It was obvious to me that the movement of the scarf was unnatural. It undulated like Fanindra in the ocean, finally wrapping itself around Nilima’s legs. Kadam’s great-great-granddaughter reached down and picked it up just as Ana rose and said, “Oh! Thank you so much. That scarf has been in my family for generations. I would hate to lose it.”
“It’s very beautiful,” Nilima said as she offered it back to Ana.
“Do you mind?” Ana said, indicating the space next to Nilima. “My mother suggested I come. I am to be married in two months.”
“Congratulations,” Nilima said.
“Are you marrying soon as well?” Ana asked.
Nilima laughed. “Oh, no. I haven’t met the right man yet.”
“Surely your parents can arrange—” Ana began.
“No,” Nilima shook her head. “I’m not interested in anything arranged.”
“Ah.”
“Not that I wish to disparage your choice,” Nilima quickly added.
Ana was quiet for a moment and then said, “Truthfully, I am not certain if marriage is right for a woman such as me.”
“Oh?” Nilima said. “Why is that?”
Anamika gave her a slight smile. “Men…frighten me.”
I could feel my mouth turning down at her words. Had I frightened her? That hadn’t been my intention.
“Besides,” Ana continued. “I am a…a hard woman.”
“Hard?” Nilima laughed. “How do you mean?”
“I do not wish to be held beneath a man’s thumb and twisted.”
“Ah,” Nilima said. “That’s understandable. If that’s your definition of hard, then I, too, am hard.”
Alarm crossed Ana’s features. “But Sunil would never—” Quickly she cut off her words and bit her lip.
“What?” Nilima asked. “Who is Sunil? Your fiancé?”
Grimacing, Ana nodded while I looked up at the sky, wondering how she was going to pull off whatever she was trying to accomplish.
“What I mean is…I am not the type most men desire.”
Nilima really laughed this time. “You mean the tall, leggy, gorgeous type? Yeah, men hate that.”
“No. I do not speak of an outward appearance. As to that I do not care. When I say hard, I mean…I mean I am not gentle of tongue, or tender. I do not fuss over a man with heartening words as if I am watering him like a flower.”
“You don’t need to be that way. I’m very much like you in that regard. You’re right that it turns off a lot of men.”
“Turns off?” Ana asked.
Nilima waved a hand. “Makes them uninterested in pursuing a relationship.”
“I see. But you believe there might be a man somewhere who is turns on by frankness and honesty?”
“Turns on?” Nilima giggled and I snorted but quickly stifled it when Nilima glanced around. “Yes, I suppose I believe that,” she said.
“Where do you find such a man?” Ana asked.
“If I knew where to find one, I’d have caught one for myself by now.”
“Then how will you recognize such a man when you find him?” Ana asked, a sober expression on her face.
“Sometimes you don’t,” Nilima said sadly. “But I’m not here for a man anyway. I’m here for my friend Kelsey.”
“For a friend?”
Nilima smiled. “Yes. She’s got a rough road ahead. I thought it would help to ask the goddess’s blessing.”
“Right, the goddess.”
Anamika squeezed Nilima’s hand. “It was nice to meet you. I think the goddess will answer your supplication. Your friend will find the happiness she seeks.”
“You think so?”
“I am very certain.”
“I’m Nilima, by the way. It was nice to meet you.”
“And you.”
“I didn’t catch your name.”
“It’s Ana.”
I cut off a hiss and wrapped an arm around Ana’s waist when we were far enough away that Nilima couldn’t hear and rematerialized when we rounded a building. “What was that?” I demanded.
“What are you referring to?” she asked briskly.
“Telling her your name. Don’t you think she might remember that?”
“What if she does? Ana is a popular enough name, is it not?”
I folded my arms across my chest. “I suppose so.”
“Then there is no harm done.”
“Fine.”
“Good.”
I paused and then asked, “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Did you get what you came for?”
“Oh, that. Yes. I believe I did.”
“And that was…?” I let the question hang.
Anamika took her time thinking about what she wanted to say. I stewed there waiting for her, for too long. My leg started tapping. “Nilima,” she finally said, “is worth thinking about.”
Sputtering, I turned in a circle, looking at the passersby as if asking them for help. “What…what do you mean?” I asked.
“I mean, I need to study her more.” Turning around with a flourish, she headed down the street. “Come on, Kishan. I wish to bathe and rest before we go to the party.”
“Party?” I stopped in my tracks.
“Yes, party. When I touched Nilima’s hand, I was able to access some of her memories. Did you know she went to a party where she made wishes? I’d like to attend an event such as that. It will give me more insight into her character. First we need to retrieve the bow.”
We retraced our steps and found the bow easily enough. Then, because Ana wanted to immerse herself in our world so as to understand Nilima better, we stayed in a hotel. I found the largest one in the city and we used the amulet to go invisible. It was easy enough to head to the top floor, the one almost never used, and magic our way inside.
There were not one, not two, but three rooms. I headed into one, tossed off my shirt and pants, and stepped into a steaming hot shower. After scrubbing myself nearly raw, I toweled off and tumbled onto the bed, drawing the blanket up and over me, and was senseless for at least twelve hours.
When I finally woke, Ana was lounging on a couch, clicking buttons that opened and closed the shades and turned music on and off, as well as the lights. “This is convenient,” she said.
“Yeah, it is,” I answered. “Little help?”
She kept her attention on the remote control and vaguely pointed at a table where she’d created platters of food. The selections were rustic. More what she would have eaten in camp than what was served in the modern world, but I appreciated it all the same.
“Er…thanks,” I said, “but I’d like to get dressed first.”
She glanced over at me where I held the towel wrapped around my waist. Her cheeks turned pink, and she briskly strode over to the desk, where she’d put all our weapons. Keeping a good distance from me, she pinched the scarf between her fingers and held it out at arm’s length, doggedly refusing to make eye contact.
I mumbled thanks and headed back to my room with the scarf to make myself some new clothing. When I came out, she was playing with the remote again, but her fingers hovered over the buttons, as if she couldn’t decide which to push.
“Something wrong?” I asked.
“No,” she said, rising quickly and fumbling the remote. It crashed to the ground and I stooped and picked it up, placing it back in her hands. She swallowed and backed away, nearly tripping over the glass table.
After I ate my fill, we gathered our things and Ana said, “Take us to the party. The one you went to with Kelsey.”
“Right.” I took the pack, slinging it over a shoulder, and held out a hand. She glared at it like it was poison. “I’m not going to hurt you, Ana. Frankly, I’m insulted that you think that of me. You, of all people, know my intentions.”
“You are right,” she admitted softly. “I know you do not mean to hurt me. And I regret hitting you in such a manner as I did today. You may…you may touch me when you wish
. Just try not to grab me suddenly. And do not attempt to kiss me again. Do you agree?” she asked.
I stared down at her for a long minute. “I agree,” I answered her.
She sucked in a breath, looked from my outstretched palm up to my face, and then placed her hand in it. I wrapped my fingers around her hand and gently drew her closer. “Hang on,” I said.
We were sucked into a vortex but it was quick. We didn’t travel as far as we had before. It was evening and the throb of music echoed around the beach. Our feet sank into sand and I could hear the pulse of the ocean not far away.
Anamika frowned. “This doesn’t look right. Where’s the tree?”
“Tree?” I said. Then I looked up and whispered, “Hide, quickly!”
We ducked behind a tree just as Wes and Kelsey passed by. She looked gorgeous in her black dress. Wes whispered something in her ear and she laughed. I dug my fingers into the bark of the tree. I’d forgotten all about the cowboy who’d tried to steal Kelsey away from us.
“Who is that?” Anamika asked.
“Nobody,” I answered.
“You’ve brought me to the wrong party,” she said. “No, wait. I think I see Nilima.”
She was about to head out when I hissed, “Ana, she’ll recognize you. My past self is here. So is Ren. We’ve got to disguise ourselves.”
I used the scarf to make myself a typical beach bum, board shorts and flip-flops. My hair grew longer. The skin on my face itched as I changed into one of the deck hands I’d met once on the ship. Ana took the scarf next and changed just her clothing. I almost choked when she appeared wearing a plunging white one-piece and a wraparound skirt that tied at her waist, exposing her long, shapely legs and emphasizing her toned body.
I sliced my hand down. “No,” I said with absolute authority. “You can’t go out there like that.”
“Why not?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips.
“Because…because, first of all, you look like you.”
“Fine.” She wrapped the scarf around her body, and when she lifted it away, she was still pretty and familiar in a way.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“I am disguised as a serving girl who used to work in our home.”
“Used to? It’s not like you to dismiss servants.”
“She…she looked upon your form with lustful intentions.”
“Ah. Well, thank you, I suppose, for protecting me from serving girls with lascivious aims.”
Frowning, she asked, “Do you wish for me to change again?”
“No, it’s fine. But you need to wear something else. This is too flashy for this time. Trust me.”
She threw up her hands and handed me the scarf. When I pulled it away, she was dressed in essentially a muumuu. “What is this?” she demanded, plucking at the heavy fabric.
“It will protect you from sunburn,” I said lamely.
“The sun is setting.”
She held out her hand and I gave her the scarf, backing up and lifting my nose to follow Kelsey’s scent. As I did, I said, “Be careful. Meet me back here in one hour.”
“Very well. That will give me time to talk with Nilima.”
Leaving her on the beach with the scarf to remake her admittedly shapeless dress, I trailed after Wes and Kelsey. I spent the better part of a half hour just watching them, then my nose twitched and I looked up. My mouth opened in shock as I spied myself, my old self, watching Kelsey and Wes from the sidelines. I remembered Kadam’s warning never to cross paths with myself and headed immediately in the opposite direction.
I made my way through laughing partygoers. They danced and kicked up sand as I wove around them. Then I caught a new scent and froze. Turning slowly, I saw my brother, Ren. He was dancing in the middle of a group of women. Every single one of them was beautiful. Every single one of them had eyes only for him.
Nilima was there, dancing nearby, but it wasn’t Nilima who had caught my attention. No. I was riveted by one woman. A girl with long, dark hair in a green bikini and a cover-up that covered nothing. She pressed closed to Ren, a hand touching the corded muscle of his forearm. Her curvy body was glistening, like her skin had been kissed by silvery rain.
A visceral envy of my brother blew through me, and my feeble attempts to cool my ire were about as effective as throwing an ice cube into a volcano. Across the arm of my brother, she spied me and our eyes locked. With nearly brutal determination, I held out a hand.
A supplication.
A question.
A dare.
Chapter 11
Puppy Love
Anamika murmured a quick good-bye to Ren and waved at Nilima before heading in my direction. When she was close enough to take my hand, she looked at it and then glanced up at me. Cocking her head, she considered my expression, and then unhurriedly, she touched the tips of her fingers to mine and slid her palm across my hand. Though I seethed inside, I showed nothing on the surface.
With my hand wrapped around hers, I drew her close and began dancing with her. The pounding beat reflected my mood. Ana had the ability to channel our connection when her body brushed mine as we moved together in the close crowd. If she had, she could have read my thoughts easily, but she restrained herself. It soothed the beast within a little, but it still wasn’t enough to calm my temper completely.
When the music changed to a slow dance, I stood there stiffly grinding my jaw. Ana turned to watch the other couples and then stepped closer to me. I could feel the heat radiating from her and it made my blood pound. She slid her arms around my neck and we automatically began swaying together.
I tugged her against me tightly, and when she gasped, I loosened my grip and spanned my hands lightly against her bare waist. The feel of her soft skin against my fingertips distracted me from my anger, but my blood still boiled all the same.
“What is wrong?” she murmured in my ear. When I didn’t answer, she pressed, “Was it seeing Kelsey?”
“No,” I mumbled. Her long hair tickled my wrists. I glanced up and saw Ren dancing with Randi, the blonde he’d brought aboard the ship to prove to Kelsey he was moving on. Across the beach I saw a small figure and knew it was Kells headed back to the ship.
She’d seen Ren with all the women. What he’d done had broken her heart. The next morning Kelsey was going to ask me out on a date. She was going to cut her hair and we’d have dinner together and she was going to look amazing, and…it didn’t matter. She’d still end up with Ren.
It was always Ren. My brother would get Kelsey. He probably would have gotten Yesubai too. Then there was Randi. She clutched Ren fiercely, her eyes lit with determination. Nilima might have even gone for Ren had he been interested. And now it was Ana. Ren dancing with her was the last straw.
Seeing her touch his arm like that was too much. Ana was not going to fall for him like everyone else. I wouldn’t allow it. Her hand belonged on my arm, not his. I was her tiger. Ren abandoned her to run off after Kelsey. He left her alone. I was the one who stayed. If anyone deserved Ana’s commitment and devotion, it was me. My neck tightened as I looked at Ren with extreme jealousy. Ren had his harem and I had nothing. I had no one. Not even my sorry excuse for a brother. He’d abandoned me as much as he’d left the goddess.
Ana took my hand and pulled. I turned away from Ren and followed her like a zombie. We walked a short distance from the party, far enough away to feel alone and yet still close enough to hear the music. A breeze came in from the ocean and blew her cover up away from her body. I growled softly and pulled the fabric around her again but it did nothing to hide her curves.
She brushed my hands away and surprised me by wrapping her arms around my neck again. As she slowly swayed, I moved with her, but it was a broken, shattered, grieving man she danced with. When she stopped and touched her palm against my neck, she spoke to me in her thoughts. What is it, Sohan?
I liked that she asked rather than took.
Mentally, I replied, It’s…it’s just Ren. He… W
ait. How do you know that name? I asked. Only my mother called me Sohan.
Her eyes slid guiltily away from mine. I…I visited your family when you were younger.
“What?” I said out loud, taking a step back.
“Shh,” she hissed. Then, mentally, she added, Ren has powerful hearing. He might hear us, even from here.
When did you meet my family? I demanded. Where?
You were about the age of twelve.
I don’t remember that.
You wouldn’t. I wiped it from your memory.
We stopped dancing because I froze. I knew such a thing was possible. I’d done it myself. To Kelsey and to Ren. The idea that Ana had used the power of the amulet the same way with me didn’t sit well. You took my memories? I asked, a chill going through me.
Yes. I was afraid it would taint your future to let you retain them.
And was that the only time?
She didn’t answer immediately and those seconds seemed far too long to me.
Yes.
If she had been lying, I would have sensed it through our link. Even now electric charges shocked my nerves when she touched me. It was, at once, exciting and soothing, and intimate in a way. Seeing her hand resting on Ren’s arm had left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Had she felt the same spark when she touched him? Did the cosmic connection cross over? He hadn’t looked like it did, but all the girls probably felt a special tingle when touching my brother. Setting aside my jealousy as best I could, I took hold of her shoulders. Then return them now, Ana. Show me what you saw.
She let out a soft breath and nodded. My hands fell back naturally to the curve of her waist. Her skin was warm and soft. Almost without meaning to, I pulled her closer. She lifted her hands to my face and touched her fingertips to my temples. Ana’s green eyes pierced mine and I got lost in those liquid pools. For just a second, my mind fought back, but her mental touch was as light as her physical one and I found I couldn’t resist either.
I closed my eyes as she sifted through my memories, and then she found what she was looking for. Gently, she tugged and a veil slipped away, revealing something magical. It was her smile I remembered more than anything else. Her teeth sparkled in the sunlight like pearls. I’d never seen Ana smile like that. It was so free and full and lovely. My young self had thought she was the most beautiful woman in all of India.
Tiger's Dream (Tiger's Curse Book 5) Page 17