Page 138 of Tiger's Destiny
“I should have been strong enough to resist him.”
“No one could.”
“You did.”
I sighed. “He didn’t have my blood.”
“He . . . he wanted you. I could feel it when he controlled me.”
“Yes, he wanted a powerful son, and he thought I could provide one.”
Anamika nodded. “You are very beautiful. I understand why he would desire one such as you as his mate.”
“Me?” I almost choked with laughter. “Are you serious?”
“I do not jest, Kelsey. They all want you. Your tigers are devoted to you utterly. Their eyes never leave your face. You are as the sun to them. You are strong and powerful, and yet your skin is as soft as a flower and your hair smells of perfume. You are small, which makes a man puff out his chest and sweep you into his arms to carry you to safety.
“I am not like you. I am big and clumsy. My hair is always in knots and my skin is not creamy like goat’s milk. I fight men and often overpower them, which makes them feel weak. They have no desire to be close to me, and any man who tries is soon scared away when I argue with him. My temper is too fiery.”
“I have a temper, too. You should hear some of the fights I’ve had with Ren.”
“But still, there is great love there.”
“Yes,” I admitted.
“When I was with Kishan in battle, our minds connected, and I knew his thoughts about you. He worried that you are still in love with his brother. You once loved Dhiren.”
“Yes.”
“But now you are betrothed to Kishan.”
“Yes.”
She considered me quietly for a moment then stood. Before she exited the tent, she said, “I am envious of the love both brothers have for you. Treat them well, litt . . . Kelsey.”
Anamika left, and I stayed in the tent thinking about what she said for a long time.
The sunset that night was beautiful. The sky was full of puffy clouds that reflected gold, pink, and orange bands across the sky. The purple and blue mountains cast their shadows over the valley, but the white snow laden tips sparkled in the diminishing sunlight. The smell of pine and oak and campfires filled the air.
I sat between Ren and Kishan as we mingled with Anamika and Sunil’s men, sharing an evening meal. I felt content and at peace until the air twinkled and Phet appeared.
Saying nothing, he headed through the forest to a secluded glen. The five of us followed, and when Phet turned to speak, my stomach fluttered nervously.
“Do you have the Rope of Fire?” Phet asked.
Anamika nodded, took it from her bag, and handed it to him.
He coiled the Rope in his hand and said, “I am proud of all of you. You have accomplished a great thing and have protected the world from the demon. The stage has been set, and the time has now come for you to take your places and act your parts.”
The last rays of the sun hit Phet’s back and shone on his bald head. It might have been an illusion, but his body looked like it was surrounded by light. A bird made a pecking noise on a tree.
This was it. The moment when Phet broke the tiger’s curse and Ren and Kishan could be fully human. We’d worked so hard for this. Overcome so much. Would the universe give them what they deserved—a normal life—or would the two of them suddenly age and die before my eyes?
I didn’t know what would happen, but I held their hands tightly and wished on the still invisible stars that Ren and Kishan would survive this. Breathing in the scent of the forest, I swallowed nervously and closed my eyes. When I opened them, Phet was smiling at me which I took to be a good sign.
“Kelsey,” he said, “It is time for you to go home.”
I clutched my tigers’ hands. Uncertainly, I asked, “But what will happen to Anamika?”
