Crown of Destiny by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online

cuffs trimmed in delicate gold threads and miniature transmutes, smiling when the little jewels glowed crystal clear with a faint golden cast. Transmutes, mined by the Jewel gnomes in the Emerald Mountains, were gemstones that changed color according to the wearer's mood. Their color showed Cadi that both her mistress and the Shadow Prince were happy.
    Lara and Kaliq sat down again among the pillows to eat. Their meal consisted of creamy yogurt, apricots, melon and green grapes, warm new bread, butter and a sweet hot tea, pale purple in color, brewed from the tiny new leaves of the Umbra trees that grew at Shunnar. Only the Shadow Princes had access to this tea for the Umbra trees were rare. Their fruits made a purple dye used for painting the nipples. The sweet flesh was coveted, for it also possessed an aphrodisiac quality.
    "I am returning to the castle today," Lara told Cadi. "When I have done what I must, I will leave Terah behind. We shall live in Shunnar. You may come with me or go with Prince Kaliq now. I am sending Dasras with my lord and will travel by magic."
    "I'll come with you," Cadi said. "I don't even want to think what your mother would do to me if I left your side."
    Lara didn't bother to argue the point. She was glad her serving woman would be with her. Terah was lonely enough now as it was. "We will not linger, Cadi. I promise." When she had finished her meal, Lara left the pavilion and went to where Dasras stood shaded by the palms beneath his own silk awning.
    The great white stallion looked up at her from his bin of oats. "Good morning," he greeted her. "Less than a day, and you already look relaxed once again."
    "The time has come for me to depart Terah for good," Lara began.
    "All praise to the Great Creator!" Dasras said with a nod of his head.
    Lara laughed. "But first I must return there to conclude one final bit of business. Then I shall collect Andraste and Verica and make Shunnar my home. I want you to go with the prince. Cadi and I shall travel by simple magic this day."
    "As you will, mistress," Dasras responded. "As always, you have made a wise decision. There is, however, a boon I would ask of you."
    "Whatever you desire," Lara told him.
    "The great-grandson of my original groom, Jason, is called Leof. He is only a boy. He attempted to care for me when my former groom died. The older men were jealous and drove him away, yet none of them wanted to take responsibility for my care for they feared me because I am magic. Leof has managed to sneak into the stables now and again to bring me apples and carrots, but the last time the head groom caught him and beat him badly. I promised the boy that if I ever left Terah for good I would take him with me, mistress. Will you bring him with you when you return to Shunnar?"
    "You have my word on it, Dasras. And he will take care of you. Og will teach him all he needs to know. His mortal kin are grown, and prefer the nomadic life of the desert dwellers. His wife is long dead. Leof will make a good companion for Og, as well. What of the boy's family? Do they need him?"
    "He was the youngest of his generation. Jason was quite old when he was born, but he lived until the boy turned five. I remember him bringing Leof to the stables with him. Of course he was no longer caring for me, but he oversaw those who did. And he began to teach the boy. But once Jason was gone it all changed. The boy was driven away. His family is large. They will not miss him."
    "Then I see no impediment to his coming. Has he learned, like all the others at the castle, to fear me?" Lara asked Dasras.
    "Nay, his grandfather told him how kind you were, and I have reassured him the same," the stallion said.
    "I'll have Cadi find him and bring him to me. The choice to come must be his, Dasras. You do understand that, don't you?" Lara said.
    "I do, but he will come," Dasras responded in positive tones.
    "Then I will leave you in Prince Kaliq's hands, my faithful friend," Lara said, patting