Read Online Absolution (Delroi Prophecy Book 4) by Loribelle Hunt - Free Book Online Page B

some other way.”
    It took him a second to realize she
was teasing him. He let her feel his triumph at getting her to deal with him on
a deeper level than she had yet and was rewarded with a startled, almost panicked
look. She covered it and hurried down to the foyer quickly. He was right behind
her, put his hand on her lower back and stepped close as he met Rona’s curious
gaze.
    “Lord Bana,” she said in the clear,
confidant tone he remembered.
    He refused to recall anything else.
Anna Leigh appeared serene at his side but he could feel her tension.
    “High Priestess,” he greeted her.
“Allow me to introduce my der’lan ,
Anna Leigh. This is Lady Rona Idis of the Keep and the high priestess of the
goddess cult.”
    Rona’s lips twitched. “So formal, my
lord.” She turned a questioning look on Anna Leigh. “Is that necessary? It may
not be official yet, but we are family.”
    *
    Anna Leigh felt the nervousness in her
chest unclench. No, that wasn’t true. It was fear. Fear that Xan might want
someone else. That someone else might have a prior claim and resent her for the
bond he’d formed between them. She felt none of that from either Xan or Rona,
only a fondness and mutual respect between old friends.
    “I don’t think it’s necessary, no,”
she said, hoping this woman who knew her daughter could give her insight into
the woman Zola was here. “Would you like a glass of gazzi ?”
    “Yes, thank you.” She held up the bag.
“I should give this to my son first though.”
    Xan directed her and she disappeared
from view for a couple of minutes. When she returned, they followed her mate
into a light airy solarium that looked out over the sea. Two small sofas face
each other with a table between them. Xan poured while she and Rona sat and looked
each other over. She felt his unease. He was in unfamiliar waters and didn’t
have any idea what he was supposed to do. She let him suffer a minute before
taking pity and sending him a wave of reassurance. He joined them, setting the
glasses on the table. He didn’t sit until both women had had a sip. She
wondered if that was some kind of point of protocol she was unaware of.
    “Once
two warriors have shared a drink they’ve indicated they are not enemies.”
    “Neither
of us are warriors.”
    She felt a huff of amusement in her
mind. “Yes you are.”
    “So you’re Zola’s mother,” Rona said,
putting her guard up.
    “I am.”
    Rona just looked at her. “I see where
her stubborn streak comes from.”
    Unable to deny that, she shrugged.
“It’s a family trait.”
    “Comes in handy dealing with Delroi warriors,”
Rona said dryly.
    Anna Leigh laughed. She hadn’t had to
pit her will against Xan’s yet but she had a feeling that day was coming. “Giving
Jarek hell is she?”
    For some reason that made her feel
much better about her daughter’s choice. Rona grinned. “I’m sure they’ll work
it out soon,” she said.
    “So she works for you?”
    She should have spent more time with
Siana and Eva on ship. Found out exactly how this goddess cult worked. Rona
gave her a considering look.
    “Her focus is on Tel right now. Once
that is dealt with we’ll discuss what she wants to do.”
    “What are the options?”
    Rona’s gaze hardened, moved to Xan,
and Anna Leigh knew whatever she said it wouldn’t be the whole truth. With a
noncommittal shrug, her expression cleared to polite blandness.
    “Since she’s Jarek’s der’lan and will stay in the Keep, I
imagine she’ll assist with the novice’s training.”
    She stood. “I really should be getting
back to the temple. There’s a great deal still left to finish before the
celebration begins.”
    Anna Leigh and Xan walked her to the
door, then returned to their suite.
    “So what does a priestess do? And why
was she so cagey about discussing it?”
    “That’s something southern warriors
spend a great deal of time speculating over,” he said in a dry tone. “They
often are hired as