Page 37 of Her Soul for a Crown
Reeri’s brows knit together. “You mean praying.”
“I don’t pray.” She sauntered close and whispered, “I only get on my knees for one reason.”
“What is this?” Reeri ignored her taunt, plucking a piece of paper sticking out of her small pocket. Though blank, he could smell the taint of ink.
He held up the paper to candle flame, a trick as old as he. Names appeared, crammed from one end to the other. Prophet Ayaan’s was first.
Anula laughed. “Perhaps it’s who I wish to be with more than you. Or it’s all the men I’ve already been with.”
Reeri bristled. This was worse than speaking with Calu. At least he was honest. Anula was intent on making this difficult. Reeri handed the paper back, tired of wasting time. “Do not poison the prophet. He is necessary.”
If not as his Heavenly connection, then the knowledge passed down to him would be essential, if luck was on their side.
“Or what?” Anula narrowed her eyes.
“The bargain will take longer to complete.”
She tucked the paper away. “And the others?”
Reeri shook his head. “Are you so eager to become a murderess?”
Anula straightened, as if she could reach his height by sheer willpower. “Justice is not murder.”
“Says the slayer.”
With a scoff, Anula spun. Her hair whipped Reeri in the face. The sting was a welcome reminder that he was more than the shadow simmering beneath. He was corporeal, and before long, all the Yakkas would be, too.
It should not have surprised him that this offerer turned out to be a cruel woman. In all the centuries of offerings, it was either the power hungry or the provoked who sought to bargain for the throne. Anula was no different.
The notion settled any guilt over marring her soul. It was already misshapen. Jaw working, Reeri quickly followed her. She paused in the center of the corridor, scratching at the mehendhi markings that ran up her arms.
“What did you do to me?” she demanded. “Why does it itch?”
“It is our tether, and the consequence of it stretching thin. We must stay close. I was going to explain it all in our chamber.”
“Ourchamber?” She whirled on him. “Is this your idea of a jest?”
“I do not jest.”
“Thrice-cursed Yakkas. Could this day get any worse?”
Wessamony’s wicked grin flashed in Reeri’s mind.Bring me the Bone Blade by the Maha Equinox in four weeks, else you shall be the Yakkas’ tormentor, for eternity.
“Of course it could.”
Anula leveled a glare.
Reeri sighed. “We both need rest if tomorrow is going to bring us closer to the end of this bargain.”
“Fine. But stay on your side of the room. Touch me once, and you’ll find out exactly what’s inside that vial.”
She marched off. Reeri pinched the bridge of his nose. The Maha Equinox was nigh, he had to deal with her only a while longer; then her soul would be cleaved and he would have a new life.
Far, far away.
15
The raja’s bedchamber was filled with many things, mostly blessed gifts, and mirrors in which to revel in his own glory. A raja could demand for anything to be brought inside, permanently or otherwise.
