Urden, God of Desire Read Online Free Page A

rear.”
    “Right they will.” Hyath glanced up for a brief moment and set back to work.
    Enrue stared at O’ka, her full lips and her one revealed fang. She reminded him of a snake from the Unangi jungle, waiting to strike. “Then all is settled for now. We should not meet like this again. It’s too risky. Once the Empire catches wind of my plot, they will want me and anyone allied with me assassinated.” He stood and smoothed his belt. “I’m going back to Taraf for now. To keep you abreast of my plans, be warned that Kyleena has sent a Cossia to meet with me. The ship should have arrived in Alga by now.”
    “A Cossia?” Hyath set down his pen. He shook his head. “You be careful, Enrue. It might be a trick.”
    “Maybe so.” He strode around O’ka’s seat, avoiding her intoxicating scent. “I’ve sent my police to fetch the messenger.”
    “Mm, a wise move,” Jorin piped up. “Send the Cossia on to me for questioning if you like. I have ways to make anyone speak.”
    O’ka stood and turned, feathers rustling along the edge of her flowing robes. The fabric clung to her shapely figure, accentuating her breasts without showing any cleavage. Enrue stared at her chest and caught himself.
    “Just kill the Kyleena scum,” she whispered. “These underlings are not worth toying with. Kill the messenger and send the body back in pieces. Our message will be clear.”
    Enrue shook his head, more to rid it of O’ka’s natural perfume, than to deny her suggestion. He sidestepped toward the door. “I will hold her in a cell for a time, maybe question her if need be. I’m certain her mission is standard. She said she’d been sent with a proposition.”
    “Be careful,” Hyath repeated.
    “I will protect you, if you like,” O’ka said in a sultry tone.
    “I can look after myself.” He bowed to each ally and took his leave. Outside the meeting room, he heard the rain beating against the roof. Irnia’s weather often became fitful, not like the placid city of Taraf. Enrue hurried through the halls, tired of his old rival’s palace. He entered the room he’d been staying in, gathered up the few possessions he kept on his person, and made ready to leave. Glancing at the enormous chamber with its tiled mural and vast windows, he hoped he’d never have to return here. He considered Leuj’s palace a direct reflection of the decadence and evil of the southern side of the city, an evil he’d successfully wiped clean.
    “Now for the Empire.”

Chapter Four
    Refugees
     
    In the Alga Dockport, Razi sat beside his wife, anxiously watching the arrival hall. Sister Lensi, his friend from the Habiri church, was expected at any moment. He missed her and did look forward to catching up, though he wished he were at home in bed with his new bride instead. Sima squeezed his hand and flashed a grin. He leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Strange way to spend our first night as a married couple,” he muttered.
    “The night’s not over yet.” She cuddled close to him and giggled. Sima amazed him, even now. He’d never wanted to leave Hicklan, never wanted his so-called freedom. It took her to make him realize he needed it. This new life was all so strange and difficult at times.
    “True. But she does like to talk.” He glanced at the clock above the check-in desk. It was late; he was tired from working that morning at the mill. Manual labor didn’t suit him. Too many years in the lap of ward luxury had made him soft. The gates to an adjacent arrival hall opened, and Razi nudged his wife. “Draw up your veil, love. Officers are on the prowl.”
    Sima pulled a scarf up to cover her hair and the lower half of her face. It was not unusual to see officers in the Alga Dockport. The city was a popular place for refugees and people who wanted to escape the law. The last thing the couple needed was for someone to recognize her. Even though everyone thought she was dead, he didn’t want to risk discovery. If her father found