Page 196 of Tiger's Dream
“Then so be it.”
There was a rush of power that flowed out of both of us and into my old self. If I thought embracing the tiger was painful, it was nothing like taking in the power of the goddess. The eyes of my old self rolled back and he passed out and I caught the scent of burning flesh. The amulet around his neck had branded him. A red welt, the outline of a tiger, rose on his bare skin.
Ana stepped back, holding the Damon Amulet, and lifted a hand to her lips. She blew him a kiss and the skin on his neck healed instantly. She took my arm, pulling me away. “It is done,” she said. Whispers of threads moved across her body and her extra limbs shimmered and disappeared. Soon she was back in her green hunting dress. Snapping her fingers, Ana worked her power so time flowed naturally around us once more.
Ren transformed first. The white tiger burst from his form, claws first. He shook himself and snarled at Lokesh. The old Kishan was falling. His human form had been unconscious but the tiger was very much awake and aware. He transformed before his body hit the ground. The tiger leapt forward immediately and led the way to the jungle. Ren followed him. The two tigers paused at the tree line looking back.
Ana smiled as they disappeared in the greenery and clutched my arm, pressing her head against my shoulder.
Before we left, I went back to Yesubai. Gently, I touched her face. Picking up her hand, I pressed my lips to it. “She didn’t deserve this fate,” I said. “By cursing myself and Ren, I’ve cursed her too. It’s selfish of me.”
“No, Sohan,” Ana said. “You gave her the greatest gift a person can give another.”
I glanced up at her and dashed my hand across my face to wipe away a tear. “What do you mean? It was Yesubai that gave us the gift of healing at the cost of her life.”
“That is true.” Ana nodded. “But did you know she herself wondered if it might have been better if she’d never been born? Yesubai didn’t want the fate of your family to be in her hands. She thought herself a coward for not standing up to her father earlier.”
“He would have killed her.”
“Yes. And I would agree that Yesubai’s short life was tragic. Her potential was wasted. But you, my wonderful tiger, loved her, and she was able to love you in return. I’ve heard the pleas of countless people who suffer loneliness, heartache, and longing. Above all else, they desire love. Most of them die never having discovered it. It is a most precious thing—a miracle—a spark in the heart that not even a goddess can produce. Though her time on earth was brief, she tasted something that was delicious to her soul.Love.Yougave her that.”
Ana stayed with me as I sat there holding Yesubai’s hand. Finally, I kissed her forehead and said good-bye. Wrapping her arms around me, Ana said, “Come, my tiger. It is time to leave the past and set our feet on the path that leads to our future.
We spun in a vortex and were back at our home on the lawn of her rose garden before I knew what was happening. Ana stepped away as if to leave me, but I skimmed my hand down her arm and took her hand.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“I…I thought you would like to be alone.”
“I think I’ve been alone far too long. Besides, you promised me a vacation.”
She cocked her head. “And you wish to begin such a trip now?”
“Hmm, I think I could be talked into it.”
“Very well, then where shall we go first?” she asked as I took her in my arms.
“I think there’s something we need to discuss before we make any further plans, Ana.”
“Oh? And what is that?”
“It’s the way you keep flinging around that blasted word. The one I hate.”
“What word?” she asked, puzzled.
“Consort.”
Ana snorted a laugh. “Am I to understand that you are offended by this word?”
“I am.”
“I see. Then what word would you prefer me to use when speaking of you?”
“Oh, I don’t know. How about husband?”
Ana’s smile was slow and sweet, and when it burst forth in all its brilliance, it took my breath away.
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