Page 198 of Tiger's Dream
“Kishan, if you will repeat after me. Anamika Kalinga…”
I rubbed my thumbs on her arms. Energy hummed between us. “Anamika Kalinga,” I repeated huskily.
“I am yours in life.”
“I am yours in life.”
“And yours in death.”
“And yours in death.”
“I vow to respect your wisdom.”
She smiled when I echoed, “I vow to respect your wisdom.”
“And will remain ever vigilant in my duty to you as your husband.”
“And will remain ever vigilant in my duty to you as your husband.”
“For you, I will brave all things.”
“For you, I will brave all things.”
“And from this day forward, I will reverence you above all others.”
“And from this day forward, I will reverence you above all others.”
“Very good,” Kadam said. “And now the last part. Anamika Kalinga, I, Prince Sohan Kishan Rajaram, am now yours as you are mine. This is my vow.”
“Anamika Kalinga,” I said softly. My throat felt tight as I finished. “I, Prince Sohan Kishan Rajaram, am now yours as you are mine. This is my vow.”
I touched my forehead to hers briefly and then Ana repeated the same words back to me.
“Prince Sohan Kishan Rajaram,” she began. “I am yours in life. And yours in death.” I watched her sweet mouth form every word. She spoke with a surety and confidence that amazed me. Her steadiness was something I knew I’d cling to over the years. The Ocean Teacher had once told me I could be a rock that could withstand the buffetings of storms. Whatever strength I possessed, I knew it was because Ana was my anchor.
“I vow to respect your wisdom,” she said. “And will remain ever vigilant in my duty to you as your wife. For you, I will brave all things. And from this day forward, I will reverence you above all others.” Ana squeezed my arms. “Prince Sohan Kishan Rajaram, I, Anamika Kalinga, am now yours as you are mine. This is my vow,” she finished quietly.
“Excellent,” Kadam said. “Now I believe it is the time for the exchanging of gifts.”
Ana began, passing her hand over mine. A silver ring appeared. “This is made from the first weapon you ever gave me,” she said.
I lifted my hand to examine the ring. “Do you mean the knife I used to kill the man who took you as a slave?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Doesn’t it bring back bad memories?”
“No,” Ana said. “It does not. It is a reminder to me that you would descend into the darkest of places to find me. This ring will always serve as a beacon of hope to me.”
“And the gem?” On the outside of the ring, bordering both edges, was a glimmering stone.
“Do you not recognize it?” she asked.
I shook my head.
“It is comprised of fragments from the truth stone.”
“Ah.” Now that she’d said it, I felt the hum of the stone where it touched my finger.
