“And Divyanshi’s burningdidbless Parijatdvipa, as did the deaths of all the mothers,” Malini said levelly. “Their belief in the value of my death is—not untrue.”
“That doesn’t make it any less monstrous,” Priya whispered.
“No.” Malini’s eyes finally lowered. “No.”
“I don’t trust your priests,” Priya said. “But then, why would I?”
“Idon’t trust my priests.”
Malini swayed, and then exhaled, turning her body so that she was leaning against Priya. It startled Priya, almost, that sudden yielding—the weight of Malini against her, Malini tucking her feet close to her body, resting a hand against Priya’s arm.
“They’ve asked me for another act of faith,” Malini whispered against her skin. The warmth of her breath, the tightness of her shoulders—all of it made Priya want to curl over her, shield her, hold her like a shell around a vulnerable yolk. “When we attack Harsinghar I am going to… I am going to fight with all my strength. But if all else fails—if the fire is too much for my army… and I fear it will be… Priya, I’m going to allow myself to be captured. Taken to Chandra.”
“Malini,” Priya said. Heart thudding. “That…”
“I know.”
“It’s a trap. Surely, it’s a trap.”
“I know,” said Malini, voice a little muffled against Priya. “But perhaps it’s not.”
“You’re not the kind of person who takes wild risks,” Priya said, helpless at the thought of it, of Malini handing herself meekly over for slaughter. “What do you even know about this priest?”
“That he has connections and power, and hungers for more,” Malini murmured. “That he cannot gain more power under Chandra. I remember the priests Chandra raised up—all Parijati by blood and rearing. This faceless son still has a Saketan inflection to his voice. He cannot hide it. That he has nonetheless risen so far shows his ambition. He fears losing his position, but he is willing to do it for the sake of that ambition. And his ideals.”
“Ideals?”
“Oh, he dreams of what Chandra dreams of. A better Parijatdvipa, reshaped by faith. But their understanding of what faith should build—that is different. ‘Better’ for Chandra means a world that fits him and his desires. ‘Better’ for a priest from Saketa… well.” Priya could feel Malini’s smile against her skin—theangerin it. “He will not find that with Chandra.”
“Maybe handing you to Chandra will give him what he wouldn’t get otherwise,” Priya managed. “Malini, I’m no good at politics or the kind of—thegamesyou have to play. But this. You cannot do this—”
“I’ve considered my options,” said Malini. “And this is the best path. We can perhaps—perhaps—take Harsinghar and the throne. But I cannot keep it if the priests of the mothers refuse to serve me. Kartik is the key, Priya, and this is the price he demands of me.”
“You should negotiate with him then. Get a more reasonable price. It’s so clear you’ve never haggled at a market,” Priya added in a mutter.
That coaxed a true, unguarded laugh out of Malini. The sound made Priya’s heart ache.
“That’s the problem. Faith doesn’t allow for negotiation. Only—obedience.”
“I’m a temple elder,” said Priya. “I think I know all about faith. More than you, even. He’s only human. He can be negotiated with.”
There was something Priya couldn’t understand about this—something driving Malini, something making her press her fingers into the fabric that covered Priya’s stomach, her breath soft against Priya’s shoulder. Malini had made this decision, but Priya was sure there had to be reasons beyond the ones she’d given her.
“You’re not an obedient person,” Priya said, instead of interrogating Malini—instead of trying to pry the real truth out of her.
“No.” Malini was silent for a moment. “You’re going to have to trust that I understand the priests of the mothers,” she said quietly. “You’re going to have to believe that I know their ways, and how to manage them.”
“I know what you are,” said Priya. “I know you understand people. But Malini, this kind of risk…” An exhale. “I’m going to have to have faith, am I?”
“In me? Yes.”
Priya closed her eyes. “I don’t think I like faith very much.” Behind the closed lids of her eyes, in that brief darkness, she saw the sangam, and the yaksa, and felt an echo of fear run through her.
She pushed it away. She couldn’t examine it now.
“And you, a temple elder,” Malini was saying. “An expert on faith!”
“Don’t throw my own words back at me, Malini.”
