Dragonfly by Julia Golding Read Free Book Online Page A

She hadn't plucked up the courage to send it yet, but she knew with a fierce certainty that she could not abide to be married to that sneering boy who'd insulted her so publicly. All who had travelled with her were whispering about it behind her back. She understood that scuffles had broken out down at the docks between sailors from the two navies. If she stayed much longer, she'd end up causing a war, not bringing about an alliance.
    The Etiquette Mistress appeared at her elbow.
    "Your Highness, the King wishes to speak to you. He is waiting outside and asks if you are at leisure?"
    Tashi felt a momentary panic: she couldn't refuse to see the King though she would've liked to. She smoothed her robe. There was no time to change into more formal attire. She was wearing barely any makeup apart from the everyday kohl around her eyes. At least her hair was decently covered.
    "Tell the King I will receive him now," Tashi said stiffly.
    The Mistress departed and returned swiftly with the King. He strode towards her, arms outstretched.
    "My dear princess! It grieves me that we have offended you."
    Tashi flinched back but, before she knew it, found herself hugged to his chest and patted on the back.
    "You have been so brave to travel all this way and we failed you. My son is heartily sorry for the incident
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    with the paper dragonfly. He had no idea of its significance and thought you were playing a joke on him."
    Tashi disentangled herself from his robes. "A joke, sir?"
    "Come, sit by me." King Lagan slapped the seat beside him. "Damn chilly out here, isn't it?"
    He was swearing and talking about the weather now. Tashi did not know what to do.
    "Don't be scared: I'm not going to eat you, if that's what you're thinking,"
    continued the King. Without all that make-up and glitter, he could see that she was a pretty little thing. And so young. It made him sad to think that she'd come to the other end of the world to marry his inept son when she should be growing up peacefully in her own home. Another sacrifice. He pulled her gently to the seat beside him. "There, that's better, isn't it?"
    Tashi nodded, finding it easier to do as he asked than explain why it was inappropriate for a Crown Princess.
    "We got off on the wrong foot last week, but I would like us to start again. I think it wise for you to get to know Ramil away from everyone. He's a good boy really."
    Tashi supposed she could forgive a father for blind prejudice but she could see no redeeming feature in the Prince.
    "He's offered to take you riding, if you would like that."
    "Your Majesty is very kind, but I do not ride."
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    "What! Not ride! Well, then there's a treat in store for you. Ramil is an excellent rider--gets it from his mother, Zarai, a princess among the Horse Followers. He'll have you in the saddle and away before you know it. He's a very good teacher."
    Tashi did not trust Ramil to come within a foot of her, let alone teach her to ride, but she did not know how to refuse this attention without seeming rude.
    "I would not dream of taking up the Prince's time. If I am to learn to ride, I would be happy with one of the ordinary instructors."
    "Time? Why, there is nothing more important than him spending time with you. Say nothing more on the subject. Tomorrow morning, just after nine, he'll be waiting for you in the stables."
    King Lagan rose and patted her again on the shoulder.
    "I hope to see you at dinner, my dear. Good afternoon."
    Tashi watched him leave, in a state of shock. He'd patted her several times--
    no man had touched her like that since her father said goodbye to her on Kai four years ago. He'd called her "my dear" as if they were already kin. Clearly he did not respect her, regarding her as a wayward daughter to be cajoled into accepting his son's grudging attentions.
    She returned to her desk, folded up the latest missive, and slipped it into the tube for the carrier pigeon. It was no good. The alliance could not go ahead.
    Her embassy had