A Dance of Dragons: Series Starter Bundle Read Online Free PDF Page A

exasperated. "Yes, I know. I have heard the same lecture
before, but I sent him off early to the ball. I was hoping for a
few minutes alone."
    "Nervous?" Her sister smiled, putting up a
display of nicety but only to hide the sinister undertone of that
statement. They looked similar, but Leena had no foolish notions of
affection from Yasmine. Siblings, especially twelve girls, were not
encouraged to love one another, not in this family. Each had their
own mother to mourn, their own marriage to secure, their own ploys
to gain the attention of their father. No, competition was the
Ourthuri way, not love.
    Yasmine was older, married, and a mother.
But that did not mean she would not rat Leena out to their father
if she thought it might gain his favor.
    "Of course not, why should I be?" Leena
shrugged, innocently widening her gaze and raising her eyebrows.
"It is my turn next, though I guess someone as old and wise as you
barely remembers what it was like before you were engaged. I bet
you can hardly recall the rush of having suitors begging for a
dance."
    Her sister's smile faltered. "Yes, the
foolish whims of teenage girls are behind me. Are you ready to
leave? I will walk you, so you do not dishonor this house
meandering the halls alone."
    "Thank you, Yasmine. I trust you always have
my best interest at heart. I will just need a moment to put on my
veil."
    Leena stepped backward, hoping her sister
would not follow, unsure if Mikza was well enough hidden for
scrutiny. But Yasmine just waited in the doorway with arms crossed,
a slight scowl dirtying her otherwise lovely face.
    Quickly, Leena grasped her veil, fixing the
crown in the bed of her hair and slipping in two gold clasps to
keep it steady. She kept her eyes on Yasmine as best she could,
watching her sister's gaze travel around the length of her room,
searching for some secret. But her expression never changed to one
of victory. Her cool stance never lightened. And before she could
look any further, Leena turned back around, ready to face the
party.
    Sparing just one quick glance at the door,
wishing she could say goodbye and look into Mikza's eyes one more
time before the ball, Leena followed her sister outside.
     
     

Four
     

     
     
    For what felt like the one hundredth time that
evening, Leena reached out her hand, accepting an offer to
dance.
    This time it was Lord Padmir, a wifeless and
childless bachelor far too old for her. At least she hoped her
father wouldn't actually consider him. While hunched shoulders and
a rotund belly wouldn’t concern the king, the man's falling
fortunes would likely be enough to remove him from the list.
    A leer spread across his lips, sending a
shiver down Leena's back. She spared a glance over her shoulder,
searching for Mikza. Still in their spot, he watched on, lips
pressed in a tight line. Normally that move was made in anger, but
by the slight glimmer in his eye, Leena thought he might be holding
in a laugh.
    Glad someone is enjoying himself.
    She rolled her eyes, turning back to the
lord, trying to keep her small dinner firmly in her stomach.
    He bowed.
    She curtsied.
    Then the music began anew, and he pulled her
from the sideline into the center of the ballroom, gripping her
waist tighter than was comfortable. Luckily, it was frowned upon to
talk during a dance, so Leena just had to smile and step, two
motions that came naturally to her.
    After a few spins, Leena found herself in a
daze. Eyes glazing over, she began to picture Lord Padmir as Mikza.
Young, handsome, in love with her. It made her giggle to imagine
people's reactions—the shock that would spread around the room if a
soldier walked out with the princess and put all of their dancing
to shame.
    Because the two of them would have done just
that.
    They would have blazed, setting fire to the
room, blinding everyone with the force of their passion. No one
would be able to look away. All would stand transfixed, jealous,
and curious, in awe.
    Tonight.
    The word had