Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 131875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
And the people. The people were everywhere. Most dressed in the off-white toga that the Domaran people favored. Andine servants and slaves trailing behind them were in drab brown dresses or loincloths, much like Felix had been dressed in. The brighter Andine colors and styles were utterly absent. They would surely stand out on the streets in these fabrics.
For a moment, it reminded her so much of being home in Kinkadia. Not that it looked at all like her lovely home, but the feeling of the city was reminiscent of the hustle and bustle of her home. She could feel the energy thrumming through the streets and the excitement in the air.
Then, they passed an enormous walled coliseum. The one in Kinkadia was large enough to have multiple dragons inside, and still, it paled in comparison to the one she was staring at in the heart of Carithian.
“Come on,” Danae said. “We’re close. We should get changed.”
Kerrigan craned her neck to keep the coliseum in her sights, but eventually relented to Danae’s insistence. When they got belowdecks again, she found dresses had been placed on their respective beds. Kerrigan’s was the soft pearly-white silk of the Domaran nobles. The clasps were all handmade gold pieces and included gold slippers. While Danae’s was the drab brown of a servant.
“Why would you be wearing that?”
Danae shrugged. “I always do when I go into the city. Servants can go about unnoticed. It’s easier that way.”
“And I’m supposed to be a Doma,” she said, fingering the expensive thread.
“You already look like one. No point in putting you in anything else. You’d still stand out.”
Kerrigan didn’t know how she felt about that, but she had no other choice but to change into the provided dress. Even if the Andine style was more comfortable.
By the time they were finished, the boat had docked at the port, and the sailors were busy unloading the horses. Constantine tipped his head at her when she came abovedeck. She startled at his changed appearance. She had only ever seen him in the Andine style of dress, but today, he was all Domaran in a crisp white toga that fell to his feet, which revealed some of his muscular chest.
She wondered how he felt about dressing in this style when he could hardly stand someone in his presence wearing the dress of his conquerors. She didn’t plan to ask him his opinion.
“You’re with me,” Constantine barked.
She shot a glance at Danae, but she urged her forward. “Best not to upset him. He hates being here.”
With a deep breath, she stepped forward to stand next to Constantine. “Ready?”
He grunted and stamped down the plank that led off the boat. She followed behind him with her head held high. She was in the city of her mother. She was one step closer to her mission. Constantine might not know it, but he’d moved a piece on her board forward.
13
The Doma
Night had fallen entirely by the time they reached Constantine’s accommodations. They were greeted by an older Andine woman, who ushered Kerrigan inside. She’d clearly been informed of her appearance because she didn’t balk at it, like so many others did. Kerrigan was quickly put into her own room in the house, and a servant brought her dinner and a change of clothes.
“The general will see you in the morning,” was all the servant said before departing.
Kerrigan pushed her dinner aside. Her stomach was still touchy from the boat ride. Instead, she changed into her nightclothes, slid into bed, and stared out the open window at the moon beyond.
The next thing she knew, she was being awakened by Danae sneaking into her room. Dawn had just crested the horizon. Kerrigan yawned. She hadn’t moved an inch in her sleep. The boat had really taken it out of her.
“Morning. You look well rested.”
Her stomach growled. “Indeed. You didn’t bring breakfast with you by any chance?” Danae tossed her a baked good. It was still warm from the oven. “You’re a goddess.”
“Not me,” Danae said, taking a seat on the bed. “But people will think you are today. If we hadn’t arrived so late last night, someone might have fallen over themselves at the sight of you.”
Kerrigan bit into the muffin and waved her off. “I’m sure they’re used to Doma here.”
“No one is used to Doma anywhere,” Danae said.
“But there are more in Carithian, right? This is where they live.”
“Some of them,” she agreed. “So, I suspect my father will have you out on your mount again this morning.”
Kerrigan chewed, considering her statement. “Do you think he’s going to go through with it?”
“Your bidding?”
Kerrigan nodded.
“I don’t know. He’s never done anything like this before. After my mother …” She let off with a choked cough. “I can’t imagine him in that business.”
“But …”
“But he hates Tarcus just as much. I don’t know that he’s thinking clearly. He shouldn’t have let himself get baited like that. It’s beneath him.”