Free Born of Shadows by Sherrilyn Kenyon

been donated as the prize for a competition.
    Her mother’s other three consorts were Qillaq born and as such had been trained from birth as warriors, the same as the Qillaq women. But because of their perfect beauty, they’d been auctioned off instead of being sent into battle to be scarred. The only time her mother’s consorts had been allowed to fight was when her mother had claimed them.
    One battle only to see if they were worthy of being a king. All of them had failed. Now they were nothing more than pampered pets who were at the mercy of her mother’s whims.
    Her mother’s eyes glowed with a pride Desideria had never seen in them before. “Kara cherished that sword above everything.”
    Desideria made sure the regret she felt over those words show in her demeanor or expression. “Then she should have fought harder to keep it.”
    Her mother laughed. “You continue thinking like that and you may yet be my successor, tainted bloodline and all.”
    Desideria pressed her lips together to keep from saying something that might get her banished. After all, her mother had chosen to sleep with her father and allowed herself to become pregnant by him. If there was anyone to blame for her faulty bloodline, it was her mother and not her.
    But her mother didn’t want to hear that.
    “You did me proud, Desideria. And since you’re no longer a student or a child, I want to offer you Kara’s former position in my Guard.”
    Those words took her by complete surprise. Not hard to do since she was more accustomed to her mother’s condemnation than praise. “Pardon?”
    “You heard me and you know how much I hate to repeat myself.”
    Desideria barely caught herself before she hugged her mother as excitement raced through her. That wouldn’t be received well. The only emotions Qillaqs were allowed to show were anger, but never during battle, and occasionally humor. The rest of the time, they were to be stern and serious.
    She cleared her throat and inclined her head to her mother. “I accept your offer, My Queen, and am honored that you think enough of me to make it.”
    Narcissa gasped behind her as she must have come out of the dressing area.
    Turning, Desideria saw her sister stalk toward them.
    Her sister raked her with a repugnant sneer. “What of me? I’m older. If anyone deserves to stand in your Guard, Mother, surely it is I.”
    Their mother’s eyes were cold and empty. “And you are still a student. You have never defeated your aunt and as such you’re unworthy to be in my Guard.”
    “But—”
    Her mother held her hand up fast in a gesture that cut Narcissa off. “You heard me, child .” That one word was a slap in the face and a reminder that their mother didn’t see Narcissa as an adult yet, but rather as a little girl who needed more instruction and discipline. “Now tend your place.”
    The look on her sister’s face was fierce and it promised Desideria a rematch. Furious at them both, she spun around and left.
    Desideria hated the fact that she’d just made a vicious enemy. This was not what she wanted.
    But her mother didn’t care. If anything, she fostered their resentment toward each other and reveled in it. “Report in the morning for your uniform. I’ll make sure that Coryn knows to put you on the summit detail, so prepare to leave with us.”
    In spite of her sister’s anger, that really made her want to jump up and down in excitement. She’d never left their planet before. As a child she’d spent hours listening to her father tell her about all the places he’d visited before being captured and all the incredible things he’d seen and done while there.
    Now she’d finally see some of them. She couldn’t wait.
    Maintaining her exterior calm, she gave her mother a tight-lipped smile. “Thank you, My Queen.”
    Her mother held her hand out to her.
    Desideria bent over and kissed her ring before she bowed low and took her leave. She didn’t let her happiness show until she was in