“Yes, I make sure of it.” His lips tightened. “That is something I do have authority over.”
The churning in my belly eased. Choice was something that everyone should have, and at least the humans were getting it. Once I took the throne, everyone would have that most precious privilege.
“Shall we go get your talisman now?” Chandra asked.
I nodded. “Yes. I’d like that.”
He smiled, an upside-down smile, offering me the crook of his arm. I took it, allowing him to lead me down a flight of stone steps and into the valley below.
Some stalls were wreathedin delicate fabrics and colorful beads. Others showcased clay pots and wood carvings. While several sold fresh produce, the food stalls laid with freshly fried samosas and bhajis saturated the air with delicious aromas. No one looked twice at us as we wove between them.
Chandra kept me close, steering clear of the few other Asura who were here—easily distinguishable by their larger stature and the expensive fabric of their clothes. I assumed his glamour didn’t work as well around his own kind.
I kept the shawl up over my head, my face hidden in shadow, even though it was unlikely anyone would recognize me here.
Someone hurried past me, and Chandra moved quickly to pull me against this hard frame, his arms wrapping around me like a shield to stop the man making contact.
We came to one of the many bridges that connected the banks, and Chandra steered us over it. Lanterns were fixed to the railings, the reflection of light on the water bordering the walkway all the way to the other side.
“It’s so beautiful here.”
“Yes, it is one of my favorite places to come at night.”
“It is?”
“Yes,” he said, a faraway look in his eyes. “It reminds me of…of a different time.”
“Oh?”
He smiled down at me. “Maybe I will share the story sometime.”
We reached the other bank, where fresh voices competed to be heard, to draw patrons to their stalls.
“Can you win? Can you claim a prize?”
“Three hoops for a prize of your choice.”
Chandra slowed his pace, his gaze on a crowded stall up ahead, a weak smile on his lips as his gaze took on that faraway look again.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.” He made to turn away, but I moved toward the stall, curious to see what had made him pause.
A voice drifted over the crowd. “One arrow, that is all you get!”
“Leela!” Chandra gripped my elbow. “Where are you going?”
“I want to see.” I wove through the crowd to get a better view of the stall, but it wasn’t a stall. It was an archery aisle. The target was tiny: an apple balanced on a dummy’s head. People were lined up to try and hit it with an arrow. The distance was vast, and shadows shrouded the target. No doubt the stall owner had set it up this way to make it harder for anyone to hit.
Arrows whizzed past the apple or lodged in the dummy’s head and torso. Many fell short of the target altogether.
Yeah, it was unlikely that anyone short of an expert marksman was going to hit it, and no doubt the patrons trying for the prize knew this. It was all in fun.
Chandra came up behind me, resting a hand on my shoulder. We watched as the queue dwindled to nothing and the crowd began to disperse.
“Come on!” the stall owner cried. “Is that it? No one else wants to try?” He looked over at us. “Young lady, do you wish your beau to win you a prize?” He glanced up at Chandra, his brow furrowing for a moment before smoothing out. “A wholebasket of juicy fruit is up for grabs. Think of the sweet desserts you’d be able to make.”
“Do you want to try?” Chandra asked me.
