The Dawn Star by Catherine Asaro Read Free Book Online Page A

didn’t know whether to be flattered or worried that the clothes in the closets fit him perfectly. Someone had planned his abduction in detail. The garments were far more elegant than his usual attire, they were similar in quality to what he wore when he visited Castle Suncroft in Aronsdale, where he tried not to embarrass his relatives by dressing like a scrubby minstrel. These trousers were deep blue and tucked into boots tooled with vine designs. The silk shirt was white. It fastened at the neck, but he didn’t like tying it, so he left it open halfway down his chest. The vest he tried felt constraining, and he put it back in the closet. When he finished dressing, he felt better.
    Noises came from the foyer. He went to investigate and found his three guards.
    â€œGreetings,” Drummer said.
    They regarded him with impassive expressions.
    â€œThe queen will see you now,” Javelin said.

4
Heart of Ice
    M el and Cobalt entered Stonebreaker’s huge bedroom together. The room was full of people. Mel recognized none of them, neither the guards posted around the dais nor the servants seeing to the king’s every need. Stonebreaker was sitting up in bed, discussing a scroll with his scribe. The king’s silvered hair swept back from a face of noble lines with a strong nose and chin. He was a handsome man, proud and aristocratic, and even in his sickbed, he had a presence that commanded.
    She could see a resemblance between Stonebreaker and Cobalt. But everything about Cobalt was more. It wasn’t only that he was taller and more powerfully built than his grandfather. He had a vibrancy that the king lacked. More intelligence. A stronger sense of self. More strength of character, from what Mel had seen. Cobalt simply surpassed the king.
    The aides and guards bowed to Cobalt. They darted glances at Mel, but averted their gazes when she caught them watching her. She knew the staff bowed to the royal family, but she was almost certain that when a member of the Chamberlight family arrived at the palace after an absence, people were supposed to kneel.
    Cobalt’s expression tightened. The older servants had seen him beaten and whipped by the king in his childhood, and she knew he brooded on their lack of intervention. He didn’t care if they knelt, but it mattered to him that they gave respect. She had no doubt they feared Stonebreaker, especially now, when the king could misinterpret any honor they showed his heir. If they knelt to Cobalt, his grandfather could take it as a deliberate slight, a wish to see him dead and Cobalt on the throne.
    The king, however, looked fine. Mel didn’t know whether to feel relieved for his health or angry that he had pulled Cobalt across four countries to attend him. She saw no sign of paralysis. His face seemed normal and he was using both arms as he held the scroll. He looked up as Cobalt and Mel came forward, and he registered neither surprise nor pleasure at the sight of his heir. He just set down his quill. He waved his hand and the men attending him left immediately, pausing only to bow to Cobalt.
    When everyone was gone except for the guards posted around the walls, the king beckoned to his grandson. He didn’t acknowledge Mel with even a glance, so she stayed back.
    Cobalt went to the bed and bowed, as expected of the heir to the king. “I am pleased to see you looking so well, Grandfather.”
    â€œAre you?” Stonebreaker’s voice was almost as resonant as his heir’s. Almost. He motioned to a dark wing chair by the bed. “Sit. Tell me about your trip.”
    Cobalt glanced at Mel. She shook her head slightly and hoped he wouldn’t press the issue of Stonebreaker’s discourtesy to her.
    The king spoke dourly. “I see you brought your wife.”
    â€œYes.” Cobalt held out his hand to Mel.
    Her face was growing hot. She came over and bowed to the king. “It is an honor to attend you, Your