Veiled Dreams by Gill James Read Free Book Online Page B

clothes you could not imagine.’ Christina decided it was best to go along with what Mona had suggested. But what had happened to the real Imigriana?
    ‘The people will rejoice that you have returned.’
    There was a knock at the door. The High Counsellor opened it. The visitor stepped into the room. He wore a tight-fitting white suit, and on his head a shining white turban.
    ‘Your Royal Highness, the Counsel doctor. If you will permit him to examine you.’
    ‘Of course,’ whispered Christina. She had never seen a doctor quite like this before. The man sat down next to her on the divan. He had neither stethoscope nor thermometer. He simply held his hand a few inches above her head and closed his eyes. Then his hands moved to different parts of her body, always hovering a few inches away, so that he was not actually touching her. It made her feel warm and tingly.
    ‘Aha!’ said the doctor at last. ‘She has most certainly suffered a blow to the head, which has caused her to lose her memory. There is a very slight disturbance in the brain, but everything else is functioning perfectly. I recommend a good night’s rest, some wholesome food and then she should be returned to her family.’
    ‘It will be arranged. She may spend the night at my home. It would be an honour.’
    In fact, Christina spent a very pleasant evening at the High Counsellor’s house. Off duty, he was much less grim and pompous. His wife was very kind, even if she did try to ask too many questions about where Christina had been. They had no children, but considered Itola to be almost a daughter. And it was good having a hot perfumed bath. Afterwards she ate meats and salads in tasty sauces accompanied by all sorts of different breads. She tried new sorts of custards and fruits for dessert. Itola offered her some of her own fine clothes to wear while Christina’s were laundered and her veil was repaired.
    She brushed Christina’s hair a hundred times before she went to bed. ‘I will sing to you before you go to sleep,’ she said.
    She started singing. Her voice sounded like the wind whispering through the trees on a warm summer evening. Christina found her eyelids drooping. The silk sheets felt so comfortable next to her skin. Soon she was drifting into a deep, comforting sleep.
    Even so, when she woke up the next day, she felt very nervous. She knew she was an impostor and wondered what was going to happen when they found out.
    ‘The journey to the king’s palace will take all day,’ said Itola, as she helped Christina to dress. This time, she wore a fine green silk.
    ‘You have a long journey ahead of you,’ said the High Counsellor. ‘But we shall make the carriage comfortable for you.
    Carriage
, thought Christina. She hoped they could make it more comfortable than the one she’d travelled in the day before. Hadn’t they got any better form of transport, especially for a princess?
    When the carriage arrived servants piled it high with cushions. Two boys stood on the boards at the side and constantly fanned her and the High Counsellor.
    At least this one was a bit better than the other one. The seats were deep and comfortable. The windows were spotlessly clean. As they moved off, cheering crowds lined the street.
    They wanted to kill me yesterday
, thought Christina.
And now look at them
.
    The journey was long and tedious, but the people of Ixeria certainly treated her well, making frequent stops and always ensuring she was comfortable. The scenery was fascinating. They seemed to be going up and up, and then down again slightly, through orchards – the trees filled with types of fruit she had never before seen, and at last into the craggy mountains, which loomed above them, their peaks covered in snow.
    At last the carriage stopped and the footmen opened the doors. Christina stepped out. It was almost dark now, but bright lights shone from the palace windows and doors. The first impression was of hundreds of arches and millions of