Too Many Princes by Deby Fredericks Read Free Book Online Page A

smiled coyly.
    Privately. Right. Margura was one of the queen’s wellborn attendants, though she clearly hoped to find a more permanent position in Harburg. Since four or five of the various princes' wives had once been royal attendants, there was some reason for optimism. Brastigan knew she spent time, beyond her official duties, with more than one of the bachelor princes and noblemen. Margura was a slut and a leech, but that could be said of most court women. He didn't hold it against her.
    Indeed, he appreciated her charms as much as any man would, and the low curve of her bodice certainly showed them. Besides, the food did smell good.
    “ I won't be much company, ” he warned as he sat at the table.
    Margura set down the tray with a shrug. “ You'll always be good enough for me. ”
    He had to smile, obvious though the flattery was. Brastigan began to eat with real appetite. Kitchen-cooked meals would be few after tomorrow morning.
    Margura sat across from him, leaning forward slightly to pour ale. It was a favorite ploy to secure his attention.
    “ I'm sorry you're going, ” she said softly.
    “ So am I. But when the old man says go... ”
    “ Did the falcon really talk? ” Margura asked eagerly.
    Brastigan grunted at that.
    “ Do you know where you'll be? ”
    His shoulders jerked in a shrug. He should have asked Eben, but other things had distracted him. Lottres probably knew. Pikarus must have been told, anyway.
    Margura rose and came to stand behind Brastigan, rubbing his neck and shoulders with skillful hands.
    “ I'll miss you, ” she purred.
    “ You'll be the only one. ” Brastigan was feeling sorry for himself now, and his ale wasn't nearly strong enough.
    She leaned to whisper in his ear, “ As long as I am the only one. ”
    “ Since when do you pick favorites? ” Brastigan asked mockingly. He turned, and found his eyes on a level with Margura's bodice.
    “ Just don't forget me, ” she said, and slipped into his lap. The scent of rose water clung to her skin. Of their own accord, his arms circled her waist. Her teasing kiss quickly turned passionate.
    Before things could get really interesting, there was another knock at the door. Brastigan held Margura a moment longer, hoping whoever it was would go away. The sound came again, and it annoyed him enough to break the mood. Margura murmured a protest, but rose from his lap when she had to.
    With an irritable sigh, Brastigan strode to the door. Somebody short squeaked in dismay as he yanked it open. Brastigan looked down into a pair of wide blue eyes and forced himself to relax.
    “ Hello, Princess, ” he said.
    Cliodora was the youngest Cruthan princess and the very last of Unferth's offspring. She had two long pale braids, a cute freckled face, and the coltish form of a girl about to emerge into womanhood. Despite being ten years younger, Cliodora had a special place in his heart.
    She seemed to realize she was interrupting, for she hesitantly glanced behind him. “ Did I come at a bad time? ”
    “ Nah, ” he answered genially.
    “ Well, ” she said in her sweet little voice, “ Therula and Agiatta asked if you could come see us tonight. Before you go away, I mean. ”
    Brastigan felt a touch of guilt. He had forgotten about saying good-bye to his sisters, and he would have felt badly about that. That they hadn't forgotten made him happier than all of Margura’s ministrations.
    Still, there are things you can let your sisters see, and some you can't. One of those was waiting for him. Glancing over his shoulder, Brastigan could see Margura busying herself with the supper dishes. Her pouting face was slightly turned away.
    Leech , he reminded himself. She just wants you for what she can get .
    On the other hand, home cooking wasn’t the only thing that would be in short supply while he was on the road.
    “ How about if I stop by a little later? ” he suggested.
    Clio smiled shyly, a bit of pink misting her cheeks beneath the tawny