Read Online The Darathi Vorsi Prince (Song of the Swords Book 0) by Tameri Etherton - Free Book Online

to the stables. Give him some oats, and make certain he is well tended . ”
    “ For shame ,” the lady scolded ,“ treating a beast better than our guest . ”
    “ Lady Faelara ,” Baehlon said ,“ yo u’ ve already gotten me in enough trouble for one day. Do n’ t tempt my generosity any more than necessary . ”
    Rhoane dismounted and hid a smile. Whatever the relationship between the two, he quite enjoyed watching them volley their words.
    “ Follow me .” The knight turned on his heel and strode away.
    Rhoane dipped his head to Lady Faelara .“ Thank you . ”
    “ Do n’ t make me regret my kindness .” Her words hung like steel around his neck.
    He jogged to catch up with the knight and fell into step just before they reached a side door that led into the palace. The darkened hallway gave nothing away as to the interior of the place, and the stairs they climbed were plain stone. Obviously the knight had taken him through a servant s’ corridor, which Rhoane had to admit was a wise choice. The fewer courtiers who saw him in his ragged condition, the better.
    They sped down a hallway on the fourth floor of the palace, this one decorated with thick carpets and silk drapes over the windows. Torches lit with ShantiMari brightened the space, and Rhoane counted the doorways they passed. On the eighth one, the knight motioned him inside. He was surprised to see the rooms opulently decorated. H e’ d been fairly certain the y’ d hide him somewhere near the servants, but this room was deserving of a high lord, at the least.
    “I’ ll send someone up to help you bathe and dress .” The knight moved close to Rhoane, elongating his height until he stood near on a hand taller than the Eleri .“ I am Baehlon de Monteferron, Champion and Protector to Empress Lliandra. If you so much as look at her wrong, I will kill you .” He stared down his nose at Rhoane, unmoving .“ Are we clear ? ”
    Rhoane grinned at the ma n’ s audacity .“ I knew a man once, taller than you, wider than you by far. Perhaps he was a brother? I left him in the Ullan sands bleeding from a head wound .” All mirth left his tone and a mask of lethal solemnity slid over his features .“ If I wanted to cause your empress harm, she would be dead already . ”
    Baehlo n’ s eyes narrowed to tiny slits. His nostrils flared with his heated breathing .“ Wha t’ s an Eleri prince doing fighting in Ulla ? ”
    “ Long story. One I would be happy to tell over a steaming mug of grhom. But if you do not mind, I should like to bathe so I might meet your empress looking somewhat respectable . ”
    Baehlon turned to leave. At the door, he said over his shoulder ,“ If you are who you say you are, be warned. The empress is searching for her next lover, and yo u’ re just her type . ”
    “ A prince ? ”
    “ No .” Baehlon faced him. A wide smile broke the tension on his face .“ A man . ”
    Rhoane bathed and dressed in the only outfit he had besides the Ullan garments, doing his best to look like the prince he was. On his way out the door, he caught his reflection and winced. At least he no longer appeared like a beggar. The gaunt face that looked back at him minimally resembled the lad wh o’ d left the Narthvier too full of pride. His naturally pale skin was a shade lighter than Amd i’ s, his hair a mass of unruly curls with streaks of golden blond. He doubted even his beloved sister would recognize him in this state. Ferra n’ s bells, he hardly recognized himself.
    Gone was the sanctimonious sneer h e’ d once worn as a badge of honor. Reflected in his eyes he saw an intelligence, an understanding of the ways of the world h e’ d not encountered at home. As he studied the young man who stared back at him, he felt sorry for the lad who had caused his mothe r’ s death. The sneer was gone, but not his anger. Of what h e’ d witnessed of the world, he was n’ t convinced the Fadair were worth what h e’ d lost. The kindest person