Page 135 of The Burning Mountain
“Yes. She will live,” said the yaksha, slowly, the flutter of his insects intense as if he was amazed too. “The wound still needs to heal and since she has lost a lot of blood, the recuperation will be long, but…yes, she is going to live,” he said with more conviction.
“I still can’t believe it. She said it was a gift. I…I haven’t prayed to her even once.” Veer was too overwhelmed with relief and gratitude to continue.
The yaksha stared at him. “You’ve no idea how fortunate you are,” he said. “This is a miracle. To have a person return from near death because of a goddess’s favor is…”
“Incredible,” whispered Veer, caressing Chandra’s cheek, which still had the thin white scar. His heart felt lighter than it had in what felt like years but was likely just a few days.
65
AMARAVATHI
Chandra opened her eyes and recognized the distinctive palm-thatched roof and wooden slats. The smell of damp earth came through the open window mixed with the scents of the garden and she felt the familiar rough texture of the linen of her simple bed.
Home.
She was in Devarakonda.
The pull in her chest when she sat up brought memories of fire, blood, and ash. And death. She put her hand to her head and tried to think through the chaos in her brain.
The last thing she remembered was stabbing herself. Up on that mountain, when Virat had tried to get her to kill Veer.
Veer!
She tried to stand but fell back, dizziness assailing her, clattering the small jug of water and tumbler set at her bedside to the ground.
The door opened and a figure came in, silhouetted against the bright sunlight. Chandra shielded her eyes against the glare. The door shut, and Chandra recognized her mother.
“You should have called for help the minute you woke up,” she chided gently, helping her to some water from a newly fetched pitcher. “How do you feel?” she asked, checking Chandra’s pulse and peering at her eyelids. “Any pain?”
Chandra told her about the dizziness and the pull inside her chest.
“It’s expected that you would feel weak after what you’ve been through. You must take it easy. You’ve lost a lot of blood, and it wasn’t an easy recovery, even if the wound in your chest was almost healed by the time your husband brought you out of the forest.”
“You’re talking to me,” said Chandra, her eyes swimming with tears. She was tired but her heart felt lighter, realizing it was more than seven years since she had last heard her mother’s sweet voice. “Is your vow done?”
Her mother smiled her familiar, beautiful smile, her fingers gentle as she wiped the tears that trickled down her daughter’s cheeks. “Yes, everything’s done. Your father is awake, your brother has returned, and Rajgarh is saved. Your sentence is forgiven. Everything is done.” Her face dimmed. “I heard the truth about what happened in the past, from your brother. Why didn’t you tell me, Chandra?”
“Where’s Veer? Is he all right?” asked Chandra, changing topics. Otherwise, they were going to be here all day, and she had a lot of questions.
Her mother saw through her. “Do not try to change the topic, Chandrasena,” she said sternly. “I’m your mother, even if you’re going to be the future queen of a great kingdom.”
Chandra felt a jolt at that reminder but tucked it away and smiled sheepishly. “I hid the truth because I knew you, and my brother for that matter, would fight for me with Father. There was no proof of what happened that day, and I didn’t want there to be more strife within the family.”
“Silly girl. That’s what family is for. To support you. Even against the entire world, if need be. You should’ve told me.”
Chandra nodded, her eyes filling with moisture once again. This was more or less what her brother had told her too. But her mind also drew up the unwelcome reminder about her father and all that he had schemed. She resolutely put those thoughts away.
“Is Vee—um, Prince Veer all right, Mother?”
“He’s fine,” she replied with a touch of exasperation. “Had to leave for Rajgarh and is probably back there by now. Scared all of us with his actions, mind you, but I’m glad both of you made it all right.”
“What happened? I thought I was dying.”
“It was the strangest thing. He claimed the goddess healed you.”
Chandra gaped at her. “Our goddess? Our deity? She appeared beforehim?”
Her mother shrugged like she couldn’t fathom it either. “I’m just glad he was able to return you to me safe and sound like he had promised.”
