Page 25 of The Divine Lies We Weave

Leela jumped. She’d forgotten about the Flame—again. What if he found out about the Viperess? Would he regret ever finding her? Blood thundered in her ears, and she bit her lip, trying to focus.

“Leela?” he stepped forward, reaching for her.

Leela instinctively stepped back.

It was enough for Rajesh’s hand to hover before falling to his side.

She rubbed her arm as thoughts hammered at every part of her mind. Why hadn’t he tried to find her? What had happened to him since they split? Did he remember the last time they saw one another? The last thing he said to her…?

“We should talk,” Rajesh said, glancing at the ground. “I can take you to safety, and we can talk there. Then, I can take you home.”

Leela flinched. “Home…?”

He nodded. “An underground cave born from the ribs of a Flame. It’s safe. We can heal, and I’ll protect you.”

Leela didn’t know what she wanted to do. She could go back with Rajesh, but did that mean she’d have to talk to him about the last six years? Could they fall back into their old habits? A lot happened the night of the attack, but he couldn’t take back the things he said. He had trampled on her heart almost as much as the lustisha had smashed the village wall.

“I suppose I have some explaining to do.” Rajesh rubbed the back of his neck.

Leela bit her lip but met his gaze. Her chest tightened at the way his eyes met hers. “I guess you do.”

“Can we get out of here first before more drakion appear? Then you’ll have every opportunity to do whatever the look in your eyes is telling you to do.”

“How could you know what I want?”

His lips twitched. “It’s only been six years, Leela.”

“Six years is a long time. Or have you forgotten what happened that night?”

Rajesh flinched. “How could I?”

Leela knew better than to let the pit of dread swim in her gut, but how could she get over the fact that he was here? A part of her wanted to forget everything and run into his arms, but heartbreak was a tender thing, and she wasn’t someone to easily forgive and forget. Sure, it was great that he was alive. He looked almost healthy.

But that hurt even more.

Rajesh plodded off, swinging his blue blade and nestling it on his shoulder.

Leela followed, careful not to look at the damage around her. She knew, through the putrid smell of organs and blood, where she was and what had happened. She knew the sight without needing to see.

Too many thoughts kept her occupied anyway. The voices mingled together, pulling her under. Why didn’t he find her? Or had he, and given up? What if he had lost hope? What if he never looked at all?

Leela shut her eyes, trying to push the incessant thoughts back. She didn’t have time to dwell on them. She needed answers, but not here. No, she needed to be alone with Rajesh. To try to understand where he’d been the last six years. What sort of man had he grown into? Why hadn’t he looked…?

Rajesh led her over to a ship. Other people dressed in red shirts and black pants continued to move bodies into the engulfing fire, where the flames ate at their dead skin, and the smoke wafted with a morbid smell. A man stood near, calling to their Flames above. He thanked them with a simple scripture that Leela could recall in her sleep.

To thank the Elephant for protecting the memories into the Awakening, as the Camel rides them into the Flames’ grace.

To thank the Tiger for her quick release and the Hawk for shielding them with wings of strength.

To thank the Fox for their endless guidance in the dark and the Bat for their guidance in the light.

To thank the Raven and Peacock for sensing the danger, moving with stealth and deciphering the secrets of the forsaken.

To thank the Scorpion and the Viper for protecting those with poisons latched onto their mortal lives.

Rajesh stopped at a ship, which loomed well over Leela’s head and cast her in darkness. A sickening thought churned her stomach as she wondered if Rajesh had noticed her new attachment. She would have to try to stick to the darkness as close as she could.

Rajesh grabbed a rope ladder and offered it to her. “Take it.”