Chapter 25-The Long Night
By dawn, two physicians had arrived.
Neither looked confident.
Vinaya refused to leave Ganga's side.
The fever climbed.
Ganga cried until her little voice became hoarse.
Vinaya held her.
Sang.
Prayed.
Bargained with every god she could name.
"Take anything."
Her voice broke.
"My crown."
Nothing.
"My life."
Nothing.
"Please."
She kissed Ganga's burning forehead.
"Not her."
The physician touched her arm.
"Your Highness—"
"No."
"She needs rest."
"She needs me."
Hours passed.
Ganga stopped eating.
Stopped drinking.
Vinaya panicked.
"Do something."
"We are trying."
"Try harder."
The physician lowered his gaze.
Vinaya understood.
"No."
She held Ganga closer.
"No."
The night deepened.
Outside, rain began.
Vinaya rocked her daughter.
"You remember your birthday?"
Ganga whimpered weakly.
"You walked."
Vinaya's tears fell into the baby's hair.
"You were so clever."
Another tiny sound.
"You are going to walk again tomorrow."
Her voice cracked.
"And the day after."
Ganga's breathing became shallow.
Vinaya began to shake.
"No."
The physician came closer.
"Princess—"
"No."
She looked down.
"Ganga."
The baby opened her eyes.
For one second.
Dark eyes.
Vinaya's eyes.
Then they closed.
"Ganga?"
Nothing.
Vinaya's heart stopped.
"Ganga."
The room became terribly quiet.
The crying had stopped.
Near dawn, Princess Ganga stopped crying forever.