Page 51 of Her Soul for a Crown
“You miss it.” It wasn’t a question. “You wanted to be commander.”
He sighed heavily. “It would’ve been a great honor.”
“Tell me about it, the day you got your scars.”
A far-off look overtook him. “My contingent had been sent to regain control of the Malvathu River from the Polonnaruwans and to free the villages seized by starvation. We did well for the first few days, until enemy reinforcements arrived. Commander Dilshan ordered retreat but—” Bithul cut off, his eyes haunted. “But three of my men were caught. They were being dragged into the center of the water.”
A shiver passed through Anula as Bithul’s ghosts reached her.
“We had entered the army at the same time, trained and fought together for five years. I could not leave them behind.” He swallowed hard. “The Polonnaruwans vastly outnumbered me. They tried to cut me down, and they nearly succeeded. I don’t remember it all,but I do remember the water turning red as I managed to swim away with my legs intact and one of my men in my arms.”
A quiet moment breezed between them. Anula realized the men had stopped training to listen and pay respects.
Bithul straightened, fixed a steady gaze on her. “Though I didn’t have the power to save them all, and my injuries stole my ability to continue to fight or be chosen to lead, I’d do it again.”
Bithul was a true ally of the kingdom. Agoodally. Exactly what Anula wanted to bestow upon Anuradhapura. She needed only her crown first.
“I can make you the commander.” She leaned close. “For a price.”
Bithul’s brows furrowed. “No, thank you. It wouldn’t be right. They deserve a capable commander—a soldier, not a stone weighing them down.”
“I don’t think that man sees you as a stone.” Anula’s gaze flicked to Shahan watching from afar, as though he were meant to protect Bithul instead of Anuradhapura.
“Why do you offer me this when you have Commander Dilshan?”
Anula made a face. “He has blood on his hands.”
“The whole army has that.”
Not this blood.
Anula snaked an arm with his. “Walk with me.” She led him up the palace stairs and into the hall that would lead them to the Blood Yakka. If he agreed, there was no point in waiting. “You have a strong faith in the Heavens, right?”
“Yes, my raejina consort.”
Glancing over her shoulder, Anula whispered, “What would you say if I told you that I made a bargain with the Blood Yakka for the crown of Anuradhapura, and that he now possesses the man who is the raja?”
Bithul paused, but where she expected to see apprehension, or perhaps horror, she saw only awe. “Truly? I’d say I never thought I’d witness the Heavens’ hand like this. The stories of old are just that: old. But to stand near, to speakwiththem…”
A true believer, indeed. She refrained from rolling her eyes. “Don’t get too excited. He refuses to fulfill it until he finds a certain relic.”
“Ah. But if this is true, why tell me? Do you fear your safety?”
Anula snorted. “I fear for my bargain. The relic is expertly hidden, if it’s even real. And you know as well as I do how quickly a usurper can come. I need my bargain completed, now.”
“You wish to be the next usurper?”
“No.”
“But you want the crown.”
“You wound me.” Anula huffed. “I’m no usurper, Bithul. I am here for justice and peace. I’ll put an end to the Age of Usurpers, to traitors, and to the war with the Polonnaruwa Kingdom. No more villages will be burned, no more futures stolen from our children, no more attempts at hacking my people’s ankles off. Will you be my ally and help, Commander?”
“How?”
“Force the Blood Yakka’s hand.”
Bithul’s brows flew up. “My faith lies in the Heavens’ handiwork and knowledge. If this is how it is, then this is how it should be. Who am I to judge that?”
