Third Daughter (The Royals of Dharia, Book One) by Quinn Susan Kaye

Author:Quinn, Susan Kaye [Quinn, Susan Kaye]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: romance, fantasy, fantasy romance, love, series
Published: 2013-12-30T16:00:00+00:00

Aniri nearly bolted up from her seat, but shock kept her muscles from responding to her body’s alarm. What was Devesh doing in Jungali? At the prince’s engagement party, no less. The room was suddenly too hot, and the bustle of dresses and conversation faded from her mind, leaving only Devesh’s silent gaze locked with hers. His arms were crossed, his face frozen, but it was clear: he had seen everything. He held her with a heart-stabbing look, then unfolded his arms and slipped around the column he had been leaning against, disappearing from view.

Aniri had an urgent need to run: chase after him, explain that it was all a ruse, that it meant nothing. She stopped half way out of her chair. She needed some kind of excuse. She couldn’t simply flee the party.

Prince Malik turned to her. A frown appeared on his face once he saw the panic in hers. Had she already given it away?

“Is there something you need, Princess?” His voice was flat, and she couldn’t imagine what he was thinking.

She floundered for a reason to leave. “I just need a visit to the privy.”

His face relaxed, still unsmiling, but calmed. He signaled a guard from the small battalion stationed around the perimeter of the room. When he arrived, imposingly tall in his royal uniform, Prince Malik said to him, “Please escort the princess.” The prince turned away as Aniri finished rising out of her seat, but Priya popped up from hers, and Janak’s eyes were narrowed, already taking in the scene.

She tipped her head to Janak. “Just tending to a lady’s business.” She hoped that excuse, plus Prince Malik’s guard, would keep him from insisting on coming. His eyebrows rose in suspicion, but he didn’t object.

“My lady?” Priya asked. “Do you need me to accompany you?”

Aniri motioned her to stay. “I can manage on my own.” Which was, of course, ridiculous—navigating her dress would take two at least—but Aniri shook her head slightly in warning. Priya frowned, and before she could object further, Aniri quickly lifted her skirts free of the chair and worked her way toward the door to the chamber. How would she find Devesh, much less meet with him privately, with Prince Malik’s guard in tow?

Out in the hallway, the bulky guard kept to her side, marching so close he narrowly missed stepping on her skirts. For such a large man, he had a skittish look about him, like he thought she might disappear into smoke if he took his eyes off her. When they arrived at the privy, he reached for the door, as if he would come inside with her. Aniri gave him a withering glare, and he snapped to attention, hands tucked behind his back. She pushed through the heavy door alone.

Once inside, she leaned against the cool, tiled wall next to the door. The privy was spacious, an entire room with a washbin, sitting area, and a toilet. Aniri ignored all of it and tapped her head gently against the wall.

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