Page 108 of The Burning Mountain
“There is one other thing I wish to announce.” He cleared his throat.
“It has reached me that there is a speculation that I would be offering marriage to Princess Revathi.”
Veer’s eyes bored into his uncle as he spoke. “Let me put those rumors to rest. Princess Chandrasena is my wife. In this lifetime, she will be the only woman for me. I will adhere to the custom my father put into practice of cleaving to only one wife. Ergo, anyone who has so much as ever thought to cause her harm, will have to go through me.” There was enough warning in Veer’s tone for all the kingdoms to take note. Low murmurs spread like wildfire through the assembly.
Veer had thought long and hard before making this declaration. Shota’s warning, Virat’s threat, and his uncle’s blatant attempt at imprisoning her had enlightened Veer howmuch staying by his side put her at risk. It was widespread knowledge that Veer hated her. But that was in the past.
Either he could hide her and what she had come to mean for him. Or remove all doubt and tie her firmly to his side, throwing his support and protection behind her. By making it clear to people he wouldn’t tolerate anyone coming for his wife. Starting with his uncle.
“As for Princess Revathi,” he continued in a slow deliberate drawl. “She has spoken to me about her wishes, and I swear before you, I shall make her fondest desire regarding marriage come true.”
The cacophony went up another notch.
Pourava’s face went purple with rage. He opened his mouth but the voices of the assembled people—some raised in confused questions, others in hasty assurances—drowned out whatever he had been about to say.
Veer looked away from his uncle’s displeased frown and caught Samudra’s puzzled one. But Samudra’s expression cleared, as if it never existed.
Veer bowed before the assembly, declared it was at an end, and walked out, ignoring the myriad of people who wanted to speak to him, his uncle chiefly among them, who once again tried to approach him.
He needed air, and more importantly, he needed to get away from his uncle before he did something drastic. His steps took him toward a higher balcony where his kite waited patiently to take him back to the main palace of Rajgarh.
A few days later…
Veer slowedhis climb up the many stairs as he reached a wide balcony in Rajgarh’s main palace in Ujjaini. Although it wasn’t the highest balcony the palace boasted, he could see the surrounding city to a good distance. He had called for his parents. In anticipation of an expected visitor.
Worry for Chandra occupied a good deal of his thoughts lately. It had been a few days since he heard from Surasen, but today his mind lingered on another matter.
Prior to making that announcement, he had asked Revathi if she was sure about what she wanted. Her confident answer had given him the impetus he needed. But now, Veer was starting to have doubts. His cousin might be sure, but Veer had observed Samudra’s reaction in theRajakootami. He didn’t appear like a man who was perturbed by any of the declarations—neither the rumors about Revathi’s engagement nor Veer’s declaration that he wouldn’t be marrying her.
Sure, the sea king might be keeping his feelings regarding Revathi close to his heart. But even in Sumedh, when Veer observed their interaction, he could detect no reciprocal regard for his cousin from Samudra.
He hoped he was doing the right thing. As much as Revathi exasperated them all with her antics, his family—his mother and sister in particular—cared for her, and he didn’t want her getting into a situation where there was no backing out.
“What’s the meaning of this? This wasn’t what we had discussed,” said King Pourava, walking onto the balcony, fuming. Veer was informed of his return from Taxilla barely an hour ago, and he seemed to have wasted no time in seeking him out, no doubt to berate him. His parents followed behind his uncle, a question in their eyes.
Good. It would save him from unnecessary explanations.
“My wife is no longer in your prison, Raja Pourava,” said Veer, turning to his uncle. He took note of the dust on hisclothes, he must’ve ridden hard to reach Ujjaini. “Haven’t you been keeping up with the news from your own kingdom?”
Pourava’s hand reflexively went to the magical telescope at his waist. His eyes went hard as his mouth pinched into a thin line.
“Surasen?” he spat in disgust. “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. You would put your trust in that brigand over me?”
“I had to, Uncle. When my own relatives backstab me.”
“Veer!” called his father, striding forward. “What’s this I’m hearing? Pourava imprisoned the princess of Amaravathi? And you are taking help from Surasen?”
Veer gave Pourava a challenging look, a sneer curling his lips. “Why don’t you tell them, Uncle?” he dared him. “What did you do, to secure such a promise from me?”
Pourava’s jaw clenched, but he condemned himself with his silence.
Bheesmala looked back and forth between the two and frowned. “What’s going on?”
“King Pourava imprisoned my wife and refused to release her until I promised to marry his daughter in front of the entireRajakootami,” said Veer, still glaring at Pourava with narrowed eyes.
“What!”
Veer turned away as both his parents started to talk at once. His uncle tried to defend his actions. Veer felt no remorse for doing this to a man he considered a father figure. Any warm feelings he held toward his uncle disappeared after his perfidy. It would be a long time, if ever, for Veer to place his trust in him again. And if anything happened to Chandra because of his interference, he would personally make sure to destroy everything Pourava held dear.
