Page 63 of Tiger's Dream
Anamika turned away from me to look straight ahead. “Most heroes are simply villains who haven’t yet revealed their true nature.”
“I don’t believe that, Ana. And frankly, I’m surprised you do.”
“There is much you don’t know about me, Kishan.”
I nudged her with my arm. “What happened to Sohan? Or do you think me a villain now too?”
She looked up at me. “I do not think you are a villain. Nor do I think you are a hero.”
“Then what am I?” I asked.
“You are just…my tiger,” she answered.
I wasn’t sure what to make of her answer or if it was a good thing or a bad thing for her to think of me in such a way. Anamika didn’t necessarily enjoy playing the part of a goddess though she loved being of help to people. She was formidable in battle, but she struck me as more of a mother bear defending her young than as a vengeful goddess.
It would certainly be easier to make my life decisions based on the instincts of a tiger, but I was more than that. Kelsey would have had no trouble assuring me of my heroic status, but in a way, it was nice that Ana didn’t assign me that role. It was almost as if she didn’t expect anything from me. She let me be what I wanted to be in that moment, whether it was a man, a tiger, a hero, a companion…even a villain.
Not that I was anywhere close to Lokesh, but wasn’t it villainous of me to consider taking away Kelsey’s happy ending? The definition of a bad guy was that he wanted to get the things he desired no matter the cost to others. It would be so easy for me to turn back time and destroy the love that existed between Ren and Kelsey. I had the power to pave a path directly to her heart. But didn’t love require sacrificing?
My thoughts were interrupted when our young guide stopped and pointed to a gated home. “This is the factory and the household of the silk maker,” he announced.
“Very good,” I said. “Ana will give you a coin for your trouble.”
She crouched down and touched her fingertip to the nose of the boy. “Perhaps I can offer you something more than a coin,” she said.
“What’s that?” the boy asked hesitantly, his voice croaking in a girlish way, a sign that he was embarking on the transformation from boy to man. My thoughts drifted back to the time when I was in his position—a twelve-year-old youngster, looking with hope at Ana.
“How would you like to come work for me?” she asked.
I put my hand on her arm. “Are you sure?” I murmured.
“I have looked into the heart of this young one. He is brave and true. And the silk seller is not your father, is he?” she said.
The boy shook his head. Grimly, he said, “He is my master. I do not think he will sell me at any cost.”
“Then we won’t buy you,” Ana said. “We’ll steal you like those thieves.”
The boy’s eyes widened gravely. “No. You cannot do such a thing. He will find me and punish me!”
“He cannot find you where I would send you.” She placed her palm on his cheek and crooned, letting a little of her power light her skin. “Can you find it within to trust me?” she asked.
He nodded, a lovesick expression on his face.
“Good. Hold on to my hand and I will use my power to whisk you away to my home. You will find a servant there; his name is Bhavin. Tell him that you are to be his apprentice and you will serve the goddess personally. I promise I will come and see to your settling in very soon.”
“Yes, lady.”
Xing-Xing bowed over Anamika’s hand, and she clutched the amulet with her other one, whispering the words that would send the boy back to our mountaintop palace.
After he disappeared, I folded my arms across my chest. “Are you going to make a habit of collecting young men to fall at your feet?” I drawled.
“I did not choose to keep him for vanity’s sake. His situation necessitated my intervention.”
Sighing, I said, “You’re a light touch, Ana.”
“What does this mean?”
“It means you are easily persuaded.”
