Desert Rising by Kelley Grant Read Free Book Online Page A

tea?” Farah asked politely. Then her eye fell on Ashraf, and she beamed.
    â€œAshraf,” she exclaimed, rushing over to him. “What brings you here?”
    Kadar swallowed his envy as Ashraf took her hands in his and kissed her on the cheek.
    â€œI have bought your cousin’s freedom,” he told her. “I am here to see about combining efforts with the Hasifel hall and sharing the riches of a combined Hasifel and Nasirof venture.”
    Uncle Aaron turned away from the window at that, and Uncle Tarik and Kadar exchanged glances. Nasirof silks had the finest weave, with brilliant purples and reds other dyers could not produce. There’d been rumors that expansion of the demesne had left a glut of the fine weave, but the Nasirof family had never exported—­or even spoken of exporting—­it. If Ashraf could speak of such a venture, it meant he was high in the family, possibly the heir to the demesne.
    Ashraf smiled around at them, almost sheepishly. “Yes, I did have another purpose for coming here other than yelling about your clanswoman. I just cannot think of anything else since meeting her.” He shook his head.
    â€œShe has that effect on ­people,” Aunt Raella put in dryly, from the corner where she’d been observing. “It is, however, a little late for business. I would suggest a daytime meeting when things can be discussed a little more rationally.”
    Ashraf smiled charmingly. “Ah, women are always the sensible ones. I will take the mistress’s advice. Would you send a representative over to the Desert Sun Inn tomorrow, perhaps before midmeal?”
    Uncle Tarik nodded. “Kadar will represent the family. He knows our capabilities and has the authority to make such decisions.”
    It was the first time his uncles had publicly named him heir, and Kadar stood proudly. He knew the elders would rewrite the details of whatever the two younger men agreed upon, but the responsibility fell upon his shoulders fully for the first time. He wished his sister were beside him to share the burden.
    Ashraf studied him a moment, smiling.
    â€œWe have much to talk about,” he told Kadar, who knew he meant more than just a venture between the families. “Perhaps Farrah can show you the inn, so she can also say good-­bye to her kinsman.”
    â€œGreat idea,” Kadar blurted out, and blushed as he was rewarded with one of her smiles. “I’m not certain of my way around Illian yet,” he added as an explanation to his uncles.
    â€œI will look forward to seeing you then,” Ashraf said. He bowed and let himself out the front door.
    Uncle Tarik shook his head, looking after him. “Sulis certainly knows how to pick them,” he said with a laugh. “Only she could make a rich Southerner heir fall in love with her on her way to the Temple—­and then dump him for the One.”
    â€œI think Sulis may need as many allies as she can muster,” Aunt Raella said. “It certainly saved her mother, being a friend to all.”
    â€œThe first time,” Uncle Aaron replied bitterly. “In the end, no one could save her from her own stubbornness.”
    Aunt Raella rolled her eyes. “There is a purpose in life beyond just keeping safe, Aaron. Iamar knew that, and so does Sulis. You cannot chain a wild feli ,” she said, then yawned. “I for one am going to bed, and I suggest you boys stop fretting and do the same.”
    Kadar returned to his room and lay down on his cot. Sleep was slow in coming, and when it did, he dreamed of Temple walls disappearing into the blue of Farrah’s eyes.
    M O R N I N G D A W N E D , A N D Kadar received last-­minute orders from his aunt and uncles. They seemed to wish they could go in Kadar’s stead, but tradition said that heirs had to meet with heirs. Kadar finally threw up his hands in laughing protest.
    â€œI won’t sign away our hall,” he