Second Daughter (The Royals of Dharia, Book Two) by Susan Kaye Quinn

Author:Susan Kaye Quinn [Quinn, Susan Kaye]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2014-06-29T23:00:00+00:00

If Aniri had known escaping the city with Devesh’s help would involve an overly-intimate ride in a cramped pamgari, she might have considered taking her chances on the streets.

Riva was at the helm, pumping the pamgari lever and standing on the small bridge between the single wheel in front and the cart behind. It was built for two passengers, but they had four crammed into a tight-canopied transport obviously built for short duration trips of minimal comfort. Seledri sat on Janak’s lap, clutching the aetheroceiver and looking distraught. Janak steadied her with a hand on her arm, but appeared ready to crawl out of his skin with discomfort—no doubt from the situation, not the ride.

Aniri was perched on Devesh’s lap, ruing her decision with every bump of the cobblestones. The intimacy of the ride was nearly unendurable, not least because she once would have enjoyed such a moment far too much. Her only consolation was that Devesh seemed equally ill at ease. His hands kept moving, wavering between holding Aniri’s waist, to keep her from bouncing out of his lap, and gripping the wooden seat anywhere but near her body.

She ground out between her teeth. “How much farther can our destination possibly be?”

“We have to travel to the commerce gate.” Devesh’s voice was equally strained. “The city walls are a holdover from an earlier time, when regular sieges required a stronghold approach. But even now, all pedestrian traffic in and out of the city is through the main gates, or the train station, both of which will be monitored by the Second Son, if he’s thought at all about the situation. Which he has, given the royal guards he sent to your father’s shop. I know someone who may be willing to smuggle us out of the commerce gate.”

“May?” If it was possible, Janak’s voice was even more strained.

“He’s not exactly a friend,” Devesh said.

“What does that mean?” Aniri asked.

Janak curled his lip. “It means your courtesan consorts with persons of even worse repute than himself.”

Aniri wished Janak would stop calling him her courtesan.

“It means,” Devesh ground out, “that I’m not entirely sure of his allegiances.” He took a breath and gripped Aniri’s waist again as they bounced with a particular large bump in the road. He immediately let go, much to her relief. “He could be part of the Second Son’s network. The prince has a somewhat shadow organization. A lot of shopkeepers involved in illegal activities do so with his implied consent.”

“So we could be walking into a trap,” Aniri said. “Are you sure this is wise?”

“It’s not wise at all,” Devesh said. “I tried to convince you of that already.”

He shifted in his seat, underneath her, trying to keep his balance with the perpetual sway of the pamgari. His hand momentarily grazed her hip, and she tensed, words leaping to her lips to rebuke him, but then, just as quickly, his touch left. Her jolt didn’t escape Janak’s notice, and his frown made her face light on fire.

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