Chapter 5-His Second Wedding
Vinaya's sisters cried while dressing her.
Even Shailaja.
"I am not crying," Shailaja insisted.
"You have tears on your face," Uma said.
"My eyes are irritated."
"By what?"
"All of you."
Vinaya laughed.
It came out shakier than she intended.
Her mother stood behind her.
The crimson bridal silk was breathtaking.
Gold flowers shimmered across the fabric. Jewels framed Vinaya's face and weighted her neck and wrists.
When she finally looked into the mirror, she barely recognized herself.
For once, she did not immediately compare herself with Devyani.
Or Kaveri.
Or Priya.
She saw a bride.
A frightened one.
But a bride nevertheless.
Her mother touched her shoulder.
"You are beautiful."
Vinaya's first instinct was to deny it.
She stopped herself.
"Thank you."
Her mother smiled through tears.
Perhaps that small acceptance was the first brave thing Vinaya did that morning.
Across the palace, Vikram dressed in silence.
Ranveer watched.
"You look like you're attending an execution."
"Perhaps I am."
"That is an appalling thing to say on your wedding day."
Vikram closed his eyes.
"I know."
Ranveer's annoyance softened.
"Do you want me to leave?"
"No."
The answer surprised both of them.
Ranveer remained.
Vikram stared into the mirror.
Twenty-seven.
Seven years older than the man who had married Priya.
He remembered that morning.
He had been unbearable.
Smiling at everyone.
Checking the time.
Sending servants to ask whether Priya was ready.
She had been late.
Of course.
And when she finally arrived—
Vikram's throat tightened.
"Don't."
Ranveer spoke quietly.
Vikram looked at him.
"You're doing it again."
"What?"
"Going somewhere none of us can follow."
Vikram looked away.
"Let's go."
The wedding pavilion overflowed with flowers.
Thousands watched.
Vikram stood beside the sacred fire.
Then music began.
Vinaya entered.
He had seen her several times since her arrival.
But not like this.
She wore crimson.
For one terrible second, red silk became another wedding.
Another courtyard.
Another bride.
Vikram nearly couldn't breathe.
Then Vinaya looked at him.
Not Priya.
Vinaya.
Her hands were trembling.
That brought him back.
She reached him.
Her father placed her hand in his.
Cold fingers.
Vikram looked down.
Vinaya whispered, "I won't run."
He stared.
She gave him a nervous little smile.
"You looked concerned."
Against his will, the corner of his mouth almost moved.
Then the priest began.
The vows blurred.
Duty.
Protection.
Companionship.
Children.
Love.
At that word, Vikram stared into the fire.
Priya's funeral flames rose instead.
He nearly missed the next instruction.
Vinaya noticed.
Of course she did.
But she said nothing.
When he tied the sacred necklace around her throat, his fingers brushed her skin.
She inhaled softly.
Vikram pulled his hands away.
Hours later, the priest declared them married.
The courtyard erupted.
Vinaya looked at him.
For one second she seemed to be waiting.
For what?
A smile?
A word?
Vikram bowed.
"Princess."
Something in her face faded.
He pretended not to see.
The celebrations lasted until night.
Vinaya endured whispers.
Comparisons.
Pity.
She heard Priya's name three times before supper.
Twice spoken kindly.
Once cruelly.
"She is not nearly as striking."
"The alliance matters more."
"Poor thing."
Vinaya kept smiling.
That was something she had learned long ago.
If people believed you had not heard them, they became embarrassed only among themselves.
Late in the evening, Vikram approached.
"You look tired."
"So do you."
"I am accustomed to it."
"That doesn't make it healthier."
He almost looked surprised.
Vinaya immediately wondered whether she had overstepped.
Then his gaze dropped to her wedding necklace.
His expression closed.
"Your attendants will take you upstairs."
Her heartbeat changed.
"Upstairs?"
"To the Crown Princess's rooms."
Vinaya stared.
She had assumed she would return to the guest apartments.
Instead—
The Crown Princess's rooms.
Priya's rooms?
Before she could ask, Vikram had already turned away.
Near midnight, Vinaya walked through silent corridors surrounded by attendants carrying lamps.
Her wedding jewelry suddenly felt heavy.
At the end of the corridor stood enormous carved doors.
An elderly servant opened them.
The air smelled faintly of jasmine.
Vinaya stepped inside.
And her heart stopped.
A woman's shawl lay across a chest.
A silver hairbrush rested before the mirror.
Books.
Perfume.
Jewelry boxes.
Portraits.
Nothing had been removed.
Nothing had been changed.
For five years.
Vinaya turned slowly.
"Whose room is this?"
The attendants lowered their eyes.
She already knew.
The eldest whispered,
"These are the Crown Princess's chambers, Your Highness."
Vinaya looked toward the bed.
The bed Vikram had once shared with Priya.
And as the doors closed behind her, Vinaya realized she had been delivered on her wedding night not into her own chamber—
but into the preserved remains of another woman's marriage.