Free Desert Rising by Kelley Grant

think Tarik has any idea where to sell them.” Aunt Raella said, grinning. “You might be able to bargain with Tarik for them, just to get them off his hands. Don’t you think, Kadar?”
    Aunt Raella tried to bring Kadar into the conversation, but he just shrugged.
    Kadar couldn’t quite get in the mood for the celebration. He escaped the bustle of the family trying to prepare the house for so many ­people coming and went to the cool dimness of the stables.
    He was beginning to curry one of Uncle Aaron’s horses when he heard someone’s soft footsteps behind him.
    He whipped around, startling the mare.
    â€œSorry,” Farrah said. “I didn’t mean to creep up on you.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” he said, calming the mare with a hand on her neck. “Just a little uneasy after today. I’m worried about Severin—­that he mentioned my sister.”
    â€œBecause of the incident in the marketplace?” she asked.
    â€œYes, a little. I don’t like that he treated you that way, then asked if Sulis had friends to protect her. I’d like to find a way of getting to Sulis, to let her know she might be in danger from him. The Temple can’t know we’re in touch.”
    â€œYou really care about her, don’t you?” Farrah asked, cocking her head to one side.
    He nodded. “We’ve always been together. When I had something to say, she was always there to listen. When there was work, she was the extra set of hands. Being separated is irritating, as though I’m missing something I never knew I needed.”
    â€œI always wanted to be a twin,” Farrah said wistfully. “Ava is six years younger than I am, so I’m more like a second mother to her than a sister. And she’s the oldest. I’ve also got two little brothers and a toddler sister, born just after Father was killed.”
    â€œSulis would like you,” Kadar said.
    â€œI’d like to get to know her,” Farrah said with a smile. “You know, if you need to get a message to her, you can dress like a Forsaken and go shopping with me. Wear gloves and put a hood over your head as though you have the decaying disease. ­People never look very closely at us.”
    Kadar smiled, thinking about it. “Yes, that might work,” he said excitedly. “I could get her a message, figure out a place to meet. You’re brilliant, Farrah.”
    She blushed at the praise. “Just so long as you don’t get caught. It’s forbidden, dressing like a Forsaken if you’re not one.”
    He moved a little closer to her, drawn in by the blush on her cheeks and wondering if she felt the same attraction to him. She stepped away quickly and turned to leave.
    â€œOh!” she said, turning back. Her cheeks were still pink, and she seemed a bit flustered. “Your aunt sent me out to fetch you. She wants you to help carry kegs from the basement for your uncles. She’s afraid they’ll throw their backs out competing to see how much they can carry.”
    Kadar grinned and followed her inside with a lighter heart. Tonight was a celebration; tomorrow his work would really begin.
    He snagged a dance with Ava, who giggled as he spun her around the courtyard, showing her the quick steps of the set.
    â€œAre you and Farrah a ­couple?” she asked impudently, slightly out of breath as they stepped to the side to let others pass.
    Kadar blushed. “Um . . .” he stuttered, not knowing how to answer. “We’ve really just met.”
    â€œWell, I think she likes you. You’re all she talked about when she came home yesterday. Do you like her?”
    Kadar was saved from answering by Simon’s swooping in to spin Ava back out into the crowd of dancers. He glanced over to where Farrah was serving and found her watching him. He was rewarded with a brilliant smile, and when he made his way to bed hours later, he fell