"Joanna Wylde - Dragon's Mistress" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wylde Joanna)

set of doors opened before them, and they entered a room that was large and formal. He pulled her
across to another set of doors, leading her through a series of rooms that became smaller and more
informal the further they retreated.

Finally, they entered what had to be his chamber, a large, airy space decorated in simple yet
lush furnishing. Against one wall was a bed. One entire side of the room was taken up in windows
overlooking the city. She hadnтАЩt realized how much time had passed, but it was full night out, and the
buildings spread out before them sparkled like thousands of gems.

тАЬThese are my people,тАЭ he said simply, gesturing toward the city with a sweep of his arm. тАЬMy
family has ruled this system for a thousand years. Our family has been in power longer than the current
imperial dynasty.тАЭ

What could she say to that? Dani wondered. She was a courtesan, trained to deal with men of
power. But somehow, spouting out one of the light-hearted remarks she usually affected, seemed so
inappropriate to the moment. They were alone in his room, she realized, the most private place in his
palace. Yet not a single personal item seemed to be kept here. It was lovely, but completely devoid of
personality.

There were no other people around, either. No guards and no sign of a spouse or children. She
hadnтАЩt heard of any other family members, she realized with a start. Usually ruling families were
surrounded by courtiers, hangers-on and distant relatives. This palace seemed all but empty.

тАЬWhere is your family?тАЭ she asked before she had time to think better of the question.

тАЬI donтАЩt have any family,тАЭ he said, looking at her with amusement. тАЬDidnтАЩt Guildmistress Karya
give you any background on me before sending you to spy on me?тАЭ

Her breath caught.

тАЬYou were monitoring our conversation?тАЭ she asked tightly, fear filling her. What would he do
to a woman heтАЩd caught spying?

тАЬOf course,тАЭ he said, his tone mocking. тАЬI have to be very careful, you know. I find myself in a
delicate position dynastically. My brother is dead, killed in the war against the Saurellians. I was his only
heir, and now IтАЩm alone. He served on the front, at the EmperorтАЩs personal request.тАЭ He paused for a
moment, allowing his words to sink in.

тАЬIf I were killed now, this entire system would be forfeit to the Emperor,тАЭ he added.

She had no idea what to say in response to this revelation. Surely Karya had known that, but
they hadnтАЩt had time to discuss the situation in depth. After all, she was a courier and courtesan, not a
spy. Her only experience was bringing pleasure to others she thought frantically.
 тАЬI see,тАЭ she said, stalling for time. He turned away from her again, and her eyes flew around the
chamber, looking for an escape route, or something to use as a weapon.

тАЬI doubt very much that you do see,тАЭ he said, his face dimly lit by the lights of the city. There was
bleakness in his voice that made her heart twinge. He looked so alone, standing there above his home.

тАЬThese people are utterly dependent on me,тАЭ he said quietly. тАЬThere are more than 40 billion of them