Once we were far away from the circus square, I saw her heading towards one corner of an enclosure. My pace quickened until I found myself at a dead end. Coming to a skidding halt, I looked around and saw no one. I looked at the high walls. There was no exit anywhere. I was sure she had turned this way. Where had she gone? How could she have escaped so fast? And who was the mysterious maiden?
None of the questions had any answers.
After a long moment of clueless thinking, I sighed and decided to get back to the cheering fire-lit field.
On my way back, I saw Samudra walking with a red-robed woman, who looked too familiar to my liking. They were strolling while enjoying skewered meat in their hands.
"Samudra!" I called out to him and ran towards the Sea God's son. As their heads turned to me, I realized the girl was Morokot. My mouth fell open.
"Morokot?"
They both looked at me like a pair of startled deer. For a moment, we just stood there staring at each other in silence.
"Oh...gre...greeting...Nikita! What wind has blown you here? I'm glad you're now recovered!" Samudra said to break the awkwardness. Morokot tried not to blush.
Then I understood the situation and gave a knowing nod back. Something must have changed quite drastically during my absence.
"Oh, I see," I said. "So you two are now dating."
"Dating?" Samudra said with a confused frown. "No one could create a calendar but the planetary gods of the sun and the moon..."
I was about to burst out laughing when Morokot stepped forward and growled at me.
"If you dare telling a soul of this encounter, you'll be as good as my skewered meat, do you hear me?"
I recoiled back with bewildered eyes.
"Aw...Morokot! I'm not going to tell anyone about you," I said to calm her. "But why do you both have to hide if you like each other so?"
Samudra and Morokot shared an awkward look.
"We don’t like each other...I mean...it's complicated," Morokot murmured.
"We made peace after the duel," Samudra said with a blush.
Out of nowhere, a familiar group of people appeared. Much to our surprise, Issarak and his avatar gang were also there. They found us.
The son of Murugan stared in of disbelief when he saw us. His angry frown was angrier at Morokot. The giant avatar behind him was stuffing his face with the stick meat.
Ravi wasn't with them. I didn't know how ashamed I would be if I were to face her again. Issarak waved to his companions, and they headed in our direction.
"You've brought nothing but shame, Morokot," Issarak sneered. "Now you're out and acquainted with our foes?"
"Issarak, I...I," Morokot tried to speak, but she couldn't seem to get the words out.
"It's none of your concerns." I stepped forward. "They can choose to be with whoever they please."
"This is a matter between our members, you're not involved," he said and turned to Morokot and Samudra again. "I now see that you're boy-crazed with a false of tongue. Have you no dignity? If I were you, I would rather die unwed than live in disgrace with an enemy."
"Oh, I'm sure you're going to die unwed with that attitude all right," I said.
Issarak bared his teeth in rage. He looked at Samudra.
"You and your friends have mocked our godly parents with this mortal girl," he said. "She who is fair to see, but has no wits nor might to fight."
"I will let you insult the Holy One no more, Issarak. Leave us or you shall face a moral lesson from me." Samudra then came forward. "You abuse your power among your fellows and take your birthright for granted. One day you would wear a mask of shame for the wrongs you have done them!"
Issarak growled in fury. Vijay rolled his neck and cracked his knuckles as if to get ready for a fight. I could feel the tension stirring up.
Now, I saw where the problem was. They were born for the same purpose but unable to stay united. Was that the reason why I was sent here? To balance these powerful children and unite them in harmony?
Issarak turned to Morokot again with hateful eyes.
"I declare to you," he spoke for everyone to hear, "from this very night, Morokot, daughter of the god of fire, is no longer welcome to be with our circle."
From the corner of my eyes, Morokot’s fists tightened. Her jaw clenched with equal anger.
"You also failed in the battle much like I did," Morokot spat back, pointing at the war god's son accusingly. "Where were you when I needed a friend? All you care is your glory and your pride. As keen as you are, so is the edge of your scorn and stupid tongue. I have had enough of you! Now I pledge my service to the Holy One, whoever she might be in the eyes of heaven, I will follow her, and come what may!"
As soon as she said that, her skewered meat burst into flame. She threw the burning stick meat at Issarak's head, causing him to yelp. Fire almost claimed his hair, but he brushed it off. His avatar friend let out a booming laugh.
"How dare you!" Issarak growled.
He crouched his body as if ready to charge at us. At the same moment, Tepi and the son of Yama appeared. They each had a skewered meats in their hands, still chewing in oblivion.
Then their heads turned and they saw us there. Our eyes met in pure surprise. My jaw dropped once again at the two. They blushed at the same time and blinked back.
"What in the world has happened?" I said.
But the sight of yet another avatar with our team seemed to irritate Issarak even more. He was shaking with rage as he stormed towards Raksa and swatted his skewered meat off his hand.
"You, of all people, should not be with this pathetic folk!" he hissed. "Are you on my side or theirs?"
"Neither. I am neutral to all." He then turned to Tepi with a bright smile. "Except for my dear Tepi."
"Neutral my foot!" Issarak growled.
Then Atith, Tusita and Vorac also appeared. Now, if the war god's son wanted to have a brawl, he would have to reconsider it.
"Seen you far across the field," Tusita said, crossing her hands over her chest as she looked at Issarak daringly. "What are these dummies doing here?"
The son of Murugan turned his head to me at last.
"You!" he pointed at my nose. "I will witness your fall in the Games. And this time, my spear will not be hurled in vain."
"Only the gods know who shall fall," Atith sneered back. "Go away, Issarak, before I mercilessly kick your rear end."
"Right, go away before I turn beautiful," Vorac added.
Issarak gave us one last death glare before waving to his friends and leaving the field.
It seemed there would be a long way to peace among us. I looked at the avatars around me and sighed. Tepi came to pat my shoulder and Atith handed me his skewered meat. I looked at them and let out a laugh. Then the rest of them laughed along. Whatever happened, I still believed that they would always be my protectors and friends.
~*~
We walked back to the Pavilion as the evening dragged on. The night wasn't as sultry as the day in the harvest season. I could feel the chill began to seep through my clothes.
After the encounter with Issarak, Morokot seemed quieter, but given the change of circumstance, it was understandable.
A few callings of our names disquieted the silence. I turned to see the twin avatars, Romany and Romanir, running towards us.
"We didn't expect to see everyone here," the boy, who must be Romany, spoke in a childlike excitement.
"We saw Issarak flaring his nostrils like a mountain bull a while ago," the other twin added. "And we just knew who else were here tonight. Did we miss the fight?"
"There was no fight, boys, sadly enough," Tusita told them. The twins looked disappointed.
"Say, Nikita," Romany said. "We thought you were in the house still mending your wounds."
"I told you snake venom is best for the remedy." Romanir nudged his brother with a smirk. "It must have worked wonders for here she is, radiant with beauty and charms and now dressed in gorgeous silk!"
My cheeks burned.
Vorac giggled beside me, which worsened my embarrassment even more. I had no words to say as it was true that they had caught me sneaking out from the palace. They hadn't even found out who I was with yet.
"Everyone chastise Nikita no more. She's done nothing wrong," Tepi hushed them for my sake. "Now keep moving along before the night grows cold."
"I won't let the cold bother you as long as I am here, Tepi dear," Raksa said flirtatiously and moved closer to her. Tepi cringed at his overly sweet endearment.
"Stop calling me that!" Tepi snapped and pushed him away.
It seemed Amarisa and I weren't the only odd couples tonight.
Immediately upon entering the pavilion, I called out to my beloved princess. She was still standing at the portico. Her eyes seemed to be searching above the crowd.
But once she turned around and saw me, a look of immense relief shone on her face. Amarisa, who were not yet aware of my other companions, flew right into my arms.
I wrapped mine back around her, knowing that there was no need to hide our relationship anymore.
"What took my beloved Nikita so long?" she said. "I was beginning to fear for your safety and was ready to go out and find you on my own."
I caressed her cheek.
"Mmm...Amarisa dearest, we kind of have some company..." I whispered sheepishly.
Amarisa's head lifted from my chest to look at me in confusion. Then her sparkling eyes widened when she looked over my shoulders. I turned around to the avatars, who stood frozen like statues.
The twins were the only ones who seemed unfazed. They ran towards Malis and patted her. The rest of us stood in awkward silence for a while before Amarisa gave them each a greeting. With her joined palms, she invited them inside. They still stared wide-eyed at us.
"What a lovely honor to see you here, Your Highness!" Raksa was the first to speak with a slight bow. The rest of them finally gathered their senses and followed his example. "It's been many moons since we last met!"
"Likewise, my lord," Amarisa replied.
"Let us sit down and have a little chat, shall we?" the dark prince said brightly. He motioned to the others to follow him.
As we settled down on the seats, the palace maids began to serve us some more Sura drink and fruit.
Atith's eyes still darted between me and Amarisa as we sat beside each other.
"Tell me in all honesty, Nikita," Tusita breathed at last. "What wonder did we just see?"
"How...how did you two..." Atith said but didn't know what to say.
I gave them a sheepish smile before looking back at Amarisa. With a blush, she dropped her gaze to our joined hands, which rested on her lap.
"My friends, I will not hide from you," I said. "Amarisa and I are indeed lovers as you can see. The Fate has given me her lovely hand to hold and her heart to tend."
"Nikita, how could you do that to my poor lonely heart!?" Atith said, his lips quivered as he spoke. "You knew how I felt about the princess. How could you take her even farther away from my reach?"
Then he burst out crying.
"Oh, Atith...I..." I tried to speak but no words felt right.
Amarisa and I exchanged a nervous glance.
"Atith, control yourself!" Tusita yelled at the crying avatar.
"Atith, they didn't mean to hurt you by falling in love with each other," Tepi tried to console him as Raksa patted his back in sympathy.
Atith stopped crying but he sighed sulkily at me then took a gulp of his Sura. The liquor must have burnt his throat. He stuck his tongue out and fanned it frantically.
"Aaagghhh...holy father...it baauurns!"
Vorac splashed his face with a cup of cold tea.
"Can you please stop this silliness?" she said.
After a moment, he calmed down and took a deep breath. Then he looked at Amarisa and me with a frown still etched on his forehead. The princess looked at me with anxiety, and I enveloped her in my reassuring embrace.
A look of pity and understanding slowly registered on Atith’s face. He seemed almost ashamed. Then he let out a low sigh and bowed his head in apology.
"Forgive me for my bad attitude, Nikita, Your Highness," he said to us. "I must admit, you two are truly the perfect pair. I have no right to object the purity of your mutual love. It is you, Nikita, the one whom she entrusts her heart with, and I must stop the sulk."
A wide smile graced his handsome face again. Amarisa gazed at me with contentment and relief, and I mirrored her.
“Good lad!” Tusita tousled Atith's hair. He grinned easily while the rest of them laughed. Raksa raised his golden to us.
"Let us have a toast,” he said. “To Nikita, the unconquerable. May her love conquer all!"
"To Nikita!" the twin brothers chorused along with a loud growl from Malis.
We laughed together then raised our cups. Even our new member, Morokot also took a sip of her drink just to honor the occasion.
I turned to Amarisa again. She smiled at me with warmth. I leaned over to kiss her forehead, causing a collective howl and cheers from my friends.
The night of our date had taken a different turn, but I was glad it ended on the sweetest note. I no longer bothered to keep my secret love hidden, at least not with my friends.
As we continued to drink and feast into the night, my thought of Issarak and his threat against me disappeared, ebbing away along with the memory of that mysterious maiden.
CHAPTER 33
It was midnight when I returned to my chamber, but not after sharing a kiss with Amarisa, thanking her for the wonderful outing.
The princess also expressed her desire to spend another day with me before the return of her royal parents. I had insisted that this time it was my turn to surprise her. I had thought of a romantic theme without revealing the details.
"We shall meet again tomorrow at the crack of dawn," I told her.
"Dawn still wouldn't come fast enough," Amarisa replied with a sweet smile. She leaned in to kiss me on my cheek again.
After it was settled, we parted way with the hope of seeing one another again tomorrow.
A lot of things had changed within the last few festive hours. Morokot had declared herself as part of our team. No one objected it so far. Tepi and Raksa also seemed to be in a good talking term, at least, regardless of their bittersweet duel. Atith had forgiven me for claiming Amarisa's heart, and that bit of reflection of the night made me smile.
Everything seemed to go smoothly for the time being — save for a few questions that tried to worm their ways into my head.
Will the love between Amarisa and me be accepted by the King and Queens? What will actually happen if I wield Chandrahas? Or how am I going to win the upcoming Game? I had shown everyone who really I was. I had no power or god-given gifts. Not to mention all the questions that I was too scared to be reminded of.
With a tired sigh, I pushed those unsettling thoughts out of my mind. There was no use overthinking everything all at once.
Stepping inside the confinement of my lantern-lit chamber, several maids came to assist me. They brought wet jasmine-scented towels for me to clean my face and water to wash my hands. I then stepped out of the elegant attire. I was still blushing from the night drinks and felt tingly with floating happiness.
After I shed off all my finery, my mind once again stumbled upon a thought of the veiled maiden.
Who was she? Why did she spy on me and Amarisa? What did she want?
Something about her felt too familiar. The way she observed me with those dark, yet harmless eyes. It was as if she merely wished to see the moment in anonymity rather than to plan any ill-treatment upon us.
Even in the dark, I could still see her sparkling eyes looking at me with tenderness.
No, this can't be. I shook my
head to dispel the thought. The mysterious maiden could have been a local thief lurking for some valuable goodies.
As the maids moved about me, I noticed someone was missing.
"Where's Kesar?" I asked, but before they could answer me, Kesar's voice came to me.
"I'm here, my lady."
I turned around to find her in the room.
"How was your night?" she said again.
For some reason, I could hear a hint of nervousness laced through her words. I frowned.
Kesar did not come to me as she normally would. Then I noted her standing posture and how she preferred to be quite far away. I waved to the other maids as a cue to be dismissed. They bowed and left the room.
"My night was grand, Kesar, but I was wondering where you have been earlier," I said, still eyeing the maiden suspiciously.
Kesar nodded back but unable to look me in the eyes. Under my scrutinizing stare, she began to tremble.
"Why are you standing there?" I asked. "I need your help to unclothe me. Come here."
"Aren't you already done undressing?"
"I said come here, Kesar." I looked at her face with steady eyes.
The maiden's nicely arched brows creased over. Yet unable to refuse my request, she began to move forward.
I watched Kesar trying to compose herself with each slow step she took. The way she shifted her weight more to her other foot wasn't missed.
And gradually, I felt the flaring anguish rising from inside my chest. As if she could hear my raging heart, Kesar lifted her face to me. She saw the dark look in my eyes and froze in fear.
"Come closer, Kesar." My voice felt heavy like lead. My ears burned with anger, disappointment, and sadness. They wove into a wet blanket over my shoulders, drenching me with chills.
I stared at the maiden, who obviously tried her hardest to hide her secret. Then Kesar let out a whimper. Her knees buckled over and she collapsed to the floor. It was all it took for me to realize the truth.
She was the veiled maiden I had chased at the festival.
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