The Princess

by Andrea Ring

  She goes on her tiptoes for a kiss. As she tries to deepen it, I pull back.

  “What’s wrong?” she asks.

  “Probably it’s me, standing here watching the two of you.”

  Nili whips around to find Maja standing near the door.

  “Maja,” she whispers.

  “Hello, Nili.”

  “Were you here the whole time?”

  He nods. “Kai and I were catching up on events. I didn’t mean to intrude on a private moment.”

  “No,” she says. “I know that.”

  They stare at each other.

  “Do you need to rest?” I ask her. “Maja and I can adjourn to the sitting room, and you can stay here and take the bed.”

  “I can rest later. I’d like to hear what’s going on.”

  “At least get off your leg,” Maja and I say at the same time, and Nili laughs.

  “Oh gods, this is still awkward.”

  I help her to a chair, and we all sit.

  “As I was telling Kai, one of the leaders of the rebellion, her name is Aaliyah, is open to a peaceful resolution. She’s in the city now, and she’s trying to make contact with her associates. We should know more this evening.”

  “Have you visited the dragons?” Nili asks.

  Maja nods. “They’re back home, and I reunited them with their nestlings.”

  “They must be furious with us,” she says. “Can we expect retaliation?”

  “Not in the way you are thinking. They’d never willingly enter the capital, however there is an issue. Rorek, the leader of the thunder, connected with Tanaya. He has an affinity for her, I guess you could say, an understanding. He feels her pain, even across the distance.”

  “Tanaya did say she and Rorek had some sympathy for each other,” I say. “She feels that’s why he spared her life.”

  “It is why he spared the life of everyone in the camp,” Maja says. “Those people were important to her, so he left them unharmed. But Tanaya’s physical pain is still weighing on him.”

  “There’s nothing we can do about that,” Nili says. “She’s going to take moons to heal. Unless you could heal her.”

  Maja sits back in his chair. “What kinds of wounds?”

  “A burn. And open wounds where I had to cut away dead flesh.”

  “I cannot make her whole, if that’s what you’re asking me. I can only speed up the normal healing the body would have done anyway. Already in my short time as a god, I’ve learned that it’s best not to interfere with mortals. But since this has repercussions for the dragons as well, I will speed her healing if you wish.”

  “It would spare Nili a great deal of pain,” I say.

  “My pain means nothing in the scheme of things,” she says. “Do what is best for Jatani.”

  “Your pain is everything,” Maja says.

  I stand. “I’m going to check in on Manoj and Tanaya. I’ll let you two talk.”

  “You don’t have to,” Nili says, but I nod.

  “I do.”

  LV. MAJA

  “I told you he would come to love you,” I say. “He loves you very much.”

  “And I him,” Nili says.

  “You deserve it. Love and life in the palace suit you.”

  She shakes her head. “I heard you have also found love.”

  “She’s like you in a lot of ways,” I say. And then I laugh. “None of them obvious. Her wounds are of the soul and run deep. You cannot see them at a glance, but they are no less painful than yours. She too fights for those who cannot fight for themselves. You’ll like her, I think.”

  “I get to meet her?”

  “I think you must. It will be the quickest way to peace.”

  “Is she nice? Caring? Thoughtful?”

  I rub my chin. “In her own way. She doesn’t trust, Nili, and that has hardened her to simple human kindness. But she’s learning.”

  Nili gapes. “You fell in love with someone who has trouble being nice?”

  I smile. “It’s not like that. She has a wall up to protect herself. Nice is not a necessary act in her world. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t care.”

  “I’ll have to take your word on that,” she says. “Does she know about us?”

  “She does.”

  “And?”

  “And she has a past, too.”

  “But she’s mortal, right?”

  I sigh. “Of course. What are you asking?”

  “You plan to be with her?”

  I stand up and conjure two cups of tea. I hand one to Nili and pace about the room.

  “You and I were not so simple,” I say. “You were going to die unless a god healed you. You were needed to save the kingdom. You were meant to be on the throne. For Aaliyah and I, none of those obstacles exist.”

  Nili nods. I sit back down opposite her.

  “Our time has passed, Nili. And I do not regret a single moment. Do I wish things had been different? Yes, but we cannot change them and we cannot go back. The love I feel for you will never be gone. I believe the love you have for me remains. It is painful at times, but it also gives me comfort. Our love allowed both of us to open up and find love with others. I would never have seen the good in Aaliyah if you hadn’t shown me how to find it.”

  “I would never have trusted in Kai’s love if you hadn’t loved me so well first,” she says.

  She smiles at me with tear-filled eyes. I smile back.

  “When do I get to meet her?”

  “How about tomorrow morning? Here, in Kai’s rooms? I will heal Tanaya after we meet.”

  She nods, and we both stand.

  I hold out my arms. Nili comes to me.

  “I love you, Maja,” she says. “Always.”

  I hold her tight. “I love you, too.”

  LVI. HAADY

  My fourth day in this infernal palace, wandering around like an idiot and pretending to be lost so I can scour every corner in my search for Saphala. If I didn’t know the girl better, I’d think she’d left.

  But the palace is the end game. There’s nowhere else for her to go except down. She’s here somewhere.

  The only people I haven’t spied at least once during my quest are the king and queen. It would stand to reason, then, that Saphala is with them. But why? How? The royal wing has been completely cut off from casual visitors, and even those with a purpose, it seems. I cannot set a toe on the stairs or risk being slapped in chains.

  I cannot go to Nilaruna and inquire about Saphala — I told her I wouldn’t disturb the girl.

  I cannot go to Kai or the steward for the same reason.

  There was a soldier present during my questioning, a handsome hulk of a man, dangerous looking, who seemed outraged by what I was saying. Personally outraged. He is the exact specimen Saphala would set out to seduce.

  Maybe I can get him to tell me where she is. Or maybe I can follow him. Perhaps he is visiting her.

  But a turn around the palace doesn’t produce him, either.

  I’ve been too long without sunlight and fresh air. Maybe a change of scenery will give me inspiration for another avenue to try.

  I wander out to the courtyard. People are milling about, some by the fountain, some watching a juggler, some listening to a bard weave his tales. I notice a group of people shouting near the south gate, and I make my way closer. Steward Dilip is trying to calm everyone and having a bad time at it.

  “One at a time, one at a time!” he shouts. “You, get back in line! I’ll be with you in a minute.”

  I bow low. “May I help, sir?” I offer.

  “Young Haady,” he says. “Yes, actually, you can. Can you escort these people inside to the royal wing?”

  “Of course,” I say.

  “These are Nilaruna’s parents, Ravi and Eka Nandal. Tell the servants they are to have Saphala’s old rooms, and to make them up immediately. They’re the only rooms I have available at the moment. But go to Nilaruna first. She’ll want to see them,” and he leans in close
to me, “and it will give us time to prepare the room. I wasn’t expecting them.”

  “I see, sir. Of course.”

  “This is Haady no-Parsa from Bhutan,” the steward tells them. “He’ll escort you inside.”

  I bow to them and wave them forward.

  “Wait!” the steward yells. He fumbles in his pocket and produces a coin etched with the crest of the royal family. “Take this. It’s the only way the guards will know you’re in my employ. And if you don’t mind coming back when you’re through, I could, uh, use more help. We’re going to have to go to the citizens and ask them to lend us rooms.”

  I smile. “It would be my honor.”

  ***

  Away from the crowd at the gate, Ravi laughs. “Never thought I’d see this,” he says. “And it’s all for Nilaruna. I wonder if the king and queen have seen her without her veil.”

  “Hush, Ravi,” Eka says.

  “Haady no-Parsa from Bhutan,” he says. “From Lord Parsa’s household?”

  “Yes, sir,” I say. “Do you know him?”

  “Of him. His brother is a friend. And his niece was friends with Nilaruna when they were children.”

  “My lord is happy for Nilaruna,” I say. “What with his brother being an untouchable.”

  “You say that like this marriage will change things for all untouchables,” he says. “But my daughter wasn’t born to the caste. She is a lady and can read and write, she has manners…no, untouchables in general will be sorely disappointed if they think they can drag themselves up from the mud and become royalty.”

  “Ravi,” Eka says again.

  “I have nothing against them, mind you,” he says. “I heal everyone, no matter their caste, no matter if they can pay. But I doubt the kingdom at large feels as I do.”

  “Wouldn’t this marriage suggest otherwise?” I ask.

  Ravi laughs. “There is that.”

  We make our way into the palace and through the halls. As we approach the stairs to the royal wings, I palm the coin.

  “Sir,” I say to the nearest guard and holding out the coin, “Steward Dilip has tasked me with escorting these fine people, Lady Nilaruna’s parents, to her person. Please send a servant up to alert her of their arrival.”

  He examines the coin, waves a servant over, and sends her up the stairs.

  “I will escort them up personally,” he says. “You may go.”

  “I have additional messages for Lady Nilaruna,” I say. “I will be accompanying you.”

  He nods, and up we go.

  ***

  I thought I had a decent room.

  I managed to peruse the nobles’ wings, and they have luxurious appointments.

  The royal wings are a different world.

  Woven tapestries line the walls, the needlework so finely detailed that the craftsmen must have sat with their eyes but a breath from the thread. Gold statues decorate alcoves set every few paces along the halls, and gems — rubies and sapphires and emeralds — are set into the stonework of the floor, a gleaming pathway of ostentation.

  Only the royals would sully such wealth with the bottom of their dirty feet.

  The Nandals, though obviously provincial, seem to notice none of it.

  The guard stops at a pink door. Yes, pink. I have to blink a few times to make sure my eyes are not playing tricks on me.

  He confers with the guard standing there, who knocks on the door and calls for entrance.

  “Enter,” Nilaruna calls in her raspy voice.

  I choose to stand back a few paces and wait to be acknowledged. I do not want to interrupt the lady’s reunion with her family.

  But something’s wrong. The guard announces us, and Nilaruna doesn’t move.

  “Father. Mother,” she says.

  They stare at one another.

  “Look at this room!” Ravi says, swiveling his head. “You didn’t choose the color, did you?”

  “Will you not greet us, Nili?” Eka whispers.

  Nilaruna looks pained. She crosses the space and hugs her mother. Her father reaches for her, and she gives him a limp hug, too, before stepping back quickly.

  “What are you doing here?” she asks them.

  “Our daughter is getting married!” Ravi says. “Where else would we be?”

  “The whole village knows,” Eka says. “They wish you well. We wanted you to know how much support you have back home.”

  “Huh,” Nilaruna says, taking a chair. “That’s a surprise.”

  “Now, now,” Ravi says. “You grew up in that village. Most have known you since birth. Of course they support you.”

  “How are your rooms?” Nilaruna asks. “Is everything to your liking?”

  I step forward. “Lady Nilaruna, the steward tasked me with bringing your parents here. He has assigned them to Saphala’s former rooms. He sent a servant to ready them, but he thought you’d want to visit with your parents first.”

  “Saphala’s rooms are taken,” she says. “Tell the steward he’ll have to find another.”

  “There are no others,” I say. “The palace is full.”

  Nilaruna sighs.

  “I would be honored to give up my room,” I say. “Perhaps I can sleep in the servants’ quarters, or anywhere a pallet can be made up on the floor.”

  “You would do that for me?” she says. “I will not require it.”

  I bow. “It would be my honor.”

  Nilaruna waves her servant over. “Zara, find someone who is willing to share their room for a few nights. It must at least be in the nobles’ wings, though it need not be a noble. Have a bed made up for Haady.”

  Zara nods and leaves.

  “Haady, take my parents to your room, and then return. You and I can share a meal. I wish to thank you for your kindness.”

  I bow again.

  “Do you have wedding attire, or do I need to send someone to clothe you?” she asks her parents.

  “We had clothing made,” Eka says. “Do you think we’d come ill-prepared?”

  Nilaruna rises. “I have no idea. You weren’t invited. Haady will show to your room. I will see you at the feast tomorrow evening.”

  Eka bows her head. Ravi looks like he wants to protest, but he settles for a question. “Will we get to meet the prince?”

  “You’ve already met him.”

  Ravi’s eyes narrow. “Is this how it will be?”

  “This is how it is. If you wish for things to be different, the obvious course would be to give a sincere apology.”

  Both Ravi and Eka keep their eyes on the floor.

  “How long?” Eka whispers.

  “Speak up, Mother.”

  Eka clears her throat. “How long until the prophecy is fulfilled?”

  “No one knows.”

  Eka nods. “I’m so sorry. Nili. So very sorry.”

  Nilaruna sighs. “Go get some rest. We can speak more tomorrow.”

  LVII. AALIYAH

  The only way I know for sure that this man is my contact is the code word he uttered: tempest. He is covered by a heavy wool cloak from crown to toe, and he refuses to raise his head in my presence.

  “I withdraw the hit,” I say, sipping from my ale. “I have it on good authority that several new laws will be decreed after the wedding which will extend the rights we seek.”

  “Everything’s in place. Our man will arrive this evening.”

  “No,” I say. “This wedding is for real. They are on our side. Bloodshed is unnecessary.”

  “How? How have things suddenly changed in our favor?”

  I lean back and survey the tavern patrons. No one seems to pay us any mind.

  “The how is not important. The lady is true, and wants what we want. We must change course immediately.”

  The man steeples his hands beneath his chin. “Word is you’ve gone soft.”

  “Word doesn’t know what it’s talking about.”

  “And if you’re wrong? We may never have this chance again.”

&nb
sp; “I am well placed,” I say. “If I am wrong, I will do the deed myself.”

  The man sits back. I spy the shadow of his long nose, and the edge of his jowls. He is older than I first surmised.

  “You’re prepared to go that far? Even with these…latest developments?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say. “But I have dedicated my life to this cause, and if need be, my death.”

  He chuckles under his breath. “Strong words. But I would expect no less.”

  “If my reputation precedes me, why do you question me?”

  “I have watched you, Aaliyah, for many cycles. I know you well, but love…love makes that which was inevitable unpredictable. And in your particular case, the matter is even more complicated.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Are you not jealous? Even a tiny bit?”

  “What do I have to be jealous of?”

  He shakes his head. “Have you met with your connection in the palace?”

  “Not yet,” I say. “I wanted to speak with you first.”

  “She’s been detained. A private cell in the dungeons.”

  “Do we know the charges?”

  “Attempted murder,” he says. “She tried to poison the king, but the poison was actually drunk by the future princess. Rumors are a god saved her.”

  A god. It had to be Maja, though he told me nothing of this. But I have to focus while in this man’s presence.

  “She’s innocent,” I say. “I’d bet my life on it. Her relationship with the king goes back to their childhood.”

  “So they got it wrong, and Nilaruna Nandal was her real target?”

  “She’s been loyal to our cause and has followed every order given her for cycles. Why would she go rogue now?”

  The man shrugs. “Something to do with her daughter?”

  “It would only put her daughter in danger,” I say. “And if the king dies, then her daughter will never be acknowledged. She didn’t do it.”

  “Be that as it may, she’s already been questioned, by Nilaruna herself. You are aware of her magic?”

  I nod.

  “Then the seamstress is a liability. I recommend taking her out before she reveals all of our secrets.”

  “She won’t talk,” I say. “She’s knows we’d take her daughter. She’d die first.”