Read Online On Fire’s Wings by Christie Golden - Free Book Online Page A

gone, after Ranna was stupid enough to touch the flower that had the angry-looking insect hovering about it, and Yeshi was bored with no one to talk to. Ranna hadn’t looked well, and she certainly hoped the girl was all right, but her first thought as Ranna’s hand began to swell like a filling water bladder was that it would be some time before Ranna would give her one of her magnificent massages.
    Yeshi liked the garden, as she liked all pretty things, but she had no real interest in learning much beyond which flower had which scent. Now she lounged on a long, intricately carved and padded bench in the small pavilion. The thin fabric walls billowed with a fragrant breeze, and she idly wondered what her husband planned for the evening. Her hand dropped to the beaten gold bowl beside her and she snared a lush fruit.
    â€œGreat khashima, forgive me for disturbing you,” came Sahlik’s raspy voice.
    Yeshi sighed in exasperation. A frown marred her pretty countenance. “Enter. What is it, Sahlik?”
    â€œI saw that Ranna and Tiah were with the healer, great lady,” Sahlik said, stepping just inside the pavilion. “I thought you might be lonely.”
    â€œNot lonely enough to want your company, old woman.”
    Sahlik didn’t bat an eye. “Of course not, great lady. I have brought someone more to your taste. Kevla, bow to your mistress.”
    A girl stepped into the pavilion. She was about ten years old and very slender. She was dressed in a green and blue rhia with sleeveless arms. A matching belt encircled her tiny waist, and her hair was pulled back in a single braid that fell almost to the floor as she bowed.
    â€œYour husband went to the market on a whim, great lady, and found this pretty bird for your amusement. Her name is Kevla.”
    The girl remained bowing. Yeshi couldn’t see her face. Intrigued, for it had been long since Tahmu had bothered to think of her when he traveled, even to the market, she propped herself up on an elbow.
    â€œCome here, child,” she commanded in a kindly voice.
    The girl obeyed at once, scurrying over to the bed and dropping to her knees beside it. The deference pleased Yeshi, who reached and tilted the child’s face up to hers.
    â€œLook at me.” The girl did so. Yeshi smiled at her. Somehow, the girl seemed familiar, but that was impossible. Yeshi seldom deigned to visit the marketplace, so it was unlikely she had seen the girl before. All the lower castes looked alike, she supposed.
    â€œA pretty little bird indeed. I am bored, Kevla. What might you do to entertain me?”
    â€œI have many skills and talents, all to be used as my mistress desires,” Kevla replied promptly. Her voice was pleasant. “It is my understanding that the great khashima enjoys massage and adorning her lovely self with henna.”
    Yeshi thought of Ranna’s swelling hand. It was a soothing, relaxing day and she had been counting on Ranna’s massage to complete the drowsy pleasure of the afternoon. She rose and sinuously dropped her ornately embroidered rhia on the carpet.
    â€œThe oils are there,” she said, pointing to several small jars. She lay back down on the bed on her stomach, resting her head in her arms. “Let us find out if my little market bird can ease her mistress’s aches and pains.”
    Moving easily and confidently, the girl poured some scented oil in her hands, rubbed them together, and placed them on Yeshi’s shoulders.
    Such small hands to be so strong. Yeshi sighed happily, relaxing under Kevla’s ministrations. She heard a rustling as Sahlik withdrew, then she closed her eyes and concentrated on what she excelled at—enjoying herself.
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    Tahmu stood behind a large stone statue in the gardens, careful that his shadow not fall upon the pavilion and reveal his presence. He could hear the sounds of voices, but was too far away to catch their words. There was no shout of