“She had power, then?” Jahira said. “Enough to keep you safe?”
“Yes. She hid the mark that was on me…the one that helped the boat man, Rathor, find me. Nani was protecting me from being brought here, but that night, when the pishachas came, she removed whatever spell was on me and unveiled the mark. She saved my life and lost hers in the process, and now her soul is trapped wherever souls go when they’re devoured by those fucking creatures.” My grip on my cup tightened.
The two pari exchanged glances, something passing between them.
“It cannot be, can it?” Erabi said softly.
I looked between them. “What?”
“What was your nani’s name?” Jahira asked.
“Why do you ask?”
“Please humor me,” Jahira said.
“Kumarali.” It was an unusual name. One I’d not come across in the community before, but it suited Nani’s sweet nature.
Jahira sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh…yes…that makes sense now.”
“What?”
“The queen had a companion, a pari who was with her always. Her name was Kumarali. We believed she’d died in the fire. We mourned her loss, but now…” She shook her head, her eyes misting. “She stayed with the queen. Following the Vijayroodra bloodline. Raising you when your mother passed…”
“Wait, you’re saying my nani was a pari?”
“Yes. She was also my great-grandmother.”
“But then she must have been…How old?”
“Pari are immortal beings,” Jahira said. “We can be killed by certain means, but otherwise we choose when to age and when to die.”
“But she didn’t have wings.”
“None that you could see…” Jahira said. “The mortal world would have hidden them. Our wings are not only physical. They are also resonance and energy. Maybe your world does not have the right frequency for them to materialize.”
I sat back in my seat, pulse pounding. “A pari…”
Erabi placed her hand over mine on the table. “You were raised by one of us, Leela. Loved by one of us, and therefore you are loved by us all.”
I looked up at her, my eyes hot with the threat of tears. “She gave up everything for me. For my bloodline. I will free her soul.”
“Yes,” Erabi said. “I trust that you will. We believe in you.”
The room had fallen into silence once more, and when I glanced up, I found every pari watching me. My chest grew tight with emotions I couldn’t quite define.
“Well,” Blue said. “Talk about a revelation. Now, how about a spot of tea for the thirsty little anchor, eh?”
Jahira let out a soft laugh. “Of course, sweet boy. We can do that. Let me find a thimble.” She pushed back her chair and crossed the kitchen to root around in a drawer.
Erabi squeezed my hand, her brow pinching in concern.
But I was fine. I was more than fine because I had some answers now, and the rest would come when I freed Nani’s soul.
Chapter 9
BREAKFAST WITH MY CHAMPIONS
Blue perched on my shoulder as I followed Yudh and Keyton out of the east wing and into the gardens. Keyton had already been awake when Yudh knocked for me and offered to accompany us. He wasn’t Araz, but his company made the hollow pit inside me less…well, hollow, and I wagered I did the same for him.
