The Spy Princess Read Free Page A

dumped me out the window along with the medicine. “Tell me! I want to know what’s going on.”
    â€œI’ve known Derek for years. Ever since we were—oh, not much older than you are now. Lilah, he wants to raise Sarendan in revolution.”
Revolution?
    â€œWhy? How?”
    Peitar’s forehead puckered with worry. “He wants to right the wrongs he sees about him. We both do. He thinks the way is through violence, and I’m not so sure. But then I sit here in safety.”
    â€œSafety!” I repeated in scorn.
    Peitar’s lips twisted. “To those outside the family, it seems our lives are nothing but plenty and bliss. The plenty I will grant, but the bliss—well, you know as well as I. Derek doesn’t know, nor do his followers, what life is like here, or in Miraleste, for us.”
    â€œCan’t you just tell him?”
    â€œIt’s not that simple.” He looked distracted, and I wondered if he was going to get lost inside his head as he often did. Then he blinked. “As for how, those children in the village are to be a part of it, just as countless ordinary people in towns and villages all over the country will be a part. On a given signal they will attack the local authorities. Like us.” Peitar indicated himself, me, and then downstairs, where Father sat in his rooms.
    â€œAttack? But people might get hurt!” I exclaimed.
    â€œYes. Yet too many think it’s a game. Not all. But some think it’s impossible that any real harm could happen to them, because their intentions are good.”
    â€œWhat can we do to fix things?” When he hesitated, I said, “Not telling me doesn’t stop me from worrying. Nobody answers my questions. That’s one of the reasons why I dressed as Larei, to find out! And why are we going to Miraleste, anyway? Father said it was to benefit me. What did he mean?”
    â€œLilah, I think it’s to arrange a marriage for you.”
    â€œUgh!” I exclaimed. “You’re not betrothed, so why should I get stuck with it?”
    â€œI’m not because . . . more politics.” Peitar looked away. “Though I might be forced into it, if . . . oh, if things don’t change.” He met my eyes. “If it helps, you and your intended will decide when the marriage actually takes place. So if you want, it could be ten years. Or twenty, if you’re deft—you will probably have the higher rank, so you’ll have more say. You just need to be diplomatic.”
    â€œBut I’ll still be betrothed. Some fun if he’s a snob, and most of those court boys are snobs. And what if Uncle says I have to live with the boy’s family? At least if he joins ours, I can stick him in the farthest room and pretend he isn’t here.”
    Peitar grinned. “None of that has to be decided now.” He struggled to his feet. “Maybe you
should
go into town—but go during the day, if you think your disguise will hold. Far too many of those children are roaming around with nothing to do and little to eat. Talk to them. Listen to them. I’ll invent a cover for you. The threat of contagion ought to keep Father away. Just come back as soon as you’ve met Derek. We’ll talk tomorrow morning.”
    He left. I stared after him, in wonder.

three
    N ext morning, Lizana brought a bigger breakfast than usual. “Eat everything,” was all she said.
    Had Peitar talked to her? And
that
would mean that she also knew about Derek and revolution, wouldn’t it?
    I’d worry about that later. Right now, what worried me was the fact that I was going to try my disguise in daylight, among people who hated me and my family.
    I pulled out the Larei clothes and inspected them. Bren and Deon hadn’t recognized me.
If I don’t try, I’ll hate myself forever
.
    I rebraided my hair, dressed carefully, and after I shinnied down the tree, dirtied