Page 4 of The Divine Lies We Weave

The lord clapped, jolting everyone once more. “Now, please, eat! We have a long night ahead of ourselves.”

2

LEELA

The festivities left Leela fed but unwell. A daze settled over her after she was escorted back to her room, her thoughts a twisted mess of confusion and worry.

Sita had ordered her to get dressed, but how could she?

What did the lord mean by the Lord of Jhuna Rin wanting her? Who would want her?

“You will make a stunning bride,” Aarna said, awed.

Leela jumped, hand on her chest. She hadn’t noticed the younger maid nestled by the window. Aarna wore a small smirk on her tender lips. Moonslight highlighted the navy curls of her midnight hair, while her golden-brown eyes held Leela within their ravenous grasp.

Damn those beautiful brown eyes. They captivated her. They even got Leela into quite some trouble a few years back. But tonight was not the night she lounged with the maid.

“It’s not happening,” Leela said.

Aarna swayed over, coiling a loose piece of hair around her finger. “Maybe we’d have time before you leave me forever?”

Leela gulped, a heated ache swelling in her chest. She pushed aside the thoughts of being with Aarna—of the endless nights they’d spent under the silken sheets after the younger maid gathered information to help Leela plot her escape.

“You know I don’t have time.” Leela put as much distance between them as possible. She walked across the intricately woven rug and glanced up at the twin moons. “I have to leave while I still can. I have a sandship waiting for me at the docks. You did organize that, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did. Anything for you.” Aarna sat on the edge of the bed, arms propping her up, legs swinging. “Although I would love to see you in that dress first.”

Leela glared at the garments. “Why would I want to wear such a thing?”

“Look at the embroidery. It would snatch in at your waist, and the blouse is incredible!”

Leela grunted. “They would look better covered in flames. But they will make a pretty kjo for when I escape.”

Aarna bit her lip and stilled. “You know, you never let me in on the full depths of your plan.”

Leela quietly contemplated. She hadn’t believed it was important. Aarna only knew what she needed to know to help Leela get out of the palace and find the relic for her revenge. Besides, the fewer people who knew, the fewer people who got hurt if the palace ever found her missing.

Maybe, in a different life, she could run away with Aarna and tell her everything. They could escape the palace and find a quiet desert village away from powerful men and their politics. But risking Aarna’s life wasn’t worth it.

Besides, Aarna was simply a blissful distraction. A confidant when Leela couldn’t tell Sita anything.

“You know why I could never tell you,” Leela whispered.

Aarna bowed her head. “I wish the circumstances were different. Why don’t I go with you? We could find whatever it is you seem to want to kill⁠—”

“No,” Leela snapped.

Aarna flinched.

“I am escaping. That is all you need to know.” Leela’s stomach coiled in on itself. She couldn’t afford to let anything or anyone sway her focus and waste years of effort. “You know why I can’t let you. If the palace knew you helped me escape, they’d do more than what they’ve already done to you.”

Aarna touched the scar on her face. “I understand. I just… I will miss you deeply.”

Despite herself, Leela pushed aside the compliment and turned to the window. She couldn’t bear to tell the maid she’d never fully reciprocated her feelings. How could she when her heart was still tied to someone else?

A snap of a key and her door unlocked. Leela swiveled around as Sita stepped into the room.

“Why are you not dressed?” Sita chastised, glancing between the two women. Her eyes narrowed at the maid.