“I don’t care about that,” Veer said, glancing out the window again. He was aware that people here still called him “the barbarian of the desert horde” and “scourge of the north” behind his back. Choice epithets coined for him during the war between their two kingdoms. “These people best understand tactics like arm twisting,” he said grimly.
Seven years ago, after Amaravathi had questioned the sanctity of theirrajasuya yagna, Rajgarh had no choice but to engage in a battle with Amaravathi to prove their superior prowess.
“Well, I hope you know what you are doing,” said a resigned Shota. “I don’t know if the princess would be willing to travel with a man who is openly hostile toward her, even if you do threaten to reveal her secret.”
“Chandrasena will come,” said Veer, more confidently than he felt.
“Make hay while the sun shines,” came Billadev’s unneeded opinion.
“I swear, Billadev. If you don’t stop quoting inane sayings…” Shota advanced on him and there were some sounds of scuffling.
Veer gazed out the window and ignored them. He didn’t notice that his fingers had started tapping again.
* * *
Sometime later…
A knock sounded on the door. Shota went to open it.
A woman stood at the threshold, heavily in disguise, with multiple veils covering her face.
“Who’re you?” he asked.
“I’ve been called.” She reached her hands up to pull down the veils.
“Hold it,” said Shota. “Keep your hands where I can see them. We haven’t called anyone. Who sent you? How did you get past the guards?”
Veer placed a conciliatory hand on Shota’s shoulder. “It’s all right. I called her. She is our spy here.”
“What spy? We don’t have female spies here. I wouldn’t allow one in my employ—” Shota stopped suddenly, and his face cleared of confusion. “Ah. I see… Your mother must’ve appointed her.”
The queen of Rajgarh had built their spy network from the ground up before handing over the reins to Shota.
The woman took off her veils. She was young, in her late twenties, and the look she directed toward Shota was both challenging and disdainful.
“I would’ve thought you might have learned by now that women are just as capable in espionage.” Her words dripped with scorn.
Shota gritted his teeth as he recognized his longtime adversary. “You!”
Billadev looked between them. “You two know each other?”
“Sameera was a contender for the same position as Shota, but my mother had other plans for her,” explained Veer.
“Obviously, she preferred me for the more challenging task,” said Sameera. Her smug tone was wasted on Shota, who didn’t even deign to answer her. He turned to Veer.
“Why have you called her?” he asked irritably.
“So that she can tell us more about the princess.” Veer turned toward Sameera. “What exactly has the princess been doing? I found her in disguise, roaming with a bunch of soldiers. What has she involved herself in?”
“Are you asking out of concern, Prince Veer?” she asked, a hint of curiosity in her calm voice.
“Hardly,” said Veer, slashing an arm through the air in negation. “Obviously, I won’t be pleased to know my wife is mixed up in something unsavory that is going to be a problem in the future. On the other hand, if she is in something that hasa potential for, er…let’s say convincing her to come with us, I expect you to tell me.”
Sameera’s expression changed subtly. He got the impression she was disappointed with his request.
“I was sent to keep an eye on the princess, to make sure she comes to no further harm. I won’t divulge anything that puts her in more danger,” she said, her eyes guarded, even as she set her mouth in an obstinate line.
Veer was baffled at her answer. As a crown prince he wasn’t in the habit of hearing no. Especially from one of his own subjects. “You are under the employ of Rajgarh,” he said, a touch sternly. “Your first loyalty, though admirable, should belong to us.”
