Page 137 of The Burning Mountain
“I didn’t understand either. At first. But Veer explained that it was because everyone thought he had married you to get his hands on the fortress, and he wanted to make it clear that it wasyouand nothing else he desired to get from Amaravathi.
“He tried to convince me by saying that he had already cleared it with his father, who agreed it was a fair price for saving Rajgarh. And then when I still refused—because to take back a bridal gift was humiliating—he said, somewhat desperately, I might add, that it was because he needed all the help he could get, to convince you of his devotion. I got the impression that he was ashamed to have said something to you in the past? Something about Kalpeet as a dowry?” His lips twitched.
Chandra fell deep into thought, thinking back. Veer did say something like that—it was during their time in the caves of Amaravathi.
“When your father begged me to take you off his hands in exchange for Kalpeet, Princess, I should’ve refused.”
His implication at that time being that she had no value otherwise. It happened so long ago, she had almost forgottenabout it. But her husband still seemed to be bothered by everything he had said and done, when he had been under the mistaken impression she hated him.
“So, what did you both decide, then?” she asked, knowing her brother could be very stubborn in such matters.
“Veer made a proposal to turn Kalpeet into an independent city, like the temple city of Brihadeeshwar, under the protection of both Amaravathi and Rajgarh, a symbol of cooperation between our two kingdoms. I didn’t like it completely, but I couldn’t say no to it either. Not if it led to stronger ties between our kingdoms.
“Veer was beside himself with worry when he brought you from Meru, Chandra,” he continued. “I saw it myself.”
Chandra raised a brow at him in question. “How could you have possibly seen me? You were at Kalpeet trying to stop a war.”
“There was an enchanted mirror stationed at Kalpeet,” he answered. “I must say, the system Rajgarh has for communicating across such large distances is the most efficient I’ve ever seen.
“Anyway, I was desperate for news about you, so Shota showed me how to operate the mirror at Kalpeet. Veer was too far gone to answer, but his sister helped me communicate.”
Bhupathi paused, his gaze far away, face drawn as he seemed to relive those moments. “I could see you lying on your deathbed. You were so pale and there was always blood-soaked bandages around you. I didn’t think you would make it. Not something I’m fond of recalling, honestly,” he said, shaking his head.
“But Veer was inconsolable and, frankly, unreasonable. He wouldn’t leave your side, wouldn’t give up when the rest of us lost hope. The man loves you to death, and I say that despite believing that no man deserves my sister.”
Chandra continued her silence. Then why wasn’t he here? she thought.
“If this isn’t enough to convince you, I can also mention how hard I had to beg him to let you stay here.”
At her questioning look, Bhupathi continued. “When you both emerged from the Dandakaranya, you still looked like you were at death’s door, and Veer appeared about the same. He wanted to take you back to Rajgarh for further recuperation, but I managed to persuade him that Amaravati was a better choice, because it was closer and that you would benefit from the superior care we are famous for, and of course your mother was here too. I think he caved only because his kite was too tired to take you back. But he had me swear on my life that I would let no harm come to you.”
Chandra swallowed past the lump in her throat and tried to make a joke. “Is that why you are being his advocate? Don’t you think you should be in my corner and condemn him for leaving your sister here?”
“Iambeing your advocate, Chandra. Because I’ve seen how happy you were with him.”
They turned a corner and came upon a grove of jasmine plants. Chandra loved spending time here as a child. Two stone benches were positioned under the shade of a holy fig tree. It was her father’s favorite place to relax, and she used to never miss meeting him here most evenings and beg for a story. Even when she had grown older, her father insisted she kept up with the meetings, much to the dismay of other queens, who felt she was given more importance than their own offspring. How things had changed since then, she thought. Some of it for the better, some of it not so much, but then, such was life.
“The news of Father’s abdication had reached us all by then,” said Bhupathi, continuing their conversation. “And Veer didn’t have any arguments left. I believe he thought Father would useyou to create more problems. And given how we have treated you and how Father has behaved, I’d say I’m not surprised.”
“Everything is forgiven,” said Chandra, reaching for a pale white bloom on the jasmine plant. “We’re family, after all.”
“Everything, Chandra?”
Chandra remained silent, her attention on the sprig of jasmine she was absently caressing.
“I hope you’ll reconcile with our father, Sister,” he said seriously. “Not now, but eventually. I’m not too fond of him at the moment either.”
“Has Father…wanted to talk to me?” she asked hesitantly.
Chandra had mixed feelings about seeing him. She wasn’t in any hurry to forgive him for his actions. He was her beloved father, though, and she knew she had to confront those conflicted emotions sooner or later. Perhaps at some point, she might reconcile that her father was a flawed man. But for now, she was content to shelve that matter.
“No,” said her brother. “But losing the war before it even began, and with the exposure of Amaravati’s conspiracy; he’s deeply humiliated at dragging the esteemed name of our kingdom through the mud. It’ll take a long time before our neighbors trust us again.”
Bhupathi’s gaze was far away. “But that’s what I wish for our country. To restore it to its previous splendor. Do you think me simple, if I said that I shall work hard toward that goal?”
Chandra smiled and shook her head. “I have every faith in you, Brother.”
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