The Viper Prince by Rebecca Goings

Author:Rebecca Goings [Goings, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Amazon: B003ZYFBVG
Barnesnoble: B003ZYFBVG
Goodreads: 8907449
Publisher: Champagne Books
Published: 2010-08-17T00:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

Now that the Falcon’s caravan had pulled up to the gates of Suridesh, Amani had second thoughts about visiting with her parents. She didn’t wish for her shame to become theirs. A few people ran out to greet them, presumably friends and families of those who rode with the Falcon through the dunes.

“My husband has already sent word to your father with one of his falcons,” Zara told her. “You will not need to tell him yourself.”

Amani glanced at the Falcon Princess in awe. How had she known what she’d been thinking? She supposed the colors in Zara’s head told her a lot about a person’s thoughts. Her hand was on her shoulder, after all.

“I am a failure,” Amani whispered, her chin trembling.

“You are not a failure!” Disbelief resounded in Zara’s voice.

“I am,” she insisted. “I’ve been passed over for marriage five times and here I return to Suridesh divorced, by the very man who denied me twice.”

“No, the god of Spiders was directing your path.”

Amani wiped her eyes and glanced at her friend. “You think so?”

“I do. Khalil and I are very close to the god of Falcons. He has guided us through our lives, and we have felt his touch on our hearts. I have no doubt the god of Spiders is at work here as well.”

“How could being rejected be the work of the Spider god?”

“Our gods can see all of creation laid out before them. The god of Spiders knew that one day Karis would pass. He knew you would be the one to heal his steward’s heart. He didn’t wish for you to marry the Scarab or any other man your father offered you to.” Zara touched Amani’s arm. “You were meant to be with the Spider Prince, Amani. The god of Spiders gave him Karis that so he could better love you.”

“How could he possibly love me as much as he loved Karis?”

“Ziyad has come to care for you. Probably a lot more than you think. He can love you and he can love Karis. One love does not cancel out the other.”

“Perhaps.” Amani glanced up at the city gates. “There is my mother!”

Zara smiled and raised her hand. “Go and be with her.”

Amani briskly walked the short distance and embraced Marad with tears in her eyes. Her sisters weren’t too far behind.

“Where is Father?” Amani asked, wishing she could hide from prying eyes.

“He didn’t want to come and shame you further with even more gossip,” Marad said, keeping her voice quiet.

Amani took a deep shuddering breath. “I’m sorry, Mother!”

Marad pulled her to her chest and let her weep on her shoulder. “It is not your fault your husband divorced you. The Spider Prince is the one who should be sorry for giving up the most beautiful woman in the desert. And it will be my pleasure to tell him that when he arrives for the Council.”

Amani was helpless to do anything more than follow her family back through the gates. She kept her

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