“Taking it out would kill me,” Rukh said, in a voice that only wavered a little. “Priya told me so.”
“Do you think I’ll kill you?”
“What could I do to stop you?”
Ashok snorted. “So much bravado, from such a small creature.” He tightened his grip. “Nothing,” he said. “There is nothing you can do.”
Rukh made an animal noise, and tried to pull free. Ashok’s hand tightened an increment further.
“No,” Ashok said.
“If. If you’re going to. I just want it to be quick.” His voice was shaky, but his expression was defiant.
“No,” Ashok said softly. “No. I won’t hurt you any further. She’d never forgive it.”
She. Priya. Somehow that still mattered to him.
“Everything has a price,” he said. “Everything demands sacrifice. I had to be sure. You understand that, don’t you?”
Rukh stared at him, blank and uncomprehending. And Ashok reached out with magic. Reached into him.
Priya had withered the bonds between Rukh and the magic within him. But Ashok did more.
The rot comes from the waters, the old voice in his heart said.The waters fill mortals with magic.
The waters fill them with us. Our gifts. Our knowledge.
When waters ebb, they leave their mark behind. The memory of water. The hollow.
When waters leave, they demand their price.
He reached for the magic within Rukh. Poured more into him—more knowledge, more strength, more flowering rot, more of the cosmic rivers that had changed them both. Watched the leaves rise along the boy’s spine—heard the boy cry out—
Ripped him free from the waters. Left him hollow.
A sound of agony escaped Rukh’s lips. He fought, trying to escape Ashok’s grip. Then sagged. Down to his knees.
Ashok kneeled with him.
“Look at me, boy,” he said. “Wake up.”
He repeated himself. Once, twice. Finally, Rukh’s eyes opened. Slowly, painfully.
“Tell me what you learned, when I dragged you under,” Ashok demanded. “Tell me what you saw. What do you remember?Doyou remember?”
Rukh squeezed his eyes shut.
“I know who you really are,” Rukh said tightly. “I know—so much—”
“Because I showed you,” Ashok said savagely. His pulse was beating behind his eyes.Tell me who I am, he wanted to beg.Tell me.“Do you remember my sister’s name? No, not Lady Bhumika,” Ashok said, when Rukh’s gaze flickered, confused. “My other sister. Do you remember how you came to meet her? Do you remember how you came to trust her enough to betray me and leave my rebels behind?”
Silence. Panicked silence. That was answer enough.
“How does it feel, not remembering? How does it feel, now that the waters have stolen her from you, and left a tale of my secrets in their place?”
Rukh said nothing. He was breathing shallowly, too fast, his face sallow. If he’d recovered himself well enough to fear what had happened to him, then Ashok considered that a good sign.
“Thank you,” Ashok said. Placed a hand on Rukh’s forehead. “Rest now.”
