Moons' Dreaming (Children of the Rock) Read Online Free Page B

across the raised dais of her throne room, fists clenched angrily at her sides. The long, stone-flagged great hall had been diplomatically deserted by the court for several days now. There were servants about, and guards at the tall double doors at the end farthest from the throne, but they were just Keepers. Only the queen ’ s loyal, dependable, selfless younger brother remained by her side. Palle stood by the throne, one hand resting on the back of the tall chair, his gaze following Dea.
    She ’ s gotten a few more gray strands in her curls in the last several days , he noted. And her so vain of the family ’ s black hair. He touched his own waist-length mane with satisfaction, trying to keep his smirk at his own vanity to himself. Concentrate, Palle. This is supposed to be a solemn conversation, and you pride yourself on being the stable member of the family .
    “ Hion will have the forest, sister. It ’ s inevitable. ”
    She stopped pacing long enough to face him and proclaim, “ It ’ s ridiculous! Hion ’ s family has been expanding Rhenlan for forty-five years. They ’ ll not do it at the cost of my holdings! ”
    “ Don ’ t think of it that way, ” he soothed. “ Think of this as an opportunity. ”
    “ To lose a forest? Why did I let you talk me into going through with this nonsense? ”
    “ I thought you wanted time while you thought the matter over. Emlie ’ s safe enough. In Edian. With Damon. ”
    She waited for him to continue. He waited for her prompt.
    “ And? ” she prompted.
    “ It ’ s a perfect opportunity. ”
    Dea turned her back on him. “ Not that again. ”
    “ I don ’ t see what you ’ ve got against the boy. ” Palle assumed his most cajoling tone. “ The alliance would be perfect for Dherrica and Rhenlan. You know Hion wants Shaper marriage partners for his children. ”
    “ No. Vray for Pirse, perhaps. That would be an alliance I could use. Rhenlan with my heir. Not Pirse threatened by Damon ’ s children. ”
    Palle crossed the dais and put a comforting hand on the Queen ’ s shoulder. She stiffened but did not turn. “ Why not both? You ’ d see the sense in what I ’ m saying if you weren ’ t so worried about the child. ”
    “ You heard Hion ’ s threat. ”
    “ Rhetoric, nothing more. He wants a quick resolution to this. ”
    “ Not rhetoric. Law. Should I have let his time limit pass? What else could I do? I have to think of my country first. ” She turned abruptly, and dropped her head on his shoulder. “ I ’ m so worried I can hardly think at all. I can ’ t sleep. I wish Pirse were here. ”
    “ There, there, ” Palle comforted automatically, hand patting the white-clad back. Fool , he thought inwardly. You could have linked our family to the next king of Rhenlan, but you ’ ve missed your chance .
    * * *
    The coast of Dherrica stank. Prince Chasa of Sitrine wrinkled his nose as his ship drew closer to the sandy shore. Too much moisture, that was the problem. He didn ’ t mind the heat. His own Sitrine was just as warm in its northern reaches, but it was arid country, especially around the capital city where he ’ d grown up. This part of Dherrica always seemed so chaotic; cluttered and choked with vegetation and wildlife, much of it dead and rotting by the smell. Not at all a comfortable place. Pirse was either stronger than he was, or stranger, to spend so much of his time up here.
    Maybe both , Chasa thought as his friend came more clearly into view. At least he had the common courtesy to sweat. Pirse ’ s black hair was plastered to his forehead and his sea-green tunic showed dark blotches of perspiration under his arms and down the front of his chest. Pirse shifted his weight from one long leg to the other and absently patted his horse ’ s steaming neck. The shouted commands of the sailors on Chasa ’ s ship seemed to unsettle the animal, as if it had never seen ship and sail before. Then again, considering Pirse ’ s habits,