Page 39 of Tiger's Curse
I stood up, walked to the railing, and stared up at the budding stars. “I can’t imagine the life that you came from. It’s so different from what I know.”
“You’re right, Kelsey.”
“Call me Kells.”
He smiled and approached me. “You’re right,Kells. Itisdifferent. I have much to learn from you. But, perhaps I can teachyoua few things as well. For example, your scarf. . . . May I?”
Ren removed the shawl draped around my shoulders and held it out.
“There are many different ways to wear adupattascarf. One way is to arrange it across your shoulders as you did just now, or you can drape one end over your shoulder and the other across your arm as is the current style. Like this.”
Wrapping it around his body, he turned around to show me, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “And how do you know the current style?”
“I know lots of things. You’d be surprised.” He pulled it off again, twisting the scarf another way. “You can also fold it across your hair, which is appropriate when meeting with your elders, as it shows respect.”
I bowed low to him, giggled, and said, “Thank you for showing me the proper respect, Madam. And might I say you look lovely in silk.”
He laughed and showed me a few more ways to wear it, each one funnier than the last. As he spoke, I found myself drawn to him.He’s so . . . attractive, charming, magnetic, compelling . . . captivating.He was easy to look at, no question about that, but even if he weren’t, I could still picture myself sitting happily beside him talking for hours.
I saw a tremor run through Ren’s arm. He quieted his demeanor and took a step closer to me. “My favorite style, though, is the way you were wearing it earlier when you had it draped across both of your arms loosely. That way, I get the full effect of your exquisite hair tumbling down your back.”
Wrapping the filmy fabric around my shoulders, he pulled the shawl and gently tugged me closer. He reached out, captured a curl, and wrapped the hair around his finger.
“This life is so different from what I know. So many things have changed.” He let go of the shawl, but he kept hold of the curl. “But some things are much,muchbetter.” He let go of the curl, trailing a finger down my cheek, and gave me a little nudge back toward my room.
“Goodnight, Kelsey. We have a busy day tomorrow.”
11
the cave of kanheri
the next morning, I woke to find the Mujulaain Empire Seal on the dresser. The beautiful, creamy stone had golden orange striations and hung from a soft ribbon. I picked up the heavy object to examine it more closely and immediately noticed the carved words that Ren had said meant “wisdom, vigilance, bravery, and compassion.” A lotus flower bloomed on the bottom of the Seal. The detailing in the intricate design demonstrated highly sophisticated workmanship. It was lovely.
If he was as true to these words as Ren says he was, Ren’s father must have been a good king.
For a minute, I let myself imagine an older version of Ren as king. I could easily envision him leading others. There was something about him that made me want to trust and follow him. I grinned wryly.Women would follow him over a cliff.
Mr. Kadam had served his prince for more than three hundred years. The idea that Ren could inspire a lifetime of loyalty was extraordinary. I set aside my speculations and looked at the centuries-old Seal again with awe.
I opened the bag Mr. Kadam had left and found it contained cameras, both digital and disposable, matches, a few handheld digging tools, flashlights, a pocketknife, glow sticks, paper with rubbing charcoal, food, water, maps, and a few other things. Several of the items were placed in waterproof plastic bags. I tested out the weight of the pack and found it surprisingly manageable.
I opened the closet, fingered my pretty dress again, and sighed. Slipping on some jeans and a T-shirt, I laced up my new hiking boots and grabbed my sneakers.
Downstairs, I found Mr. Kadam slicing mango for breakfast.
“Good morning, Miss Kelsey,” he said and gestured to my neck. “I see you found the Seal.”
“I did. It’s very pretty, but a little bit heavy.” I scooped some mango slices onto my plate and poured some homemade hot cocoa into a mug. “You’ve taken care of it all these years?”
“Yes. It’s very precious to me. The Seal was actually made in China, not India. It was a gift given to Ren’s grandfather. Seals that old are quite rare. It’s made of Shoushan stone, which contrary to popular belief, is not a type of jade. The Chinese believed that Shoushans were brightly colored Phoenix eggs, found high in mountain nests. Men who risked their lives to locate and capture them received honor, glory, and wealth.
“Only the very richest of men had items carved from this type of stone. To receive one as a gift was a great honor for Ren’s grandfather. It’s a priceless heirloom. The good news for you, though, is that it’s also considered good luck to own or wear something made from this type of stone. Perhaps it will help you on your journey in more ways than one.”
“It sounds like Ren’s family was very special.”
“Indeed they were, Miss Kelsey.”
We’d just sat down to a breakfast of yogurt and mango when Ren stalked into the room and put his head down on my lap.
