“Our warmest welcomes to the Palace of Raegaryn,” his father said in his regular rehearsed speech as he bowed low, a gesture which Ravi and the rest of the welcoming party copied. The traditional greeting of the Jade Empire, they’d been told.
“We are happy to be here,” the male of the pair spoke as they both repeated the gesture. So far so good, Ravi thought.
“Please come and share food and drink with us so that we may bring an end to the troubles between our kingdoms,” Ranjit said, gesturing inside the palace. It was overly formal, but it did its job as the envoys followed them inside. Ravi felt the guard’s eyes upon them the entire time, but knew they had nothing to worry about. They didn’t carry any weapons. Their tricks were far deadlier than stabbing the King in the back. And far more effective.
They went to one of the smaller banquet rooms, formal yet more comfortable and homely than the regular throne room. Ravi’s eldest sister was using that room for the regular task of receiving requests from sadhu, anyway.
Sherbet, daals, candied fruits, and many other Raegaryn delicacies were laid before them. Ravi ate and drank little, despite the pit in his stomach. Even if he could stand to eat anything, somehow he felt he had to leave his stomach empty, just in case.
“The Emperor is most welcome to make peace with the Kingdom of Raegaryn,” the male envoy – he had introduced himself as Qing – said between sips of sherbet, most welcome to him under his many layers of heavy silk.
“We are most grateful to hear this,” Ranjit said. Ravi noticed a slight turn up to his lips, but his face remained stoic, just as he was supposed to. Emotion had no place in such delicate matters.
“On behalf of our Emperor, please accept this gift from the Jade Empire as a symbol of peace,” the woman – Cui – said as one of her servants came forth bearing a chest, which she handed to Ranjit. This was it, Ravi knew, his empty stomach turning over.
His father’s eyes lit up as he opened the chest and drew out its contents.
“How beautiful,” he said as he turned the flower over in his hand. The sight of it made Ravi’s heart beat fast. “I’ve never seen a plant of such an exquisite colour.”
“It is called goldenglow, a plant native to our country. One which serves as a symbol of peace and unity,” Qing said.
“Then we will gladly accept this plant as a symbol of the unity between our two nations,” Ranjit said.
“It is tradition to brew a tea using the berries of this plant and drink together to demonstrate our blooming friendship,” Cui said. They were both skilled liars, Ravi noticed. No doubt that was the real reason why their Empire had expanded so far.
Ranjit sent for hot water and the envoys brought out a tea set of delicate china cups decorated with flowers, which Ravi would have admired if he hadn’t know what was about to happen. When the water was boiled and poured into the cups, one for each of them, Cui took back the goldenglow and crushed the berries apart in her manicured fingers, letting the blood red juice drip into the water and mix within it.
This was it, Ravi thought, touching the glass vial again, letting Ishwar’s memory fill him with the courage he so desperately needed.
She handed the dainty cup to his father, who took it gratefully.
Ravi shifted in his seat.
“To the unity between our nations and our people,” Ranjit said as he raised the cup.
“To the Kingdom of Raegaryn and the majesty of the Jade Empire,” Qing said, raising his own cup.
“To peace,” Cui said, staring at the King.
Ranjit raised the cup to his lips. It was expected for the monarch to drink first. For a second, Ravi desperately wanted to simply knock it from his hands. But he didn’t. Instead, he darted out of his seat and grabbed the cup when it was barely an inch from his father’s lips.
“Allow me, Father,” he said, downing the tea in a single undignified gulp before his father had time to protest.
“Ravi, what did you just do?” Ranjit hissed at him, glaring at his strange and uncharacteristic show of ineptitude. “Please forgive my son,” he said, turning to the envoys. “He’s not usually-” He stopped when he saw the shocked looks on their faces, the masks they had painted on so well finally faded. He glanced back to his son at the same moment the cup fell from his hands, shattering on the marble floor.
Ravi clutched at his throat, already feeling it closing. It hurt more than he’d thought it would. He could feel the poison rushing through his veins, his father clutching him, the cool marble floor beneath him.
Everything was becoming faint now. He could barely make out his father’s desperate face or his voice as he begged him to breathe again. He couldn’t see the guards gathering around or the shocked faces of the envoys as they feigned their innocence.
As it all faded away, he thought of Ishwar. He wanted to think of him in his final moments. His gentle eyes, the touch of his hands, his scent. The passion of his kisses. Every memory returned to him at once.
They wouldn’t have a life together. They wouldn’t have a lifetime apart, either. Only the single month of bliss. But even that was enough for Ravi. Even if it had only been brief, he had known true love when he’d thought he never would. And perhaps, if karma was kind enough, they could meet again in another life. Perhaps they would have another chance of happiness together in another time and place.
He could barely hear the chorus of cries all blending together now. He was only vaguely aware of somebody pulling him from his father’s arms. He could barely feel his mouth being parted and something cool being poured down his throat. He was aware of somebody stroking his throat, encouraging him to swallow. He could hear the words, “Come on, Ravi. Swallow. Return to me.”
He wanted to return. He didn’t want to go to that other place. The place of darkness and endings and uncertainty. He wanted to return to that voice, that touch, those eyes. He knew those eyes. He knew that face. It was so clear now.
“Ish…war…?” he murmured, his throat still on fire.
“You did it,” Ishwar choked, tears falling from his eyes, his smile wider and warmer than Ravi had ever seen. “I knew you would.” He stroked a hand over Ravi’s face, so warm and solid. It truly was him. He wasn’t dreaming. Ishwar had come to him when he’d needed him most.
With the little strength he had, Ravi raised his arms and clasped Ishwar in a fierce embrace, held so tightly and warmly in his arms. His mind was in too much of a haze to figure out why he was there or how he had gotten into the palace, but he didn’t care. He was there, he was safe, and somehow he already knew that nothing was going to part them ever again.
“My son,” his father’s voice broke through his reverie, his hand on his arm.
“Father,” Ravi said weakly, releasing Ishwar and turning to take his hand. “I’m sorry.”
“No. I see what you did,” Ranjit said, running a hand through Ravi’s hair before glancing upwards and sharing a brief look with Ishwar. He understood and rose, still holding Ravi firmly in his arms, backing away to let them both be flanked by guards, who had taken up their swords and had them pointed at the envoys. Ravi could only watch his father from between them. He held tightly to Ishwar’s neck, who squeezed him for reassurance. He had done his part now, and his father would have to take care of it from here. Yet he still wasn’t afraid. Ishwar’s warm body was next to his. In his arms, he knew he never had to be afraid. Next to him, he would always be safe. Ishwar would never let any harm come to him.
“That poison was intended for me,” Ranjit said to the envoys, stepping over the pieces of broken china. “My son took it in my place to save my life.”
“Your majesty, we swear we had no idea,” Qing said, gripping onto the front of his robe. The mask he had so carefully painted over himself had slipped, and he couldn’t fit it back on, Ravi could see.
“We were only tasked with delivering it to you, your majesty. We didn’t know it was poison,” Cui continued, looking from him to the guards at his side. Her mask crumbl
ed away completely when Ranjit took the sword from one of his guards, pointing it straight at her. Ravi’s breath caught, and even Ishwar tensed.
“Every part of me wishes to tear you apart for what you did to my son,” Ranjit said. The practised monarch voice was gone now. He was speaking honestly, and it made the envoys shake. “You come here proclaiming peace, then try to assassinate me in my own palace. That was your plan all along. Not to destroy my army but to weaken my Kingdom from within. For that, I should declare war on the Jade Empire at this very moment.”
Ishwar’s grip on Ravi tightened, so he ran a hand down his chest. “Hold on,” he whispered.
“But I won’t,” Ranjit continued, letting the sword fall to the floor amongst the mess. “That would only mean more death and bloodshed. I must use the example my son has shown me,” he turned towards Ravi, “and the courage, mercy, and love he has demonstrated.” He turned back to the envoys. “So, return to your Emperor and tell him that his plan has failed. There will be no war. There will be no takeover. And none of his tricks will work.”
He turned, allowing the guards to swarm in and show their guests out. He ignored them all, focusing instead on Ravi.
“Come, bring my son this way,” he said to Ishwar. “He’ll have to rest.”
Chapter Ten
“Father, I’m really alright,” Ravi said for the dozenth time as he pulled the cover up, almost wishing that the bed would swallow him. His father really didn’t need to fuss over him so much, especially with Ishwar right there to see it. “Ishwar already said I’ll be fine, so I’ll be fine.”
“It’s true, your majesty,” Ishwar said at his side. “Ra… the Prince really does just need to rest.”
“Very well. I know I can trust you, shaman,” Ranjit said, running a hand through his hair, which seemed to have greyed in only a day.
“Please, you can call me Ishwar, your majesty.”
“Then, Ishwar, you have my thanks for rescuing my son,” Ranjit smiled at Ishwar, a sight which Ravi couldn’t help but smile at too.
“I was lucky to give him the antidote in time,” Ishwar said, placing a hand on Ravi’s shoulder and gazing into his eyes for a second before he remembered that the King was there and drew them away, looking awkwardly to the ground. “And we were lucky that your daughter believed me when I came to her, and showed me straight to you.”
“Yes, Lia is an intelligent woman. And she’s raising her children to be the same. Any one of them will make a fine heir for you one day, Ravi.”
Of everything he’d heard that day, those words shook Ravi most of all. He glanced from Ishwar to his father and back again. Had his father really seen what had passed between them? Did he understand? And did this mean that he didn’t have to worry about marrying and producing an heir after all? Was everything he’d been worried over for years truly over?
“Even if it was luck, such loyalty to the royal family and to Raegaryn should be rewarded,” Ranjit continued.
“I don’t have any wish for material goods, your majesty,” Ishwar said with a dismissive wave of his hands.
“I’m aware. What I want to offer you instead is a position here, at the palace.”
Ravi gripped the blanket at the same time Ishwar had to steady himself on the bedframe.
“The war has been averted, but that doesn’t mean our conflict with the Jade Empire is over entirely. And as we’ve seen, they are cunning and knowledgeable in areas that we aren’t. There’s a lot you can do for us here, sha- I mean Ishwar,” Ranjit said. “That and I would feel assured knowing you are here to keep all of my children and grandchildren safe.” His hand ran down Ravi’s back, in a way which made him feel warm and grateful for his father’s overflowing love. It didn’t seem possible that he held love both for his kingdom and such a large family, yet somehow, he found a way.
“I would be honoured to serve you and your family, your majesty,” Ishwar said, bowing as politely as he could manage. Ravi could only stare up at him in shock. Ranjit smiled and nodded.
“I’d best leave you to rest, then,” he said, giving his son’s head one final affectionate pat, the same way he’d done when Ravi had been small.
He waved the guards and servants from the room, coughing to alert the boy who hadn’t yet finished lighting the incense, who hastily waved out his lighter and scurried from the room. Ranjit gave Ravi and Ishwar a final smile before he closed the door, leaving the two of them alone.
“I think he knows more than he lets on,” Ravi said as he pulled out the bedsheets his father had insisted on tucking up to his chin.
“He’s not the only one. Abhi figured out that you’re royalty,” Ishwar said.
“I suppose I didn’t hide that well after all,” Ravi laughed before they looked to each other for a moment.
Ravi wanted nothing more than to collapse in his arms and shower him with kisses. Instead, he asked, “Are you really fine with this?”
“With what?” Ishwar said, looking at him quizzingly.
“With accepting a position here at the palace.”
“I meant what I said to your father. It’s an honour to serve him and the Kingdom.”
“These stone walls aren’t you. You belong in the jungle. In nature. Free.”
“I belong wherever I want to belong,” Ishwar said, sitting on the bed next to him and taking his hands.
“But… The village. Abhi’s father. What about-”
“I’ve told Abhi everything he needs to know about preparing their medicines. And I gave him all I left behind, so he’ll have plenty to work with. He’s a smart man and good with his hands. He’ll do just fine.”
“But you… will you be happy here?” Ravi said. Ishwar gripped his hands.
“I’ll miss the jungle, and everyone I left behind,” he said. “But I don’t regret leaving. Not just to serve the King or aid the Kingdom.” He shifted forward, cupping Ravi’s cheek. “I came for you. To save you. And because I want to be with you and only you. I don’t want to give up my body to others anymore. I want only to be with you.”
Everything which Ravi had been hiding finally came spilling out at once as he pulled Ishwar close and kissed him hard. He tried hard to savour the moment – to preserve the gentle touch of Ishwar’s lips and his tongue rolling over his. Even though he knew that this kiss would be the first of many. That they would have countless others like it.
“I want to be with you too,” he said when they finally broke apart. “Leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, except for taking that poison. Because I love you. I never want to be apart from you.”
“And you never will be again,” Ishwar said, drying the tears which had fallen from Ravi’s eyes without his noticing. “I’m never going to let you go. I love you.”
They kissed again and Ravi sighed and relaxed into his arms, knowing that confession of love was merely the first of many more like it. Those words of love would be said thousands of times over and over again. They would express them through words and deeds and touch. Neither of them would be alone ever again. He could finally make Ishwar happy, just as he deserved. And it all started from that day.
“Did you find everything you need?” Ravi asked, leaning on the doorway of what was now to be his beloved’s quarters. He took in the sight of Ishwar gleefully examining powders, sniffing potions, and aligning everything exactly as he needed. Yet when he noticed Ravi, his smile grew all the more.
“Yes, thank you. Your father’s staff have been most accommodating,” he said as he set down his work to place an arm around Ravi’s shoulder, drawing him in for a kiss.
In the days that Ravi had spent in bed recovering from his fatigue, Ishwar had spent whatever time he’d had away from his bedside setting up his new workplace and living quarters, which to Ravi’s delight weren’t too far from his own quarters.
Now that Ravi had been deemed fully fit and was free to roam the palace once again, he was glad to see him taking so well to his new position as the palac
e healer. And even more to his role as his consort in all but name.
“What’s this?” Ravi asked, picking up a slip of paper with the names of his family written on them.
“I’m still trying to memorise your family tree. It’s more complicated than the cure for rheumatism,” Ishwar said.
“You don’t need to tell me. Wait until you see how confusing the weddings become,” Ravi laughed as he wrapped his arms around Ishwar’s waist.
This was so surreal. To be holding him here in the palace. Knowing he could hold him or kiss him whenever he wanted to. Knowing he would be there to celebrate weddings and holidays and births alongside him. He’d be one of their family, even if it couldn’t be officially recognised. He already got along well with Ranjit and become a fast friend to his sister. He’d be a favourite amongst all his younger siblings and nieces and nephews. They’d grow curious and ask questions eventually, but he was certain that once he explained it to them, they would understand.
“Come with me. I want to show you something,” Ravi said, pulling on Ishwar’s hands.
Despite all the work he still had to do, Ishwar gladly set it aside to follow Ravi out of the palace and into the adjacent gardens. In the sunset, they glowed even more beautiful than usual and it took a while for them to traverse the paths as Ishwar stopped every other second to admire flowers and plants.
Eventually, they made it to a remote part of the gardens.
“This is it,” Ravi said as he parted the curtain of vines, which on first sight appeared to be merely a wall covered in vines. “This is my secret place. Barely anybody else knows about it, so I come here to be alone.”
“Is this what you wanted to show me?” Ishwar asked as he ducked under the vines after him, admiring the rare plants they passed.
“Not just this,” Ravi said as he took his hand and led him around the final corner. Ishwar let out a chuckle at the sight of the bed laid before them, draped in soft blankets and cushions and shielded from the sun by a canopy of silken throws.
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