Read Online My Tattered Bonds by Courtney Cole - Free Book Online Page B

look into our eyes.   You know us.”
    She did as he said and examined each of us, locking eyes with every one of us in turn.   But when she looked at me, her gaze remained empty and I knew she didn’t know me at all. My heart sank and I moved toward her.
    “Sister…”
    She lunged toward me with her sword drawn. “Don’t call me that!” she snapped.   “I don’t know you!”
    I took a step back but it was useless.   Ortrera was on the offensive now and kept advancing.  
    “I don’t trust any of you!” she shouted.   Cadmus moved to protect me, but I motioned him back.
    “No!” I cried.   “She’s not herself.   Do not hurt her.   I have faith that she won’t hurt me.”
    “Your faith is unfounded,” she said menacingly.   “There is no reason why I won’t hurt you.”
    She swung her sword and it sliced by my ear, the blade hissing as it split the air.  
    I jumped back and once again motioned Cadmus and my father back.
    “It will only make it worse,” I said quickly.  
    “I don’t see how this can get worse,” Aphrodite replied.   “Ortrera, I know you are not yourself, but if you hurt one hair on Harmonia’s head, I will kill you myself.   Know that.”
    Ortrera studied my small, slight mother and her lip curled. “Warning noted,” she answered wryly.  
    She chose that moment to leap onto me and shoved me to the ground, the tip of her sword pressed into my chest.   My heart beat against the cool blade and I tried to think- to still my racing thoughts so I could form a plan.
    But nothing.   I could think of nothing.   So I went with instinct instead.   As Ortrera shifted her weight, I used that moment to throw her off and we tumbled together, rolling over and over before I came out on top.   She outweighed me, so I knew my upper-hand wouldn’t last.   I bend forward to try and pin her more securely and as I moved, my bloodstone fell from my shift and lay against her breast.  
    Her eyes instantly widened and clouded.
    Her body went limp and she fell off of me to the side and rested in the grass, her chest heaving.   She lay still and silent, her hands clenching and unclenching her sword.   I was almost afraid to speak, but finally, I inched away just a bit and caught her eye.
    “Ortrera?”
    “I’m sorry,” she whispered.   “I know who you are.   Father always loved you best.”
    I opened my mouth to speak, but Ares beat me to it.
    “I have not,” he boomed.   “I love you differently, that is true.   Harmonia soothes my troubled spirit, as that is her nature as the goddess of peace.   You are my fierce warrior- a child after my own heart.   I love each of you.”
    She nodded, a tear streaking out of the corner of her eye.   I froze. I had never seen her cry, not in the thousands of years that we had known each other. She wiped it away impatiently.  
    “I’m sorry,” she mumbled.   “I don’t know why I am emotional.”
    “Because we are in a difficult situation,” I soothed, patting her shoulder. “It’s alright. Ortrera.   You weren’t yourself.”
    She nodded as she stood.   She nodded to her warriors and they once again looked comfortable as they relaxed just a little.   She looked around the group.
    “Now what?”
    Aphrodite shrugged.   “Now we are free to proceed, I think.   We’re none the worse for the wear even though you just tried to kill your sister.”
    She couldn’t quite keep her grudge from her voice and I couldn’t help but smile.
    “Mother,” I warned.   “Ortrera didn’t mean it. You know that.”
    She shrugged with her nose in the air.   I shook my head, but Ortrera interrupted.
    “It’s alright, Harmonia.   I don’t blame her.   But I do hope you know that I would protect you with my life.”
    “I know.” I glanced at my mother and she looked slightly mollified. “Of course I know. You’ve proven yourself time and time again. And I would trust you with my life.”
    That seemed to make Ortrera feel