The Iron Princess Read Online Free PDF Page A

certain way. My sister told me all about it. You’ll change your mind.”
    Katia looked down at her gown and strongly regretted allowing Tosha to have her way. This was her least favorite, a rose-colored silk gown with white fur trim. She looked like a bleeding princess in the stuffy thing, with her bosom pushed high up on display. Her father had given her the fabric with great pride upon returning from the Far East. Hopefully the gown would at least please him, perhaps soften his anger enough to have her sword returned.
    Since Tosha was so keen on the topic of husbands, Katia had insisted her friend wear Katia’s treasured sky blue gown with white embroidered trim. Tosha looked splendid.
    Although her reason for excitement was different than Tosh’s, Katia did feel feverishly filled with anticipation for the feast. Her parents would be distracted entertaining their guests, so Katia was sure to have a grand time enjoying the music and dancing with her friends. Giggling, with arms linked, Tosha and Katia glided down the final steps, arriving at the far corner of the great hall.
    The smell of sage-roasted boar sent her stomach to rumble. A festive, upbeat tune from the lute and harp musicians echoed all around them, aided by the vaulted ceiling. Only the most hardened hearts wouldn’t be uplifted tonight.
    Skipping the last few steps, Katia could not contain her merriment. “No babes or husbands for me. I have been holding babes and hearing my mother curse them out of her for far too long. I will have a life of adventure and meaning. I am going to do something grand with my life, Tosh, something big! My destiny has just not revealed itself to me yet.”
    “
Pff
, something big? An adventure? And you plan on doing this how, exactly, with your father glaring over your shoulder?” Tosha had a good point.
    “I did not say that I had all of my plan worked out,” Katia said.
    “Well, I still wager that if Lothair smiled your way, you would drop your big plans for adventure and swim on down to Lubeck after him.” When her friend erupted into a new fit of giggles, Katia was soon to follow suit.
    Katia’s mother had gone all out for their guests tonight. Tronscar had never looked so inviting. White royal furs lined the throne chairs at the head table, and colorful, plush cushions covered long lines of benches for the lower tables, which would serve over two hundred this evening. Every silver brazier was polished to a reflective shine. Norrland banners and her mother’s best tapestries were on proud display on every wall. Honey-scented candles and spiced oil burned in the lamps. Every available surface was crammed with bouquets of white wildflowers. Over the dais, the chandelier that illuminating the head tables dripped with vines and fragrant blossoms.
    With her arm still linked with Tosha’s, Katia made her way over to the lower tables, hoping to find a place as far away from her parents as possible.

Chapter 3
    “Katia!” Her father’s voice boomed like thunder from behind her.
    She spun around with a fake smile plastered to her face. “Yes, Far.”
    The jarl stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes sparking with unspoken lectures that were still to come. “You will take your regular place to the right of your mother. Tosha, my sons have something they would like to say.” He glared down at the angel-faced twins, who mumbled out a quick apology.
    “They will be seeing to all of your chores in the kitchen for a fortnight, Tosha, starting tonight,” her father added. Her brothers groaned, kicking at the freshly laid rushes. “Come, Katia, you will be hosting our guests this evening.” Her father proudly declared her punishment.
    Katia’s facial expression slipped to resemble her brothers. Her father offered his arm and led her directly to the duke and the other high officials collected at the foot of the dais. Enjoying the feast now seemed impossible.
    “I present my daughter, Katia.” Her father