Tree Singer by Jacci Turner (best novels for beginners TXT) 📕

“Don’t you look fine, Thomas!” boomed the king. “Can’t say I’ve ever seen you look quite so . . . Of course, it’s not often we get visited by two beautiful women on the same day.”

This surly boy must be Thomas the First.

The boy frowned, his face coloring slightly.

“You’ve met my oldest son?” the king asked, confirming her suspicion.

Tray gave a small bow, taking a step closer to Cather who managed a curtsy. Mayten tried to follow her lead, but one leg wobbled and she shifted into a bow. Where had Cather learned such a skill? No one curtsied in their village, not even to the clan leader.

Besides, this young man wasn’t worth the effort of trying.

Such a strange king, Mayten thought, though she felt much kindlier toward the king than she did toward his oldest son.

Thomas the First—was he a prince, then?—bowed deeply. “Singer, Healer, Traveler,” he said in a formal voice. “Welcome.”

Mayten could feel a snarl begin to curl her lip. With effort, she made her face relax. Gracious host, my foot. This boy was no prince, not in her mind. Princes did not leer at people the way he’d leered at them back at the pond.

“Thomas, show our guests to their rooms if you would.” The king smiled at them and offered a small bow. “I’ve had clean clothes laid out for you and arranged for small snacks. The benefit of having seven children is that there are always spare clothes around, though food often mysteriously disappears.”

Seven children. Something else to remind her of home. Had the king and queen lost any of their children to the great fever like her family had?

The prince leaned in and whispered to his father.

“Eight! Of course!” The king grinned. “I forgot the most recent addition to our family. Another girl.” He sighed, though the sound was happy. “This one took a lot from my wife, though. Could you look in on her, Healer? After you’ve changed and refreshed yourself, of course. She’s having trouble regaining her strength. Thomas will show you the way.”

“I’d be happy to, King Redmond.” Cather’s cheeks reddened.

“I’ll go check on her now then. I’ll see you shortly.” The king strode from the room, whistling a tune as he left.

His presence had taken up so much of the room Mayten felt his leaving like a physical loss. The room grew quiet, the three of them staring at the prince who seemed to deflate.

“Come on, I’ll show you to your rooms.” He looked resigned, though not eager. “Can I get your bags?”

“We’re carrying everything we brought,” Tray said.

The prince’s expression changed slightly, though Mayten couldn’t decide if he was impressed or disgusted. “Follow me then.”

He led the way, falling into step with Tray. They were partway down the hall when the prince began peppering Tray with questions—about questing.

Mayten and Cather glanced through the arched doorways as they walked. One room looked like a large nursery with several cribs and hand-carved toys littering the floor. Several doors were closed and Mayten found herself wondering what was in those rooms.

One open archway led to a dining room dominated by a long wooden table. From the loud banging and muffled shouting Mayten heard, she guessed there was a kitchen beyond the dining room and pictured people scurrying to prepare food for unexpected guests.

Her stomach grumbled. It had been some time since they’d eaten a proper meal.

While the downstairs had stone floors and smelled of food preparation, the stairs to the second floor were covered in a thick red carpet, worn but still beautiful. This fit Mayten’s image of what a palace should look like.

The carpet led them to the second floor, softening their footsteps and filling the air with comfort and welcome. Large open windows flooded the rooms with light and fresh air. Mayten loved the feel of the carpet under her boots. Her house had a few rugs over the wooden floor but to have the entire floor covered in carpet felt like something of a dream. She longed to take off her boots and dig her toes into the soft carpet.

A sitting area topped the stairs. Small couches huddled beneath windows that looked out to sea. Books were scattered here and there, as if waiting for the next person to curl up and begin reading.

Mayten thought she’d love to sit by a window and read. It would be almost as nice as sitting on her tree branch with a good book.

Two hallways led away from the sitting room toward the rear of the castle. She’d misjudged the size of the building. It stretched much further back than it appeared, reminding her of the wings behind her own house. The wings of the homestead were visible from the front, fanning from the main building at an angle. These ‘wings’ stretched directly behind the castle.

Prince Thomas led them down the hall on the left.

“Do you think the family lives there?” Cather whispered, pointing to the hall to the right.

“Perhaps,” Mayten said. “Or maybe they have rooms on the main floor. These wings could be for guests. Maybe we’ll get a chance to explore.”

Thomas gestured to the first door on his right. “Traveler, this is your room.” He gestured to the first two rooms on the left. “Singer and Healer, your rooms are here. They have an adjoining door. I’ll let you decide who sleeps where. Healer, would you join me by the stairs as soon as you’ve changed? I’ll take you to my mother.”

Cather nodded, looking more shy than normal. Had she become smitten with this strange prince? Mayten glanced at Tray, who didn’t look happy.

“I’ll see the rest of you at dinner. You’ll hear a bell to call you.” He turned and hurried away without giving Mayten a second look.

Good, I might have had to punch him.

“Three rooms,” Cather said, “all to ourselves.”

The thought of not sharing a room with her cranky sister made Mayten smile.

Cather pointed down the hall. Doors lined the hall on both sides. “I wonder if anyone else