Schism: The Battle for Darracia (Book 1) by Michael Phillip Cash

this was worth everything. If they had only a short time together, it must last a lifetime for her.
    V’sair smiled, his thin mouth revealing perfect white teeth. She amused him. “Subjective how?”
    Tulani thought and finally answered , choosing her words with extreme care. “Your mother shows a great preference for me. Sometimes it creates tension in our court.”
    “ Yes?”
    “ Well…” She bit her top lip, and V’sair thought her endearing, her arms folded defensively across her chest. You are not so bold as you want others to believe , he thought, a smile tugging at his lips.
    “S ometimes others make those from the Desa feel unwelcome. It can be…disheartening.”
    “ Do you share this information with my lady mother?”
    Tulani walked over to the window and took in the boundless night sky. There were so many things she wanted to say to V’sair. She didn’t like the way the Darracians treated her. They could be mean and cruel. Sometimes being a favorite was not a good thing, but she would endure all that and more, just for a glimpse of his noble face. “She has enough to worry about, don’t you think?”
    “ Do you like my mother?” he asked her.
    “ She can be…”
    “ Hard?” V’sair supplied, and felt his spirits lift when Tulani laughed. It came from deep in her belly—a rich, dark laugh as lush as the Desa itself—and he warmed to her.
    “ When someone gives you high expectations, it causes you to strive to be the best you can be. You should know that, Your Highness. The entire court talks of your devotion to the Sradda.” He nodded, and she finished. “I love and admire your mother, more than my own. If not for her, I would be tethered to the ground and not flying among angels in the sky.”
    “ Ha!” He laughed with pleasure. “Now I know you are roasting me. Darracians and angels, an unlikely match.”
    Tulani raised a delicate brow, her red face alight with laughter, her eyes drinking in his ethereal beauty. “I could name a few.”
    They walked through the hallways of the castle, toward the stables, more as equals now. V ’sair had a newfound respect for the girl. She was not a bowing toady, looking to ingratiate herself with him to achieve her ends. He liked her, he realized with surprise. She listened to him, her face totally engaged when he spoke to her. She was authentic, and as they walked, a feeling of peace enveloped him. She didn’t seem to mind his lack of a tail or his colorless hair. Even from here they heard the hustle of the busy area. Soldiers were coming in, their clothes dusty from the red soil of the Desa. In groups they entered, talking and bowing slightly to the young prince.
    Two Quy roo stable masters jumped as he entered, rushing to ready his mount.
    There was nothing V’sair loved more on this planet than Hother. A giant among the other stalliuses, she stood meters over most of the others and snorted softly as she sensed his approach.
    “ Hother awaits. Let’s be off.”
    Hother was beautiful , with her huge muscles under a white coat and giant white-feathered wings spanning six feet on either side of her heaving sides. “He matches you perfectly.” The stunning creature awed Tulani. She was blindingly white, the same color as V’sair’s bleached mane. The servant girl reached out to stroke the stallius’s side.
    “ She ,” he corrected her.
    He patted her neck affectionately , and Tulani thought he was so very handsome when he wasn’t scowling. Holding her halter, he blew gently on his mount’s nose. The stallius snuffled then pushed her head against his gentle hands. V’sair reached into his pocket and pulled out a fruit that was grabbed by large teeth.
    “ Forgive me, Highness. She is splendid, a rare beauty.”
    As if to agree, Hother snorted, her fierce nostrils flaring, her enormous hooves sparking against the cobbled floor of the stables. In one fluid motion, V’sair lifted himself easily onto his stallius’s back then held out a