Read Storm and Steel for Free Online

to distract him, no politics to muddle his head, no sense of impending doom. Just the wind and the water. But he couldn't go back. He'd witnessed too much to be content as a ship's carpenter ever again. As much as it frustrated him with its elusiveness, the zoana was part of him now. It was the salt in his blood, as the sailors were like to say.
    â€œMay I join you?”
    Horace nearly spilled his cup when Alyra came up behind him. For a moment he couldn't say anything, could only stare at her in mute wonder. He'd almost forgotten how beautiful she was, especially unclothed with the water lapping about her hips. Her long blonde hair was down, curling around her shoulders down to the upper slopes of her breasts. Horace blinked and forced his gaze back to her face.
    â€œI heard you were back,” he said.
    â€œYes. I just returned.”
    He wanted to ask where she had been but held his tongue. There wassomething about the way she regarded him, a wariness he'd noticed before she left, that put him at a loss for words, afraid to say the wrong thing. The slave girl brought more wine, and Alyra accepted a cup. Horace allowed his to be refilled while he watched Alyra, trying to read her expression, to garner some hint of how she felt about him.
    â€œSo,” he said after the slave had left them. “Did you accomplish your mission?”
    Horace kicked himself mentally. If anything was sure to drive her away again, it would be prying into her affairs. She'd made that much clear.
    â€œIt's difficult to say,” she replied after a long pause.
    Sweating now, Horace cleared his throat. “Will you be staying long?”
    â€œI don't know yet.”
    â€œI'd like…it would be nice if you…I mean…” He took a breath to steady himself. “I'm trying to say I missed you.”
    That brought a smile to her lips. “I missed you, too.”
    Horace breathed easier. Then he remembered they were both naked, sitting just a couple feet apart, and his awkwardness returned in force.
    â€œHow have you been getting along while I was away?” she asked.
    â€œWell, I haven't received any challenges since…that night. So that's been good.”
    Alyra turned to watch a pair of noble ladies wading nearby. “Do you think they like you better, now that you've saved their queen's life? Or are they just too afraid to confront you directly?”
    â€œThat's tough to say. No one at the palace speaks to me except for the queen and Lord Ubar.”
    â€œYes. I've heard that he was recalled to court. An odd development.”
    â€œI thought so, too. But I'm glad Byleth brought him back. He's a good man. Nothing at all like his father.”
    Alyra switched to the Arnossi tongue. “Be careful, Horace. He's still Akeshian and zoanii . Backbiting and deception are bred into them.”
    He frowned at her depiction but nodded so as not to start an argument. “I'll keep that in mind.”
    â€œWhile you're at it, keep both eyes on Byleth as well,” she said. “The queen is no blushing ingenue.”
    â€œPoint taken. While you're here, you can help me avoid making any disastrous mistakes.”
    â€œYou're the First Sword, Horace. Any mistake can be disastrous. However, I'm not as adept at court politics as Lord Mulcibar. You'll need to find your own way.”
    The mention of Mulcibar's name sobered Horace and doused his mood. He missed the old nobleman. Part of him still felt responsible for his death.
    Horace finished his wine and set the empty cup on the ledge of the pool as Queen Byleth entered the bath chamber with a small entourage. The queen strode to the hot pool where her handmaidens removed her clothing and jewelry. Lord Xantu, as ominous as ever in his black robe, stood nearby as the queen was washed. He had taken to growing out his hair, which now hung down to his collar.
    â€œBeautiful. Isn't she?” Alyra asked, gazing at the queen.
    Horace cleared his