Page 68 of Her Soul for a Crown
Anula’s apology last night and her acceptance of the bargain the way it stood had come not a moment too soon. He could not help his gaze from flicking to her back, nor the frown that tugged on his mouth. He had bargained with many before her, but this was different. They knew things about each other that no one else did. Still, a question lingered in her eyes, on her lips. A question that kept him at arm’s length.
Reeri split the group to cover the most ground. Sohon and Kama took the north, Reeri and the others the south. He would have preferred another split, but Bithul and Calu would not hear of it.
Anula barely blinked an eye at his command. She had no problem greeting vendors in the night market; she flitted betwixt them, bought wares, haggled yet paid twice the agreed-upon price, and never faltered in her whispers of relics. She handed Calu banana leaf after banana leaf of her favored foods. Steamed buns, curry, aluwa. She lingered at stalls with elderly women, pushed passed men to speak with their wives. Even when answers could not be found, she still left coin.
That, Reeri could explain away: It was in service to her bargain. But the book Sohon could remember? The food Calu loved to indulge in?
The hand that had reached across the bed? The voice that questioned the truth?
She wanted true knowledge about the Yakkas, not false storiesof old. She had said it was important. Why?
Worse yet, why did it bother him?
He had what he wanted, what he required: a tether, a soul, and an offerer hunting for the Bone Blade. All was going according to his plan. Now he must focus, before it was too late. He should not dwell on the reasons she kept him at bay. He most assuredly should not dwell on her fierce passion and deadly lips. No matter how beautiful. No matter how taunting. No matter how they sparked the oldest of his desires, to experience a certain type of communion, a certain aspect of life.
As if she had heard his thoughts, Anula’s gaze landed on him, her mouth half-open to eat a sweet. She paused, then offered it to him. “It’s called pani walalu.”
Reeri peered at the treat’s flower design, then warily at her necklace. “Did you lose a diamond in it?”
Her smile was sweet as hakuru. “It’s not the diamonds you have to worry about.”
He continued down the path. She snapped at his heels.
“Just try it.”
“Why?”
“I’m attempting to be nice.”
“Why?”
She huffed. “Perhaps this is my way of apology.”
Reeri halted. “Your last apology left a bitter taste.”
Anula crossed her arms and aimed her words at Calu. “Is he always as stubborn as a donkey?”
“Yes.” Calu laughed. “To be fair, you did poison him.Twice.”
“I said it won’t happen again.”
“Why should we believe you?” Calu plucked the pani walalu from her hand and tossed it in his mouth.
She lifted a brow at Reeri. “I am true to my word.”
Clearly. Though not her intention, she had threatened to kill ahuman and nearly succeeded. “I do not want your pity.”
“I’m not offering it.”
“Then I see no reason for apology or forgiveness. Do not let it happen again, and let us focus on finding the relic.”
“Fine.” Her eyes flamed again. If it was not pity, why did she want the truth?
Not that he cared. Not that he should.
***
“Mighty Heavens, I love the night market,” Calu said, caressing a sword no doubt stolen from a great foreign warrior. “You can find all you desire here.”
