Read Online Dragon Defense (Heirs to the Throne Book 3) by Diane Rapp - Free Book Online
Authors: Diane Rapp
Tags: Science-Fiction, adventure, Historical, Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Teen & Young Adult, Galactic Empire, Colonization
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speak two sentences to her girls? Motherhood wasn’t easy.
*****
Tamarind felt overjoyed. Her father sent a ransom and increased her value in the eyes of the infidels. In ten days she’d leave and languish in the luxury of her father’s palace. He’d surely find a better husband for her, one who could pay a high bride’s price and elevate her importance.
After all, Tamarind was the jewel of the desert and should fetch the highest bride’s price in history. She peered at her reflection in the mirror, adjusted her veil, and struck a beguiling pose, fluttering her long lashes. She’d be the first woman in her husband’s harem.
Jarrack paid a high bride’s price but insulted her by attempting to avoid a marriage ceremony. She barely escaped and several loyal guards died. The next day Krystal’s army of peasants, wolves and Samurai defeated Jarrack.
She felt glad to see him defeated! The filthy snake failed to respect her value, so the gods struck him down for sacrilege. A true son of the desert wouldn’t fall to infidels. Jarrack angered the gods and died.
After months of waiting, Tamarind worried that her father might not send a ransom. She’d done her best to maintain status like any princess of breeding. It was fun—screaming, cursing, throwing breakables, and threatening infidels who might look her way. The tantrums and their effect began to bore as time dragged on.
Finally Tamarind decided to seduce the king. She thought she’d become one of his wives, a lower position than she deserved, but King Donovan paid her no attention. Then she learned that infidels kept only one wife and feared the king would give her to an underling. Must she kill herself as custom demanded? Could she do it?
Now, her value remained intact and she’d travel in style back to her father. One day she’d be the pampered wife of a great pasha. She dreamed about her new life, covered in silks and jewels, with servants and secondary wives that catered to her every wish.
Jarrack was a fool, defeated by farmers and women. Her father couldn’t be felled by lowly subjects. She glanced disdainfully at the Samurai women who guarded her. Women as guards! They acted superior, obeying orders with surly attitudes. She’d be grateful to return to people who understood her value.
*****
“I’d love see the dragons at the seaside. Perhaps we’d find a mate for Flash.” Felesia said.
“I’d be happy to show them to you, but wild dragons are not friendly like your little one.” Brandon leaned close to Felesia as he spoke, inhaling the scent of her.
“Little one!” Felesia objected, “I remember her mother and Flash is almost the same size.”
“Her mother was young and inexperienced. Dragons don’t attack a giant eel without help. I’ve seen them attack in an organized group.”
“Really?” Felesia’s eyes widened.
Brandon saw little starbursts of gold and brown in her eyes and longed to feel her long lashes brush against his skin.
He murmured, “I’ve seen many wonders, happy dolphins dance across the ocean waves, giant whales sing eerie tunes, and furry otters steal from our nets. We must be careful to avoid the giant eels!” He leaned so close he could glimpse the curve of Felesia’s breast down the neck of her tunic.
“I’m sure it’s not all you’d like to show her!” Brandon didn’t notice Jordan until he was standing a foot away with a scowl on his face. “I’ll show you my fist!”
Felesia’s face reddened. “Brandon’s telling me about dragons.”
“I can see what he’s doing.”
Felesia realized how close Brandon sat and stood abruptly.
Felesia frowned at Jordan. “Why are you acting so foolish?”
Jordan glared at Brandon, “I understand him too well.”
Brandon grinned. “I’ll leave you two to your disagreement.” Brandon rose in a fluid
*****
Tamarind felt overjoyed. Her father sent a ransom and increased her value in the eyes of the infidels. In ten days she’d leave and languish in the luxury of her father’s palace. He’d surely find a better husband for her, one who could pay a high bride’s price and elevate her importance.
After all, Tamarind was the jewel of the desert and should fetch the highest bride’s price in history. She peered at her reflection in the mirror, adjusted her veil, and struck a beguiling pose, fluttering her long lashes. She’d be the first woman in her husband’s harem.
Jarrack paid a high bride’s price but insulted her by attempting to avoid a marriage ceremony. She barely escaped and several loyal guards died. The next day Krystal’s army of peasants, wolves and Samurai defeated Jarrack.
She felt glad to see him defeated! The filthy snake failed to respect her value, so the gods struck him down for sacrilege. A true son of the desert wouldn’t fall to infidels. Jarrack angered the gods and died.
After months of waiting, Tamarind worried that her father might not send a ransom. She’d done her best to maintain status like any princess of breeding. It was fun—screaming, cursing, throwing breakables, and threatening infidels who might look her way. The tantrums and their effect began to bore as time dragged on.
Finally Tamarind decided to seduce the king. She thought she’d become one of his wives, a lower position than she deserved, but King Donovan paid her no attention. Then she learned that infidels kept only one wife and feared the king would give her to an underling. Must she kill herself as custom demanded? Could she do it?
Now, her value remained intact and she’d travel in style back to her father. One day she’d be the pampered wife of a great pasha. She dreamed about her new life, covered in silks and jewels, with servants and secondary wives that catered to her every wish.
Jarrack was a fool, defeated by farmers and women. Her father couldn’t be felled by lowly subjects. She glanced disdainfully at the Samurai women who guarded her. Women as guards! They acted superior, obeying orders with surly attitudes. She’d be grateful to return to people who understood her value.
*****
“I’d love see the dragons at the seaside. Perhaps we’d find a mate for Flash.” Felesia said.
“I’d be happy to show them to you, but wild dragons are not friendly like your little one.” Brandon leaned close to Felesia as he spoke, inhaling the scent of her.
“Little one!” Felesia objected, “I remember her mother and Flash is almost the same size.”
“Her mother was young and inexperienced. Dragons don’t attack a giant eel without help. I’ve seen them attack in an organized group.”
“Really?” Felesia’s eyes widened.
Brandon saw little starbursts of gold and brown in her eyes and longed to feel her long lashes brush against his skin.
He murmured, “I’ve seen many wonders, happy dolphins dance across the ocean waves, giant whales sing eerie tunes, and furry otters steal from our nets. We must be careful to avoid the giant eels!” He leaned so close he could glimpse the curve of Felesia’s breast down the neck of her tunic.
“I’m sure it’s not all you’d like to show her!” Brandon didn’t notice Jordan until he was standing a foot away with a scowl on his face. “I’ll show you my fist!”
Felesia’s face reddened. “Brandon’s telling me about dragons.”
“I can see what he’s doing.”
Felesia realized how close Brandon sat and stood abruptly.
Felesia frowned at Jordan. “Why are you acting so foolish?”
Jordan glared at Brandon, “I understand him too well.”
Brandon grinned. “I’ll leave you two to your disagreement.” Brandon rose in a fluid
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