“Food as a hobby…” Blue snorted softly. “Nice.”
Chandra picked up some bread and carefully slathered it with butter. “Speaking of food and indulgence…Leela, you and I have received an invitation to dinner. Tomorrow evening.”
I set down my fork, stomach sinking at the thought of having to mingle with the raees. The nobles would be vying for favor, no doubt. “Who’s invited us?”
“Asura Arpita.” Chandra arched a brow as if waiting for me to come to a realization of some kind.
It took a moment, but the penny dropped. “Arpita is Danava. Does that mean we’re going to the Danava domain?”
“We are indeed,” Chandra said. “And we will be protected. Do not fear.”
“Why? Do you think someone will try to hurt her?” Dharma asked.
“There is always the possibility, but Arpita is not an enemy of the monarchy,” Chandra said. “She despises the Authority and will happily see it disbanded or recast under a monarch’s rule.”
“So ya saying she won’t hurt Leela but someone else might?” Blue said. “Is it worth it, then? Going? I mean…if this Arpita chick is already an ally, why does Leela need to go?”
“To confirm to Arpita that I’m an ally, right?” I looked to Chandra. “Andshow anyone else who might be paying attention that I have support.”
He smiled and nodded. “The invitations you accept, the people you mingle with, speak volumes about the person you are and the policies you might bring into play. The Danava were persecuted for the actions of their king. You dining with his descendant sends a clear message. All is forgiven. The Danava raees have been given no standing in the Shahee Kshetra…but maybe with a monarch who is sympathetic…”
“Allies are important,” Keyton said.
“The Authority isn’t going to like this,” Bina said, a smile tugging at her lips.
I was going to be queen whether the Authority liked it or not. I no longer had to play at being pliable. What could they do about it, try to kill me harder? “Fuck them.”
I would be myself and findtrueallies.
I sat back in my seat. “Can we get a list of who’ll be there?”
Chandra smiled, slow and slightly wicked. “Yes, Leela, we most certainly can.”
There would be no charming and ingratiating myself this time. This time, it would be them who would have to charm me.
Chapter 10
THE PERFECT AIM
The day passed uneventfully. Blue and I hung out with the others in the sitting room, explored the palace a little more, and spent some time with Jahira in the kitchens before the evening meal. Chandra popped in at supper to inform me that my training with Pakshiraj could begin tomorrow and that Dhoona and Yudh would take me to the thunderbird roost in the domain below.
By the time I got into bed, I was more than ready for sleep. I slipped into dreaming easily, drifting back to my childhood home. To the cozy cottage kitchen at sunset where Nani rolled out chapati for supper.
I sat at the table to watch her, mesmerized by the shimmer that seemed to surround her. A halo of light at her back that shifted as she moved.
“You saw it, but you didn’t understand it,” a male voice echoed around me.
I blinked and sat up straighter. I was dreaming.Thiswas a dream.
A figure materialized on the other side of the table. Tall, broad-shouldered, dark hair mussed, a lopsided smile curling his lips.
I knew this man from the labyrinth. He’d kissed me and helped me remember who I was. “You…”
“Me.” He grinned. “My name is C’ael, and I’m here to help you.”
“You kissed me in the labyrinth.”
“Yes, I’m sure it was very memorable. I have that effect on women…I think.”
