Read Online The City of Pillars by Joshua P. Simon - Free Book Online

noble’s son in Iget for selfish reasons at first. In the end, she found herself glad for the decision because of the good that came out of it. However, the aura that permeated off Shadya did not match the innocence or sincerity Jahi and his sister Dendera had exuded then.
    Her arm brushed against her chest. She still wore the amulet Shadya had given them when escaping Zafar. With no one paying attention, she slipped it off her neck and stared at the designs, running her fingers over the seemingly random depressions chiseled within the stone. A part of her wanted to slip it back on, knowing it might serve some further use. But a stronger part of her compelled her otherwise. She hated to rely on sorcery too much to keep it.
    She tossed it underhand out the back of the wagon and immediately felt better. The amulet landed softly in the sand. It dwindled in size as the wagon rolled on.
    Andrasta cringed as Shadya giggled again. It sounded soft, like footsteps over fresh flower petals.
    No one’s laugh is like that. I wouldn’t be surprised if she branded one of those wards on her tongue.
    “What are you chuckling about?” asked Rondel.
    Andrasta cleared her throat and wiped her face blank. “Just thinking.”
    “Well, keep thinking. It would do you some good to laugh more often.”
    Andrasta glanced over at Shadya. Out of the public eye, she had once more removed the veil covering her face. It wore a grin. Andrasta sneered. “There seems to be enough childish behavior going on without me contributing to it.”
    Shadya gave Andrasta a look that resembled genuine embarrassment. She faced the front of the wagon.
    Rondel mumbled something and faced forward as well.
    Andrasta rolled her eyes.
    The ride turned quiet without conversation.
    She couldn’t be happier. Within moments, she slept.
    * * *
    Hours later, Rondel still silently cursed his partner for her earlier behavior.
    You’d think she’d show a little gratitude for all that Shadya’s done for us.
    So consumed in that pastime, he almost failed to notice Shadya easing the wagon down a gradual slope which led to a watering hole completely hidden away from the road. It amazed him how well the wagon moved over any surface. Shadya said the wards helped the wagon to traverse such uneven ground.
    He took in the eerie red glow of the setting sun as it spread over the jagged sandstone surrounding their campsite for the night. With the temperature dropping to something reasonable, Rondel could appreciate the beauty of the desert brought on by the evening light.
    It reminds me of the paintings we saw in the museum.
    Shadya gestured to the pool of water covered in shadow by a high, stone ledge. “To the right is a path that leads to a small enclosure where the pool narrows. It’s an ideal spot for one to clean up after a day of travel.”
    “Good idea. Please. You go first.”
    Shadya’s eyes widened. “Oh, no. It’s custom for men to—”
    “I understand custom. You would be doing me an honor to see to your own needs first.”
    “Athar and the wagon—”
    “We’ll see to your camel,” he said, speaking for Andrasta. “After getting us to safety, it’s the least we can do.”
    Shadya bowed her head. “Thank you.”
    Rondel helped her from the wagon. She whispered something in Athar’s ears that the camel actually seemed to understand based on a subtle shake of its head. Afterward, she gathered a small bag of her things and disappeared behind the rocks leading to the narrowed pool. He fought an urge to follow.
    “I wonder what you could possibly be thinking about.”
    Rondel turned slowly. “What is that supposed to mean?”
    Andrasta climbed out the wagon with a snort. She began to stretch. “You know exactly what I mean. I’ve seen that look from men many times. And quite a few times from you when a woman catches your eye, though it’s usually fleeting. Nothing as intense as what you’re wearing now.”
    “Are you trying to say that I want to sleep with