Page 98 of The Burning Mountain
But she couldn’t deny his words planted new worries. Old insecurities rose to the surface. Was her father really innocent of any wrongdoing?
And what did it mean for her and Veer’s relationship? Their connection was still new, fragile, and she didn’t know if it was strong enough to withstand the magnitude of such treachery.
On the other hand, Revathi was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She touched her fingers to her cheek. While she was a combat-trained maiden with rough hands and scars, both inside and out.
What man would prefer her over such beauty? Especially if it turns out that Amaravathi had once again cheated Rajgarh and went back on its promises.
47
ROCKY RELATIONS
“Where is my wife, Uncle?”
Veer’s question came as Pourava stood at a covered terrace, hands planted on his hips, gazing out toward the city of Taxilla, one of the border cities of Rajgarh. TheRajakootami, the annual meeting of the various representatives of the kingdoms of Saptavarsha, was to take place there soon. Pourava had arrived a few days ahead to set his plan in motion.
“Ah, Veer. Good to see you are back in Ujjaini. I’m assuming your mission was successful?” he said, turning toward the wall, where he had hung a bronze-plated mirror. Veer’s furious face stared out of it.
“Yes.” Veer glowered. “And imagine my concern when I discovered Chandra’s not onlynotin Rajgarh despite discovering the key piece, but that she was taken to Vivismati’s capital on your orders. What’s going on, Uncle?”
Pourava hardened his heart at what he had to say. “You don’t need the princess anymore.” Storm clouds brewed in his nephew’s eyes. And Pourava didn’t need to see the rest of him to understand his hands were bunched into fists.
“I have the key in my possession,” continued Pourava. “And Prince Bhupathi can operate it. You don’t really need her.”
“That’s not the answer to my question, Uncle. Where ismy wife?” repeated Veer in a low hiss.
Pourava had been so proud when Veer had learned that particular trick—that a soft voice could be as effective at conveying displeasure as a loud one. He had taught him well. A little too well, because now that he was subjected to it, he couldn’t help the bolt of disquiet that ran through him.
“Where she ought to be,” he said, matching his tone, folding his arms across his chest and standing with his feet apart, in battle readiness. “In prison. She is a murderer, and I don’t understand how she has pulled the wool over your eyes.”
“You don’t know the truth?—”
“It’s immaterial,” interrupted Pourava. “She is from Amaravathi. And that’s enough to condemn her. I don’t wish to talk about her. It’s time we discussed about your and Revathi’s nuptials.”
“I’ve told you many times before, Uncle. I only see Revathi as my sister,” said Veer, exasperation creeping into his voice. He seemed tired, observed Pourava, the lines deep around his eyes. The year-long quest seemed to have taken its toll.
“I have always wanted this for Revathi,” said Pourava, curbing his paternal instinct to have this conversation later when Veer was refreshed. He wasn’t the one who sought this meeting. And he doubted his nephew would be willing to tarry. For some reason he couldn’t fathom, despite their past, Veer and thatwomanfrom Amaravathi seemed to have formed an attachment to each other.
“I sent Revathi to your mother so she could learn from her,” he continued. “She knows all the rules of governance in both our kingdoms. And I don’t see the problem. Revathi is very beautiful.”
“It doesn’t matter, Uncle,” said Veer, pinching the bridge of his nose, eyes closed. “Chandrasena is my wife and the rulers of Rajgarh don’t take multiple wives. You should know,” he said, opening his eyes and fixing Pourava with a flat stare. “Becauseyouproposed that caveat to make the marriage between my parents happen. Or have you forgotten now?”
King Pourava felt a flush creeping up his neck. “That’s only meant for them. You don’t have to follow it.”
Veer’s lips compressed. “So. Let me get this straight. You wished for that condition because you wantedyoursister, my mother, to become the queen. But now that I have married someoneyoudon’t approve of, you don’t want me to honor it, because it drives your daughter’s chances down, is that it?”
“Nothing you say is going to change my mind, Veer,” said Pourava stubbornly. “Now that it has come down to it, let me state it plainly for you. I have the Lotus Key with me, and your wife is in my custody. If you want the problem of Meru to go away, then you’ll announce in front of theRajakootamiof your intention to wed Revathi.”
The corners of Veer’s lips went white and his eyes glittering with disgust. “Yes, I can see you are way past being shamed into doing the right thing. I have nothing more to say to you. As you are no doubt well aware, my hands are tied. I’ll bow to your wishes, King Pourava, but only if you assure me that Chandrasena is returned to Rajgarh safely. I doubt I can get Prince Bhupathi to wield the key should anything happen to his sister.”
Satisfaction curled around Pourava hearing his nephew’s words. “That’s good, Veer. You will soon see that my way is beneficial for everybody.”
“I don’t care, as long asshecomes to no harm.”
His words made Pourava feel vaguely guilty. Was he doing the right thing? He cleared his throat. “When do you plan to arrive at Taxilla?”
“I’ll be there tomorrow on Vihari. TheRajakootamiis to begin in a few days.”
“All right, Veer. I’ll see you then.”
