“Um. And would you say your wife is an average human woman?”
“She is not average by any means. She is brave and extraordinarily smart.”
Now that I am cooperating, Manan signals the column to move away. “Do you think those attributes affected her fertility?”
I wish Esme were here. Her bell-like laugh would surely fill the room at such a question. Why not have some fun in her honor? “Now that I have a moment reflect on the subject, ’tis possible her unique set of qualities might have an effect on her body.”
“Do you think she has superhuman powers?”
Esme would be on the floor by now. “No, why do you ask?”
“I see no other explanation for how she was able to bring you back to life.”
Ah, so his true motive for the questions is revealed. He wants to be able to restore genies that have been killed in the field. More fodder for his infernal army.
Mr. Tahan moves next to me and slaps my face hard. “I have had enough of your evasion. Give us the secret or suffer the consequences.”
I suck in a breath and tell Manan what I told Mr. Tahan. “I explained it before. All I remember is that I could feel my consciousness slipping away and then I was gone. Then a tingling sensation spread across my lips and I opened my eyes and saw my wife.”
Manan lets out a deep, throaty laugh. “You expect me to believe you were brought back to life by a human kiss? I do not believe in fairy tales.”
“Sir, I speak the truth. When I died my wife racked her brain for a way to revive me and fell back on the stories of her childhood.”
Manan and the columns rise as one. “I see you were telling the truth Mr. Tahan. It seems Mr. Sansby refuses to cooperate.”
Mr. Tahan escorts Manan to the door. “I am grateful you came, sir. Now you can see what type of prisoner I have been dealing with.”
“Indeed, I have.” He glares at me with his huge probing eyes, my doom written darkly in them. “No one has ever disappointed me more than you, Mr. Sansby.”
I have nothing left to lose.
“Before the High Council imprisons me forever, will you let me visit my wife? I want to say farewell to her and our child.”
“No. What would be the point? You will be dead in a matter of days.”
Human Anatomy Lesson
Esme
The doctor uses the device to push gently on my belly. “Something seems a bit amiss.”
No kidding. “Really, what’s wrong?” I ask in my sweetest, dumbest-sounding voice.
“According to the gauge you are only two months along instead of three as you believed.”
What is he talking about? I’m not pregnant. Maybe he knows Jin and he’s playing along. Could I be that lucky? “What makes you say that?”
He pulls the covers back over me. “The gestation gauge is never wrong.”
Why do I suddenly feel like a cow? Is this what they use on animals?
I sit up in bed. “You sure I shouldn’t be worried?”
The doctor pats my hand. “Nothing to be concerned about, my dear. Everything appears to be going well for your infant’s stage of development.”
That was a close call. “I’m so relieved.”
“Your temperature is a trifle high, so I would advise you to stay in bed today.” He tosses the gauge in his bag. “If you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to send for me.”
I’m not thrilled about having to spend the day in bed. But if the doctor had figured out I wasn’t pregnant, I could be in a prison cell—or worse. And the promise of a genie-human pregnancy might be the only thing keeping Jin alive.
Nalini fluffs the pillows so I can sit up. “Mistress, I am so relieved you are in good health.”
I wonder if she truly cares or if she’s just worried about what would happen to her if I lost the baby. “I told you I was just overheated.” I pick up the fan she left by my bedside. “I wish I could go for a swim to cool off.”
Her eyebrows rise. “Mistress that would be unadvisable in your condition.”
“But the doctor said I was only two months along.”
She smiles. “Yes, it is true. I was very pleased to hear it. I can serve you for an even longer period.”
“I’m sure you will be sick of me after seven more months.”
Nalini smiles. “It will be an honor to witness the birth of your child.”
I feel a tinge of guilt about lying. How long can I keep up the ruse? In a few more months, they will know I made the whole thing up. Yet, I must keep the lie going. I place my hand on my belly. “I can’t wait to meet my son.”
A knock comes at the door and Sati comes in. “Mistress, the council would like to see you.”
Nalini’s face grows pale. “Are you certain? Did the doctor not tell them there was no need for alarm?”
“Yes, he did. They desire to hear about the incident from you.”
“All right. Please stay with her until I return.”
Sati gives Nalini a slight bow, shuts the door behind her, and approaches my bed. “I have waited for so long for the opportunity to be alone with you, Madam Sansby. I am here on behalf of the revolutionaries.”
OMG, they are real! “Can you help me escape?”
A sad scowl mars her pretty face. “No, not yet. We need to rally more genies to the cause.”
“You must help my husband, too.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Do you know where they are keeping him?”
“His cell is in the main tower.”
The blood drains from my face.
“Do not worry. My brother is watching over him.”
I lean over and give her a hug. “Thank you.”
She hands me a note. “My brother was able to smuggle out a message from your husband.”
I touch the paper to my nose and breathe in deep, hoping for just a hint of Jin’s scent. But only the powerful smell of ink tickles my nose and makes me want to sneeze. I read his hurried scrawl and my eyes well up—he’s alive and well. “My husband says that you and your compatriots will help us.”
Footsteps patter in the hall. Sati tucks an errant strand of hair behind my ear, whispering, “Be patient, we will come for you soon.”
Having been locked away for days in my gilded prison, I look forward to my walk around the courtyard. I know where they are keeping Jin and I’m determined see him. How can they refuse his pregnant wife? They wouldn't dare hurt me. At least that’s what I keep telling myself as I follow Nalini down the stairs. She will be easy to distract. The bodyguard shadowing us poses a much bigger problem. But I’ve got a plan for him, too.
Once we are in the courtyard, I start my usual mindless chitchat with Nalini. “It’s a beautiful day. Even though it’s over a hundred, I think I’m finally getting used to the heat.”
Nalini opens a colorful parasol to shield me from the sun. “Yes, Mistress, you look well today. I am glad you are adjusting to my country. It will make carrying the child less of a burden.”
I know it’s her job to make sure I have the baby, but just once I wish Nalini would treat me as a person. “What will happen to me if something goes wrong with the child?”
Her feet stop moving. “Mistress, do not say such a thing. All is well.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just that I want this baby so badly. But having the bodyguard with us every day makes me uneasy. Haven’t I earned the council’s trust?”
She glances back at the looming guard. “Would it please you if I asked him to leave us alone?”
“Oh, yes. That would make me feel so much better.”
She pats my shoulder. “Leave it to me.”
She approaches the guard and in very rapid fire Hindi explains my request. He crosses his arms and stays put. Great. Then Nalini digs in her heels and gives him another tongue-lashing. Watching Nalini stand up to a man two times her size gives me new respect for her. After more defensive body language from the guard, he finally turns and leaves. Nalini return
s with a huge smile on her face.
“What did you say to convince him?”
“I explained to him if you lost the child it would be his death sentence.”
Nalini is tougher than she looks. “Thank you. I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders already.”
Enjoying my first taste of freedom, I breathe in the fragrance of the jasmine and lilies that carpet the border around the courtyard. The grandeur of the palace once again overwhelms me. Its arched windows sparkle in the sun like dozens of celebrity smiles.
Nalini stops and picks a lily and hands it to me. “For you, Mistress.”
It’s the first kind gesture she has made on our walks. Maybe I am finally winning her over. I rub the sweat off my forehead. “Do you think you could get me some water? I’m suddenly very thirsty.”
“Of course, Mistress.” She hands me the parasol. “I will be back in a moment.”
As soon as Nalini walks around the corner of the colonnade, I drop the umbrella and make a run for the main tower. My body tingles with the anticipation of seeing Jin. All I want to do is put my arms around my husband. I dart down a pink-palisaded hall. A shock of pain shoots up my toes as my foot hits something hard. I bite back a scream as I trip and fall over a branch—no, a spear. What the H? A pimply-faced boy hovers over me. “You must go. All of our plans will be ruined if you do not return to the courtyard.”
“I don’t care! I have to see my husband.”
The boy helps me up.
“Many lives are at stake. Leave now.” He commands me in the assured tone of someone far older. My face smarts as if my father, the principal, has just reprimanded me.
I race back to the courtyard, my heart sinking at the thought of not being able to see Jin. I grab the parasol and wait on the bench for Nalini, my pulse drumming back down to normal just as she strides toward me with a copper jug in her hand. More sweat than usual drips down my face. I hope against hope it doesn’t give me away.
“Here, Mistress. You look very hot.”
I take a big swig from the jug and the water trickles down my chin. “Thank you.” I hand the water back to her. “I think I’m overheated. Let’s return to my room.”
I was foolish to think I could ever free Jin on my own. Now I realize I must wait for the revolutionaries to rescue both of us. My reckless act could have risked everything. Nalini and I walk back to the palace in silence.
So far, the rebels have been a no-show. I have to do something myself to free Jin, but I need to be smarter this time. By the multiple visits from the doctor to check my temperature and listen to my heart, I can tell the High Council is desperate that I deliver my make-believe child. The baby is the only power I have, but how do I use it? I know nothing about pregnancy but I do know one thing that is a sure sign something is wrong—blood.
Once again I replay soap operas in my head until I come up with the perfect plan that will send Nalini into panic mode. I’m so excited I feel like an actor reciting my lines backstage. I pace the floor and watch the sun as it creeps across the windows. With no clock, I’ve learned to tell time the old-fashioned way. Nalini should be delivering my dinner any time now. I cross my fingers she brings the usual fare of rice, curry, and chutney. My plan depends on it.
Nalini opens the door and Sati brings the dinner tray over to the large brass table by the main window. Nalini claps her hands and Sati leaves the room. “Mistress, I brought you a special dinner this evening.”
Oh great. Normally I’d be excited to have something new but not tonight. “Really? Not the usual Tikka Masala or Vindaloo?”
“No. The doctor recommended we serve you a more varied diet.”
So much for my plan. I trudge over to the table and plop down in the chair. The mystery dish still has the brass cover on top. “What is it?”
“It is called Koora.”
All I can think of is my grandma’s cousin Cora’ with her pink cheeks and passion for floral housedresses. Nalini pulls the cover off the dish with a flourish. “Enjoy your meal.”
Relief floods through my body. Koora is made from tomatoes. My plan is a go. Even though the Koora smells wonderful, I’m too excited to eat. I spoon out half of the bowl and get to work. First, I need to fish out all the onions and peppers. Next, I take my napkin and use it like a sieve to remove the chili seeds. I pound the mixture with the back of my spoon until it’s the right consistency—the thickness of blood.
I pour the mixture into an empty water glass and hide it behind the cabinet in the bathroom. With my mission accomplished, I realize I’m starving and sit down to finish off the rest of the Koora and rice.
My nerves are on edge as I kill time waiting for Nalini to return. Jumping jacks—that will burn off some of my energy while I wait. After three rounds of ten jumping jacks, I’m exhausted. Man, being cooped up has really done a number on my body. Chowing down food all the time to grow my belly sure isn’t helping. I bet Jin is still exercising every night even if he’s in chains. He’s such a fanatic about keeping in shape. He’s going to be shocked when he sees me. I’ll blame it all on “baby weight”.
Time drags on forever, but finally I hear the sound of Nalini unlocking the door. “Mistress, you look tired. It is time for you to get some sleep.”
I bet. I’ve been pacing the floor for hours waiting for this very moment. “Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.”
She nods and watches me as I walk down the small hall and out of sight. After two weeks together we have finally built some trust. Nalini no longer follows me like a prison guard into the bathroom. The toilet is fancy by Indian standards with its gold-painted wooden cabinet with a big hole in the middle and a ceramic bowl secured to the bottom. I pull up my nightgown and smear some of the fake blood between my legs. I hold the gown away from my body, careful not to get the concoction on the fabric, and head back into the bedroom. When Nalini takes my hand to help me up the stairs, I drop the hem of the gown and thrust my hands toward my stomach. “Ooooh!”
Nalini grabs my waist to keep me from falling. “Let me help you into bed.”
I pull the gown tight against my legs as I climb over the covers and collapse on the mattress. Nalini screams out, “Mistress, you are bleeding!”
In mock horror, I collapse, clutching my stomach. “No! Not my baby!”
Nalini eyes widen in real horror. “I will get the doctor at once.”
In her panic, she does exactly what I want—she leaves the door wide open.
Reunited at Last
Esme
I race for the door and run right into one of Mr. Tahan’s guards. “You going somewhere, Mrs. Sansby?”
So much for plan A—better come up with a plan B quick. Nalini is back with the doctor in less than four minutes. Balancing a strange breadbox-sized gadget in his arms, the doctor hurries into my room
His hound dog brown eyes grow even larger when he sees the red streaks on the back of my white nightgown. “What are you doing out of bed? You are in too delicate of a condition to be walking about the room.”
Mr. Tahan’s bodyguard glares at me as he shuts the door. I should have known Mr. Tahan wouldn’t trust a human. Nalini nudges me toward the steps and I lie down as instructed. Jin would get such a laugh if he could see how I’m toying with the doctor and Mr. Tahan. Then I remember the look of pure joy on Jin’s face when I said I was pregnant. I dread having to tell him the truth—but I’d pick that a thousand times over not ever getting the chance.
The doctor places the wooden box with a copper coil on the top next to my arm. He wraps a small leather band around my wrist. “This machine will tell me if your seven chakras are aligned.”
If I was truly bleeding I bet they would be all over the map. His eyes narrow as he watches the copper coil gently bounce up and down. “How peculiar. All of your chakras seem well balanced except for one—the root chakra.”
“Really? What does it mean?”
“You are not feeling safe and secure in your life.”
&nbs
p; I stifle a laugh. I’ll say I don’t feel secure. With the High Council in charge of my fate I don’t even know if Jin and I have a future. “I’m not secure because my husband is in prison, and I need him by my side. We are deeply in love and the stress of being separated from him is too much. I’m sure that’s why I’m spotting.”
“Perhaps I can arrange a visit.” The doctor pulls open his bag and whips out a strange instrument. “I need to examine you to see where the blood is coming from.”
He’s going to know I faked the whole thing. I can’t let that happen. Clamping my legs firmly together I say, “Doctor, the blood has stopped. I feel much better. If you examine me it might start the bleeding again.”
The doctor strokes his chin deep in thought. “’It is true; the bleeding seems to have run its course. I have been doing research on human pregnancy and I read that some women are known to have this problem the first several months.” He looks at his wooden machine. “Six of your chakras are in good order. Perhaps it is best to wait and see if the problem resolves itself.”
“If I could see my husband I am sure it would do wonders for my root chakra.”
He hands the wooden machine to Nalini who has been hovering next to the bed the whole time. “Please take the instruments back to my room.”
Nalini bows slightly and leaves. I sit up in bed filled with newfound hope. “Doctor, are you going to help me?”
He puffs out his chest. “Certainly. I will persuade the High Council that a visit from your husband is mandatory to your wellbeing.”
I want to fly out of the bed and hug him. Instead, I try to stay calm. “Do you really think you can convince them to release my husband?”
“I am as certain of it as I am that you are pregnant.”
Tears stream down my face as the door opens and Jin races across the room and into my arms. “Dearest, I thought I would never set eyes on you again.”
I run my hands through his matted curls. “I thought I lost you.”
Jin In Time Boxed Set 1-3: A Young Adult Time Travel Romance (The Time is Forever Series) Page 27