Chapter 27 book 3 is live

Patience:

Temmin lay gasping against Issak’s chest, his heartbeat slowly coming down. His eyelids flickered shut.

“Don’t fall asleep,” murmured Issak, pinching Temmin’s nearest nipple.

“Ow.” Temmin opened his eyes. “I’m always sleepy afterwards.”

“You have to learn not to be. Up.” Issak pushed Temmin off his chest and sat up himself. “There is much you still have to learn.”

“It’s not even a spoke and a half, and I think I’ve learned a lot already! No one’s complaining, at any rate,” Temmin added smugly. “Everyone says I’m a quick study.”

Issak stood up. “You pick up some things very quickly,” he agreed, “like a child imitating his parents. You don’t really know what you’re doing, or why.” He poured himself a glass of water from an earthenware pitcher on the table and drank it down, then poured himself a second.

“Why?” said Temmin, an edge creeping into his voice; he plopped back against the huge pile of pillows on the couch.

“What d’you mean, why? To make people feel better! Why else? Isn’t that why we’re here?”