The Chronicles of Heaven's War: Burning Phoenix Read Online Free Page A

every way.
Commodore CythereaNoah’ha will attest to that fact, she and I
sharing love’s intimacies from before the demise of Atlanticia to
beyond the days of Moses’ rebellion.”
    He stared down at his cold cup of brew. “No, they
just don’t understand, can’t relate.” Then he looked deeply into
Mihai’s eyes. “But you do, always have. Thank you. Thank you for
taking time with me tonight, and for your offer to talk with
Trisha. It’s deeply appreciated. If there’s something I can do for
you, sister, Love, let me know and I will see it done.”
    At that moment there was a quiet commotion at the
door. A midshipman was recently reunited with her fellow duty
officer who had just come off watch. The two were in the doorway,
sensually assisting each other out of uniform, being so absorbed in
their romantic interlude they failed to notice Mihai and Zadar. As
the swooning midshipman rolled her head back while her lover
tenderly played his lips up and down her neck, she spied the two
sitting at the table.
    “Dear…Dear...” The woman lovingly cooed, as she
gently pushed the man away. “We have company. It’s not polite to
ignore their presence, you know.”
    The man stood back, his smile only growing when
seeing who was at the table. After saying his hellos, he took the
woman’s hand and entered the room. In a few minutes, with their
arms full of culinary delights, the couple departed, offering their
friendly goodbyes, the woman’s sensuous laughter echoing back
through the doorway until they exited the Colonnade by way of the
boson’s stairs.
    The two sat there in silence for some time, Zadar
choosing to drink up the cold brew, not wanting to waste it. At
length, Mihai broke the silence. “Zadar, Love, is it true you will
do anything for me?”
    Zadar grinned. “For you, my dear one, my death
itself would be a reward if that was what you desired from me.”
    Mihai shuddered. “Please, Love, let us not think of
death this day. Still… my request may be quite dangerous and
troublesome.”
    “Anything! Anything at all for you!” He laughed.
“Name it. Just name it.”
    The smile fled Mihai’s face, replaced with gloom and
dread. She spoke in little over a whisper. “My dreams are getting
bad, real bad. I am losing my control over them, they even sneaking
into my waking hours. I gave my dreams to Tabitha the first night
of our journey, it quieting my demon a bit. I believe it was
curious, knowing little about the newly arrived creature from another world.”
    “I have hidden my soul in Paul’s strength these
nights since, but the demon cares not, fears not the man… one day,
but not yet. For two nights I have not slept well. I ache from
fatigue and stress that attacks my constitution. I cannot afford to
be remiss of sharp thought and prowess at this coming exchange. I
need a man with great strength and the wiles to use it.”
    She leaned close, her eager eyes hungrily searching
his. “I sent Paul away to Tabitha’s arms this night, feigning her
need for his attention, but truth be told, I did not know what to
do. You have arrived as my hero, for I know that you do have
mastery over the beast that plays inside my head. Will you journey
with me into damnation to fight my demon and its evil horde?”
    A look of eager anticipation grew on Zadar’s face.
Like a warrior preparing for the contest he became, laughing. “You
ask so little. I’ve desired a good fight for some time. Let’s have
at it. You and me together? Who can stand against us?!”
    Mihai sighed relief, her shoulders slumping as she
relaxed to think she might gain a little peaceful sleep. “Thank
you, my dearest love.” adding, “Be patient. You have a way with the
women. Trisha will one day come to understand the true value of the
dream-share.”
    “One day…” Zadar dreamily held Mihai’s hand. “But I
must also gain mastery over my own understanding and hers… and her
ways. Not tonight, though. I will be thinking only of you