbin a senator would be the least of his worries if the emperor believed Korbin showed him deliberate disrespect or ignored his commands.
    “We can leave tomorrow,” Korbin said.
    “Tomorrow?” she said. “That’s not enough time. I need a week to prepare Liara. A week at least. A month would be better, but I know that’s unlikely to suit this emperor of yours.”
    Korbin resisted corrected her by saying of ours . “My father is in Durjin doing everything he can to have Seba released sooner rather than later. They’re delaying Seba’s sentencing, waiting for our testimony. We will go, give it, and come back as soon as possible. But we can’t wait a week. Even if we leave tomorrow, that’s at least another week that my father has to convince everyone to do as he wishes. He is persuasive, and I would bet anything he’s not pleased at being held at bay.”
    “Very well,” Octavia said, sounding more tired by the moment. “Send someone at first light. I’ll be ready.” She turned and walked back to the rear of the hall. “Liara!” she shouted, leaving Korbin staring after her.

Chapter 6
    Graiphen stepped across the temple complex, following the acolyte of Pang who had brought him the goddess’ request for him to attend her. The slow pace gave him time for reflection.
    Every day, he’d petitioned to see the emperor again. Every day, he’d been turned away. He had, however, appeared before the senate. As he had suspected, they were not inclined to put a former senator to death, no matter his crimes. Many of them had known Seba personally, and they remembered him as a mild nothing of a man. They believed he must have been influenced by the corrupt magic of the One and that he hadn’t been in his right mind.
    If not for the emperor’s inexplicable show of favor for Octavia, the Kilovian religion might have been outlawed completely because of Seba’s actions. Graiphen would have found that an acceptable response.
    Considering that the senate was disinclined