Crown of Destiny Read Online Free PDF Page A

a hundred or more years ago, few had known of its existence. Now the Taubyl Traders crossed this sea to trade with the clan families. On the far side of the Obscura, the desert realm of the Shadow Princes lay. Only from the skies above were their palaces and great green valley visible. Beyond them lay Lara's destination, the oasis of Zeroun, with its graceful palms, beautiful waterfall and crystal clear pool. Dasras's delicate hooves touched down upon the warm golden sands, and he slowly came to a halt, his wings folding themselves away as he danced to a stop. Lara slid easily from his back.
    "Send Cadi to lift the saddle from my back, mistress," Dasras said. "I see my shelter is already waiting for me." A striped awning was set near the water, a stall and feed boxes beneath it. The stall had fresh sweet hay within it. One of the boxes was filled with oats, the other with the mixture of green vegetables, carrots and apples that Dasras favored.
    "I brought the combs and brushes," Lara told him, pulling them from her pocket. "I will ask her to groom you, as I saw you had not been attended to in many days before we departed the castle. I will speak with the head groom about that when we return."
    "Then we are returning," Dasras said. He did not sound pleased.
    "This time, aye. Something of import is about to happen, my old friend, and instinct tells me that I need to be in Terah when it does."
    The stallion nodded his head, and then turning, trotted off to his shelter.
    Cadi came forth from Lara's beautiful turquoise-blue silk tent, standing beneath the blue-and-coral-striped awning. "You did not dally, mistress," she said with a smile.
    "Nay, I did not." She sighed. "I needed to come to Zeroun quickly." Turning so she might see the entire oasis, she cast a protective spell about it, making her refuge invisible to the human eye. Few ever came this way, but it was foolish to take chances. "I will swim before the prince comes," she told Cadi, shedding her cloak and her robe. Then, walking to the clear pool, she stepped into it, smiling as the cool water rose up about her. There was something cleansing about this particular pool. Swimming to the little waterfall, she let the flowing waters pour over her head. Swimming back into the pool itself, she was amused to find Kaliq was suddenly there.
    He was grinning, obviously pleased with himself, and swam to her.
    Lara laughed, filled with happiness. "You always know," she said.
    "I always do," he agreed, and taking her into his arms, kissed her a long deep kiss.
    "Ahh, Kaliq, my love," Lara said as she broke off their embrace, "the very sight of you makes me joyful, my lord." She brushed a lock of his dark hair from his forehead.
    Catching the hand she used, he brought it to his lips, and kissed the palm softly. "If I make you so happy, Lara, my love, then come and live with me in Shunnar."
    "Soon," she promised. "I will soon, Kaliq," Lara told him.
    He was surprised by her answer, for she had always insisted her place was in Terah. "What has happened?" he asked, and taking her hand, led her from the water across the soft sand into the tent.
    Cadi immediately came forward with soft white robes. She tossed the first one in Lara's direction, and it immediately enfolded itself about her beautiful mistress. She did the same with the garment she held for Kaliq. "There are refreshments on the table, mistress, master," she said to them. "Dasras needs my attention if you do not require my services any further." Then with a smile she hurried from their presence.
    Lara flung herself among the multicolored pillows surrounding the low ebony table. Reaching for the decanter of frine she poured them each a goblet, handing her companion one. The brass bowl that always sat upon the table was filled with fresh fruits, and Cadi had added a small plate of tiny crisp honey cakes. Lara reached for one.
    "What is the matter?" Kaliq repeated the question.
    "I don't know," Lara told him. "But I am filled with