Dragon Defense (Heirs to the Throne Book 3) by Diane Rapp

Tamarind’s belt and said, “No!”  He tried to avert his gaze, but Tamarind stared at him with sea-green eyes rimmed by dark lashes above a sheer veil.  Thick black hair, swept seductively to one side, framed her chiseled face and exposed her slender neck.  Salizar’s gaze followed the flow of hair draped over a narrow shoulder and spread like a veil over curves accented by shimmering folds of gold fabric.  He obviously ached to possess the woman.
    Andrew laughed and Salizar blinked.  “Your eyes betray her value!”  Tamarind’s eyelashes fluttered, pleased with the compliment.  “Now, present your true offer.  Do not insult the king again!”
    Donovan detected a flicker of amusement in the rider’s eyes. 
    Salizar said, “The Mullah of Kesh offers forty horses, two caskets of gold, a string of pearls, and this jewel.”  He held out a glittering emerald and turned so everyone saw the gem.  Murmurs spread and Salizar grinned, his straight white teeth gleaming under a black moustache.
    “A better offer,” Andrew said.  “But it is rumored that Jarrack paid sixty horses, three caskets of gold, plus several jewels like those you offer.”
    Salizar scowled.  “Rumors tantalize the unwary with half-truths and dreams of the impossible.”
    “Oh?  Let’s ask the girl.”  Andrew turned to Tamarind.  “Tell us my beauty, what is your value?”
    Tamarind frowned.  If she lied, her value would be publicly lowered, but if she told the truth, her father would pay a higher ransom.  She shrugged.  “A true princess is beyond price but the mullah accepted sixty horses, three caskets of gold, the pearls, and that jewel as a mere token of his friendship with Jarrack.”  She lowered her eyes in feigned humility.
    “You see?”  Andrew turned a cold stare on Salizar.  “Jarrack understood the girl’s value.  Give us four caskets of gold and the jewels.  Horses, we have in excess.”
    Salizar swallowed hard.  “Sire, the horses graze on the plains nearby, and we brought only three caskets of gold.”
    “We know.”  Andrew grinned.  “Take ten days to sell the animals for the extra gold.  If you’re good at bargaining, you can secure a small profit for yourself.”
    Refusing the horses was a stroke of genius.  Andrew gained prestige by shunning the true offer while publicly stating the expected value of the horses. Salizar saved face and could sell the steeds at a high price. 
    “I’ll return with the agreed ransom in ten days, sire.”  Salizar bowed, touching his forehead and chest, and then swiftly departed from the Great Hall.  Tamarind sauntered out of the hall with a lofty attitude.
    “Well done, Andrew.”  Donovan chuckled.
    Andrew grinned.  “Sire, the price Jarrack paid was the boast of every desert trader over the last year.  I recouped gold he squandered from the treasury.”
    Donovan said, “Your wit and experience prove valuable to the crown. I’d hate to bargain against you.”
    The young man beamed with pride. 
    “Enough of this!”  Donovan shouted, “Give us some music.”
    A chord rang out as Rondall strummed a lute, and his mellow voice broke into a lively tune.  Donovan relaxed for the first time in days. 
    Krystal leaned close.  “Apparently we sold our favorite guest for a lofty sum.”  Her husky voice filled with merriment.
    “We recouped gold that Jarrack squandered.”  Donovan tried to sound serious but Krystal heard his mental words.  Glad to be rid of the little pest.
    Me too , she said mentally.  So why did you ask for ten days? Does Trenton plan a special visit to the spaceport?
    Donovan grinned.  I can never fool you.  Spare parts for the computers are sitting there, and he can use Tamarind’s journey as a distraction from the desert riders.
    Krystal pretended to stare at the crowd .  Are we going to need the planetary defense system soon?             
    We must be prepared.  Trenton and Chella want to train some