Page 42 of The Divine Lies We Weave

Iravan shrugged. “The farmers have their way, and we never question it. We have the best cooks here, though. We all share two meals a day, typically in the afternoon and evening.”

“Why only two?”

“Because the Gilded Thorns are mostly hunting.”

“Gilded Thorns?”

“Soldiers,” Iravan explained. “They go out and hunt the monsters. Some sail the dunes for weeks or months. Or others go out on expeditions and make sure the villagers are safe. Whatever the kingdom wants from us, really.”

“So this is all supplied by Nihikia?” Leela glanced at the uniforms the Gilded Thorns wore: a simple black shirt with golden embellishments and loose, black pants. Others wore an assortment of colors.

Iravan nodded. “The kingdom expects the soldiers to venture out and hunt the monsters. They supply all this in return.” He spread his arms to indicate the expansive den. “Plus, the sandships that sail over the sand. Our weapons and artillery. Makes you realize why people would become a Vessel, right?”

Leela swallowed the fruit, questions burning at the edge of her tongue. “I don’t understand why anyone would want to become a Vessel.”

“There are some benefits to becoming a Vessel and fighting for the kingdom—money mostly. Power. Fame. Once you’ve done your training for three years. Then they go through this ritual and, well, as you might know, not everyone survives.”

Leela’s stomach churned. “I assume there’s a reason not everyone survives?”

“The Flames are as fickle and as picky as mortals, so sometimes, when they realize the mortal isn’t the right Vessel they can… well—” Iravan made a sliding motion across his neck.

“And the Flame?”

“They find a suitable match within their vicinity if they can leave the body before it dies and find another Vessel.”

She nodded, as if she understood. “What⁠—?”

“Oh wow!” a woman squealed.

Leela spun around in her seat as three people stalked toward them. One was the woman with the Green Peacock from the ship who flew them across the dunes. Another was a stocky man, with biceps big enough to crush anyone he hugged. The last was a short petite woman with a black bob.

It was the woman with the bob haircut who had drawn Leela’s attention. “I can’t believe it!” She gawked like Leela was something magical. “You are the Leela? Rajesh’s Leela?”

Leela glanced at Iravan, who rolled his eyes.

“Yes,” Leela said. Who else knew about her?

“I’m Hema, Vessel to the Fox,” she said. She plonked herself down on the wooden bench next to Leela, almost too close for comfort. “I can’t believe I’m meeting you. When I heard the news, I was shocked, I tell you.”

The stocky man chuckled. “Ignore Hema, she tends to be a little overexcited about things.”

Hema scoffed. “Do you not remember Rajesh talking about her? And how he loved her sugar cakes?”

Leela’s chest twisted. “He did…?”

“Oh yes!” Hema said, clapping. “He fawned over you so badly. There was a while there I was sure he’d never shut up about you.”

“Easy, Hema,” Iravan said. “Let the new girl settle in and don’t overwhelm her.”

Hema bit her lip and sat back. “Oh. Sorry. Am I overwhelming you?”

“It’s not you,” Leela lied. “It’s everything.”

“I bet harnessing the Golden Viperess doesn’t help,” the man said.

Leela met his dark brown eyes. A small smile crinkled around his lips. Stubble dotted his chin. His muscular frame clearly showed he was a fighter, and his shadows took the shape of the Bull with glowing yellow eyes.

“No, it doesn’t,” Leela finally replied.