Third Daughter (The Dharian Affairs, Book One) by Susan Kaye Quinn Page B

strike from the air...”
    Aniri couldn’t ever recall seeing her mother afraid. A chill ran over her, like a gust of northern air had just swept through the room.
    “Even so,” her mother said, “the idea of sending you into a den of barbarians keeps sleep from finding me at night.”
    “No, Mother, you’re right.” Aniri’s heart skipped as she saw the plan become real. “If the threat is real, we must face it. If it’s as much of a danger to Dharia as you say, it is worth the risk.” Somehow the prospect of being caught as a spy in Jungali frightened her less than the prospect of marriage to a man she didn’t love. At least then the pain would be over quickly.
    The Queen smiled and brushed her hand along Aniri’s hair. “My third daughter… I had a feeling you would say that.”
    “Why didn’t you just tell me from the outset?” Clouds crowded the pumping thrill of having found a way out of the marriage. “Your majesty can confide in me.” Even as she said it, Aniri wondered how much the Queen had ever really confided in her. Even now.
    “It is a lot to ask of you, Aniri.” She dropped her hand. “The marriage may yet be required to stabilize the situation politically. I wanted you to seriously consider that option. If it wasn’t something you would entertain, then—”
    “You didn’t think I would do my duty,” Aniri said, her back straightening.
    “I wanted you to give serious thought to whether you would sacrifice your future for Dharia,” the Queen said stiffly, “before I asked you to possibly sacrifice your life.”
    She had expected Aniri to say no.
Expected
her to embarrass the Queen and shirk her duty. Never mind that Aniri would prefer almost anything to the arranged marriage, even if it meant risking her life. It was a test her mother had expected her to fail. She would no doubt find Prince Malik more noble than her own daughter, with his apparent willingness to sacrifice everything for his country.
    Aniri wanted to say something, but words tangled in the hot burning on her cheeks. Her mother had returned to her desk, studying her communiques. Without looking up, the Queen added by way of dismissal, “The prince awaits your decision in my anteroom.”
    Finding nothing she could say without regret, Aniri turned to the door of the Queen’s office.
    “Aniri,” her mother called, stopping her with her hand on the knob. “You understand the ruse must be complete. No one may suspect your true purpose, and you must communicate directly with me or Janak. He will accompany you for your personal security. I will provide you with an aetheroceiver before you depart. You must not tell anyone else. You... you must not tell Devesh anything of your true mission.”
    Aniri’s eyes narrowed. Her mother knew about that, too. For how long? Janak must have told her. A flash of anger heated Aniri’s face further, and her heart pounded with the realization that of course she would have to lie to Devesh. If there was any hope of her mission succeeding, it would require the utmost secrecy.
    She would have to lie. To the man she loved. And tell him she was marrying another.
    “I’m at your Majesty’s service.” Aniri yanked open the Queen’s door and left it wide as she practically raced down the hall. She choked back tears as the full force of what she was about to do hit her. Her anger was tamed only slightly by the knowledge that after the deception was done, she would be free—once and for all.
    She only hoped Devesh would still want her.
    She stalked down the stairs to the Queen’s antechamber and flung open the door. When it banged against the stone wall, Prince Malik whirled to face her. He stood by the fireplace, looking off-balance by her sudden appearance. The deception had already begun, and from the outset, she was doing a poor job of it, storming in to accept his proposal.
    “Prince Malik.” She forced her voice to calm, and her steps to slow, as she approached.
    “Arama,