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5 x 8 Paperback cream |
ISBN: 9781432730109 |
$15.95 |
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Azlee became a priestess at six, when Priest-Mother ripped her from her mother's side and took her to the Convent. Though resigned to her fate, she is nearly always sad and lonely. Because she can see other places and times, she is asked to accompany a band of warriors on a frightening mission to destroy a wizard who poses a threat to the kingdom. It is on this quest that she experiences love for the first time. As a priestess she is forbidden to love a man. A battle is being waged inside her between her heart and the rules ingrained in her. When the man she loves gets lost in a realm of evil, will she risk everything to rescue him?
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Banging on the door roused Azlee from the blissful unawareness of sleep. All the pain and loneliness returned to drag down the corners of her mouth.
The knocking grew more insistent. "Priestess," someone called. "You have a visitor here. He just arrived this morning."
Immediately, Azlee's heart began thudding within her ribcage. She caught her breath, but couldn’t stop the smile that burst onto her face.
"I’ll be down as soon as I’m dressed," she called, already rushing around the room to make herself lovely for her beloved's return.
When Azlee opened her door a few minutes later, she found a demure child of no more than fifteen years, her thick black hair plaited down her back. Azlee recognized some of this girl's features, and concluded she was the daughter of the innkeeper, whom the priestess had met upon her arrival here.
The quiet child led her down the stairs and pointed into the main dining area. "He is waiting for you in there. I must start my day's work now, so Papa doesn't get angry." The girl bowed quickly to the priestess before hurrying away. Azlee spared a small smile for the becoming child.
The common room was nearly empty this late in the morning. She saw four of Sarronel's men deep in conversation at a table. They waved in acknowledgement, but did not invite her over. Then she saw the man sitting quietly in the corner, a steaming mug on the table before him. Bitter disappointment cut her like a weapon when she recognized the markings of the Convent. For a long moment, she could not move forward. Her heart beat raggedly; she felt weak with the impact of her disappointment. Finally, she squared her shoulders and approached him.
"Brother Pairey, what are you doing here?" Brother Pairey had served Priest-Mother with unwavering loyalty since before Azlee had arrived at the Convent.
"I have come to escort you back to the Convent," he replied.
"What of Sarronel?" Azlee asked.
"Sarronel is about to lead his men into a bloody battle and would not endanger you by bringing you along. There would not be time to hear your advice at any rate.”
Azlee nodded. "I'll get my things," she said hoarsely, and fled upstairs.
Heading due east toward the Convent, Azlee put forth much effort to keep from sinking into despair. She reminded herself repeatedly that Akosha had promised he would find her. What more obvious place could there be for him to seek her out than the Convent, after all? Nonetheless, leaving the warriors she had served in their common purpose left her feeling as if she was leaving behind the last vestiges of her time with Akosha.
The dusk shadows had deepened and the weight of her eyelids grew considerably. Hunger gnawed at her belly, too.
"I’m exhausted, Pairey. Please, let's stop for the night."
"Priestess, we must push on. There will be a warm inn with a hot meal up ahead."
"The weather is temperate enough, and I can eat bread and cheese. I am well accustomed to camping outside." Azlee was not entirely successful in keeping the irritation from her voice.
"As you wish, Priestess," Pairey replied.
Before long, the pleasant smell of burning wood filled Azlee's nose as she laid out the blankets on the flattest piece of ground. The campfire crackled, licking the deep blue night with flame the color of Azlee's hair. Staring into the fire, Azlee's thoughts again turned to her beloved Akosha. Where was he? Was he alive? Was he safe? There were no answers to these questions, and Azlee's heart grew heavier. There would never be another man like her Akosha.
"He thought I was beautiful," she said to herself.
The barest whisper of sound reached her ears. She turned to find Pairey staring at her with furrowed brow, the freshly filled water canteens forgotten in his arms. "I'm sure there are many who see you as beautiful," he said, surprised. "But a priestess is a woman of such purity and piety that she has given herself to Edaru himself; a man would be eternally shamed to tell her that her physical form excites him." Pairey finally remembered the canteens he was holding and set them down nearby. "Make no mistake, Azlee," he continued. "You are beautiful."
Astounded, Azlee could only stammer out a shy thank you. These words were so unexpected from the usually reserved Pairey. The fine compliment buoyed her spirit.
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About Courtney Crawford
Courtney Crawford lives in Central Florida with a roommate and her orange tabby. She is a case manager at a hospital by day, and a weaver of words at night.
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