Read The Sorcerer's Concubine (The Telepath and the Sorcerer Book 1) Online
Authors: Jaclyn Dolamore
The Sorcerer's Concubine (The Telepath and the Sorcerer Book 1) (21 page)
Dlara crossed his arms. “This is quite a mess. This camp is unlikely to be quiet ever again, now that we’ve killed a dragon. I’d be sorry to lose you two…but the suspicion of Velsa has become too dangerous. I’m willing to discharge you officially, but I don’t know where you can go…” He glanced outside and then noticed the stablehand. “Barlem, would you mind stepping out a moment?”
“No, sir.”
“Have you ever considered…claiming her as a flesh-born Fanarlem?”
Velsa gripped her hands together.
“I have,” Grau said carefully.
“I think it would be wise.”
“You really think so?”
“The thing is, whether or not it’s true that Fanarlem are meant to be slaves, she has done her duty. She’s protected us and she obviously makes you happy. This cruelty is unwarranted, and so I would be willing to notarize a birth record for her. But I’ll also have to claim that you brought her into this camp illegally, claiming she was a concubine so you could have your wife with you, and that I docked your pay accordingly. Which
will
make you seem a bit eccentric. But you’ll need a story to take home with you.”
“Sir—I hardly know what to say. Sounds like you’ve thought about this as much as I have.”
“I doubt it.” Dlara smirked.
“I can’t go home, though,” Grau said. “My father knows Velsa is no flesh-born Fanarlem and he would never play along. I need to put as much distance between this place and home as I can.”
“That’s a shame,” Dlara said.
“I’ve been considering going to Nalim Ima. You’ve been there, haven’t you?”
“Yes,” Dlara said. “It’s a very advanced nation. Surprises at every turn. I think you’d both enjoy it.”
“Do you think they’d treat Velsa well?”
“If they think she’s flesh-born, I’m sure they will. And I can tell you, I expect you’ll see plenty of phonographs.”
T
hat very night
, Dlara made up all the requisite papers.
“I’ve broken more than a few laws tonight,” he said. “But I’m betting all the distraction of dragons at the border will keep anyone from noticing. Still, be smart. Keep your secrets for all of our sake.”
They exchanged bows with Dlara—and offered him profuse thanks. Velsa hardly knew what to say.
“Don’t look so happy,” Dlara said. “I’m afraid the world might get a lot uglier before long. Enjoy your happiness, may it last you for decades to come.”
They said goodbye to Rawly, who hardly seemed to notice the weight of what had happened, and merely invited them to stay with him in his hometown any time.
They set off for the town. The rain had stopped, and town was close enough that they could still get a decent sleep. They had just been there that morning for her repairs, after all, but that seemed like a week ago already.
Velsa stared at the humble, hand-written paper Dlara had made up, with a eighteen-years-past date and a fictional signature, asserting that she had been born Velsa Biarnan, to a Halnari Miralem mother and a Daramon father, in the city of Nisa.
The rest of her false story, she would have to imagine for herself.
“So, I suppose this means we’re married,” Grau said. “I hope you didn’t want a big wedding.”
She scoffed. “I don’t need a wedding,” she said, “as long I get a wedding night.”
T
hank
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(
S
eries can be read
in any order)
T
HE ATLANTIS FAMILIES
(Young Adult Fantasy):
Book 1:
The Vengeful Half
Book 2:
The Stolen Heart
Book 3: Fall 2016
T
HE TELEPATH
AND THE SORCERER (New Adult Fantasy):
Book 1:
The Sorcerer’s Concubine
Book 2: The Sorcerer’s Wife, Fall 2016
J
aclyn Dolamore has
a passion for history, vintage dresses, David Bowie, anime, and food. She lives with her partner and plot strategist Dade and three weird cats in an 140-year-old house in western Maryland. She loves to hear from readers!
