“I am well, Empress,” Deepa said. “Thank you for your concern.”
Malini allowed a moment to pass, as more smoke-filled air wafted in through the tent curtain; as Deepa clasped her hands tighter, under the watchful eyes of Malini’s inner court.
“Did you want to serve me, Deepa?” Malini asked softly. “I am afraid I have not asked you since war began in earnest.”
“I…” Deepa hesitated.
“Was it your father’s will or your own, to serve me?” Malini pressed.
Deepa lowered her gaze. “My father asked it of me,” she said. “But I was happy to come.”
Malini nodded, slowly. “Of course you were,” she agreed. “You are an obedient daughter. Your first loyalty is to your father. You love him. And he controls your fate: your marriage, or lack. Your status. All of us understand this,” Malini went on. “And I understand—and forgive you—for watching me for his sake, and your own.”
Deepa lifted her gaze. Eyes a little wider. A little wild.
“Empress,” she blurted out. “I have said nothing—nothing—” She stopped, and seemed to steel herself. Then said, “I am the third of five daughters. Not the prettiest. Or the most charming. My father—he only wished to give me an opportunity to rise.”
Malini was silent for a moment. Then: “What did you tell him about me, Deepa?”
“Nothing, Empress. Nothing.”
“Be honest with me now,” Malini said. Low and chiding. “Don’t let your panic mislead you. You’re intelligent. Educated. Lata speaks highly of your mind. Tell me what you have told your father. Tell me whatIam in your eyes.”
Deepa hesitated. “I… Empress. You are. Dedicated to winning this war. And you. You work tirelessly. You are always—as you are,” she said haltingly, gesturing jerkily to Malini. “You are. Brave and—and poised. A true heir to Divyanshi. I have told my father this.”
“And what else?” When Deepa remained quiet, Malini leaned forward. The other women watched, tense and silent. “Compliments and flattery are all well and good, Deepa. But I know they are not all you say. I am asking you for the truth.”
Deepa was intelligent, and thoughtful. Malini could practically see the thoughts flitting through the younger woman’s mind—tightening her jaw, making her mouth part on words she couldn’t quite say, then close again.
Finally, Deepa came to a decision. Her gaze hardened.
“You speak of the mothers,” she said. “And you—Empress, you speak of being mother-blessed. But you do not pray. Or. Or speaktothe mothers.” Her confidence grew, her voice wavering less as she continued. “You are not gentle or kind. You try to be but… there’s a coldness in you, Empress. You do not forget those who slight you.” Alarm rose in her face as she said swiftly, “But I did not tell my father so.”
“Why not? Do you think it insults me?” When Deepa only looked more panicked, Malini smiled, letting her voice gentle with it. “I wanted your honesty. And I thank you for it. And in return, I have some honesty for you.
“Your father has lost his faith in me. And your father holds great sway among certain factions of my allies.” Malini’s decision to make him her general had only strengthened his power. “I would like to know what he does. What he says, or does not say. Watch him for me. Tell me what you learn, and you will be rewarded with more power in my court than you could ever achieve as an unfavored daughter in your father’s household.”
“My… my family,” Deepa said haltingly. “My sisters. My mother. I need to know they will be. Safe.”
“If you were your father’s son, and I your emperor, you could ask me for assurances that you would be recognized as the head of your family,” Malini said. “If you chose the empire’s future over your father’s ambitions and errors, you could ask me to vow that your sisters would be protected and given a future unbound from your father’s fate.”
Deepa swallowed. “I am not a son,” she said.
“And I am not an emperor. So what will you do, Lady Deepa?”
She looked away. She looked at Lata and Raziya and Sahar; at Swati, watching quietly. Slowly, the panic seemed to bleed from her face.
“My father bid me to serve you, and I did not say no. I did not even try to refuse.” She met Malini’s eyes again. “I wanted more. Is it selfish, to want even more than this, Empress?”
Are you leading me astray?her eyes asked.
“It is not selfish to serve your empire,” Malini said steadily. “And it is not selfish to protect your family from your father’s errors. And he has erred, Deepa. You have in your hands the power to right his wrongs. Will you do so?”
Deepa swallowed. “I have always wanted more,” she confessed. “Always wanted—purpose.”
“I know,” Malini said, looking at Deepa with all her focus, all the charm she could force into her own voice and eyes and body. Let Deepa know she was seen. Let Deepa know she was valued. It was true enough, surely, to grasp her loyalty and chain it fast. “I know.”
“I want the assurances you spoke of,” Deepa said. “I… I want to know I will be rewarded. And my family shall be safe. And in return… Empress, I will tell you everything of my father. And I will be your loyal servant, as I have always been.”
