Jeevan stood in the center of the tent. He looked, despite his chains, as if he were ready for war, shoulders squared. His expression and his stance softened with relief when he saw them.
“Priya,” he said, low. “Sima. Are you well? Have you seen Bhumika?”
“We’re all fine,” Priya said, feeling strangely teary. She forced the feeling away and went to him. She grasped his hand in her own. “It’s good to see you. I thought I might not again.”
“I believed the same.” His gaze turned to Sima, questioning.
“Parijatdvipa’s not been so bad for me,” she said with a shrug. “I’ve been well protected.”
Jeevan did not look like he entirely believed her, but he nodded.
“Jeevan,” Priya said, drawing his attention back. “I need to speak swiftly.”
She told him what Malini planned, and the deal she and Bhumika had made with the empress. He listened solemnly.
“What I want more than anything,” she said, at the end, “is for Bhumika to be safe. Can I be sure of that with you?”
She pressed a key into his palm. Closed his fingers over it.
“These chains aren’t so difficult to escape,” she said. Low enough, she hoped, that the guards wouldn’t hear her. “Take Bhumika somewhere good. Somewhere better.”
“She wants to go home,” he replied.
“She doesn’t know what home is.”
“You do not need memories to know the shape of home. I would not have believed so once, but I’ve seen it in her.” His hand tightened on the key. “But I will take her away from here. I promise.”
“Good,” Priya whispered. She smiled at him and released him.
Priya and Sima exited the tent. Then she scrubbed her stinging eyes with the back of her hand.
“I’m going somewhere I probably won’t come back from,” Priya said quietly. “Am I a fool, Sima?”
Sima clutched her hands. Pressed their foreheads together.
“Yes,” said Sima. “A huge fool. A madwoman.”
“You can stop,” Priya protested, laughing through tears.
“You’re a fool for not taking me with you.”
“Shut up,” said Priya. “Do you think I’ll be able to do anything if I’m worrying about you? Don’t let Bhumika follow me, either. I know she wants to.”
“And who is going to stop me from following you, huh?”
“Don’t joke,” Priya said, her voice wobbling. “I need to know you’re both safe. I can’t do this if I think you’ll come to harm.”
“The whole world’s full of harm, Pri.”
“Please.”
“Fine. I promise.” She clutched Priya tighter. As if she never wanted to let her go. “But you need to tell Bhumika yourself. You need to say goodbye.”
“I know,” Priya said. She was dreading it.
Sahar cleared her throat, and Priya finally let Sima go.
She went to Bhumika’s tent, next. One step. Another. The sun was hot on her shoulders.
