“What was that about?” Shota demanded once they had a free moment after all the “respects” paid by their hosts. “This wasn’t what we had discussed. We agreed on negotiation, not intimidation or making threats. I had to make profuse apologies on your behalf.”
Veer watched with consternation as Shota removed his turban and set it on the dressing table. His movements were short and choppy from his anger. Unlike others, Shota never threw stuff around, even when he was obviously angry.
They were given as many spacious rooms as the austere surroundings could spare in the royal quarters of the temple complex. In the distance, Veer heard the peal of the temple bell echoing across the wooded hills. The dwellings were built with kilned-dried bricks and red clay mortar. White limestone paste was drawn in a decorative border two inches from the ground along the four walls. The ceiling was made of clay tiles and wooden beams. Plain but sturdy furniture occupied the rooms.
Billadev reclined against the silk-patterned cushions and stuffed a handful ofjujubesin his mouth. “There is no use cryingover spilled milk,” he said in a muffled voice. Veer ignored him as usual.
“You wouldn’t be in the position you are, Shota, as the chief spy-master, if you can’t handle being thrown into hot water like that. Stop complaining. We have achieved what we came for. The princess will come with us,” said Veer, crossing his arms.
“Oh, really, what bird whispered that in your ear?” said Shota sarcastically, throwing himself into a chair, arms folded. Despite being stuck in what must have been exhausting meetings, Shota didn’t appear to relax. Sometimes Veer wondered if Shota ever relaxed or if he slept like he had logs trapped on either side of his body. “Because I was trapped in negotiations after you had to leave and I can tell you, right now, that Queen Padmavathi Devi isn’t willing to send her daughter with a brute like you.”
“Queen Padmavathi?” Veer wondered why that name seemed familiar.
“Yes, Chandrasena’s birth mother.” Shota informed him with exaggerated patience.
“We don’t need her approval,” dismissed Veer, moving toward the window. Bright greenery bathed in sunlight greeted him. “All we need is the ruling triumvirate’s agreement and she will come with us.”
Shota put his head into his hands. “It’s not quite that simple,” he said, his words indistinct. “A daughter can’t leave the household without permission from her elders. Including her parents.”
“I thought she could, if her husband commanded her to,” argued Veer, glancing back at Shota.
“Normally yes. But you haven’t claimed her as your wife yet. You left immediately after the marriage ceremony, leaving some rituals incomplete, which, well…doesn’t give you the rightunless you get permission from her parents again. And with the way things are, Padmavathi Devi refuses to do that.”
“But Queen Rathi Devi is her parent too. She is her stepmother. She will allow Chandrasena to come with us.” Veer was starting to understand why Shota seemed so panicky. He himself felt the beginnings of anxiety in his gut.
His mission in Thianvelli to find another person who could work the lotus key proved to be fruitless. Here, Prince Bhupathi was missing. Which left Chandra as the only possible alternative. They needed to get the princess to come with them or there was going to be no answer to Meru’s problem.
The fingers of his hand tapped against the windowsill, and he made himself stop the nervous tic.
“True, but Padmavathi Devi is her birth mother, and she can override decisions of the triumvirate and Queen Rathi Devi when it concerns her daughter’s well-being,” said Shota.
“Stupid, infernal rules,” swore Veer. “Why do they have to make them so bloody complicated?”
“They may be complicated, but people here are bound by them. I think this time you might have overplayed your hand.” Shota massaged his temples.
“So, the way I see it, I must convince Queen Padmavathi Devi, then everything will be set?” asked Veer, rubbing his clean-shaven jaw. “Do you think we can ask Chandrasena to convince her mother?”
“After the way you behaved, why would she want to do that?” asked Shota, brows raised.
“You can lead the horse to water, but you can’t make it drink,” said Billadev sagely.
“Would you keep your mouth shut while eating?” Shota voiced his irritation. Billadev spat out the seeds and grinned. Veer knew Billadev took special pleasure in tormenting Shota.For him, every day he made the V appear on Shota’s forehead was a day well spent in meaningful activities.
“I believe I have a way.” Veer recounted the incident where he had unexpectedly met the princess that night when he was fleeing from Thianvelli’s guards.
“A princess working in secret? It sounds preposterous. Are you sure? It was really dark then,” said Shota. “I must admit, I hadn’t seen the commander’s face clearly.”
“I wasn’t completely certain then. But after seeing her today, there is no doubt in my mind. It was her. And what’s more interesting is it seemed like she wanted me to keep it a secret. I figured if the negotiations break down, I can always use this as leverage to make her agree to come with me,” said Veer.
Shota rubbed his finger in the groove between his lower lip and chin and regarded his friend. “Are you saying that you threw that knife deliberately? It wasn’t because you lost your cool?”
“I was angry, yes, but I’m not stupid,” said Veer.
Shota snorted. “Could’ve fooled me. Couldn’t you have found something besides a knife to throw at her?”
“It was all I had in my hand,” Veer deadpanned. “Why are you upset? My actions made the triumvirate back away from asking for Kalpeet again. They’ll be thinking we’re not as desperate if I can afford to make an attempt on the life of the person I have the most need for.”
“True, but don’t you think you could’ve done it in a more subtle way? This isn’t going to do your reputation any good,” said Shota.
