Page 169 of Tiger's Dream
Laughing, I said, “It affects me that way too.” I glanced around. “Well, so far so good. It looks like we didn’t create another world tree or melt the temple. Come on, let’s see if there’s a tidal wave coming in.”
“What is a tidal wave?” she asked as we stepped outside the temple.
“It’s a…well, a giant wave that crashes on the beach.”
“Why would we create that?”
“I don’t know. Strange things happen when I kiss you.” Lights were still on in the city and I saw no signs of imminent danger. “Maybe it only happens when we’re fighting,” I said.
“No. We weren’t fighting in the Grove of Dreams. It would seem that magic swells when we embrace.”
“Right.” My gaze dropped to her mouth again and we drew closer. It was as if we were magnets unable to resist the pull of one another. Before I kissed her again, I forcibly stopped myself from moving and murmured thickly, “Shall we continue working on Kadam’s list?”
“Yes. Maybe there’s someone we can fight to take the edge off.”
“Let’s hope so,” I replied, tangling my fingertips with hers. “So, what’s next?”
“Lady Silkworm.”
“Really?” I said, scrubbing a hand through my hair. “Where did you take her after you disappeared?”
Ana shrugged. “She is at our home, weaving and acting as mother to the young children I have rescued.”
“Ah. Strange that I haven’t seen her.”
“She doesn’t like mingling with the soldiers. It makes her nervous. I created her own home behind ours and gave her assistants to help her with her work. I’ll show you.”
Taking my hand, Ana sped us through time back to our mountain home and led me through a passageway hidden behind a long tapestry. I’d always assumed the cloth had been a gift, but now I saw it for what it was. It was Lady Silkworm done in embroidery as she sat looking out a window, sewing. When I studied the cloth where her needle lay, I saw the half-finished image of her young man, the poor fellow who I watched die.
Heading down a hall, I was surprised to see it open into a comfortable sitting room. Women bustled past us, carrying spools of thread, trays of food, or bundles of fabric. Two women chatted amiably while they wove in the corner on large looms while others sat in chairs, knitting thick shawls or tatting delicate laces.
Ana led me up a winding staircase to a thick wooden door and rapped her knuckles against it. The scent of lavender permeated the area.
“Who is it?” a voice inside asked.
“It’s Anamika,” she replied. I thought it was interesting that she used her given name instead of the goddess Durga.
The door was thrown open a moment later. The woman’s large smile faded when she saw me standing behind Ana. She smoothed her hand over her dress and tucked some strands of loose hair back. Her relaxed mien changed and she was stiff and formal with me there rather than comfortable like she had been with Ana.
“Do not worry about him,” Ana said, indicating me. “He is my protector.”
“Ah,” Lady Silkworm said with a bow. “Then I bid you welcome. But surely you need no protection from me,” the woman said with a small laugh.
“No, not at all,” Ana replied, smiling softly. “Truthfully, we are working on a task together and we need your help.”
“Of course. What may I create for you?” She glanced down. “Ah, I see!” The woman slid the forgotten scrap of silk Ana held between her fingers away from her and lifted it closer to her face for examination. It was the fabric offering from Nilima, but it didn’t look exactly like it did before. It was once a simple piece of green silk, lovely and expensive but ordinary when Kelsey placed it by the statue. Now it sparked and crackled; the strands of silk pulsed with waves of light. “How lovely!” Lady Silkworm exclaimed.
“Is that…” I began.
Ana nodded, anticipating my question. “It is. Nilima’s offering.”
“What happened to it?” I asked.
Licking her lips, Ana gave me a meaningful look. “I believe thatwehappened to it.”
My mouth fell open into an “oh” and I reached out a hand out to touch it. It vibrated beneath my fingertips.
“I can make something truly exceptional from these threads,” Lady Silkworm said, “though it will take me a good while to unwind them without breaking them. When must it be ready?”
