A Secret Atlas Read Online Free Page B

had sharp features that had earned her the nickname of Fox
    when they were children. Though she had since grown into a beauty, that vulpine nature
    still lingered, though more in the tightness of her eyes and the quickness of her mind than
    in anything else. Lest anyone forget it, however, her black robe did have running
    embroidery of foxes gamboling.
    Mai turned and snorted. “Spying again, Nirati?”
    “Hardly necessary, since you always read from the same script. I have said nothing to my
    brother before. I speak now because what you ask affects my whole family. It is not that I
    love you any less than the family, dear brother, but her meddling has gone too far.”
    Keles frowned. “Really, Nirati, I don’t think . . .”
    “You do think, brother, when given the chance, but you don’t see when you are being
    used.” His sister pointed at Mai, who seemed to have shrunk a little. “She wants to help
    you, of course. She mentions ships that sail without Anturasi charts. Well, her family’s
    trading company has long done without them. Her father came to our grandfather after
    you were betrothed and demanded access to charts since we were ‘practically family.’
    Grandfather told him to come back when she was actually wedded to you and her belly
    swollen with a child we could prove was yours.”
    Mai gasped in horror and Keles moved to comfort her.
    “Don’t bother, brother, she’s not worth it. Her only failing in this matter has been because
    of her vanity.” Nirati’s eyes sharpened. “She was supposed to have conceived your child
    by now, but she failed. Was it that you dreaded morning sickness, Majiata, or feared
    becoming bloated and ugly—as ugly as you are inside?”
    “Neither.” Mai stroked a hand over her belly. “You’re a fool, Nirati. Two nights ago your
    brother and I lay together. Even now his child is growing in my belly.”
    “No, little Mai.” Nirati shook her head, her brown locks a shimmering curtain spilling over
    the shoulders of her gown. “For one who prides herself in a paltry talent at bhotri, you have long since neglected your studies. You must have noticed the tinge of bitterness in
    your night’s-cup of wine before you slept. It was tincture of clawfoot.”
    “You poisoned me!” Mai’s mouth gaped in horror, then looked at Keles. “Your sister tried to kill me.”
    Keles looked at his sister and the fury on her face burned through the outrage Mai’s plea
    had spawned in him. “You are exaggerating, Mai. She would have done you no harm.”
    “I did her no harm.” Nirati shrugged nonchalantly. “Technically it was a servant of yours,
    bought and paid for with Anturasi gold, who administered the drug, but it was prepared
    with consummate skill—skill far greater than you possess.”
    “At least I have a talent, Nirati,” Majiata snarled.
    Keles stepped between them, turning to face Majiata. “Stop. Go no further.”
    “Again you deny the truth, Keles. Everyone knows your sister is to be pitied. She’s
    talentless. No skill at mapmaking, no skill with plants and herbs. Others who have known
    such shame have had the good grace to destroy themselves.”
    Keles’ hands knotted. His words came precise and clipped. “I told you to go no further.
    There is more than one type of shame, Majiata. Remember, Empress Cyrsa was late
    come to her talent.”
    “Your sister is no Cyrsa.”
    “But she is my sister and I love her.” He lifted his chin. “If you love me, you will stop. Now.”
    Majiata hesitated, her blue eyes flicking as she measured her responses. Keles wanted
    her anger to break, for her to ask his forgiveness. With every heartbeat that she did not,
    he realized his desire was in vain, as his earlier happiness rotted within him.
    “Is that it, then? You choose your sister over me?”
    “I make no such choice. I love you, I love her, I love you both. I do not choose.” He
    frowned and his voice slackened. “And you should not make me choose.”
    “Oh,