Silent Kingdom Read Online Free PDF Page A

smile dancing on his lips.
    He sighed, leaning back in his saddle as Azlyn, his sleek black stallion, slowed to a walk. “It’s good to be away from all of the tiresome lessons.”
    I spread my arms wide, as if to embrace the empty expanse of the beach and the whole sea beside us. “An entirely free day to do as we please!”
    The summer sun, still high in a perfect blue sky, warmed my back. I nodded toward the waves, where the light sparkled and flashed with each crest. The breeze cooled my cheeks and ruffled my hair, but it didn’t diminish the heat radiating back at us from the long stretch of pearly sand.
    Gillen fired a mischievous grin in my direction. “I’ll race you to the water!”
    Without waiting for a response, he dug his knees into Azlyn’s sides, making the horse lunge forward.
    “This is not a fair contest!” I shouted. I urged Felwe toward the sea as Azlyn kicked sand back toward my face. Even if Gillen hadn’t gone first, he rode a royal stallion bred for speed and strength. I leaned low against Felwe’s back, dropping the reins to let her run freely until her white mane flew back into my face.
    “Victory!” Gillen called as his stallion splashed into the waves.
    Laughing, I entered the water just behind him. “An easy victory for someone who started unfairly,” I taunted.
    We spent the afternoon at the beach, letting our horses roam nearby while we waded, splashed, and swam in the shallow sea and then lay out on the sand to dry. As the sun set, turning the sky fiery shades of orange, gold, and scarlet, we at last mounted our steeds and turned back toward the castle grounds.
    When we ascended the last slope of the path leading toward home and rode into one of the side courtyards, guards and servants alike cast us small smiles. We were damp and covered in sand, still full of laughter and joy at our short-lived freedom.
    “If only everyday could be like this,” I said as one of the stable boys led our horses away.
    We trod the old cobblestones toward the heavily boarded double doors. As we passed beneath its shadow, the weatherworn statue of Queen Tamelle, her stone face etched into a stern expression, watched us disapprovingly. We walked on unfazed. The two guards standing watch under the arch of the entryway pushed open the doors and pressed their fists to their hearts in salutes as we passed through.
    Gillen squared his shoulders for appearance’s sake, even as he turned to whisper to me. “I may be the crown prince, but don’t think I won’t still shirk my studies and training from time to time to have fun.” His eyes sparkled with mischief even as he tried to compose his face into a solemn expression and sink into his role of a confident and thoughtful prince.
    But that was our last true moment of freedom. As we swept down the marble hallway, a servant intercepted us, pressing her lips into a firm line in an attempt to hide her worry.
    “Your Highness?” She saluted to Gillen, who nodded in acknowledgment. “Your father has taken ill.”
    ~ ~ ~
    The memory had been such a vivid dream that I was left with a throbbing ache in my chest when I awoke.
    Gillen. Are you safe? Do you know I am in danger? Are you wondering where I am?
    I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping I could force the tears back before they trickled down my cheeks. Though I was not a priest, I dared to beg the Life-Giver for Gillen’s protection and then forced thoughts of him away. I can’t change what’s happened, I told myself firmly.
    When I sat up, I was dizzy and my head felt too heavy for my neck. But I had at least managed to sit up, proving that my body was stronger than it had been before. I ran my fingers along the warm, dry skin of my arms and realized my fever had passed.
    I was clothed in a comfortable nightgown that was too large for me, like a tent, rather than the dress I’d been wearing at the palace. I wondered if my rescuers had recognized my clothes from my uncle’s funeral and my father’s