Page 126 of The Divine Lies We Weave

Hema glanced over her shoulder, connecting eyes with a woman with long black hair and a beautiful blue dress. She waved at Hema. Hema snapped back to Leela, pink tinting her gentle brown cheeks.

“Oh…” Hema said.

Leela smirked. “Go and have some fun.”

“What about you?”

Leela shrugged. “I need to go back to bed. I’m tired.”

“You sure? You shouldn’t be out here alone.”

“I can handle myself.” Leela pointed to her head. “Viperess, remember?”

Hema nodded. She slapped Leela on the shoulder, gave her a curt nod, and then left to talk to the woman.

Leela chuckled, happy her friend could get some action tonight.

Before the situation got awkward, Leela walked out into the desert streets, which were quieter than the Nihikian city’s. As she neared the outskirts where they had parked the ship, she turned to the sky. The twin moons were almost full, like two staring eyes trapping Leela in their glow. For a moment, she let herself think of everything that had occurred since she left.

Since she escaped the palace walls, refusing to be made a wife to a husband she could never love.

Since she escaped Nihikia with a Flame in her mind.

Since she kissed Rajesh.

Since she broke his heart.

Leela sank down to the sand, a tear sliding down her cheek. She allowed herself to cry, feeling all the emotions she had been bottling since seeing him. If things were different, Leela knew she’d be in his arms and never let go. There was a reason they kept finding one another. She knew the tales of the lovers whose threads brought them together, over galaxies and lifetimes. She believed love conquered all, and if that made her a lovesick fool, then so be it.

Sometimes, she had to be a dreamer in a cruel world of realists.

I only have one question left unanswered. Why…?

You may need to elaborate, mortal.

Why me? Why me when you could have had any person? Why doom my life to stop me from having the one person I want in this world?

The Viperess was silent for a moment. I do not think you are ready for that tale, mortal.

Rage flickered like an unfiltered flame. What, do I have to break someone else’s heart too?

The Viperess sighed. You were on your path to revenge. Our ideas aligned. You had connections to Rajesh. There was a reason you came to me that night, mortal.

Leela froze. The flame flickered, anger pulsating into confusion. What the fuck did that mean?

Everything was planned from the start. The note you got from the palace, the one Aarna conveniently got for you. My men were waiting for you to arrive and gave you over to me.

Every muscle in Leela froze. I don’t… I don’t understand…?

I waited centuries for you. The Viperess hissed, tongue as slippery as butter against her skull. Everything led you to me. You were the one soul I waited centuries to find.

Leela’s eyes widened far enough they were bulging out of her skull. The sand around her blurred, her vision hazy. She didn’t understand. There was no way it had all been planned…

Leela clenched her fists. Another lie.

Not a lie. It was just never stated.

Leela screamed, digging her hands into the sand. You lied!? You filthy, fucking liar!