by Andrea Ring
“Fadi Parsa?” I yell.
“Hang on!” he yells back at me, and I feel a bit bad that he’d probably just settled himself in a chair when I roused him again. No matter what Saphala’s done, I have only heard the best of things about Fadi.
He manages to unlatch the door and uses the foot of one of his branches to pull it open all the way.
“Yes?”
I give him a deep bow. “Fadi Parsa, my name his Haady no-Parsa, and I am your brother’s personal servant. It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Fadi smiles at me. “Dear Haady! I have heard about you, yes! Please! Please come in and be welcome.”
I help him to a chair and take the one opposite him. “Have you no servants to help you?” I ask.
He shifts in the chair and uses his arms to place his injured leg out straight in front of him. His sun-beaten face grimaces in pain.
“An untouchable with servants is like a tiger feasting on his young. I have friends who help. With friends, who needs servants?”
I look away. I am a servant and am grateful for my role in the Parsa household. I understand the untouchable thinking, but I do not share it.
“And that is not a commentary on my brother or where I came from,” he says, leaning back carefully. “My brother speaks highly of you and considers you a part of his family. That is something to be proud of.”
I smile. “I’m pleased to hear it.”
“Nothing more than the truth,” he says. “To what do I finally owe a visit from my brother’s inner circle?”
Fadi is speaking quite diplomatically. I’m warmed by his words, as all servants are when receiving such praise, but I have to remember that this is Saphala’s father. No matter that he’s considered a good man, Saphala learned her tricks from someone.
“Lord Parsa simply wishes for someone to check in with Saphala and aid her in her quest, if need be. She and I developed a friendship in Bhutan, and Lord Parsa believes I am a good choice for this task. Saphala trusts me, you see. It might be useful for her to have a friend about.”
“I am touched that my brother would send you, Haady. From his messages, I wouldn’t have thought he could part with you, even for a short trip such as this.”
“Thank you, Fadi. Indeed, Lord Parsa does not wish me to be gone long, but he also knows the nature of this trip and that it might take a while. He is putting Saphala ahead of himself, and that is surely a measure of how well he loves you.”
Fadi sighs. “I do hope that is true, young Haady. My brother and I have not always seen eye to eye, yet the love between us has remained.”
“May I ask a question, Fadi?”
“Certainly.”
“Why have you never told Lord Parsa of your living conditions? This mansion is almost as grand as his, and dare I say better appointed. He would be pleased with your success.”
Fadi runs his tongue over his teeth. “The trappings of success do not make one successful. I am successful, in my chosen profession and in my own way, but not in the way that my brother defines. I have been blessed by the gods, and cursed as well.”
“Cursed?”
“My daughter pays a high price for this mansion. She is Shiva’s mistress and serves at his whim. It is not a relationship I would wish for my daughter, but her life is her own.”
I gasp. “Are you not worried about Shiva’s wrath?”
Fadi laughs. “Shiva and I have come to blows several times. No matter. He knows how I feel, and he even agrees with me. But there is more than bedroom play between them. They love each other. Love makes people do strange things.”
I think of Saphala. Love indeed leads to insanity.
“I see. Well, I hope things work out for you, Fadi Parsa. You are a bold man. And if I may be so bold, I believe I should speak with Saphala and begin our journey to Indrapur. Time is short.”
“I’m afraid you’re a bit late, or Saphala is a bit too industrious. She’s already met the prince and is established in the palace.”
“She is? How wonderful! How did this come about?”
Fadi shakes his head. “I know not the details. I only received a message from her a few minutes before you arrived. See, I was supposed to meet her boat from Bhutan, but I broke my leg. I spoke with Saphala’s friend, Nilaruna Nandal, who is the Go-Between for the great Protector Maja. She arranged Saphala’s transfer to Dabani. Again, I know not the details. Maja must have intervened and gotten Saphala to the palace.”
“I thank you for your kindness and the information,” I say. “I will be off to Indrapur, then.” I lean forward and grasp Fadi’s hands in friendship. “Wish us luck.”
Fadi squeezes tight. “I wish you and Saphala much luck. Let my brother know that I am in his debt for giving Saphala this chance. He did what I could not for my daughter.”
“I will let him know.” I stand and give Fadi a deep bow.
“Wait,” he says. “Before you go, open that chest.”
On the table between us is a rosewood chest inlayed with ivory. I lift the lid. It is filled with gold coins.
“Take a handful and stuff your pockets,” he says. “I trust you to give half to Saphala. She probably doesn’t need it, but neither do I.”
I do as he says.
And with another deep bow, this one sincere, I take my leave of Fadi Parsa.
***
Outside, the untouchables are abuzz. Many are running about, carrying the poles and tarps of their makeshift market and baskets full of sea creatures unsold for the day.
“What’s going on?” I ask a young boy who’s dragging a basket of laundry.
“The girls are coming home! They’re on their way!”
“The girls? You mean from the maiden barracks?”
He nods. “The prince has chosen a bride, and they’re finally coming home!”
I cannot fathom this. It has taken Saphala only a matter of days to seduce the prince!
I wander down the lane and into the town proper. I have no idea where I’m going. There’s almost no point in me following Saphala to the palace — she probably has personal guards and soldiers and a legion of servants protecting her every moment. I cannot hope to penetrate them.
I should probably return home. I have at most a cycle before I will begin to get sick, and I’d rather be at home under Lord Parsa’s care than in this stinking little town.
I need to hire a boat.
I wander into the town center and spy an inn. Maybe they have spirits. I could spend the night here, get good and drunk with Fadi’s coin, and leave in the morning.
I’m about to push open the door of the inn when an announcement tacked to the door catches my eye. A betrothal announcement.
My heart pounds as I read it.
The prince is not marrying Saphala.
He’s marrying Nilaruna Nandal, the very girl set to help Saphala.
I smile and push the door open. I order a pitcher of honey wine, and two more pitchers for the rest of the patrons. I inquire about purchasing a horse for my journey to Indrapur.
And as the wine fills my head, I wonder what dear Saphala thinks about the prince and his betrothal.
XV. PRINCE KAI
“You heard what happened to Nilaruna last night, yes?”
Zara looks at me with wide eyes, her body trembling. “I heard, my lord. Thank the gods she is alive! Who would do such a thing?”
“We don’t know,” I say. “That’s what we wanted to speak to you about. If you have any knowledge, any knowledge at all of anyone who might want to harm her or the king, we need to know.”
“I’ve seen nothing,” she says. “I could tell you who I’ve seen in the king’s chambers, and in Nilaruna’s, if that would help.”
I look at Nili. She nods. “Yes, please. Tell us who you have seen.”
“In the king’s rooms have been his valet Taranath, Chief Barun, Healer Wadee, the treasurer, and Mita the seamstress. The king had many other servants and visitors before, but for the last two moons,
he has banished most of them.”
“No one else?” I ask.
“You, me, and Nilaruna, of course, my lord, but I didn’t think I needed to tell you that.”
“And in Nilaruna’s rooms?”
“You, me, the servant Jayla, her guard Himmat, Healer Wadee and his assistant Abdul, and Manoj, sir.”
“Manoj?” I raise an eyebrow at Nili, who smiles.
“He just came to see that I was feeling better after my fever,” she says.
“Oh, and Himmat said that both Faaris and Nilaruna’s friend Saphala stopped by, but they did not enter her rooms.”
Nili nods again. Zara is apparently telling the truth.
“Can you tell us about your birth mother?” Nili asks her.
“My birth mother? She works in the kitchens.”
“What is her name?”
“Hema.” Zara’s lips quiver. “Is she in trouble?”
“Of course not,” Nili says. “I was just curious, and I thought I might tell her what a good job you’re doing. The king has been pleased with your work.”
Zara lowers her eyes. “I hope you are pleased, too, my lady.”
“I am. You’ve been a great comfort to me since I arrived. I was nervous about coming to the palace, but you’ve made it much easier to bear my new surroundings.”
My sister smiles. I long to give her a hug, but not yet.
I stand. “Excellent. I thank you for your honesty and the information you have shared with us. I’d like to change your duties a bit. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to assign you to Nilaruna and me full time. The king is having some health issues, so we’ll leave him to the healers for now.”
Zara sniffs and nods.
“Is this displeasing to you? You may speak freely.”
“No, no, I am happy to serve you and Nilaruna. Very happy. It’s just…I’m worried about the king.”
“You are?”
“I saw…he had a trembling. I do not know what it’s called, but his body went stiff and shook and he lost control…”
Nili takes Zara’s hand. “You saw him have a seizure? That must have been frightening.”
“He doesn’t spend a lot of time with me, I mean, I am only a servant, and he doesn’t have time, I know…but I’ve always seen him as a sort of father, just a bit, and he is my king…”
I clench my jaw against the threatening tears.
“King Jagir’s illness is serious,” Nili tells her. “But I promise you, we will arrange for you to have some time with him after the wedding.”
“Serious? You mean…”
We both nod at her.
Zara bites her lip. “May I be dismissed, my prince?”
Nili pulls her up and puts her arms around her. She strokes Zara’s hair. “If you need to talk, please let me know. I’ll be your friend if you let me.”
Zara nods into her shoulder. And as soon as Nili releases her, she rushes from the room.
***
Nili sits on a cushion and pats the one next to her. I flop down beside her.
“I don’t know how many more of these talks I can take,” I say. “That was awful.”
“Heartbreaking,” Nili says. “But I think your father will be pleased to hear that Zara feels such a connection with him.”
“So she was telling the truth? About everything?”
“Everything.”
“Then we must go back. Let’s trace the cursed wine. Mita thinks it came from her private stores because a servant brought it to her. But until we speak to her servants, we don’t know if that’s where it came from.”
“True. And if Mita didn’t poison the wine…Kai, the assassin is still here. And he might try again.”
I rub my temples, stand, and pull Nili to her feet. “We’re back to where we started. First things first. Himmat!”
The door opens and Himmat steps inside. “My prince?”
“Nili has a few questions for you. Do not take offense. We are asking everyone employed in the palace these questions.”
Himmat looks confused but nods.
“Are you loyal to the crown?”
His eyes widen. “Of course, my lady! I have pledged my life to Jatani and the royal family.”
“Do you wish anyone in the palace ill?”
Himmat frowns. “There is one man in the guards that I cannot abide. He cannot hold his drink. I may have threatened him a time or two.”
“Anyone else?”
“No.”
Nili nods at me. “Thank you, Himmat,” I say. “You may return to your duties. We are blessed to have such a loyal guard as you serving us. Oh, and can you send a servant to summon Faaris and Manoj immediately?”
He nods and closes the door behind him.
“Excellent,” I say. “I feel much better leaving you here knowing Himmat’s on our side.”
“Are you leaving me?” Nili asks.
I kiss her cheek. “Not at the moment. When Faaris and Manoj arrive, we’ll come up with a plan to identify the assassin. At that point, I may have to go. And I want you safe.”
“And what should we do in the mean time?”
I wiggle my eyebrows at her. “I can think of a few things.”
Nili laughs.
Then a knock sounds on the door.
“My lady? You have a visitor,” Himmat calls.
I pull away from her. “Enter.”
Manoj walks in, carrying a stack of papers. “Hello, Nili. How are you feeling?”
“Well,” she says, crossing the room and giving him a kiss on the cheek. “How are you?”
“A bit harried. Might I have a private word with Kai?”
“Already looking to the lady for permission?” I laugh. “Is this how it will be for the rest of our lives?”
“Of course,” Nili says with a smirk. “I give my permission. Must I leave?”
I smile at her. “Absolutely not. You are my betrothed and should be privy to anything going on in the kingdom. But I insist you get off your leg.”
“I will not argue with that,” she says, and she plumps up a cushion and has a seat.
“Uh, actually, this may not be…that is to say…perhaps it would be better…”
“What, Manoj? Spit it out.”
“It might behoove us to…you know…actually, why don’t I leave you two alone? I just remembered, I have a thing…you know…” Manoj heads to the door.
“Wait, Manoj,” Nili says. “I can take a hint. I need to soak my hip in the bath twice a day, according to Healer Wadee. I can do that now, and you two can have your talk.” Nili stands and heads to her bath chamber.
“Is it about the assassin?” I ask him once Nili is out of sight. “Is that why you didn’t want to talk in front of her?”
“Assassin?” Manoj says. “I thought the assassin was Mita. What am I missing?”
“You aren’t here because I summoned you, are you?”
Manoj shakes his head, pulls out two cushions, and motions for me to sit beside him. “No. I have something else, but the priority is your life. What’s happened?”
Another knock sounds. “Faaris to see you,” Himmat calls.
“What have I missed?” Faaris asks, closing the door and taking a cushion beside us.
I take a deep breath. “Nili and I have questioned Mita. She is not the assassin.”
XVI. AALIYAH
“It’s all about how you carry yourself,” I tell the young Vinita. “When you are in the common room, you can be the shy maiden. Some men are looking for that. Avert your eyes, speak softly, agree with what they are saying. That is who you are, and the men who like that will respond to your genuineness. But in private, you must learn to read the client. You must give them what they want, even if that is against your nature. The reason we are so successful here is that we are chameleons, with the ability to adapt. If you cannot adapt, you will be asked to leave.”
Vinita nods. “Yes, my lady.”
“Then be on your way. You have the rest of the
evening in the common room. Another client complaint, and you will be on food restrictions — bread and water only. Two more, and I will kick you out. Go.”
Vinita goes.
I feel for the girl. Only fifteen cycles, and already she’s bedded more men than she’d ever set eyes on before coming here. She’s naturally shy, despite her growing experience. And I like that about her. Many of her clients like that about her.
But men can find shy and demure at home. Most want a whore in the privacy of the bedroom. If Vinita can’t find the whore within her, I have no use for her.
Danna comes in carrying my packed bag.
“Your escort has arrived, my lady. He’s waiting at the rear with the horses saddled.” She giggles. “He looks positively delicious.”
I smile. “That’s a bonus, to be sure, but I’m more concerned that he’s strong and able with a sword.”
“If he isn’t, he will be able to scare off any enemies with a sharp look. The man has a presence about him.”
“My cloak and furs?”
“By the back door, my lady. I’ve woven a bit of warmth into them for your journey. Even in the Fangs in the dead of winter, you will be warm.”
I give her a hug. “Take care of yourself and the girls. I’ve already dampened the emotions in the building — no violence will occur. But this will also dampen the passions, and coin won’t be flowing as freely as usual. Keep an eye on it. When men grow stingy, the girls have a tendency to pocket what they can. Do not let them.”
Danna smiles. “This isn’t the first time you’ve been away.”
“But this will be my longest trip. Just…do whatever needs to be done. We’ll deal with the repercussions when I return. I trust you.”
“Enjoy the wedding, Mistress Aaliyah. And open yourself up. You might just meet a man.”
I laugh. “The day I open myself to another man is the day dragons will fly out of my—”
“Such language!”
We share another hug.
“Gods be with you, my lady.”
“And with you.”
XVII. MAJA
Being a god does have its advantages.
I’m able to stand here in the cold, the dark clouds threatening our first snowfall of the season, and I wear nothing but a cloak and riding trousers. I almost conjured a tunic, but Aaliyah rules with sex. Even if I’m not entirely comfortable with it, I must beat her at her own game.
