The Crystal Eye by Deborah Chester

Author:Deborah Chester [Chester, Deborah]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy
ISBN: 9780441006359
Google: LRgLAAAACAAJ
Amazon: 0441006353
Goodreads: 202356
Publisher: Ace
Published: 1999-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The Kaa’s shuttle landed inside the palace compound shortly after sunset. In the gloom of twilight, lights were set up in the ceremonial courtyard. Courtiers assembled in their finery. The imperial carpet was rolled down the steps of the palace.

Israi emerged from the shuttle to the usual fanfare and flourishing of trumpets. Priestesses in sleeveless robes lifted their arms and sang. Young female chunen, daughters of some of her most favored aristocrats, came running forward to hand her fragrant bouquets of exquisite flowers.

Israi forced herself to pause. She gestured for one of her ladies in waiting to take the bouquets. The disappointment, however, on the young faces turned up to hers made her reconsider. She reached out and took one of the bouquets into her hand.

“Who gives us these white flowers?” she asked. Although her heart was lead and she felt weary to the root of her tail, she forced herself to smile at a petite, bronze-skinned chune. “What is your name, little one?”

“I am Sheveil, majesty,” the chune answered in a piping voice. She bowed low, then peeped up at Israi shyly and with a twinkling eye. “I selected them my very own self from my mother’s garden.”

“They are exquisite,” the Kaa said. She placed her hand momentarily on the chune’s head, then walked on.

Some of the courtiers applauded as they waited for her on the steps. She started her ascent, her heavy gown dragging at her tired body, and glanced back irritably when one of her attendants was too slow in picking up her train.

“Welcome home, my sister,” said an all-too-familiar voice, a voice she had hoped never to hear again as long as she lived. Oviel stepped forward from the crowd and bowed low to her. “If I may be bold enough to offer a welcome.”

Full adulthood had brought the beginnings of a slight sag to his jawline. His rill was flushed above its plain gold collar, and he looked nervous, as he should have. She noticed, in one sweeping glance of contempt, that his tailor was neither skilled nor knowledgeable as to the latest fashions.

But Israi was in no mood to cope with the unpleasant shock of coming face-to-face with Oviel the very moment she returned home. She still resented having to pardon him. She’d never expected him to be this bold.

As she gazed now into his bright, ambitious eyes, she knew nothing had changed for him. He had simply waited out the term of his exile, but now that he was back it would be as though the intervening years never happened.

He smiled at her, tilting his head to one side when she made no reply, and she hated him to her very core.

“The Kaa is displeased that I have presented myself so forwardly?” he asked, as though daring her to reprimand him.

Everyone was watching openly. The gossip and chatter fell silent. Israi pretended she did not notice their stares. They would soon have far weightier matters to worry them. As for Oviel, he was not worth her time.

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