Chapter 48 #2
My heart hardened with renewed resolve. Aru knew how to say all the right words, but he lacked the conviction to do what was necessary and was more than happy to take the Porcugi’s gifts in exchange for Spirits knew what.
No doubt Vishwajeet had been whispering in his ear, and without me here to argue, Aru had been all too happy to believe whatever Vishwajeet had said.
I needed to get back to Ullal—back to a place where I could make sure I lived up to the promises I’d made. But in order to leave, I needed to make sure that my voice was the one that Aru trusted the most.
Clearing my throat, I gently asked, “What were you saying earlier? About Vishwajeet?”
“Just a misunderstanding.” He held on to the secret for only one breath before the words spilled out. “When we realized the gajra was missing, he said that you must have sold it and used the money to fund your war against the Porcugi.”
I gasped—thankfully, Parushi wasn’t there to roll her eyes at my exaggerated reaction. Thinking of her gave me an idea. “I would never! When I decided to take it with me, I had Parushi tell Vishwajeet so you would know.”
“Parushi told Vishwajeet?” Aru rubbed his chin and frowned. “Are you sure?”
“That’s what she said, and I have never known Parushi to be a liar.” Unlike me. “But this is my fault. I should have found a way to tell you myself.”
“This is absolutely not your fault!” He took my hand in his. “I remember how unwell you were when you left. Your healer has worked a miracle.”
“No, you saved me—your blessing gave me the strength I needed to go get the blossoms that healed me.” I needed to keep him firmly on my side. The closer he was to me, the farther he was from Vishwajeet, so I squeezed his hands three times.
He smiled at me the way he had when we’d first met in the rain. It had swept me off my feet, then, because he was so eager and true. Aru wasn’t a bad man; he was just too easily led. And now, I reminded myself, I had to lead him where I needed to go.
A knock rang out through the room, and Vishwajeet entered as soon as the door opened. He was completely refreshed and perfectly coiffed, and he didn’t quite hide his sneer when he caught sight of me. He strode to the sofa and bowed deeply to my husband. “Raja, I have come as you commanded.”
Aru’s nostrils flared. Ever so delicately, he untangled the gajra from my hair. He held the pearls out to Vishwajeet on the flat of his palm.
“The gajra!” Vishwajeet blinked in surprise. Mud was smeared all over the pearls, so it was no surprise he hadn’t noticed I was wearing it earlier.
“You had different ideas about where I might find this, did you not?” Aru’s voice was colder than the white walls that surrounded us. I almost pitied Vishwajeet.
Almost.
“Well, my raja, I-I was just trying to-to prepare for the worst,” he stammered.
He caught sight of my face. I wasn’t making any attempt to hide my enjoyment of this moment from behind Aru.
“At the time, the rani’s behavior was rather concerning, as I’m sure you would agree.
” Vishwajeet’s words were as greasy as his nose.
“But perhaps I underestimated how taxing her pregnancy was for her. Still, she is now well enough to climb a mountain by herself, so it would seem she’s in better health than she indicated in her letters. ”
Aru frowned and gave me a small shrug, silently asking for an explanation.
Which I was more than happy to give. As soon as I thought of it. “Ever since I’ve been well enough to climb the mountain, the blossoms only appear when I go get them myself. I don’t know why, but I didn’t think it was wise to challenge the Spirits.”
“Indeed not.” Aru gave my gajra back to me and then picked up a blossom from the table. He stood and held it up in front of Vishwajeet’s face, so close that the older man had to go almost cross-eyed to keep it in focus.
“It seems you have misjudged my rani,” Aru growled. “On many accounts.”
Vishwajeet’s back stiffened, and he cocked his chin up at the raja. “What about the emissary? What did she do to him?”
“What emissary?” I asked in feigned surprise.
“The one that the raja sent to you so you could settle on the tithes,” Vishwajeet snapped. “He went to Ullal and was never heard from again!”
“I never received an emissary in my court.” I could meet Aru’s eyes with a clear conscience as I said that.
“Nonsense!” Vishwajeet snapped. “Nikith told me he had arrived.”
“Nikith?” I tried my best to look like the confused, brainless woman Vishwajeet liked to believe I was.
He didn’t seem to know of Nikith’s death, and he must have been truly desperate if he was revealing the name of his informant.
“My brother-in-law has been unwell since the last moon. He hasn’t left his quarters for quite some time.
Are you sure you were in touch with him? ”
Aru nodded. “Yes, I remember you mentioned his illness in one of your letters.”
Vishwajeet’s mouth dropped open.
“You’ve made many claims about my rani, but none have been true,” Aru said. “Apologize to her. Now.”
Vishwajeet crumpled under his raja’s glare and said, “I’m sorry.”
“I should not have believed you.” Aru stood tall by my side. “But from now on, I will remember: Abbakka is my rani. She is an extension of me. You will honor her accordingly. Do not make this mistake again.”
Vishwajeet nodded, but he still bowed in deference to the raja—not me. Our games were far from over.
“I am thankful that the rani had the foresight to bring so many blossoms.” Vishwajeet tried to maneuver back into a position of favor. “She will be able to spend more time here with you. We will send for the baby. Maybe she can even come in time for the signing of the treaty with the Porcugi.”
The more I looked at Vishwajeet, the more I realized he had the most slappable face I’d ever seen. My toes curled against the smooth stone floor, but I kept my face meek as I turned to Aru and twisted my fingers together. “If that is what the raja thinks is best.”
“What’s worrying you?” He pointed to my hands as he raised his eyebrows.
“The blossoms . . .” I let my voice fade before inhaling deeply and continuing. “They lose their potency with time. If I try to make the tea when they’re wilted, I don’t know how well it will work.”
“We will send our fastest riders—” Vishwajeet began, but Aru held up his hand.
“You’ve said more than enough.”
Vishwajeet shrank back.
Aru squeezed my hand three times, pressed his lips together, and sighed. “I want to hold this hand forever, but it seems the Spirits have other plans. You must return to Ullal. Now. If you stay any longer, I’ll never be able to let you go.”
I picked up the gajra and pressed it into his palm, pushing aside the pragmatic little voice that told me it would be useful to hold on to those precious pearls. I didn’t want them. I didn’t want anything from him. “Keep these with you. I’ll count down the days until I can wear them again.”
“I will look for you every night in my dreams until you return.” The pearls clacked against each other in Aru’s palm.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I covered his hands with mine, sharing my warmth. “I promise.”
I lied.