***
When she came to her senses, the temple was dark. She came out of her hiding spot and found the open space filled with a big, scaly form. Breathless, she stared into the eyes of a dragon, forgetting the hunger she'd felt upon waking.
The dragon's voice was weird, she couldn't tell if it came from the toothy mouth or else. "You're awake. I have some food for you, and then we can leave for real. Kumar will never find you."
"Who... who are you?" she asked, too scared to move.
The blue dragon seemed to smile, then morphed into Maya. "Is this better?" she teased. "I have to resume Human form to get through the door anyway. Here, eat, then we can go."
She pointed at the altar where some fruits and flat-breads waited with a jug of water. Bella gulped down the realization of Maya's real nature and filled her belly, still dazed by the events.
Maya led her out of the temple and into the moonlit, desert square where she resumed dragon-form. Awed, Bella climbed on the scaly back and soon the pair was airborne.
The stars seemed closer and at first it was exhilarating. Then she saw King Kumar's face on the pale moon, and the darkened ground beneath her started to call her. She had no place in the world, she could only hurt more. She was so tired of everything and everyone, she slowly let go of her hold on the dragon, and slipped off its back.
She closed her eyes as she fell, deafened by the wind's scream, and was surprised to be welcomed by water. The river was big enough to be a border and deep enough to stop her free fall without damage.
As she sank to the bottom of the clear waters, she saw another strange being swimming towards her – he looked Human but wore only a simple tunic of translucent fabric that didn't look Human-made.
"What are you doing, Bella?" he asked, puzzled, before kissing her. She opened her mouth, thinking drowning was bliss after such a kiss, but no water came in.
She stood at the bottom of the river, staring with awe at the water-man.
"How do you know my name?" she asked.
"You often played on the lake shore near Havenstock," he smiled.
"What are you?"
"I'm a Waiora, and my name is Meriaded."
"My trip to the southern kingdoms has allowed me to meet the Magical Races," she mused. "I had never met any before."
"Well, we normally don't show ourselves," he smiled. "But we know you all."
"How far south am I?"
"The Gallians and all of Amrendra stand between us and the Varian Kingdom where you were born."
"So how do you know me?"
"You did quite some traveling in your life. Besides, water keeps us united, sometimes it feels like we have only one mind."
"So you can tell me what's going on at home?"
"If you wish. The two men who so desperately fought for you are now happily married and best of friends again. So you can go back, if you want."
"I don't know." She looked around, the river seemed still, and was slowly lighting up as the sun rose outside. Algae and rocks surrounded them as fish swam by, unbothered. "I'm kind of sick of men obsessed with me."
"Oh, that one can be very obsessed!" He chuckled. "But women tend to obsess about him as well, so maybe you're the one who can't be without him."
"Excuse me?" she stared at him, jarred.
He grinned. "Kumar from Akkora, right? Always been a problem. We thought he had settled, but obviously there's still some fire in him."
"I don't want to hear about King Kumar," she decided. "May I stay here with you?"
"If you wish. Come, I'll show you my place..."
***
"He hasn't eaten since she left. Nor has he left his bed."
Indira looked paler than usual next to Sarita's bronze skin. The sculptor had been summoned by the queen, and they were now watching from the door as Kumar lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Indira moved away from the doorway as it hurt her too much to see him like that. Sarita followed her, pondering. The queen of Rajendra didn't really treat her like a friend, but when she had problems with her husband, she often called her.
Indira picked up her third child, baby daughter Neha, and sat to breast-feed her. Outside, Tarun and Rani were playing with Sarita's children.
"What do you want for him, my lady?" Sarita asked.
"I want him to live," Indira said on the verge of tears. "He was a good husband and a good king until that... whore came into our lives! But if he needs her to be what he had become, so be it. He won't be the first king with a concubine or a mistress."
Sarita pursed her lips and sighed. "Then I guess we should bring the dancer back," she said. "I'll go to the temple and ask Maya Starblazer where she took Bella. And then Takeshi can go and fetch her."
Indira stared at her, hopeful. "Do you think it can be done?"
"Of course, my lady," Sarita smiled. "Wait and see."
***
Winged Jesminder and Winged Kassie glided in the gardens of Argantael Palace at dawn. Sarita was waiting for them with Takeshi, and Indira peeked out of her window, but didn't join them.
"Starblazer said she lost her somewhere in Amrendra," Sarita said.
"Why Amrendra? She could have cut over the mountains," Jesminder mused.
"She couldn't fly over the mountains, Bella would have frozen to death," Kassie chided. "She must have kept low, so if Bella fell in the water, she might still be alive."
"Right, we better visit Ashleigh, then," Jesminder said. "She'll know if Bella is alive."
"Is there anything I can do?" Takeshi asked, worried.
"You travel too slowly," Jesminder answered. "Kumar will be dead by the time you come and go."
"We'll take care of it," Kassie promised. "We'll be back as soon as possible."
The two Sila left as the palace slowly awoke, and only a few servants (and a worried queen) saw the winged beings leave. Air took them fast to Ashleigh and then Meriaded, who seemed to be waiting for them with a challenging expression, seated on a rock by his river.
"She doesn't want to go back," he said.
"Kumar is starving himself to death," Jesminder replied, serious. "Let us talk to her."
"She's in the woods," he pointed at the green trees nearby with a shrug.
Bella came out of the trees shadow at that point and stopped, startled, to stare at the winged beings.
"They want to take you back to Argantael," Meriaded called to her.
She approached, wary, and Jesminder wondered what Kumar had found in her. Maybe it was his Sorto, after all.
"I don't want to go back," Bella said, stopping near them.
"Kumar is dying for you," Jesminder told her. "Even Indira will accept you if you help her husband live."
"What about what I want?" Bella pouted.
Jesminder and Kassie exchanged a glance.
"Well, what do you want?" Kassie asked.
Bella averted her eyes, blushed and fidgeted.
"He can be lovely and lovable when he wants to," Jesminder said dreamily.
"Rajendra still needs a king. Although Indira should marry her captain of the guard instead," Kassie added, amused.
Bella stared at Meriaded who shrugged.
"You decide what you want to do with your life," he said.
She sighed. Jesminder could see the struggle within her. If only Humans could accept their Sorto like the Sila...
"Take me back," Bella whispered, her eyes lowered.
Jesminder smiled, relieved.
***
Bella found him in bed. He had been shaved, but wasn't moving. Tarun had climbed on the bed and was trying to revive him, to no avail.
Bella was shocked to see him like this – empty-eyed and lost somewhere, waiting for death. The captain of the guard took Tarun in his arms with soothing words and Bella was left alone with him.
She couldn't call him 'king' anymore, and a little voice inside her kept screaming his name. Slowly she went to the bed, lay down next to him and gently pulled him to rest
his head on her shoulder. She took his hand and put it on her hip. She caressed his dark hair and brushed his forehead with her lips.
She felt him inhale, breathe deeply. She felt his hand exploring. Slowly, his head rose and his eyes focused on her. He opened his lips, but no sound came out. He stared at her in disbelief, then slowly collapsed on the pillow again. He hadn't eaten for days, he must be weak.
She pulled herself up and picked up a plate of candied fruits on a nearby table. She put it on the bed near him, then picked up the jug of fruit juice and poured some in a goblet. She went back to him and helped him to drink and eat.
His eyes never left her. He fell asleep against her.
She saw the queen staring at them from the door, proud and hurt, and relieved.
"Thank you," the queen whispered, and left.
For what? Did she really have a choice? She stared at the man by her side. No, definitely no choice. She had fought hard against her own feelings, but now she knew he had had her at the first kiss.
The last king of Akkora
Part two: Hemal
"You wanted to talk to me, Father?"
"Yes, Hemal, sit down."
Prince Hemal sat on the cushions in front of his father and waited as the king stared at him with a frown.
"What is it, Father?" he asked, embarrassed by the silent examination. "Seems like you've never seen me before."
"I have," the king replied sharply. "Twice, actually. I don't have doubts anymore. I hoped to find in you something of your mother or myself, but no, the more you grow up, the more you look like your father."
"What?"
"You're not my son, Hemal." King Kunal shooed him away, averting his eyes.
"What do you mean?" he asked, incredulous.
"It means what I said!" King Kunal snapped. "Get out of my sight now!"
Hemal obeyed, too shocked to object. Besides he knew better than to get on the wrong side of his mighty father, the king. Or not his father?
He went to his stepmother for comfort and told her of King Kunal's outburst. "What's going on, Mother?" he asked her.
"It's a long story, honey," she sighed. "You know I have always loved you like a son."
"Yes, but..."
"I'll try to make it easy on you. Wait for me in your room."
Hemal obeyed, more and more puzzled and worried.
On the way he met Mohan whom he had always considered his little brother – he was the son of King Kunal and his second wife Mitali and was thirteen. Hemal loved him and stopped to talk to him trying to hide his anxiety.
"Can I give you my gift today?" the younger prince asked, excited.
"Tomorrow," he chided. "Tomorrow is my birthday."
"All right." Mohan pouted.
"You can be the first," he promised. "I must go now, I'll see you later, all right?"
Mohan let him go and Hemal sighed.
Tomorrow I'll be eighteen. And I discover I'm not my father's son. What a gift! Who am I? Will I be disinherited in favor of Mohan?
Not that he cared about inheriting the throne. But how could he grow up without hearing anything at all about the fact he could not be King Kunal's son?
His stepmother joined him in his room and sat with him in the private garden.
"What do you know, Mother?" he asked, worried.
"Not much," Mitali admitted. "When I met you, you were the shyest child I had ever met. You needed lots of love and I was glad to give it to you. I accepted to marry Kunal also for your sake. I saw how he ignored you and couldn't tell why. He had brought us to a war with Gajendra and strained relationships with Rajendra only to marry your mother, why was he so mad at you?"
"Because I killed her," he said gloomily. "After all he did to get her, I took her life with my birth."
"Your mother wasn't the first or the last to die in childbirth," Mitali replied. "Kunal really loved her, but I don't think he blamed you for her death. And then one day I found this."
She took a folded parchment from her sari and showed it to him. "I found it hidden among the saris in the teak chest of the late queen."
He took it and opened it. Another sealed parchment slid on his lap while he read the words of the short letter.
Whoever finds this please give the enclosed letter to my son Hemal when he's old enough without Kunal, my husband, knowing. Hemal must know the truth, which won't please his so-called father. Hemal is not Kunal's son and herein he shall find the story of his unfortunate parents. You who have found this letter please give it to him in secret when you see it fit. And if you're a friend, I know you'll find the right time. May the Gods bless you. Bindya.
Hemal stared at Mitali, incredulous.
"I was so touched," she said. "I kept it hidden for years. I guess now is a good time to give it to you. I didn't open the letter for you, but if you need to talk afterward, you know where to find me."
She kissed his forehead and left him alone with his mother's message.
***
Jeevan is dead and my brother disappeared. I'm here surrounded by enemies. Hemal has been sent away, but he was so sweet... talking to him was comforting, that's why I gave you his name.
I'm alone with Kunal's possessive love and my only consolation is that you, Hemal, are not his son. I hope to see you grow up tall and strong like your real father, Jeevan Nagra. But if you're reading this, I'm probably gone. You can hear more about us in Rajendra, where Jeevan's cousin Jayanta relocated. He's a childhood friend of the man who is now supposedly the king, Kumar from Leland, who tried to talk some sense into Kunal before the war with Gajendra broke out.
You could have been very happy with your real parents. Are you happy anyway? I wonder. I wish you to be happy and never go through what we have been through. You who are still alive, avenge us. You lived with Kunal for many years, you must know his weaknesses. Strike without mercy, like he did with us.
Your mother Bindya
Hemal put down the letter even more doubtful than before. His real parents' story was unbelievable, except it was not. He knew enough King Kunal to know he could be cruel or ruthless.
He needed to talk about it, and his stepmother was the only option. He asked her if she thought there could be people at the palace who had met Bindya and Jeevan, and Mitali said that as Bindya had been a washer-woman, probably some of them had met her and her betrothed before Kunal noticed her.
They went together to the servants' quarters and more than one person without access to the royal family exclaimed in surprise at the sight of Hemal. Tongues started moving. Yes, he looked exactly like Jeevan. Served the king right. At least the unfortunate lovers had had time to procreate before being torn apart.
All the servants blessed him while cursing the king, and Hemal went back to the royal quarters relieved but worried. The king was now aware of the truth, what would he do to him? Kill him like he had his father?
Mitali promised to prod her husband for an answer.
***
"You didn't look very happy at Hemal's birthday," Mitali said, retiring for the night with Kunal.
"I won't celebrate it anymore," he replied bluntly.
"Why not?"
"He's not my son."
She feigned surprise. "How do you know?"
"I know."
"So what will you do?"
"Nothing. But he will never inherit the throne."
"Will you disown him?"
"No. It would show the fruit of my first marriage is not mine. I don't want that. No, I won't disown him. But I will not have a legitimate heir either."
"How about Mohan? Why did you marry me if you can't even consider my son your heir?"
"You wanted it. You knew I didn't love you."
"And you never loved Hemal either."
"If you married me for Hemal's sake, why do you complain?"
She snorted. "I didn't marry you for Hemal's sake! And you needed a queen, right? One would think that the sons the queen bears are automatically in the line of su
ccession."
"Fine, Mohan can have the throne when I die." He shrugged. "I'm not going to find another lover anyway."
"Have you ever truly loved someone, Kunal?" she asked after a brief silence.
"Yes." Kunal's answer was sullen. "Hemal's mother."
***
"Mother, I want you to read this, so you can understand what I want to do," Hemal said, handing the parchments from his mother to his stepmother.
"I can't, it's private..."
"Read it," he insisted.
Mitaly took back the parchment and read the second, longer letter while he waited.
She slowly folded it again when she was done. "What's your plan, Hemal?"
"I need time. I need to talk to people." He looked at her, determined. "I'll ask Kunal permission to visit the other courts in search of a bride, but I'll stop in Rajendra for some time. I don't want to live under the roof of my father's murderer anymore."
Mitali sighed. "So you will look for this... Jayanta, your father's cousin?"
"Yes, but I'm not telling Kunal. And I don't know what I will do next, nor how long I'll be away."
"As you wish. But be careful."
***
"So you're leaving." Mohan looked very disappointed.
"I'll be away for a year and will come back with a beautiful bride," Hemal promised. He glanced at King Kunal and noticed his smirk. He wondered what the king was planning on his return. He hugged his little brother, wishing he could take him on his journey.
"Be good." He let him go and hugged Mitali. "Good-bye, Mother. I will write soon."
He stopped also in front of Kunal, but the king's face was so hostile he simply nodded and moved on.
"Come back soon!" Mohan shouted after him.
He waved without turning back. He had no idea if he'd ever come back to Agharek.
He stopped in Leland to hear other members of the Nagra clan and was given the address of Jayanta in Argantael. He finally reached the capital of Rajendra and found the potter's shop – and his father's cousin.
"I come from Agharek," he said as introduction as Jayanta didn't seem to recognize him. "I don't feel welcome in the royal palace anymore."
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