Read Sword for Free Online Page B

fact, strike Brisham right in his pompous face.
    “You’re sixteen ,” Devin said, and cringed at the way his voice echoed in the closeness of the tunnel.
    The look she sent him was part scorn, part rueful affection. “I’m a princess , Devin. We do tend to marry earlier. And he suggested the wedding might take place after I’m of age.”
    “How generous of him,” Devin growled, and had to run his hands through his hair and take several deep breaths, lest he knock the lantern over with his anger and disgust and set the place afire. He thought about telling Taireasa what he’d overheard—but she was already so upset, and really, he’d no proof, only a handful of words and a suspicion. He leaned against the wall, then remembered how the mortar had been crumbling out of it and straightened, knowing his doublet was probably already ruined. “I hope you told him you’re already spoken for.”
    The startled flicker of her eyes lifted his spirits a bit. “To whom, pray tell.”
    He linked arms with her, pulling her in the same direction she’d been pulling him just a moment ago. “Why, to me , of course. Dashing, handsome, melodic, charming… me. How could that old vulture hope to compete with such magnificence? Just think how he’d screech if he heard you were betrothed to one of the other two heirs he’s supposed to choose among when they vote for you to be queen.”
    Taireasa laughed and let him lead her, though they both knew he had no idea where he was going. “I believe that violates at least a few laws, not to mention the fact that they may not vote for me , and you well know it.”
    “Of course they will,” Devin scoffed. “Look what their other choices are. They’re hardly going to choose me or Kyali to rule the kingdom. Can you imagine? You’re the king’s daughter, you’re sensible and wise and, most importantly, you’re not a sword-brandishing, war-mad Corwynall.”
    "You're not particularly war-mad, Devin," Taireasa said dryly.
    "Well. By association. Which will be more than enough to put the barons off me."
    "Fair point," she sighed, and freed her arm to go peer down a branch of passage that looked darker than night, but smelled faintly of bread. She set the lantern down. "This one."
    "Does it lead straight into the kitchens?"
    There was a flash of teeth in the dimness. "Closer to the wine cellars."
    "Marry me now ," Devin begged, and she giggled, sounding much more like herself, thank the gods. "I never knew you were carrying such useful secrets. Where else do they go?"
    "Oh, everywhere. Perhaps I'll spend the next few years here, creeping out to steal food after night falls."
    "Gods, Taireasa, surely you told him no."
    "My father did."
    "And?" He felt like he was missing something and pulled her around to look her in the face. “So?”
    "This is the second time he's asked," Taireasa said in a small voice.
    "Tell him no again! Say it until he hears it. If he's fool enough to think—"
    "You don't know ! You've no idea how—" She waved his words away with an angry sweep, then paced off to glare at the floor, hands on her hips. The lanternlight threw her shadow over the tunnel in pieces. "We've gotten letters from all the other barons of the West and most of the lesser Western lords supporting it. Baron Cyrnic suggested that the vote would go more smoothly if I were settled , Walderan said that relations with the whole West would improve… they said that I would be a better… a better… oh ."
    Taireasa put her hands to her head and breathed carefully, every line of her shouting misery and hurt. “They said I would be a better queen if I had someone with experience in matters of state to guide me.”
    The anger he’d gotten mostly under control leapt out of his grasp and the lantern slid a full handspan sideways and tottered, but thankfully didn't tip over. Taireasa flung it a startled glance, then him a wary one. Devin barely noticed.
    "Gods damn them, then! Taireasa, you aren't