The Merchant of Dreams by Anne Lyle - Sample Chapters

Mal stared at him, all arguments dying on his lips.

“Mourning is private time,” Kiiren went on. “It is best if you leave as soon as possible. One of our ships will take you over to France; we cannot spare time for journey to England.”

Sandy hugged the skrayling, grinning at Mal. “Of course. Thank you, amayi.”

Mal quickly retrieved his and Coby’s packs from the tent.

“Let’s leave them to say their farewells,” he said, and ushered her up the path out of the dell.

“Lord Kiiren gave in very easily,” Coby said when they were out of earshot.

“Too easily. If I were of a suspicious turn of mind, I’d think he wants to be rid of us for reasons of his own.”

“Such as?”

“Now that is the question. And unfortunately, on an island inhabited by none but skraylings, we have no means of spying on him to find out.”

“What if Kiiren changes his mind about Sandy coming with us?”

“Then I will go back down there and beat some sense into him.”

Coby broke into a grin and he smiled back, not certain how seriously he meant it. To come this close to getting Sandy back, and then fail? No, he would not accept that. His left hand strayed to his sword hilt, thumb rubbing the pommel absentmindedly as they walked back towards the main camp.