Mica by Kate Hill Read Free Book Online

and his sense of humor didn’t speak of someone tired of life, his voice sounded weary.
    “At such times, you’ll find a reserve inside yourself,” Blaze said.
    Thank the Spirit for Blaze. He might be hard to understand, but his message was always right.
    “I’m not sure about that, Sir.” Mica sighed, folding his arms folded across his chest.
    He leaned a broad shoulder against the cave wall.
    “If you’re returning, then you have the strength to face whatever comes.”
    This time, Mica’s smile looked sad. “Or maybe I’m just a nosy fool.”
    Such a comment invited insult, but Sun didn’t have the heart to bait him. What the hell was happening to her? She should despise this man. Edging closer to Blaze, she ripped a chunk from his bread.
    She had the worst feeling a greater adventure awaited her than the one she’d originally sought.
    * * * * *
    Built on a vast oasis, Ademene was a magnificent display of white stone houses amidst lush green trees and flowers of every color imaginable. The palace’s pointed roof rose above the highest trees, like a marble finger pointing to the sun.
    “This city in the desert is a jewel amidst stones,” Blaze said.
    He, Sun and Mica stood at the top of a high dune overlooking the city.
    “You mean this pigpen?” Mica winked in Sun’s direction before kicking his horse onward.
    As he approached the city wall, Mica’s heart thudded against his ribs. If the banished man had come from Ademene, then Mica’s fate would be the same. This time his survival would be doubtful. No man could be so lucky twice, since banishment almost always resulted in death.
    Glancing over his shoulder, he noted the Knight and Dame flanking him looked as wary as he felt. Though Blaze sat calmly, his gaze swept every direction. One of Sun’s hands rested over the sword at her hip. In spite of the gravity of the situation, Mica was again struck by her beauty, not just physical perfection, for some might consider her too large. Mica liked women with meat and muscle on their bones. They made heartier bed partners than the scrawny, delicate chits many men fawned over. Nothing felt better

than a strong, willing woman wrapping her satiny arms and legs around him and—
    He chastised himself. Not only was he riding into possible danger, but such thoughts were forbidden to a man like him. He turned his attention away from Sun and back to the city walls.
    Ademene had four entrances. One each on the north, south, east and west, all guarded by the emperor’s finest warriors. At the southern gate one of the guards, a young man called Rune, raised his hand in greeting.
    “Mica, I didn’t expect to see you back so quickly. Not much trouble with the Bedouins?”
    “Not as bad as it could have been.” Mica smiled, relieved that everything in the city appeared unchanged. “I’ll be joining them again soon. First I have business at the palace.”
    “The High Advisor is there if you’re looking for him.”
    “I am.”
    “Who are your companions?”
    “This is Sir Blaze and Dame Sun from the isle of Travelle.” Mica gestured to his companions. “They’re friends.”
    Rune nodded at Sun and Blaze. “Enjoy the city. You have a wonderful guide.”
    The guard motioned for the gates to open. Moments later, the three stepped onto one of the narrow streets paved with smooth tan and white stones that wove throughout the city. None of the refuse found in many cities of the Western Continent seemed to exist in Ademene.
    “They have an underground sewage system,” Blaze explained.
    “One of the best,” Mica added. “There are also bathhouses throughout the city.
    Magnificent ones at the palace. If we have the time, I’ll show them to you.”
    “We have bathhouses in Femmeglen.” Sun glanced over her shoulder at several carts set up on the side of the road, one filled with fresh eggs, the other with fruit.
    Women sold the goods to passersby while their children played on a patch of grass.
    Ademene was