Read Online The Consort (Tellaran Series) by Ariel MacArran - Free Book Online Page A

doors of Lashima’s sanctuary sparkling behind her.
    He touched her elbow. “Come on,” he urged gently, taking a step toward the doors. “It’ll be all right.”
    Tears blurred her vision. “I am glad you are here, Kyndan Maere.”
    Unexpectedly, and as no Az-kye warrior would ever do in public, he reached up to gently cup her cheek in his warm, broad palm. “You call me just ‘Kyndan,’ okay?”
    “Kyndan,” she agreed softly and let him lead her to stand before the High Priestess.
    Unlike yesterday, Alari and her intended had no one at their sides.  He was Tellaran and she in disgrace.
    Kyndan threw a glance over his shoulder. “My sister and friends should be here in just a minute or two,” he said apologetically to the High Priestess. “We just need to wait till they’re here. Then we can start.”
    High Priestess Celara, leaning heavily on her jeweled cane, raised white eyebrows. “Tellaran matings must be very different.”
    His face colored. “Yeah, they sure are.”
    “You have a sister?” Alari knew nothing of Tellaran clans. “She is your clan leader?”
    “She is a clan leader,” Kyndan said. “You probably saw her yesterday. The red-haired woman.”
    Alari’s brow creased. “You are of the Az’anti clan?”
    “No . . . Look, Tellaran families are different. Now she’s Kinara of the Az’anti, but she’s still my sister, even though we don’t have the same name anymore.”
    Alari’s glance darted to the crowd and she saw the Az’anti Ti’antah arrive with her mate. A woman dressed in blue and white like Kyndan’s joined them and a warrior of the Az'yan clan stood protectively by the blond Tellaran. Another warrior, one plainly born Tellaran but bearing the bead markings of the Otan clan, came too and an Az-kye woman, clearly his mate.
    “She comes to protest our mating?” Alari asked worriedly.
    He gave her a surprised look. “Of course not. She just wants to see us get married. You’ll be her sister-in-law. Because you’ve married her brother, you become her sister,” he explained at her questioning look. “But that’s confusing for people so we say sister-in-law to show that you married into the family.”
    An Az-kye warrior became part of his wife’s family and took her clan name as his own. Alari’s glance went to her mother. The empress looked back at her with cold eyes.
    “Do we become mates now, you will be of the Imperial family, Kyndan.”
    “I know things are a little different for the Az-kye. When Tellarans marry we make a new family. So maybe that’s what our family can be, Alari—one that’s both Az-kye and Tellaran. I know I’ll be part of the Imperial family but to the Tellarans you’ll be Alari Maere.”  He searched her face.  “Is that all right?”
    “Yes,” she said after a moment. “I will be Alari Maere.”
    Warriors did not smile in public but he showed no hint of hesitation or shame, giving her a wide grin despite his swollen lip. 
    He gave the High Priestess a nod.  “Okay, we’re ready.”

Their footsteps echoed in the emptiness of her apartments. Traditionally a feast followed the final promises but when Alari and Kyndan emerged from the sanctuary, their vows spoken, the court had departed. The hall was empty save for those who had accompanied Kyndan.
    The clan leader of the Az’anti had embraced Kyndan as had the other Tellaran-born warrior and the Tellaran woman. They all—Az-kye and Tellaran—offered surprisingly warm wishes to her as well. Kyndan grinned when the Lord of Az’anti bowed his head as befitting the tribute due an Imperial Daughter’s mate.
    “Wow,” Kyndan said, taking in the brocades, the carved works, the sweeping balcony overlooking the city. “This is where you live?”
    “I have resided here since I took my first steps but Her Imperial Majesty may direct us to other quarters now that I—” She swallowed. “I am no longer First Daughter.”
    “I’m sorry about that.”
    Her brow furrowed. “