Free The Dragon Queens (The Mystique Trilogy) by Traci Harding Page B

at him, sure that he wasn’t getting the whole story. ‘I do believe they hang them these days,’ our son confessed at last.
    ‘And much worse,’ Miss Koriche added. ‘In recent times, condemned criminals have been crucified, blown from guns, buried alive, impaled, converted into human torches, and torn asunder by being bound to the tops of two trees which are bent together and then allowed to spring back into position.’
    Lord Devere glared at me. ‘I do my best to support you in most things, Mrs Devere, but I draw the line at a suicide mission.’
    ‘I shall present the Shah with a gift,’ I said, avoiding my husband’s protest and looking at Mr Taylor. ‘Then it would be considered rude to have me executed, would it not?’
    ‘It would have to be a rare gift indeed,’ Taylor cautioned. ‘And I would certainly find a dress to wear in the Shah’s presence.’ He gestured to the male attire I donned for excavation work.
    ‘What gift could we possibly come up with that would be considered rare to the King of Persia?’ Lord Devere was exasperated. ‘And even if we could think of such a gift, we don’t have it.’
    ‘But we do,’ I said.
    My husband served me a look of caution, sure that I was referring to my psychic abilities.
    ‘It’s not what you think,’ I said. ‘However, I do believe that I now understand why it was so important that Cingar accompany us on this quest.’
    ‘No. We shall not endanger his life too,’ my lord said firmly.
    ‘But do you not see that it was fated?’ I argued.
    ‘I was under the impression that you did not believe in fate.’
    My lord had caught me out, for indeed I do not believe in fate. To do so is to believe that one is at the mercy of external forces, whereas I am quite aware that I create my own reality.
    ‘I should have said it was predestined, by myself,’ I granted. ‘I need something to offer the Shah, and the universe provided it long before I even knew I needed it.’
    ‘It is not right for you to take advantage of Cingar’s devotion to you.’ My husband refused even to consider my plan.
    ‘Let us put it to Cingar,’ I suggested, which only angered my husband more.
    ‘He owes you his life and will refuse you nothing!’ he snapped. ‘Even if it costs him his own life in payment.’
    ‘Do you not see that pledge is only an excuse?’ I said gently. ‘The real reason that Cingar has come back into my life is not wholly to do me service. He has come looking for a new purpose.’
    Lord Devere calmed a degree as he considered this new idea that Cingar was using our voyage to escape the loss of his wife. ‘Very well,’ he said, ‘we shall let our friend decide for himself. But I shallpose the question to him, so that he may feel less obliged.’
    I agreed.
    When my husband put the idea to Cingar, his response was: ‘Of course I shall play for the Shah if it will be of service to you and your quest. I feel sure this must be why Chiara sent me to your aid.’
    Clearly Lord Devere was outnumbered. The rest of our party were keen to at least attempt an appeal, and thus, as usual, I got my way. Still, the hard look my husband gave me indicated that I should not expect him to be happy about the decision, or my defiance of his wishes.
    On the morning that we were preparing to leave for Baghdad, Levi sought out his father and me to tell us that Miss Koriche had disappeared.
    ‘She is probably on site somewhere—’ I began.
    ‘No, she isn’t,’ Levi cut in. ‘I have had the entire site searched.’
    ‘Perhaps she had to go and pick up supplies or—’
    ‘She would have mentioned it,’ Levi insisted, becoming more desperate by the second.
    ‘What makes you think that Miss Koriche would inform you of her every move?’ Lord Devere probed curiously.
    Levi appeared stunned by his father’s question. His reaction was answer enough.
    ‘Where did you last see Miss Koriche?’ my lord persisted.
    Levi appeared suddenly discomfited. ‘In my