Page 19 of Her Soul for a Crown
No, they could not.
The idea shivered down Reeri’s shadow. Wessamony wouldbe unstoppable, all-powerful. Yet the Divinities did not act. They did not even react, continuing their slow climb up the stairs. Why?
Balance.
They believed in the balance of the cosmos. They believed Wessamony was meant to be the Lord of the Second Heavens.
Yet…what if he was not?
“This will be your final warning,” the Divinity said, blinking the cosmos from their eyes and turning their seraphic back on the devil who dared try to slither into their ranks.
Their promise hung heavy in the air.
For the sake of the Yakkas, the Earth, and all the cosmos, Wessamony could not wield Fate’s Bone Blade. There was only one way to ensure that.
Reeri had to find it before the Maha Equinox in one month, before Wessamony could descend to Earth and claim it himself.
7
Two carved figures sat at the base of the palace entrance.
One held a conch shell; the other wore a lotus on its head. Mirrored grins spread across the stone, more taunting than inviting.Do you dare?they seemed to ask.
Always, Anula answered, steeling herself and taking the first step inside.
After a night of preparation and a day of soaking in scented oils, she had been deemed ready for the raja. The palace, the in-between, opened for her. As her guards led her through the vast halls, each of the blessed gifts whispered a song.
Listen to the sounds of your heart’s true home, a statue sang silently, the voice not inside her head but within her bones. Gooseflesh rose up Anula’s neck.
“Come see the truth,” a mirror cooed aloud.
Take a walk with ones long past, promised a painting of a group of women. Concubines of the first raja, their hands outstretched to welcome one in.
But Anula wasn’t interested in the blessed gifts, hadn’t beensince she was a child. What good did indulging with parting presents do? The Heavens had given them as a consolation prize, a balm to the wound of their leaving.
Raja Mahakuli Mahatissa was the goal. He was the most important link in the chain of Auntie Nirma’s plan. Anula ran her hand across her necklace, felt the sapphire holding the persuasion tincture. Tonight was not for justice, but a stepping stone on her pathway. The raja would taste her poison later.
The guards led her through the palace, warm tones of a setting sun casting shadows between the array of sculptures and canvas. Courtiers milled about, vying for one gift over another, the longest line behind a small bronze statue of a woman. The guards escorted Anula around them, practically hugging a wall filled with paintings. Cautiously, she curved her shoulders in. It was said that merely touching one would transport a person inside.
“Careful!” the guard in front yelled. Anula crashed into her back as she abruptly halted.
An arm emerged from the last painting. Then a leg and a body. A woman laughed as she stepped from the art, as if descending a set of stairs. Pink tinged her cheeks. She’d come from a depiction of a celebration, no doubt with plenty of palm wine.
“Watch yourself,” the guard scolded the courtier. “Lest you jeopardize one of the Raja’s Jewels!”
The woman paused, her face souring as she took in Anula with her tight hatte, bare midriff, and plunging neckline. An outfit chosen to mix perfectly with the tincture at her throat.
“Perhaps you should watch where you’re going,” the courtier chastised the guard. “I am conversing with the Heavens, as is my birthright.” She marched away with chin held high.
The guard scoffed, moving forward once more, checking over her shoulder to ensure Anula was safe. “You’ll get used to it, if called on again. The courtiers are jealous of the concubines.”
“Why?” she asked. “As she said, it’s her birthright to be here, not mine.”
“Exactly. Rumor has it that the raja’s chamber is filled with the best of the blessed gifts. Yet only he and those he invites inside ever have the chance to witness them.”
Anula’s nostrils flared. “How devoted the courtiers are to the Heavens.”
“We both know devotion has nothing to do with it.”
