Page 24 of The Burning Mountain
“Chandra is going to remain in the dark. As will everyone else,” Veer said grimly. “Prince Aditya needs to die…it’s the only thing that’ll solve everything,” he said, his voice strong with conviction. “After we rescue him and get the key piece, of course.”
11
A NOT SO PLEASANT EVENING IN THIANVELLI
Chandra paced restlessly on the isolated balcony in the western wing of the palace. She was only a short distance from the small room she had been provided in theantahpuram. But after the latest upsetting news, she was feeling too cooped up and had decided to catch some evening air. Stars popped into existence in the purple sky, but the moon was lagging. In the courtyard below, the fountain, surrounded by pomegranate trees, splashed away merrily. She took a deep breath of the approaching night and tried to relax.
For the past two weeks, she had visited Namata Devi’s private quarters almost daily, always under the watchful eye of her personal attendant. She didn’t get an opportunity to be alone with her like she had before. Not even for a few seconds.
Chandra chafed under such restriction and wondered how Namata Devi bore it.
And then, starting three days ago, Namata Devi had refused to see her, despite Chandra presenting herself diligently, hoping each day she would be called in.
Chandra glared at the incriminating shawl in her hands with hate. She knew her skills in that area were poor, and she hadtried to warn Namata Devi discreetly. But the normally astute regent had refused to get the hint. Chandra had been forced to bear the scolding she got every day.
“How many times do I have to tell you? That pattern is different from what I had in mind. Do it again.”
“But, Devi, pulling out the stitches is going to ruin the expensive cloth.”
“I don’t care. What you’re doing is wrong.”
“Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Why did I ever trust you to take on such a task? Your skills are less than a young novice who has just started learning embroidery.”
Chandra was close to a nervous breakdown, fearing putting in a stitch wrong. Progress was slow, and she only completed three-quarters of the shawl at the end of two and half weeks.
Then this morning, she had received a message that Namata Devi no longer needed the shawl, and she was free to go. It was enough to make her tear her hair out in frustration.
A hand suddenly covered her mouth, her scream muffled as she was hauled behind one of the pillars that ringed the balcony.
She struck behind with her elbow and heard a grunt, but her attacker’s grip didn’t loosen until he had dragged her to an alcove beyond a corner pillar.
“Can you stop fighting now? It’s me,” she heard him growl in a low voice. Chandra sagged with relief, recognizing her kidnapper.
“You bite like a camel, Princess,” said Veer, shaking his hand.
“You shouldn’t have manhandled me then,” she said, glad to see him despite the fright he gave her.
“I was trying to catch your attention, but you were too agitated with something to notice much of your surroundings.”
“Oh. That. Yes, I was a bit irritated,” she admitted.
“I noticed,” he said, his voice dry enough to raise her hackles. “Your walk is very distinctive when you are…bothered.”
Chandra glanced at him sharply to see if he was laughing at her. But he merely sent her his patented innocent look back.
“Anyway, what are you doing here?” she asked, easing her tone, trying not to foist her bad mood on him. “I thought you didn’t want to risk any sort of meeting. It’s been almost two weeks since I’ve seen you.”
“I didn’t realize you were longing to see me, Princess.”
“What? No, I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just…” She fought the heat rising in her cheeks, while Veer waited with a raised eyebrow. “I just wondered if you were doing well, that’s all. And Shota, too, of course. Ifbothof you were doing well. I mean, Billadev relays your messages, but it isn’t the same, really,” she finished lamely, slightly breathless from the long explanation.
“As you can see, I am hale and hearty,” said Veer, spreading his arms. “No mishaps yet.”
“So, why are you meeting me today? Is Billadev indisposed?”
“You don’t think I might’ve missed my wife?” asked Veer carelessly.
A bell tolled, marking the hourly passage of time. It was also a cue for the guards to change their positions. Chandra saw their silhouettes as they moved across the courtyard below.
