That was how Ruchi, hazy-eyed with pain, looked to him.
But he kneeled down by her charpoy anyway, gently raised her head in the cradle of his palm, and fed her the vial of deathless water.
“There,” he said, lowering her head. “Rest.”
Shyam leaned against the wall, his eyes fixed on Ruchi. His face was bleak. Khalida stroked Ruchi’s hair. Ganam watched the oil lamp on the window. The flicker of the flame.
Ruchi was gone before the light died.
They were all running out of time. He knew that.
It wouldn’t be long until the yaksa flung him into the waters again. And he’d die. He was sure of it. Then the yaksa would turn to the children—fling them into the waters to see who’d rise and who’d drown. They would kill so many, and there would be no one left to protect them.
He caught Rukh alone.
“You know I’ve been building paths out,” he said. Rukh looked away. “Rukh, don’t lie. I know you’ve followed me.”
“I thought I was better at spying,” Rukh muttered.
“I’m afraid you’re shit at it,” Ganam said a little gruffly, to hide how he wanted to bury his face in his hands and never move again. Fuck the yaksa. And fuck Priya too for leaving this mess to him.
“Rukh,” he said. “It’s not going to be long until it isn’t safe here. You have to go. Take Padma.” Rukh opened his mouth, and he gripped Rukh’s arm with his good hand. Let his desperation bleed through. “Do it for Padma,” he said. “Survive. There’s no hope here.”
“How are we going to survive outside Ahiranya?” Rukh asked. “I’ve got rot. And Padma’s so small. We’ll die.”
“You’re stronger than you realize,” Ganam said. “I believe in you. Priya believed in you. Hold on to that, boy. You’ll make it through.”
“You’re just saying that to make me go,” said Rukh. “You don’t really think that. What about the others? Ashish? And the smaller ones? They should come too.”
Ganam shook his head.
“The yaksa watch them more closely than they watch you and her. You’re not temple children. Use that in your favor.”
Rukh frowned.
“We’ll go when we’ve got no choice,” said Rukh. “Not a second before. You can’t force me to run, Ganam. I won’t leave them. I’ve got to help them. They miss their families and they’re not strong yet, you know? Not like Priya is—was. They need me.”
“When I tell you that it’s time—”
“I’ll go,” Rukh said. “But not before.”
“Fine,” Ganam said. “Fuck. Fine.”
There was a blade still buried near the bower of bones. Something that could, perhaps, hurt the yaksa. Something that had hurt him.
He’d dig it out tomorrow. He’d ask Billu to carry it for him. It wouldn’t hurt Billu like it had hurt him. Rukh and the others were going to need all the protection they could get.
MALINI
She ordered Sahar to rest, despite her own sleeplessness. She knew she would not close her own eyes tonight.
Deepa had come to her. Her quietest advisor had slipped into her chambers with serious eyes and a copied letter, carefully transcribed, at hand.
“Lady Varsha wrote to Lady Raziya,” she said, watching Malini read the missive. “I think… Empress, I think she assumed Raziya would be so angry about the Jagatay that she would betray you. But it was a foolish thing to do. I do not think Lady Raziya would betray you for anything.”
Foolish was right. And disappointing. It proved how sheltered Varsha had been as the High Prince’s daughter, and then as Chandra’s bride.If Chandra had lived, his court would have eaten you whole, sister-in-law, Malini thought bitterly.You are lucky that I am kinder than he ever was.
“The original message was still sent?”
