Tiger's Promise by Colleen Houck

Author:Colleen Houck [Houck, Colleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781499104981
Amazon: 1499104987
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2014-06-02T04:00:00+00:00

Six

Betrayal

A courier brought word to the palace that Dhiren approved the match several days before I arrived, and in anticipation of this announcement, my father had been notified. On the morning after my return, I was summoned to the hall of the emperor. Kishan nearly knocked me over on his way out.

He was angry—a not altogether uncommon emotion to experience when in my father’s presence—but as he caught me, his eyes only lit on me briefly before glancing away. It was like he could no longer stomach looking at me, and the idea cut me with the pain of a thousand needles. I was so overcome by the feeling that I nearly forgot I was in the presence of my father.

Lokesh approached me while Kishan quickly left the room and disappeared. “Yesubai. How pleasing it is to see you in good health, my dear,” he said as if he were happy to see me. But behind his public mask, his eyes glittered maniacally, and I could see whispered promises of agonizing things to come.

“Father,” I said as I lowered my head. “I trust your travel has been without incident?”

“Indeed. Congratulations are in order. Your betrothal is cause for both our realms to celebrate.”

“Yes,” Rajaram answered. “In fact, we will celebrate tonight.”

My father took my arm in a tight grip that was hidden by the folds of my dress. “Very good,” he said. “Perhaps later tonight then we can discuss when you think your son might be prepared to finalize the union?”

“I assure you that his engagement to Yesubai will be foremost on my son’s mind,” Deschen said. “I’m sure that as soon as occasion permits, he will come speedily home to make her his bride.”

Lokesh gave Deschen a saccharine smile that barely disguised a leer. “Until tonight then, I’ll be reacquainting myself with my daughter.”

Deschen’s poised expression turned into a frown, and she rose from her throne. “If you wouldn’t mind, I would like to spend some time with her this afternoon. I’ve grown quite fond of our chats.”

“Of course.” Lokesh bowed slightly and then turned and left the room with me in tow. He said nothing and even dismissed Hajari as we walked out of the palace and away from the rows of soldiers who guarded it. When he was satisfied that we were far enough away, he let me go and stood with his back toward me as he surveyed the land and the nearby garden. Putting his hands on his hips, he slowly circled, his eyes taking in everything around us until they landed on me. What I saw in his expression surprised me. He was…happy.

“You’ve done well,” he said.

“I am glad to have pleased you, Father.”

“Somehow you’ve accomplished even more than I hoped. It would seem your beauty is worth something after all.”

I’d never seen my father in such a mood. He was almost dancing with delight.

“Not only have you finagled a marriage contract with the eldest prince, but you have his younger brother salivating after you as well.

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