“No,” said Rao, even as the fire twisted and spat, bristling in the sconces. He did not understand. “Not yet. We should go. Now.”
Aditya walked over to one of the flames. Almost close enough to touch.
“Aditya,” Rao said sharply. “What are you doing?” And then Aditya turned his head, eyes wet and shining and Rao knew. Heknew.
“You are men of Parijat,” Aditya said, his voice hoarse, cracked through but strong. “You are men of Parijat and Dwarali and Alor, Srugna and Saketa. You knew when you chose to fight alongside me that this path might cost your life. But you remained for the sake of the empire. Because you believed—and still do—that it cannot be strong in my brother’s hands.
“I am a priest of the nameless,” said Aditya, visibly mustering up his courage. Rao tried to stride forward, but Mahesh gripped him by the arm, his fist a band of iron. “But I am also Divyanshi’s blood. I remember and honor the vows your forefathers made to her. Loyalty to a Parijatdvipan throne. To a shared vision, a shared empire. And now I ask you for a new vow: I will make my sacrifice here. I will see the High Prince’s rule ended. I will wrest control of the fire, and with my sacrifice, turn it against him and his soldiers. They will burn, and you will walk free, unscathed, unharmed. And you will return to my sister’s side, and say I died for her. You will say Empress Malini was crowned by a willing sacrifice. A new pact between us all.” He swallowed. Smiled, bright and tear-sharp. “You will honor her.”
Kunal made an awful noise. And Rao trembled and shook his head.
“No,” he said. “Aditya. No.”
But Mahesh was still holding on to him. Mahesh was speaking.
“My ancestors were there, when Divyanshi demanded our vows to serve her sons. My ancestors watched her burn. I can do no less for you, my prince. I will do no less for you.” His expression was somber, and though there were no tears in his eyes, he was swallowing desperately to hold them back. He touched a fist to his chest and bowed low, dragging Rao with him.
And somehow, the men around Rao were bowing too.
“Rao, will you say goodbye to me?” Aditya asked.
Rao shook his head. No, no. But he couldn’t speak.
“I’m sorry, Rao,” Aditya said, and his eyes were gleaming but he was smiling, smiling like he was full of both joy and hurt too large for his body, so large the feelings had to overflow. “I know you’ve lost too many people. But you shouldn’t think of me as lost. I’ve finally found what the nameless wants from me.”
“It’s a monstrous thing to demand a sacrifice like this from someone,” Rao choked wretchedly. “Even from yourself.Aditya.”
He managed to wrench himself free. Strode to his friend. Gripped him by the front of his tunic, drawing him close.
“What kind of god would demand this from you?” Rao wanted to yell but he couldn’t; could only dig his fists into Aditya’s clothes, drag him closer. “What kind of god would demand this from anyone?”
“Our god,” said Aditya. Gently pushed him back. The booted footsteps were getting closer.
“You won’t burn,” said Rao. “It’s not so simple. You have no oil—no lac—”
“The mothers will guide me.”
“You can’t.”
“Ah, Rao,” Aditya said. Soft. “I can.”
The lanterns were flickering to life all around them—flame after flame. The air felt like a swelling wave—a roiling storm, boiling up, up, up.
As if they sensed Aditya. As if they were doing it for him.
“I know now,” Aditya said. “Why I dreamt of you as I did. Don’t forget what stars are, Rao.”
Then he raised up a hand. Touched it to the flame.
It raced over his body like a falling star against the night sky. And Rao held him and felt nothing—only skin. Only his own body untouched, a sacrifice unwanted, a sacrifice unasked for.
“Prince Rao,” Lord Mahesh gritted out. “We have witnessed. We have seen. Now we must survive. Come!”
“I’ll stay with you,” Rao said raggedly. He was crying, he realized. “Aditya, I’ll stay. I won’t leave you alone.”
Aditya could not respond. The fire was climbing over him, darting and arcing, trailing as sweetly as flowers climbing a vine. But it burned, and burned, and Rao could smell smoke. Could see—could see Aditya’s skin—
The fire turned on them with wild life. The chakrams on his arms were spinning circles of gold. And Rao saw light, light, light. A hand grasping at his back.
