Steel and Sorrow by Joshua P. Simon Read Free Book Online Page B

for support. “It isn’t anything personal,” said Walor. “We worry that she may say something in passing without realizing her error.”
    Tobin shook his head. “Look at her.” Odala played with the hem of her dress. “Her motives for being here are to be near me. She knows that nothing leaves this room.” He cleared his throat, raising his voice. “That’s all for now.”
    Tobin caught the surprised expressions on Walor and Ufer’s faces as he chose not to go over strategy. He had time for that later. After all, his men knew their responsibilities. They only needed the exact date of departure.
    The door closed silently behind the Kifzo and Odala rose from her seat. She sauntered over to him and they met in the center of the room.
    “I’m glad that’s over with,” she said in a voice that caused Tobin’s heart to race.
    He pulled her close. “I thought you liked to watch me work.”
    “I do. But I missed you.” She wrapped her arms around him. “And I’d much rather be doing other things than simply watching you work.”
    Tobin gazed into her deep brown eyes. “Well, we’re alone now.”
    The corners of her mouth turned up slightly. “I thought you had another meeting to go to before dinner.”
    Tobin shrugged. “I’m Warleader. I can afford to be late.”
    Her grin turned into a wicked smile.
    * * *
    Odala left the war room out of breath and weary. Yet, she wore a smile nonetheless. Since their relationship began, Tobin’s passion had become infectious and she missed him during the day when his duties kept them apart.
    At first the horrors of Tobin’s past had frightened her, but she realized that he had little control over the things he had been forced to suffer through in his youth.
    And despite those atrocities, he managed not to lose the good within him as other Kifzo had.
    Even now when she thought about that night when Tobin had threatened her father in Cypronya, she understood it was a means to an end. Tobin may have threatened her father, but he did not kill him. And just like tonight when Ufer questioned her father’s actions, he not only defended the Gray Marsh Clan leader, but also found a way to improve his standing.
    She bit her lower lip while thinking about the hungry look in Tobin’s eyes when they had made love.
    Do I love him?
    “There you are.”
    Odala jumped. She whipped around and saw her brother walking toward her.
    “You nearly scared me to death.”
    “Perhaps if you were paying attention to where you were going, the sound of my voice wouldn’t have startled you.” Soyjid stopped a few feet from her and looked around the empty hallway. He lowered his voice. “We were supposed to meet half an hour ago.”
    “Sorry. I was busy.”
    Soyjid’s eyes wandered over her body. He reached out and straightened her dress. “Yes, it’s obvious what you were busy with.”
    Odala blushed, suddenly self–conscious of his gaze.
    “Remember, that while you’re enjoying yourself, I’m trying to look out for our clan. Or have you forgotten about Father?”
    She scowled. “Of course not. In fact, Tobin said that Father would be given an important role in the upcoming campaign.”
    “Good. And how did Walor and Ufer react?”
    “They didn’t seem pleased. They still blame him for the problems in conquering the Yellow Plain Clan.”
    Soyjid sighed. “They aren’t completely wrong. Father did make a mistake in his approach. However, Bazraki did little to help matters and Tobin should have ended things sooner.”
    “What’s your point?”
    “That the Kifzo will continue to blame someone other than Tobin for any failings. Bazraki is dead, so if anything goes wrong against the Green Forest Clan, I’m sure they will look Father’s way again.”
    “Tobin will defend him,” said Odala.
    “But for how long? Tobin must act in the best interests of the Blue Island Clan. Otherwise, one of his men may do to him what he did to Bazraki.”
    Odala remained quiet. She hadn’t