“Vishwajeet insists.” Nallini’s voice was flat. “Without a direct heir, he must stay safe.”
“I see.” Two of us could have flat voices. “Then I will find him.”
I rose up and brushed my black sari so it fell smoothly, but Nallini put a hand out. “Perhaps you want to reconsider your attire?”
“In Ullal, we may dress plainly, but we have the courage to face our enemies.” I was seething. The pomp and splendor of this court amounted to nothing but a distraction from the fact that its leader had been raised to be spineless. No amount of gold could replace those bones.
“Maybe so,” Nallini said, “but if you want your husband to listen to you, he can’t see you as anything less than stunning. You need to make him... long for you.”
Her pause didn’t go unnoticed. Although Aru and I still took our daily walks together in the gardens, it had been some time since we’d shared any intimacy. His fears about somehow hurting our baby stopped him from acting upon the lust that still filled his eyes. The healers had intimated that Aru’s worries were unfounded, but nothing would persuade him. More than ever, Aru had made me an idol; something to admire, protect at all costs, and lavish with gifts.
Much as I hated to admit it, Nallini was right. Chaaya and I went to my bedchamber, where she helped me change as quickly as she could. She chose a cobalt sari bedecked in silver embroidery and turquoise gems that shimmered in the light. Typical Banghervari. Stunning to look at, impossible to wear comfortably. But I didn’t argue. Her hands flew as she helped me dress, but just as she finished, the doors to the outer chamber burst open. I bolted to the sitting room to see who had dared to disturb the sanctity of my space.
Parushi stood there, just inside the doors, clutching her abdomen as her tunic blossomed with red. Her sword clattered from her grip and onto the floor.
Nallini was at her side in an instant. “Any other injuries?” she asked.
“No.” Sweat ran down Parushi’s forehead, and her blinks were too long. “But something’s not right. It burns.”
“What?—” I didn’t finish my question because footsteps clamored outside. I slammed the doors shut.
“Nobody else,” Parushi grunted through her teeth. “Only her.”
She locked eyes with Nallini, who nodded.
“Get her into your room.” I glanced toward the door. “They must be searching for her. Chaaya, get Nallini whatever she needs. I’ll join you as soon as I’ve made sure we won’t be disturbed.”
Before she went, Chaaya clasped a silver necklace studded with sapphires around my neck and helped me stack some turquoise bangles in front of my sister’s. She stepped back and looked at me, nodding with pride before she bowed deeply. “You are your mother’s daughter. The rani of Ullal.”
And I would not let them forget that.
Chaaya hurried after Nallini and Parushi as the footsteps outside stopped at the doors to my chambers. There was some murmuring, and then someone rapped sharply. I slid Parushi’s sword toward the wall so it was out of sight and let them wait a moment before opening one of the double doors.
Vishwajeet barely avoided hitting me in the face as he went to knock again. “What took so?—oh, Rani Abbakka! Why areyouanswering the door?”
The three guards who flanked him seemed just as surprised.
“Because I heard a knock.”
Vishwajeet’s snarl vanished as he bowed and tried to fix his tone. “Please forgive the intrusion, Rani, but I came with concerns that Parushi might be hurt.”
I remained silent. I wasn’t going to give him anything. He would have to earn every single step forward in this conversation.
Vishwajeet spoke again when he realized I wouldn’t. “I received reports she was injured, and I wanted to check on her. I will take her to the infirmary so her wounds can be tended to.”
“That won’t be necessary.” I stepped back and prepared to close the door. “Parushi did lend her sword to Banghervari’s cause and was wounded, but her injury is minor. Nothing to concern yourself about.”
Vishwajeet stepped forward so his toes crossed the threshold. I wouldn’t be able to close the door without crushing them.
It was very tempting.
He tried, and failed, to hide his satisfaction as he flourished his hand toward a few spots of blood smeared on the floor. I hadn’t noticed them before, but I hid my surprise and stared at him in silence. His determination to have Parushi go to the infirmary only strengthened my resolve to keep her here.
“Yes?” I finally asked, as if I were genuinely curious about why I should be surprised there was blood on my floors.
“It would seem that her injury may be more severe than it appeared,” he gloated.
“Oh, you need not worry about that.” I lifted the hem of my sari and showed him my bandaged foot. “I have a cut that’s healing. Chaaya will clean that up.”
