The Stones of Kaldaar (Song of the Swords Book 1) by Etherton Tameri

Author:Etherton, Tameri [Etherton, Tameri]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Teacup Dragon Publishing
Published: 2014-08-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

THE sun beat down on them, warming the sand beneath their damp bodies. Taryn stretched along the rough blanket they’d brought and blinked against the day’s brightness. After the orchard, Rhoane had taken Taryn to her rooms, where Sabina had been waiting with the younger princesses and the promise of an afternoon lazing on the beach.

She plucked at the damp fabric of her swimming frock, making a mental note to have Tarro design something more fitting for the ocean. Having yards of fabric billowing against the tide wasn’t ideal. Nor was the wool blanket that scratched her exposed limbs.

“Stop fidgeting,” Sabina scolded, a hand over her eyes to block the sun. “Why are you restless?”

Oh, I don’t know. I can’t control my ShantiMari and almost killed my boyfriend this morning. My parents are power hungry freaks. My sister is plotting against me. Pick one.

“I’m not. It’s just…these clothes are awful. How can you be expected to swim in something like this? It’s torture. I’m surprised more people don’t drown.”

“In the Summerlands we wear our small clothes to swim. Or we go naked. We don’t have the same prejudices as they do on the mainland.”

“It sounds like you Summerlands people know how to have a good time.”

Sabina rolled to her side, her face suddenly serious. “Can I confide something in you?” She glanced to where Tessa and Eliahnna strolled along the shore, looking for seashells. “Whatever we say here must stay between the two of us.”

“Absolutely. You have my word.”

A ripple of relief washed over Sabina’s features. “As you know, I have no loyalty to Marissa but must pretend otherwise. She is heir to the Light Throne. Once she is crowned, she will be the most important person on Aelinae. Even those in the West know that the true power in all the seven kingdoms resides in Talaith. That is why Valterys is anxious to have you side with him.”

“I’m not siding with anyone.”

Sabina gave a short chuckle. “Everyone has to take a side eventually and your father would love nothing more than to have you live at Caer Idris with him. All the other kingdoms would have to bow and scrape before him because he sired the great Eirielle, and look, she sits at his side, blah, blah, blah. But never mind that for now.” She waved a dismissive hand, “Marissa is determined to marry me to Lord Aomori. I have no wish to marry him, and I’m sure he would prefer another life partner.” Sabina’s tone held a hint of amusement.

“You mean Tinsley?”

Sabina smiled, her pearlescent teeth bright against her dark skin. Her two front teeth had the slightest bend to them, giving her a charmingly crooked smile. “Ah, yes. Because of him. I, of course, have other reasons,” she added with a hint of mystery.

“Hayden?”

Sabina’s cheeks blossomed the color of cherry trees in springtime. Her shyness regarding the marquis delighted Taryn. “What can I do to help?”

A shadow fell over Sabina’s supine form, and the girls looked up to see Marissa standing a few paces away, Lady Celia by her side.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.