Schism: The Battle for Darracia (Book 1) Read Free Page B

stood in silence for a bit, watching the many stars begin to dot the blackness of the sky. She smoothed back her hair, taking it out of the ribbon that secured it at the base of her delicate neck so that it fell like a cloak around her. “It’s your universe.”
    V ’sair stared out into the horizon, knowing his mother had brought the first breath of change to his land in ten thousand years. Society had fractured here, and the two species had separated—one the oppressor, the other the oppressed. There never had been a thought for change until Reminda gently had introduced ideas of enlightenment in her salons. Many a noble had sat at her table, and with good food, drink, and conversation, she was able to slowly urge prejudice and intolerance to give way to acceptance. She had rocked this planet to its foundation. V’sair looked at her serene face; he loved her with all of his being. Reminda turned to face him, a gentle smile on her lips, her elegant hand caressing his forearm. “Your suns are burning me, Vsos. I cannot stay out any longer.”

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
    V’sair walked before his mother and, waving his hand, reopened the portal so they once again found themselves in the cooler confines of the castle. They walked a small distance, making an attractive couple. One might almost think them brother and sister. They had entered the vast throne room. A fire blazed in the hearth that spanned an entire wall. Drakko had installed it for his wife, who found the cold Darracia nights intolerable. V’sair looked longingly at the roaring flames but knew it would be rude to walk away from his mother.
    A group of musicians played softly in the corner, and Darracians wandered from group to group. The court was full today. V’sair knew they were to have important visitors, and his parents had demanded every general and all the important noble families to be there tonight. The room buzzed with conversation. Quyroo servants with trays of food and steaming drinks mingled among the crowds. It was an elegant court—his mother had made it so—with beautiful women dressed in an array of colors, fanning themselves with the fashionable handheld discs they used to keep cool. Three Darracian females danced in a section of the room, their bodies swaying to the gentle music Reminda had chosen. A Quyroo handmaiden stood just beside the arch of the doorway and held out a small jar filled with a glistening liquid. V’sair recognized her and nodded to the girl who was never far from his mother’s side.
    “ Ah, Tulani, you read my thoughts.” Reminda smiled at her.
    The girl ducked her head, her auburn braids bobbing around her wiry body. She was red skinned and had the black star-shaped eyes of her people. She was dressed in servant garb, a white one-shouldered draped toga, and looked as out of place as V’sair. The prince stared at her, his blue gaze intense. He watched how she moved, his interested eyes following her lithe figure. Reminda stopped to observe her handmaiden and her son. There was an energy there; she felt it pulse along her spine, and not for the first time. The room crackled with it. Though Tulani stood with her head bowed, Reminda watched with amusement as the girl stole a glance at her son, appraising his chisled form. His muscular chest looked well defined under his blue tunic, which set off his dusky skin.
    As always, V ’sair was oblivious to any interest in him. He was completely without guile, a rare find on Darracia. He brushed back his shaggy white mane unselfconsciously, unaware that the girl was watching him almost breathlessly. He was handsome, by any planet’s standards—this his mother knew. Ah, look, but don’t touch, Tulani , the queen thought. I have plans for you yet. “Tulani!” she called out sharply, “attend to me.”
    The servant didn ’t answer Reminda but obediently went to her side, her eyes downcast. She held the glass jar in the palm of her small hand, a cloth in the