Command by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page A

year, I planned to introduce him to my favourite holiday. Now, that is gone, and I will carry the memory of him within me, that piece of his soul. I am better for having known him and poorer for his departure from the walking world.”
    She stepped back and didn’t dash away the tears streaming down her cheeks.
    Orvar dragged in a shaking breath and finally spoke. “As priest of the Heshi, I confirm that their ambassador to Alvar has dissipated in the walking world. It has earned its freedom and is on its way to the next life. We now have the body of Alvar left behind, his greater soul has gone on to the next world and the piece of him left behind has found hope for a new life in another generation.”
    Orriko and four other men stepped forward, lifting him and placing him down in the hole prepared for him.
    “As we love our lives, so we embrace our deaths. Free of our bodies, our souls can soar.” Orvar was speaking by rote.
    As Alvar settled six feet deep, the men resumed their places next to the edge of the grave.
    “And so the spark of new life destroys the traces of the old.”
    Orriko took her hand, pulling her forward to extend her arm out over his father’s body. He placed his hand on hers and a warmth ran through her arm.
    Her skin got hot and her palm itched. She clenched and released her fist, jumping as a spark flew from her hand to land on Alvar’s chest.
    Orriko quickly pulled her back, tucking her against him as a wall of flame shot upward.
    Lilli knew her eyes were as wide as they could be, but everyone else was solemn and treated the flame as expected. The grave was filled with glass, the rubble set to one side had found its way into the grave and was sealed with a completely seamless polish to the floor.
    Orvar inclined his head. “We will leave you with your grief, but know that we are a community and you may call on us when you need us.”
    Orvar stepped around the newly sealed grave and embraced Orriko. “Be strong and wise, Bael Lerock. Your people need you.”
    To her surprise, Lilli was the next in the embrace. Orvar whispered, “Whatever you think, I loved him. Carry him carefully, our world can use more men like him.”
    Orvar walked out, speaking with the waiting clan members as he walked through the hall.
    Orriko whispered, “We will speak with all who wish it.”
    She nodded. “Of course. I am at your side until you say otherwise.”
    He smiled and pressed a kiss to her cheek, on top of the track of tears. “You have said enough for both of us.”
    She gripped his arm and walked with him through the grieving population. It might be minutes or hours, but she was going to be at his side.
     
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
     
    “What do you mean they are coming do declare war?” Lilli was braiding a halo to confine her hair, and she turned to stare at Orriko.
    “It is tradition. There are nine clans here on Ikanni, and in order to exchange bloodlines, we must declare war or raid the others. Raiding leads to bad matches, so we engage in negotiations and call it war.” He slid two silver arm cuffs over his biceps and two thick bracelets on his wrists.
    “Fascinating. What do I need to do?” He had asked her to come with him and that alone made her suspicious. He tended to simply grab her and transport her where he wanted her to go.
    He grinned. In the last two hours, a large wardrobe had been moved into her quarters, and it had contained quite a few goodies. He opened it and withdrew a delicate piece of silk. “Wear this.”
    He held up some silvery chains. “And this.”
    The silk was a tabard. It hung to the floor in front and back. When she had it in place, he started to attach the chains. A short link on either side held the fabric together. He attached a chain so that it looped down across each shoulder, and he finished with three rows of chain over each thigh slit to keep the skirt from kicking open.
    The weight of the thigh chains kept the silk in line, but the back was