Read Online Fantasy of Flight by Kelly St. Clare - Free Book Online Page B

rule. But now I’m a nameless Bruma and there are so many choices I can make. There is no pressure to act a certain way or be diplomatic. Beyond training to the best of my ability and continuing to track down the Seedyr wood, I have no worries. It’s addictive. Going back to my responsibilities as Tatuma becomes less appealing with every passing moment. Anyway, my people want the brown-eyed Olina, not the blue-eyed one.
    I could be happy here with my new friends. And do I really need to know who my father is?
    “Not having any luck with those questions, are ya?”
    I swing around and see a beautiful woman in front of me, the one all the men stop to gawk at. Why is she talking to me?
    I shrug, regaining control over my shock.
    “You’ve been trying so hard, it’s caught my interest,” she says in a throaty voice, swaying her hips as she moves closer. Every time I come out to this spot, she’s dressed in something different - though equally revealing. I should really ask her about material for a veil, I suppose. It might be good to keep my options open, regardless of what I desire.
    “Your clothes are nice,” I say, hinting at a question. It’s the first time I’ve used the Solati questioning-style in months and I don’t quite know why I’m doing it now.
    She doesn’t respond straightaway. She circles me, tracing a finger over my back. I shiver and step aside, earning an amused sound from her. But it’s not a snide laugh. It doesn’t fill me with misgivings like Hale’s does. “Yes, they are. I spend most of my coin on new clothing.”
    “You get coin then? For what you do?”
    “For having glorious sex?” she asks.
    I nod, keeping the grimace from my face.
    “Of course. If you bring in enough customers, the mistress gives you a cut. Just like your own profession, I imagine.” She arches an eyebrow and I understand her second meaning.
    “We both perform for a price,” I say. She laughs.
    “I like you.” She decides. “Tell you what. I’m always after some coin. You give me eight goldies and I’ll get you the answer to your question.”
    “Don’t you want to know what my question is first?”
    She waves a hand in the air. “I already know.”
    I contemplate her offer. I have twenty-five gold coins and they need to last. “I only have six gold pieces, but I’m willing to part with them. You will receive three now and three when I get my information. To be clear, I want to know the places where I can find Seedyr wood arrows,” I say and see her eyes light up before she masks the expression. Damn, I should’ve offered her four.
    She nods and I slip three pieces into her hand. It disappears into her fist. “Come back same time next week. I’ll have your answer.”
    When she said a week, it didn’t long compared to how long I’ve already waited, but time drags. I’m one step closer to finding which of the delegates is guilty. But what if it’s Rhone? And what about Sanjay or Malir or Adnan?
    But if it were Blaine…
    I found his presence and his contacts in the Outer Rings very condemning. I’d always dismissed Blaine as being the murderer because he was the obvious choice. The exiled man was slippery, cunning. If he were going to kill someone, it would be done in a way which removed him from all suspicion. It was one of the few occasions where I wanted to be wrong.
    I need to know who did it. The arrow has been my sole objective for too long now. I can’t stop. I’ll deal with the consequences once I have closure. When I feel I can finally move on with life, at last.
    “Pig-shit-for-brains,” Alzona yells. I flatten against the side as she storms past me.
    I sit next to Flurry. “What’s wrong with Zona?” I ask. He smiles to himself.
    “She does it every revolution,” he says. “Tournament’s coming up.” I wonder if she is still reeling after Blaine’s appearance.
    “I’m saving the kick you taught me for the big comp,” I say, stealing some of his food.
    “I bet