The Jewel of Kamara (The Delthenon Chronicles) by Bridie Blake Read Free Book Online Page A

waist.
    “Your
Majesties, may I present to the court my daughter Lady Tempani of Amarill.”
Otto bowed and extended forward the arm Tempani was clutching.
    “Lady
Tempani of Amarill, it is an honor to have you back in our company,” the queen
spoke, her voice gentle yet strong enough to carry through the room.
    Tempani
stepped forward and sank into a deep curtsey, the fabric of her dress rustling
as she did. As she rose to take her father’s arm again, Teddy caught her eye
and gave her a quick smile before she was escorted to her table. She was
pleased to see Chae rise and extend his arm for her. Seated alongside him were
Sirs Xanthir and Madoc and a pretty girl with pale blond locks, Lady Dahlia of
Raine.
    “Lady
Tempani,” Madoc said curtly.
    “Madoc
has filled us all in on the fun you had on your trip,” Chae laughed as he
slapped Madoc on the back. “I warned him you were a handful.”
    Tempani
scowled at her brother. “The trip wasn’t exactly a breeze for me either.”
    “Don’t
worry,” Dahlia whispered to her when the men were distracted by the arrival of
their food. “He’s a lot kinder than he comes across. He just takes a while to
warm up to people. I guess you could say he’s shy.”
    Tempani
smiled at her. It was true he did seem more relaxed now that he was among
friends. “Perhaps I will not judge him too harshly then. Travelling is hardly
easy.”
    She
looked down at her plate and inhaled slowly, taking in all the delicious
smells. She took a bite of the venison and chewed it slowly, savoring the
richness of it. She had missed these flavors.
    “You
should count yourself lucky he was even available to go,” Chae said, returning
to their conversation. “He seems to be busier than the rest of us.”
    “That’s
what you get when you finish top of the class,” said Xanthir. “He will be so
decorated and famous soon that we will be able to say we knew him when.”
    Madoc
blushed slightly and waved their jokes aside. “I am sure my only claim to fame
will be as Nic’s friend.”
    “Well,
whatever the reason, I am sure you will milk it for all it’s worth,” Xanthir
said and rose from the table. “Do excuse me, I see I am being summoned to my
mother’s side.”
    Tempani
watched him sidle up to the High Table and greet Duchess Sylena, her blonde
curls falling across her face as she whispered in her son’s ear.
    “Another
high ranking friend, Chae,” Tempani said as she turned back to the table. “I’m
impressed.”
    “I
guess I forget my friends have titles. To me they are the same boys I was a
page with. Titles didn’t matter when you were studying and training every
waking moment. If you’ll excuse us.” Chae and Madoc rose and wandered over to a
member of the Raiders, the personal guard to the young princes and princesses.
    “How
you could forget the title of prince is beyond me. I still get a flutter of nerves
every time Prince Nicolass talks to me.” Dahlia giggled. “Though he has that
effect on every lady at court.”
    Tempani
frowned as she held back an unsavory comment about the prince. She did not
think it wise to speak openly of her dislike for Prince Nicolass. Her father’s
warning still fresh in her mind.
    “So
tell me Dahlia, is my brother your escort this evening?”
    Dahlia
blushed. “We’re only friends though. He offered his arm to me this evening
because he thought you and I might get along.”
    Tempani
smiled and Dahlia began to fill her in on all of the court gossip. Apparently
the biggest news was that Queen Tryphena had been overhead telling her sister,
Sylena, that she wants her eldest son to choose his own bride and not have his
marriage arranged for him by his father.
    “If
it’s true I hope he chooses love and not just a lady who comes from a large
estate.”
    “Do
you wish to marry the prince?”
    “Me?
Oh no, not at all,” Dahlia blurted out and then looked horrified. “Um, not that
he isn’t handsome because he is, I just – well he