“I knew no such thing,”she insisted. “You lost the bet, my love, which means …”
Varuna sighed. “No iPad for a month.”
“Think of all thequalitytime we can spend together!”
Varuna grumbled something that sounded a lot likeI hate quality time.
Aiden, Mini, and Brynne removed their helmets and paid their respects to the water gods.
“I kept up my end of the deal,” said Aru. “Please grant us passage to the naga treasury.”
“Okay, fine,” said Varuna. “The tunnel on the right will lead you there. We’ll remove the water so you can traverse it. But keep in mind, I said nothing about this tunnel beingsafe. It hasn’t been accessed in thousands of years. Who knows what surprises might lie in your path.”
“And remember to keep my words close, daughter of Indra,” said Varuni, tapping her drink.“A tongue like a whip …”
“Oh, and one more thing, Pandavas,” said the Lord of the Waters, ignoring Aiden’s usual protest about being lumped in with them. “The sea gives. But it also takes.”
