Dragon Prince 02 - The Star Scroll by Melanie Rawn

Author:Melanie Rawn
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Penguin USA, Inc.
Published: 2011-08-23T22:29:21+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Like her father, Pandsala did not believe in talking about power. She believed in using it.

Pandsala waited at Lyell’s garish red-and-yellow striped tent, growing angrier by the moment as Kiele kept her cooling her heels in an antechamber. When at last admitted into her half sister’s presence, Pandsala was seething. That she was forced to conceal her fury only added to her hatred of this flaunting beauty who received her with the widest and most insincere of smiles. Of all her sisters and half sisters, Kiele was the one who should have been dead. Pandsala regretted not having killed her years ago.

“Pandsala! I hope you weren’t kept waiting too long. My squires told me only a moment ago that you were here—they do so hate to interrupt Lyell and me when we get a little time alone.” Kiele kissed the air beside Pandsala’s right cheek. “You’re so fortunate not to be married, you know—one always worries about not spending enough time with one’s husband and children.”

Pandsala bore the embrace stolidly, not missing Kiele’s barb about her husbandless, childless state. “I regret disturbing you,” she made herself say.

“Think nothing of it. It’s been so long since we had a good long talk together—why don’t I order a couple of horses and take you into the city? I’ll give you a tour of the residence, and we can have a snack. It’s an eccentric place, but I’ve managed to make it livable if not logical.”

Pandsala debated for a moment about letting Kiele stew in surmises about this visit, then decided she hadn’t patience for it. “I’m afraid I’ll have to defer the pleasure of seeing your home, Kiele. I have something rather distressing to discuss with you.”

“Oh?” Kiele gestured to chairs. “How may I help you, Pandsala?”

“Naydra came to me today with the most astonishing story.”

With a whisper of silk skirts, Kiele sank into a seat. “I haven’t had the chance to speak to her yet. How is she?”

Pandsala gave her full credit for ability to contain her curiosity about this conversation with a sibling she cordially loathed. The feeling was mutual and they both knew it, and Pandsala began to feel a certain relish for the game.

“Oh, fine. But her tale was quite amazing. It seems—” She hesitated just the right amount of time, then went on in a low voice, “Kiele, there’s some man in Waes saying he’s the true father of this pretender.”

Kiele’s eyes went wide, but she cheated Pandsala of most of her real reaction to this news. “Incredible! What can this mean?” she breathed.

“It means everyone is looking for him. Naydra was approached for money to keep him quiet—that as our father’s daughter, she’d naturally wish Rohan out of Princemarch. How could he think any of us would want that? Father gave us nothing—and Rohan has given us everything.”

“Oh, yes, he most certainly has,” Kiele said earnestly, and again Pandsala was forced to admire her for keeping a completely straight face.

“I came to you, as another loyal servant of the High Prince, to ask if you’d set your people looking for this man.

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