Still, Jaya found herself reaching out, placing a hand on his forearm, his muscles like steel cords under the skin. “Don’t go,” she said softly. The realization that she wasn’t just being polite surprised her; she really didn’t want him to leave.
He turned to her, strands of dark hair dripping water onto his face. “I… I can’t…”
Jaya smiled. “It’s okay. We’ll just sit here and talk. Look, I’ll even move over.” She scooted a few feet so they were nowhere near each other anymore.
Grey paused for a second, studying her, and then the distance between them. Very slowly, as if he were waiting for her to change her mind, he sat.
Jaya nodded, feeling oddly happy. “Good. Now let’s just enjoy the warm water, shall we?”
As the water frothed around them, she lay her head back, let her eyes slip closed, and took deep, calming breaths. Outwardly, she knew she appeared calm and in control, ever poised. Inside, she felt like a shipwreck survivor, on uncharted land she had no idea how to navigate.
* * *
The next afternoon, Jaya had just come in from the gardens, book in hand, when Penelope caught up with her on the stairs, going the other way. “Hello, Penny,” she said, smiling.
“I’ve been looking for you! Has Caterina talked to you yet?” Penelope asked, her eyes bright.
“No… why?”
“Oh, I just saw her a few minutes ago and she says she has a surprise for you.” Penelope’s cheeks were pink with glee. “I’m not sure what, though. She said to tell you to go to her room.”
Jaya’s heart hammered. Unlike the innocent Penelope, she knew a surprise from Caterina was not a thing to celebrate. “Okay, thanks, Penny,” she said, quickening her steps.
“Ta!” Penelope continued blithely running down the stairs.
Jaya walked quickly through the common room, noting in passing the smell of cooking popcorn, down the hallway with the dorm rooms, passing other students and smiling at them, though her mouth was rather dry. She clutched her book to her chest.
Perhaps Caterina wanted to apologize to Jaya. Well, maybe not to apologize—she doubted Caterina ever apologized for anything—but certainly to smooth things over. Maybe she’d thought about it and realized Jaya was only doing what any reasonable person would—that Caterina had put her in an uncomfortable position, asking her to rat on Daph. They’d talk about it, Jaya would say bygones were bygones, and that would be it.
She took a deep breath, smoothed down her sweater, and knocked on Caterina’s door.
“Come in!”
Jaya turned the doorknob, walked in, and stopped, staring.
Caterina, dressed in a plum-colored sweaterdress and tan boots, sat at her desk. On the screen of the laptop in front of her were two familiar faces. “Jaya,” Caterina said, smiling her most lovely, most carved-from-ice smile. “I believe you know my friends Sri Devi and Kiran? We were just catching up on Skype.”
Sri Devi Nair, the daughter of one of the royal families in Kerala, the one Caterina had brought up again in Aspen. And Kiran Hegde, who naturally, Jaya knew well. Quite well. “What…,” Jaya began, not knowing what she was going to say. Her pulse hammered in her temples; her palms were suddenly very damp.
“Hi, Jaya,” Sri Devi said while Kiran watched Jaya, unsmiling.
“H-hi,” Jaya said, feeling more discombobulated than she had in her entire life. What would Amma do in a situation like this? She walked closer to the screen, to Caterina. “How are you, Sri Devi?”
“I’m well!” Sri Devi said. “Caterina was just telling us how well you’re fitting in there. Sounds like you’ve met lots of interesting people.”
Jaya swallowed. Had Caterina told Kiran she seemed to be getting friendly with Grey Emerson? And what had Kiran, in turn, told her? “Right. I have. Everyone’s very… nice.” She noticed Caterina’s gaze on her.
“That’s good,” Kiran said, but he still didn’t smile. “I’m glad everyone’s so nice. And Isha’s doing well?” His eyes held hers for a long, long moment.
“She is. Very well.” Jaya cleared her throat into the silence.
“We were just saying goodbye,” Caterina said, smiling flashily at them. “It’s late where they are, you know? You missed all of our chat, unfortunately.”
Jaya forced an easy smile. “Well. Maybe next time, then.”
Caterina wiggled her fingers at them. “Till next time!”
She ended the call and turned to Jaya, her brown eyes sparkling. “You have such lovely friends, Jaya,” she said. “They seem to like you so much.”
“They’re wonderful,” Jaya agreed carefully, her eyes never leaving Caterina’s face.
Caterina may not know anything of substance—how close Jaya and Grey had come to kissing, for instance. Maybe she, Kiran, and Sri Devi barely talked about Jaya at all. The important thing was for her to not mention Grey; Jaya knew this deep in the roots of her soul, like she knew never to eat the toxic fruit of the othalanga tree. This was a power move on Caterina’s part, that was all. Surely this was just her way of saying, Don’t ever cross me. If I bothered to really dig into your private life, I could crush you like a bug under my boot heel. Message received.
“I should go shower before dinner,” Jaya said, making her way to the door.
“Good idea,” Caterina said. “You never know what kind of dirt might be sticking to you.”
They looked at each other. Jaya nodded, turned the doorknob, and left. She stopped in the hallway for a moment, her breaths coming faster, as if she were caught in a lightning storm no one had seen coming.
CHAPTER 13
Jaya
It was Saturday morning, a day and a half after the Skype ambush, and Jaya paced the length of Daph’s room. They’d arrived at an uneasy truce after their confrontation on the bus in Aspen, both of them at an impasse. Well, it was time to break the impasse.
“What’s going on?” Daph asked, tearing off a piece of fruit leather that was wrapped around her finger. She was dressed in yoga pants and a tunic sweater, ready for the weekend. “You seem really… stressed.”
“I am stressed.” Jaya stopped and looked at her. “Look, I have to tell you something that I should’ve told you a while ago, and you’re probably not going to like it, but things have now come to a head and—”
“Whoa, slow down,” Daph said, her palms outstretched. “Start at the top, darling. Tell me everything.”
Pulling the sleeves of her sweater down, Jaya turned to her. “Okay. You have to tell Caterina about you and Alaric.”
Daph paled. “What? Jaya, you know I can’t. Why are you saying this?”
“Because I’m in her crosshairs now. She talked to me at the mixer, and again at the lodge in Aspen, and now…” Jaya took a deep breath. Caterina could ruin everything if she told Kiran that Jaya and Grey were an item. He’d tell her parents, who’d be furious, of course, with good reason. This could jeopardize everything, and it had to stop. Now. “I haven’t told her anything about you and Alaric, but she knows I know something, and she’s not taking my silence too well. I don’t have to tell you, Caterina’s not someone I want as my enemy.”
Daph stood and walked to her window, looking down at the gardens below. Jaya gave her some space. After a long pause, she turned around and looked Jaya in the eye. “I’m so sorry she’s coming after you. I never thought—I’ll take care of it. I’ll tell Alaric we need to come clean.”
Jaya’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Really?”
Daph smiled a small, sad smile. “Really. It’s about time anyway.” Her eyes got misty. “I’m so sorry you got dragged into it, even a little. I know Caterina was probably not very nice to you about it. I feel like absolute shit, you know? I wish I could just stop, just walk away from Alaric.” She sniffled. “Do you know how many times I’ve told him I want to tell Caterina? Or begged him to?”
“So why haven’t you, then?” Jaya asked, not unkindly.
“He’s always got some excuse, you know? Eith
er he’s stressed about some test or Caterina got bad news from home or…” She shook her head and dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. Looking right at Jaya, she said, “Haven’t you ever lied for someone you loved? Even if it meant hurting someone else?”
Jaya felt herself still. “Yes,” she said finally, when she’d found her voice again. “Yes, I have.”
Daphne Elizabeth gave her a watery smile. “It sucks, and I feel so totally weak, but… this is it, though. This isn’t fair to you now, and I never wanted anyone else pulled into it. It’s over; one way or another, we’re going to tell her.”
Jaya nodded. After a pause, she said, “Thank you.”
Grey
It was Saturday afternoon, and Grey and DE were headed back to the main building from the library. Grey had just returned a few books and was meeting Jaya in the lobby so they could take a car to the jeweler in town together. He had no idea what DE was up to tonight; he hadn’t asked. She’d basically just latched on to him when she saw him, which, strangely, he didn’t mind too much for a change.
Winter was definitely here; they were both huddled into their jackets as ice-edged wind cut at their faces and ears. DE typed furiously on her phone, probably talking to Alaric. Bits of her brilliant red hair showed from under her pale green beanie. “So, Grey,” she continued, looking briefly at him as they walked. “I think it’s pretty clear that Jaya’s buried an arrow from her bow deep into your heart.”
Grey snorted as he tucked his hands into his coat pockets. “If she hits anything, it’s only by accident.”
“What?” DE asked, confused.
“She’s a terrible shot,” Grey explained as they passed a group of laughing freshmen. “I had to give her archery lessons.” He smiled at the memory of them at one of their very first archery classes.
“Oh. Weird,” DE said, going back to her phone.
“What is?”
“It’s no big deal,” she said, shaking her head. “I was sure she told me she’d won a trophy for it or wanted to do archery at college or something. It sounded like she was pretty good.” She tossed him a smile. “I’m probably just remembering it wrong, though.”
“Yeah,” Grey said, frowning slightly. “Probably.”
“So what are you doing tonight? Anything fun?”
“Ah, just going into town to run an errand,” Grey replied as they walked up a small hill toward the main building. Another stiff breeze shook the line of aspen trees on either side of them.
“Oh, you’re going alone?” DE said. “Need some company?”
“I’m not going alone.” He could feel her green gaze on the side of his face. Reluctantly, he added, “Jaya and I are going together.”
DE snorted and he glared at her. Trying her best to get her smile under control, she said, “Right. Of course you are.”
Grey rolled his eyes and lengthened his stride to leave her behind, but he could still hear her laughing.
Jaya
A week and a half after the “almost kiss” in the hot tub, Jaya waited in the lobby of the main building for Grey. She’d already requested a car from the school’s service, and now she stood by the fireplace, warming her hands. A few other students lounged on the chairs around her, talking or texting, but Jaya kept to herself, lost in thought.
It felt like a good way to spend a Saturday evening, going into town to try to get her necklace repaired. The fact that she was going with Grey, though, she wasn’t too sure about. Not after what Caterina had done.
Jaya had to be especially careful now, how and where she was seen with Grey. For instance, he’d texted her that he wanted to return a few library books. Normally she would’ve asked to walk with him, but she’d forced herself to stay at the main building instead.
She looked over her shoulder for signs of Caterina but saw none. Relaxing a bit, she turned back to the fire. Getting into a car with Grey in public was probably not the smartest thing to do if her objective was to prove there was nothing at all between them (which there wasn’t) and that she didn’t like him (which she didn’t), but she’d already invited him and didn’t want to rescind the invitation. That was needlessly cruel. Besides, Jaya was hoping getting the necklace fixed might help him. Not that she believed the curse was real, of course, but there was such a thing as a placebo effect, wasn’t there? Perhaps Grey would see it fixed and believe the curse was gone.
The front doors opened then, letting in a burst of cold air. Jaya turned to see Grey enter, with Daph close behind him, and she walked toward them. “Hi.”
“Hey,” Grey said, nodding but not smiling.
“Jaya, do you have a minute?” Daph said, grabbing her elbow.
“Erm, of course.” She turned to Grey. “The car should be outside in another minute or two. Do you want to wait there and I’ll meet you?”
He nodded and turned on his heel to head back outside.
Jaya turned to Daph. “What’s going on?”
Daphne Elizabeth cleared her throat, two bright spots of color on her cheeks that Jaya didn’t think had to do with the cold air outside. “Just wanted you to know I told Alaric that either he needed to tell Caterina about us or I would.”
Jaya stood up straighter. “And?”
Daphne Elizabeth held out her cell phone. “He gave me her cell number.” On the screen was a text message, sent the day before.
Caterina, this is Daphne Elizabeth. We need to talk. Alaric and I have been dating. I’m sorry we haven’t told you before now. I know this is so shitty, but it just happened and… I’m sorry. Truly sorry.
There was no response text.
Jaya looked up at Daphne Elizabeth. “She hasn’t replied?”
“No, but she was glaring at me in class today, so I’m sure she saw it.” Daphne Elizabeth let out a breath. “It feels good to have gotten that off my chest. Really good.”
“So what’s the plan now? Will you talk to her, since she hasn’t responded?”
“No, I’d better not. I’m going to let it rest. Ball’s in her court now. She might need a while to digest the text… or plot my murder.” Daphne Elizabeth laughed, but there was a hysterical, nervous edge to it.
Jaya put her hand on Daphne Elizabeth’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you for doing that,” she said.
Daph smiled. “Thanks.”
“And has Alaric said if he’ll text her too? Or talk to her? Is he with her right now?”
Daph shook her head. “No. After that stunt she pulled in her car the day of the Aspen trip, they haven’t been hanging out too much. He says he’d rather not rattle her cage right now.”
Jaya nodded, though she thought Alaric was quite possibly the biggest coward she’d ever met. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think it was a stunt, what Caterina did. Perhaps she just wanted to spend some time with Alaric; she was probably hoping he’d ride with her.”
Daphne Elizabeth looked abashed. “Oh.” She twisted the fringe on her scarf. “Right.”
“Daph,” Jaya said, leaning forward. A group of students came in from outside, and Jaya and Daph moved out of the way, to the side. “You could get another boyfriend, you know. Someone else who’ll love you and treasure you and respect you the way you deserve. Someone who won’t ask you to do the heavy lifting while he does… well, whatever Alaric’s up to right now.” She paused, half hearing Amma’s voice in her head: Do not meddle in other people’s relationships, Jaya. “And maybe you don’t need a boyfriend at all right now,” Jaya pushed on, because she wanted to say this to Daphne Elizabeth, because she actually cared about this girl. “Maybe you could take some time for yourself, to work out what’s important to you. It doesn’t all have to be on Alaric’s schedule.”
Daph smiled at her, her green eyes tinged with sadness. “Thanks, Jaya.” On impulse, she reached out and gave her a hug. “Now, you better go. I know Grey’s probably getting pretty desperate.” She laughed.
Jaya glared at her. “We’re just running an errand.”
“I know, I know, tha
t’s the party line,” Daph said, still chuckling as she turned around and made her way to the stairs.
* * *
The car pulled up to the curb on a quiet shop-and-tree-lined street a few miles from campus in downtown St. Rosetta, near the sushi restaurant she, Isha, and Grey had eaten at so long ago. Now Grey tipped the driver quickly and slid out. Jaya followed, her boots crunching.
She looked over her shoulder as if she expected to see Caterina hiding behind a tree, fully aware she was getting a little paranoid. She hoped that seeing Daph’s text would ease Caterina’s anger a bit, but the fact that she hadn’t replied bothered Jaya. She glanced at Grey as they walked down the sidewalk. It would make the most sense for her to not even be here with him. And yet she couldn’t bring herself to actually take action that would make him leave. What was that about?
“Here it is,” she said as they walked up to a familiar quaint stone shop decorated with ivy garlands and lights. Jaya had seen the picture on their website; it looked like something a hobbit might live in, but in a good way. A sign outside said ST. ROSETTA’S FINE JEWELERS.
Grey held the door open for her.
The shop was much larger inside than the exterior suggested. Their footsteps echoed on the marble tile floor, and Jaya breathed in the dry scent of the heater mixed in with some subtle herby fragrance.
“This is beautiful,” she said, looking around at all the stately glass cases, in which jewels as big as her fist glittered in colors of the rainbow. She walked over to a display case on the right, in which an intricate gold hair clip that looked like it was made from lace rather than metal sat on a pale blue velvet pillow.
Grey read a little sign by the case. “It says most of these pieces are custom-made. You can’t find work like this anywhere else.” He studied the hair clip with her. “Wow, he’s really talented.”
“I thank you for that compliment.”
Jaya turned to see a short, white-skinned man with a perfectly trimmed goatee and small, neat hands smiling at her and Grey. He wore one large signet ring on his pinkie and a gold rope necklace around his neck. “Princess Jaya, I assume? I am Silas, the resident master jeweler and proprietor of this establishment.”
Of Curses and Kisses Page 19
