Fire Daughter by Freya Pickard

Author:Freya Pickard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Epic Fantasy, Heroic Fantasy
Publisher: Freya Pickard
Published: 2023-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

TARI’S KNEES WERE TREMBLING by the time they reached Mother Kalare’s room. Illan did not knock but opened the door as if he was expected. Chills chased each other up and down Tari’s spine and she drew back her hood, looking around.

The room was empty of people, except for one kaerling man who stood, looking out of the eastern window at the pouring rain. He turned as the three Temple servants entered and a smile lit up his harsh face.

“Thank you, Illan, I am much obliged.”

“Where is Mother Kalare?” asked the young priest tightly, every part of him giving off fear.

“She felt unwell and has gone to lie down. She has a female acolyte in attendance. You may visit her if you wish.”

The kaerling man strode towards the desk, his attitude dismissing Illan from the room. The priest looked pleadingly at Undine whose hood still shrouded her face. The woman shrugged and reluctantly the priest left.

“Please sit down, Tari.” Brown eyes gazed at her warmly.

Tari sat down quickly in the usual chair she occupied whilst being told off by Mother Kalare. Oh, that Mother was here now!

“I will wait by the window.” Undine said quietly. “Please do not detain us long.”

“Of course not, priestess.” The kaerling laughed and revealed gleaming white teeth. “Undine of Aqua’s shrine, is it not?”

The tall woman bowed her head and started to walk towards the window.

“I hear your healing skills surpass anyone’s in the Temple.” The way the kaerling said it, made it a challenge.

Undine paused and looked back, her face shadowed by the hood. “The gods give gifts as they choose. To deny a gift, is to mock the gods.”

The kaerling blinked as if he had received a shock and then smiled wanly at Undine’s retreating figure. Tari felt dreadfully exposed and alone without the priestess standing beside her. The kaerling walked around the desk, moved a pile of parchment and perched on the edge. He was so close to Tari, she could smell him and her heart beat increased.

“My name is Peri.” He held out a strong, pale hand for her to shake.

Tari gulped and shook it weakly, snatching her hand away as soon as she could. He smelt... attractive. Though his features repelled her, there was something terribly compelling about him. He flicked his blond hair from his forehead and smiled, his brown eyes wandering over her face, down her neck towards her breasts.

She felt as though she was suffocating. She had seen this man before. He had been one of those watching Sidra dance at the Yuletide celebrations. Peri frowned as he gazed at her breasts and then returned his eyes to her face.

“How long have you been at the Temple, Tari?” He spoke her name like a physical caress and she caught her breath in fear.

“Seven, nearly eight years,” she said shakily.

Peri nodded, his eyes suddenly distant. Tari got the impression he was thinking of something else, other than her. Then he appeared to be waiting. All that happened was that Undine shrugged off her hood and stared out of the window with her back to them.

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