“Your version sounds like too much pressure and like you’re not giving her a choice!”
“Oh really? Let’s try,” said Vikram. He turned to Aasha. “You are like family to us. You know that. In the process of merging our kingdoms together, a very important position has opened up in our innermost circle of advisors. We were hoping that you might consider staying with us for at least a couple more years—”
Aasha didn’t even let Vikram finish. She threw her arms around him and Gauri. Her shoulders shook as she muffled one critical word:
Yes.
Yes,of courseshe wished to stay. Nothing horrified Aasha more than the prospect of a human life without friends. Growing up, Aasha’s only family had been the sisters of thevishakanyaharem. But then the Otherworld kingdom had held the Tournament of Wishes, and Aasha had met Gauri and Vikram. Back then, they were merelycontestants, a young prince and princess fighting to retain a wish. But though they were champions, they were not the only victors. For her role in their story, Aasha had received the wish that let her out of the harem’s confines. At Vikram’s words, gratitude overwhelmed her. She was not yet ready to tire of the human world. With this promise of a new position, she would not be forced to leave.
When she finally lifted her head, she saw Vikram mouthing:I told you soto Gauri, who rolled her eyes.
“Well then it’s settled,” said Vikram.
“You haven’t even told her what the position is,” said Gauri.
“Oh right,” said Vikram.
Aasha didn’t much care for the name of the job. Kingdoms handed out titles that hardly made any sense. There was a secretary of Interior, but the person did not stay inside all the time. There was a Royal Taster, whose main task was to set out the food and never commented on the taste of a dish at all. Whatever they asked of her, she was certain it would be simple.
“What is it?” asked Aasha.
Vikram reached for Gauri’s hand.
“We would like you to be our Spy Mistress.”
2
Spy Mistress.
That title was nothing at all like the royal titles that dealt with interiors or tasting. In fact, just the way Vikram spoke the title sounded strangely heavy. Gauri looked at her expectantly. Hopefully. All traces of lightness vanished from Vikram’s face. This was no light or meaningless task. To them, it was both an honor and a burden. She could see that now.
Aasha had to grit her teeth and focus all of her energy to keep thevishakanyastar from showing on her skin. If it showed, then Gauri and Vikram would know that she could no longer control when it appeared. She would be forced to reveal that sometimes—like when she was frightened or surprised—the star would show and her touch would instantly become deadly. She would be forced to reveal that she was a threat to their lives. Lately, she had taken to barring her doors just in case Gauri ever thought to wake her up from sleep. Thethought that she might hurt the very people she loved filled her with nausea. And now they had given this great gift to her. A sign of their trust. Their love. She was not worthy.
“Aasha?” asked Vikram.
Aasha knew she could not force a smile. Vikram was too shrewd. He would know. So she mimicked the humans she had watched all this time. She sank to the ground, her chin tipped toward her chest. The posture of a subject to one’s sovereign.
“Oh, Aasha,” said Gauri, embarrassed.
Gauri placed her hands at Aasha’s shoulders, drawing her upright.
“It will not be an easy task,” she said. “Although we want you to be our Spy Mistress, the final approval falls to Bharata’s current Spy Mistress. You will have to leave court and train with her. If, in three months’ time, she finds you worthy, then you will become her equal and work alongside her.”
“Bharata’s Spy Mistress is…” Vikram’s brows drew together. “How do I say this? Well. It’s said that her temper makes Gauri look soft-spoken in comparison.”
Gauri glared.
“I mean that in the most affectionate way possible,” he said.
She did not seem appeased.
“And if I do not succeed?”
“Then you return home,” said Vikram.
But there was a silence there. In the past, Aasha had not always been able to recognize such pauses for what they meant. In the past, she would’ve simply said “very well,” and then turned on her heel in search of diversion or entertainment. Now, she knew better. Humans always paused before sharing bad news. She did not know why theywaited. Perhaps they thought to give the air a break before assaulting it with sorrow.
“And then?” prompted Aasha.
