A Conspiracy of Princes

Author:Justin Somper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Medieval, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Juvenile Fiction / Royalty
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2015-05-25T16:00:00+00:00

“Kai Jagger.”

Just the sound of her voice speaking his name again after all this time caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end. He turned, and the sight of her instantly soothed him. She stood, framed in the open doorway of the palace chamber, majestic in a blue dress that emphasized not only the color of her eyes but also how well she had kept her figure. A stray shaft of sunlight coming in at the casement played on her blond hair. He was pleased that she still wore it long. He drank in the sight of her: her cool, commanding eyes, even more lovely than in his memory; her sharp cheekbones; her narrow lips closed but smiling in that particular way of hers, hinting at secret thoughts. The few fine lines etched in the corners of her eyes only enhanced her beauty.

“So it really is you.” She smiled. “I thought it might be some kind of trick.”

He shook his head, feeling a weight of emotion surging through him. “No, Nina. It is no trick.”

“How long has it been?” Still she did not move toward him.

“Too long. Much too long.”

He noticed for the first time that she had not entered the chamber alone but in the company of a maid. She turned to address her companion.

“You may leave us, Bathsheba,” she told her. “But perhaps our guest would like some tea?” She caught Kai’s eye—and he was seventeen again. “Yes. Bring us some tea, if you would be so kind.”

The young woman made a discreet exit. Nina waited a moment, then walked toward him. As she did so, he saw that the bodice of her dress was studded with diamonds that shimmered as she made her approach. She lifted her hand and traced the side of his cheek, her thumb and forefinger brushing the soft hairs of his beard.

Her touch was electric. Kai felt as if he were coming to life again after a century of slumber.

“The years have been good to you,” Nina said.

He smiled, instantly at ease with her. “I’m not so sure. When I see my reflection in the waters of the fjord, my first thought is that I’m looking into my father’s face.”

Nina shook her head. “No, Kai. You are as handsome as ever. A little beaten by the wind and the weather, but still every bit as handsome.”

“And you…,” he began. But words would not come. They were drowned out by the swell of emotion sweeping through him. He took a breath and was aware of her hand, reaching to take hold of his.

“We don’t have much time,” she said. “I’m sorry for that.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, luxuriating in her touch and the summer scent of her. “Do you remember when it felt like we had all the time in the world?” he asked.

She did not answer but took his hand and led him slowly toward a window seat.

Her touch was magnetic. Kai felt as if he had truly come home—more than that, as if he had never gone away.

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