"Kristine Kathryn Rusch - The Fey 02 - The Rival" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rusch Kristine Kathryn)

"So," Talon asked,

"Do you think we can invade this place?"

Rugad raised his chin, and gazed down the valley. Near the horizon, the
green disappeared into a white mist, suggesting further riches beyond.

"We will invade," he said.

"And we will conquer."

He knew that much to be true. He had Seen the invasion and the victory.
Standing here, on this mountain plateau with the valley that had haunted his
Visions for fifty years spreading below him, he knew that the plans he had
made on Nye were perfect.

The Black King had arrived.

And nothing would stand in his way.
THE INVASION [Two Weeks Later]
Two Arianna peered into the wavy silvered
glass and jutted out her chin.

The birthmark was the size of her thumbprint, darker than the rest of her
already dark skin, and as obvious as the pimples the new hearth boy had.

She pulled her dressing gown tighter, then glanced behind her. Still no
maid. Good. Her bedroom was empty. Sunlight poured in the open window, and
the birds in the garden chirruped. The bed was made, and she had thrown her
new gown on the coverlet. The dress had a low-cut bodice, which her father
wouldn't approve of, and a cinched waist that tapered into a flared skirt.
The dressmaker had begged her not to use that pattern, but Arianna had stared
the woman down.

The last I knew, Arianna had said in her best haughty voice, I was the
Princess. Has someone given my title to you?

The dressmaker had had the grace to blush. She had done what Arianna wanted,
knowing that if she didn't the palace wouldn't hire her again.

The palace might not hire her again anyway. Arianna had heard the woman
curse when she thought Arianna wasn't in the room.

Demon spawn.

Even after fifteen years, the Islanders didn't know what to make of Arianna.
She was the second child of Nicholas, the Islander King, and Jewel, the
granddaughter of the Fey's Black King. Arianna had never known her mother.
Jewel had been murdered the day Arianna was born.