Hammer of Time (The Reforged Trilogy) Read Online Free Page B

Fear for the Arcadians, alone in the coreworlds and surrounded by aliens who did not care if they lived or died. Fear of Xartasia and whatever she intended. And terror of the Devourers.
    But not here, not now. Now there was only the hot-cold presence of Logan filling her, the feel of his sweat-damp skin against hers and the musical notes of her joy. Logan kissed her, not silencing Maeve but as though to taste her song.
    ________
     
    Maeve lay in Orthain's arms. Her eyes were closed and Aes' golden light caressed her skin with smooth, warm fingers. Birds chirped in the well-tended trees and a nearby stream burbled cheerfully as a happy child. Orthain stroked Maeve's long black hair as he sang.
     
    "To you I give my love,
    My heart and life,
    The heart and life we share."
     
    Maeve looked up into Orthain's exquisite golden-green eyes. She lifted her hand and caressed his smooth cheek. Orthain caught her wrist and kissed her fingertips.
    "Will you share in my oathsong, enarri?" he asked.
    His voice trembled. All his glass armor could not protect his heart from the woman he loved. Maeve sat up and brushed back Orthain's long hair. She sang.
     
    "To you I give my love,
    My heart and life,
    The heart and life we share."
     
    Her lover's eyes lit up. Orthain spread his long wings and vaulted into the air, pulling Maeve with him. He twirled her around above the garden, singing in pure delight.
    "I must have missed something lovely," said a voice from below.
    Maeve looked down. Another winged shape stood in the grass, wearing a simple white robe that rippled in the warm breeze. His tightly bound hair was black as a raven's wing. Maeve slipped from Orthain's arms and landed in the garden.
    "Caith!" she cried and hugged her brother tightly. "Orthain has asked me to marry him!"
    "And what was your answer?"
    Orthain landed beside a blooming rose tree. He picked a pink blossom and tucked it into Maeve's ebony hair. The knight kissed her brow. "Maeve has agreed," he said with a grin. "You will be my brother, too. And then you will have to share her with me."
    ________
     
    Maeve woke alone, but the mattress beside her was still warm and full of Logan's strange, salty human smell. She gathered his pillow to her chest and hummed happily.
    There was a knock at the door. Maeve wrapped the Logan-scented sheet around her chest and unlocked the door with a swipe of her fingers across the control panel. Panna stood outside, still dressed very much like a Poes Nor student, like a human woman with her shirt concealing her back. To cover the scars of her wing removal, Maeve thought sadly. To think that any Arcadian would cut off her wings… Panna's willingness to sacrifice made Maeve feel suddenly guilty for refusing to go with her today.
    "Good morning," Maeve greeted the younger Arcadian.
    Panna had inclined her head and raised it now, blushing a brilliant pink at the sight of Maeve's undress. "I'm sorry," Panna stammered. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
    "Logan is not here."
    Panna was still blushing, but a small, sly smirk spread across her face. "Humans are a lot larger than Arcadians. That must be a challenge by night."
    Maeve refused to be abashed, though her cheeks went quite hot. "We are more or less compatible in our bed. And I was a knight of Arcadia. I am not so fragile."
    "I'm sure you know how to handle any weapon Coldhand carries." Panna giggled. She covered her mouth as though to stifle the sound and then cleared her throat self-consciously. "I was hoping that you would reconsider coming with me today, Highness."
    Maeve did not feel that guilty. She shook her head. "I am no hero to our people," she said. Panna at least deserved honesty. "I have no hope to give them."
    Panna stood in the narrow fibersteel corridor, hands thrust deep into her pockets and shoulders hunched. Disappointed, Maeve knew, but the blonde girl nodded. "All right," she relented. "Just Xia and me, I guess. Where's Coldhand? Did he leave already?"
    "Yes. Though