“Which is exactly where we need to get you,” Parushi said from Nallini’s side, near the other end of the sofa.
“You know I can’t leave.” I pointed to the black pillow, which Thevan had thrown against the wall in disgust when he’d learned its history. “Vishwajeet won’t allow it.”
“We’ll find a way around him,” Tara said. “If we can get the raja alone, I can convince him you need to go home.”
“No.” I put down the uttapam, swiveling to see them better. “It’s not worth the risk. I’ll stay here and make the most of this. Somehow.”
“What’s happened to you?” Thevan looked at me as he would a stranger. “My soldiers and I have rallied the people of Ullal behind you?—behind your fight against these monsters?—and you want to languish here? You can’t ask more of them than you do yourself. You have to get up and fight!”
“Every time I’ve tried to fight, someone I love has gotten killed.” Tears stung my eyes. “Chaaya and Maraan are dead because I sent them away. Ektha is dead because I failed to protect her. Even Uncle Trimulya was taken from me because I didn’t see Ulagan for what he truly was.”
I slumped against my seat. “The Spirits were clear; they left me a message after my uncle’s death. They wanted me to come here. I don’t want to see who they’ll take next if I fight them anymore.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Parushi stood in front of me with her hands on her hips. “You’re taking the blame for Vishwajeet’s schemes and calling his treachery the will of the Spirits.”
“Messages from the Spirits are easily misunderstood,” Nallini chimed in, her voice small but firm as she stood next to Parushi.
“Vishwajeet told the raja the same thing.” I crossed my arms and glared at her.
“The man is not always wrong,” Nallini said with a shrug. “The point is you can’t be certain that’s what the Spirits were saying. You should at least consider that they might have meant something else.”
Parushi nodded from beside her. “Why would the Spirits want us to bow to those monsters? It makes no sense.”
I wiped my eyes and sat a little straighter. I wanted to hope that there was another meaning to the Spirits’ message, but I couldn’t fathom what it might be.
“What exactly?—” Nallini began, but a knock interrupted her.
“The raja is here to speak to the rani!” Vishwajeet’s voice was far too easy to identify.
“Thevan, quick?—fix your robe, then answer the door,” Tara said.
“With pleasure.” Thevan’s eyes thundered. “And I’ll take care ofhim.”
I held out my hand to stop him. The thought of Thevan coming face to face with my husband?—the man he’d all but begged me not to marry?—made my nausea come rushing back. I wanted those two as far away from each other as possible.
“Thevan, don’t?—” I didn’t get to finish because he’d already opened the door.
“His Royal Highness, Raja Lakshmappa Arasa, will have a word with his wife.” Vishwajeet dragged over his vowels, elongating them with his pretentious pageantry.
“Her Royal Highness, Rani Abbakka Chowta, needs to rest.” Thevan waited for a beat, just long enough to irritate Vishwajeet but not long enough to rebuke. “However, I’m sure she would love to see the raja.”
He stepped out of the way and opened the door, revealing a worried-looking Aru and an infuriated Vishwajeet. Vishwajeet stepped forward, but Thevan closed the door slightly, blocking him from entering.
“I wonder if the raja might prefer to visit alone.” Thevan squared his shoulders against Aru’s adviser.
“I am the hand of the raja!” Vishwajeet sputtered.
“And I am the apprentice of the master healer.” I could hear the smirk in Thevan’s voice. “She was very uncomfortable with your behavior at the beach. It would be best if she could care for the rani without any distractions. I’m sure the raja understands.”
“But?—” Vishwajeet began.
“Stay out, Vishwajeet,” Aru said. “The young healer is right; we need to focus on my rani and child.”
Thevan closed the door after Aru stepped into the room.
My raja sat next to me and took my hand into his. “How are you? I mean, do you feel any better now?”
“Much better, thank you,” I said. “I was just tired, but your surprise made the journey worth every moment.”
