First Daughter (The Royals of Dharia, Book Three) by Susan Kaye Quinn

Author:Susan Kaye Quinn [Quinn, Susan Kaye]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2014-09-29T04:00:00+00:00

Natesh’s sailors were none-too-gentle when they came to haul Aniri, Ash, Riva, and Akash out of the brig. The sailors had donned royal guard coats over their uniforms, and Natesh’s raksaka were apparently occupied elsewhere. The six sailors-turned-guards clasped chains on all of their wrists, as if they might contemplate a run. Akash had to muffle his groan when they yanked his injured arm forward in order to shackle it. Aniri didn’t object, knowing it was useless. Or worse, it might bring further harm to Ash’s spy.

She was simply glad they were all being kept together.

The Dagger had landed just a few minutes prior, if the sinking feeling of descent in their stomachs was any indication, but Natesh hadn’t wasted any time calling for them. The trip had taken a few hours, and while it had felt interminable in their tiny cage, Aniri felt sure it hadn’t been enough time to travel across the sea. Her hope that they had landed in Mahatvak was realized once they stepped from the depths of the skyship onto the darkened walkplank outside. It was still night, but she recognized the fortified apartments of the palace, that solitary wing that looked to be carved out of the mountainside of the Samarian capital. The twin moons, Raka and Indu had almost set again, and while the morning sun hadn’t yet broke, it wasn’t far from it, either.

The contingent of six guards held them on the balcony in the chilly early morning breeze, waiting for something. She thought they might bring Seledri to join them, but her sister was nowhere to be seen. The palace was lit sporadically, its sharpened towers mostly dark except for the occasional lord or lady who was up early. Or perhaps the lights were the keepers of the palace already at their work. The deep-red gasbag of the Dagger billowed above them, made even more gruesome in color by the silvered light of the moons. The city lay below, gaslamps marking the streets like strings of pearls laid out with fastidious straightness. The shops hadn’t yet opened for the morning, but when dawn came, and the shopkeepers emerged from their businesses, they’d see the Dagger in her glory at the palace. And probably wonder what new day was upon them.

Finally, Natesh emerged from the skyship, dressed in royal attire, as if about to attend a high tea. His stride was hurried, as if he hadn’t a moment to lose, and he brushed past them without a look. But his guards shoved them along to follow. Aniri was tempted to drag her heels, causing any delay she could in Natesh’s plans, whatever they were, but Ash shook his head and urged her forward. They kept their silence, but Aniri was on high alert for any chance to break free and turn this stop to their advantage.

Natesh marched them through the outer embroidered stone wall of the palace, through a labyrinth of hallways and stairs, until they landed in a well-appointed receiving room. An unoccupied throne sat at one end, which seemed to instantly infuriate Natesh.

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