Arrows of the Sun
““Majesty, if you please, your lady mother would speak with you.”
He paused. It was late, and Haliya was waiting. He had a new tale to tell her, that he had heard in court, and a song that would make her laugh. He was eager for her already; he had had to call off the servant who would have eased him when he thought of her.
“Tell my mother,” he said to the messenger, “that I’ll see her in the morning. I’ll break my fast with her, if she will.”
The messenger bowed to the floor. “Majesty, she said ...that it was urgent.”
“And I have urgent business,” said Estarion with a flash of temper. “In the morning. Tell her.”
The messenger was Asanian. He could not argue with his emperor.
When the eunuch was gone, Estarion drew a breath. He should go, he knew that. But he was feeling contrary tonight. He wanted, needed, what Haliya could give. He would only embarrass his mother, or lose his temper, or say something they would both regret.
o0o He approached the harem with a clear enough conscience.MoreLess
He paused. It was late, and Haliya was waiting. He had a new tale to tell her, that he had heard in court, and a song that would make her laugh. He was eager for her already; he had had to call off the servant who would have eased him when he thought of her.
“Tell my mother,” he said to the messenger, “that I’ll see her in the morning. I’ll break my fast with her, if she will.”
The messenger bowed to the floor. “Majesty, she said ...that it was urgent.”
“And I have urgent business,” said Estarion with a flash of temper. “In the morning. Tell her.”
The messenger was Asanian. He could not argue with his emperor.
When the eunuch was gone, Estarion drew a breath. He should go, he knew that. But he was feeling contrary tonight. He wanted, needed, what Haliya could give. He would only embarrass his mother, or lose his temper, or say something they would both regret.
o0o He approached the harem with a clear enough conscience.MoreLess
Read book Arrows of the Sun for free
You can download books for free in various formats, such as epub, pdf, azw, mobi, txt and others on book networks site. Additionally, the entire text is available for online reading through our e-reader. Our site is not responsible for the performance of third-party products (sites).
Write Review:
Guest
Read Also
8 / 10
7 / 10
8 / 10
User Reviews: