“Yes. But what—”
“I did not share everything with Prince Rao, and he knows it,” Bhumika said, speaking firmly and hurriedly. “I have given him the ability to kill yaksa but not destroy them in their entirety. I told him I would only provide it to him if he promised me the safety of the Ahiranyi people. But I will tell you.”
“You can’t trust me this easily,” said Priya, hushed. Her skin felt like it was covered in sparks of lightning, alive. “You don’t know me. What if I give this to the empress without asking for anything in return? I could have been sent here to trick you, I—”
“I feel what you are,” said Bhumika. “It is not a matter of trust. You’re needful. I am sorry for it. Listen to me: The place where the strength of the yaksa enters the world. Destroy that and the strength of the yaksa will die with it.”
“The Hirana,” Priya breathed. Of course.
To reach it, Malini would need her. Without Priya’s thrice-born guidance, Malini’s soldiers and priests would have to die in waves to break through Ahiranya’s wall of trees. But Priya could lead them directly there.
That gave her leverage.
“I can save Ahiranya with this,” Priya said, elated and relieved. “You had no reason to tell me this, no reason to put trust in me, but thank you for doing it. I’ll negotiate with the empress. And I’ll make sure she frees you, too.”
Bhumika’s grip tightened suddenly.
“There is another price,” she said. “Shewas the one who opened the waters.”
“Who?”
“The god who grows upon you like a strangling fig grows upon a hollow tree. I can see her in you. Feel her. The waters will survive, as long as a single cutting, a seed, a root of her remains,” said Bhumika urgently, and Priya felt the realization rush through her body before it touched her thoughts.
Of course. Every part of Mani Ara had to be destroyed.
Even the parts that were Priya.
“I am sorry,” Bhumika whispered. “I am so very sorry.”
Priya shook her head, searching for words, wanting Bhumika to understand that there was nothing to be sorry for, that they both knew how cruel the world could be, that Bhumika had lost herself, and how could Priya do any less? But it was too late. The door clanged open, and Rao walked back in.
“Enough,” said Prince Rao. “It’s time to go.”
“I’m not leaving Bhumika in this prison,” Priya said immediately. “You must be a fool if you think I’m doing that. Someone tried to kill me when I was in a cell. The guards can’t be trusted.”
She saw him hesitate.
“Elder Priya,” he said. “I promise Lady Bhumika will be given better accommodation, and I promise she’ll be safe. Now please. Go, before Sahar gets angry?”
Malini came to Priya’s room hours later. She left her guards at the door, sweeping in with the scent of flowers, gold glinting in the braid of her hair.
Time.Malini had asked her for that—begged for it with those dark eyes of hers, vulnerable despite all her power. But her gaze was steady now. She was glittering, untouchable, beyond Priya. She was the empress.
“You’ve been wandering,” Malini said.
“I was taken to see Bhumika,” said Priya. She took in a slow breath. Steeled herself. “She and I both want to bargain with you.”
Malini looked at her, one elegant eyebrow raised.
“Do you?”
“She told me everything. Even the secrets she has kept from you.”
“Everything? Remarkable trust from a woman with no memories,” Malini murmured.
“We’re still bound by magic,” Priya said. “Still temple sisters. That was enough.” Priya leaned forward. “Vow that Ahiranya’s people will be safe and free, and I’ll give you a way to destroy the yaksa forever. Fewer deaths of your soldiersandyour priests. What do you say?”
“Yes,” Malini said simply.
