Page 105 of Her Soul for a Crown
“And you.”
Sandani smiled. It was kind and genuine, yet sturdy, as though she knew a thing or two about how to survive in the world, how to bide time and bend rules. The same smile Auntie Nirma would give.
“We should practice now,” Premala said, her voice pitching.
Anula ignored her. “How did you meet?”
Premala cut in before Sandani answered. “We really must practice.”
“Why?” Anula asked sarcastically. “Is the tovil that hard, or are you that unskilled?”
“No,” Premala said, less a statement and more a question.
Anula sighed, heavy and exaggerated. “Does it usually take the Kattadiya this long to prepare?”
“No, but it’s new and vastly more important.”
“Why were you chosen for this, and not someone more adept?”
“I—I am.”
“Then why is it taking so long?”
“Because…”
“Perhaps I should ask the guruthuma for a replacement.”
“You brought back the Yakkas!” Premala snapped. “You can’t blame me for needing more time.”
Anula’s brows shot high. Perhaps the girl had a backbone after all. Now she needed only to see the truth of the Kattadiya, and Anula could pull her out. Perhaps make her a real ally. Before the tovil was called to be performed.
Premala bowed, the edge of the mask clanking to the floor. “Apologies, my—I didn’t mean to yell. It’s only—I haven’t slept.”
“We’ve been extremely busy,” Sandani explained. “The nights are long and the bargainers many. The crowd that has gathered in thecity for the Festival of the Cosmos is larger than any in history. The fear of the Polonnaruwan war is high, and more people are making bargains. Guruthuma Hashini tasked us with stopping the bargains before they’re made, meaning we spend day and night seeking out bargainers, just as they say their prayers. The stupas are overrun.”
“You’re stopping bargains from being made?” Anula asked. “I thought your task was to break the bad ones.”
“They’re all bad. Stopping them before they start is a kindness. Besides, we need to stop them only while the Yakkas still live. Once Premala performs the new ceremony—”
“They’ll be dead.” Anula’s voice turned dusty and dry. “But aren’t you going against the purpose of the festival? The entirety of the Heavens is to be honored, not only the First.”
“Just because it’s tradition doesn’t make it right,” Premala said, the words rolling off her tongue as if she’d chewed them, swallowed them, regurgitated them. “People have been blinded, Anula. The Second Heavens do not love us as the Divinities do.”
Reeri’s hand flashed in Anula’s mind. His gentle touch, his kind words, the meeting he’d set up with Dilshan because he saw what was in her heart.
No, the Yakkas did not care as Fate or Destiny or Fortune. That was not a half-truth. They cared more.
Sandani reached out, skimmed her fingers along Premala’s arm. Anula jerked her chin. “If the First Heavens love you so much, why must the two of you hide?”
Sandani’s hand stilled.
“Why are you doing this?” Premala asked, voice small.
“Doing what?”
“I know you’re dedicated to the people of this kingdom, Anula, but you’re making it difficult.”
“Making what difficult?”
