Sword of the Deceiver by Sarah Zettel

Author:Sarah Zettel [Zettel, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 9780765304223
Goodreads: 189160
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 2005-12-31T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“You made a conquest last night,” murmured Ekkadi.

The maid was laying out Natharie’s breakfast as she spoke. The sun had not been up for more than two hours and the story of Natharie’s appearance before the emperor was already winging its way through the small domain, with some startling additions. The common rooms were full of life and chatter as was usual for the mornings, but this time a large number of the women and older girls were casting knowing glances in her direction.

My fault for eating alone. This morning, she had shunned company, taking a seat in one of the small side alcoves. She did not feel capable of gossip this morning, nor did she want comments on how distracted she seemed. She needed time to order her thoughts, and her heart.

Natharie picked up a piece of flat bread and tore it in two. She looked at it in her hands. Suddenly, her mouth was dry and her stomach did not seem willing to receive food. It was not the gossip that disturbed her. She knew it for the vapor that it was. It was her own feelings that robbed her of appetite, for the warmth and despair of the night’s dreams of love had not left her with the sunrise. “I would not call what happened last night conquest.”

“Everyone else does.” Ekkadi grinned and plucked half the bread out of Natharie’s hand. She used it to scoop up a sauce of mango and tamarind, and folded it quickly into her own mouth. As she chewed, she eyed Natharie owlishly. “And I know what I saw. It is good work, Mistress. You have not one, but two men at your feet.” She leaned closer and whispered. “Did Tarish make any promises? Did the prince see him kiss you?”

“No one kissed me.” She set the bread down. “No one did anything.” Yet.

“Disappointed?” Ekkadi’s grin grew saucy enough that she ducked her head to hide it. “Patience, mistress. You’ll be rich, and then you’ll be married. If you continue this way, it won’t take long.” She set the last dish into place, made obeisance, and hurried away.

Natharie stared at the food laid out before her. Eat something, she instructed herself. Master Gauda is not going to care you had a late night. You need your strength to face today.

As if summoned by her thought, the drama master appeared in the archway of the viewing rooms. He crossed the busy chamber and came to stand over her.

Natharie dropped the bread and made to stand up. Master Gauda waved at her to keep her seat and knelt comfortably beside her. Ekkadi made her obeisance and withdrew to a discreet distance, settling down with a small cluster of other maids, doubtless to catch up on any gossip she’d missed in the past hour.

“You performed well last night, Natharie,” said Master Gauda, smoothing his coat skirts fussily across his thighs. “I am pleased.”

“Thank you, Master Gauda.” She was grateful for those words, whether she should have been or not.

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