Page 5 of The Divine Lies We Weave

Leela shrugged. “I was waiting for you.”

Sita tsked, which was enough for Aarna to quickly scamper out of the room. “I see you are still keeping choice company. I was wondering what was taking you so long to get dressed.”

Aarna glanced one last time at Leela and nodded as she prepared for their first act of the plan.

Leela kept her gaze on Sita. “Aarna came to wish me farewell. Is that frowned upon? Be glad you didn’t walk in on some more choice circumstances.”

Sita grunted. “You have until the Destroyer crosses the Creator moon to get your garments on.”

“What if it doesn’t fit?”

“It was made to your measurements. I ensured the seamstresses had your size months ago,” Sita said, marching over to the bed and glancing at the hem of the skirt. She ran her fingers over the beads, each one so intricate and perfectly placed.

“What if it itches?”

Sita rolled her eyes. “Any other excuses?”

Leela crossed her arms. “Yes. It’s too red. I told you red is not my color.”

Sita’s lips stretched thin before she took a deep breath. “It is a Nihikian tradition. Neither you nor I had a choice over that. Besides, you are impossible. I hope your husband knows restraint.”

“You know me, Sita. I’m not one to comply with rules.” Leela’s lips twitched as she set her eyes on the elder maid. Almost a mother figure more than her maid, which was what hurt Leela more knowing what was about to happen.

Sita froze as she reached for the blouse. “What are you planning?”

“What makes you think I’m planning anything?”

“That look in your eye. I know you better than you know your own shadow. What are you planning?” Sita tilted her chin.

“Please.” Leela waved Sita off and snatched the blouse from her. “You think I’d plan to escape again? After they locked me up in the shadowless cells? Do you think so little of me? Maybe I’m excited to be married and get rid of this place.”

In fact, that was exactly what Leela was hoping for. It was Sita who had alerted the guards the last time Leela tried. Flames, Leela knew Sita was just doing her job. But to turn on someone who considered her a friend? Leela had to forgive her and convince Sita she was never going to try again, otherwise her maid would never leave her sight. It had taken countless months and even a little bowing at her feet to convince Sita to give her time alone without a constant shadow.

Sita’s gaze narrowed. “You know they’ll have your head, Leela. You cannot outwit the palace, especially after what they have done for you. What with finding you a husband, saving your life, and clothing you.”

A hot flush snaked up Leela’s spine, and the humor in her eyes went dry. How dare Sita state what the palace had done for her? What had the palace done? Other than rescue her after they were too late to save her burning village from the monsters who ravaged it. Too late to save her family.

No. Leela did not believe the kingdom held any space for thanks.

“You really expect me to thank them? For what, Sita?” Leela snapped. “Rescuing me, as you said, when I landed on your doorstep? If you call locking me away in a rat-infested cell until I could be trusted and then trained to be a petty wife to a lord a ‘rescue,’ then you are sorely mistaken. Sure. I can thank them for their amazing treatment of me, but you and I both know, like the Flames above, this place doesn’t deserve that.”

Sita flinched and looked out the window. “I apologize. I should not have said what I said.”

Leela quietly turned her attention to the door. Where was Aarna? The moons were rising and Leela needed to leave before they crossed. Years of servitude had allowed Leela to plan her escape down to the last second. She’d eventually find a sandship and journey over the dunes, away from the claws of the storm-churning monsters. Wherever it took her, she didn’t care. Anywhere was better than here.

She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. It had to work. She wasn’t going to spend her life tied up with some lord when her need for revenge blazed hotter and heavier in her heart than the desert sands in the daylight. Escape. Salvage. Kill. It was the only motto that got her through these arduous days.

Especially now that she realized this lord had requested for her.

“Can I ask you something?” Leela asked, trying to stall for time until Aarna returned.

Sita wandered closer to the window as the drums continued to beat. “No.”

“Did you know about the Jhuna Rin Lord? Did you know he requested for me?”

Sita stilled. “How could I possibly know anything about that?”

“You are one of the main maids. You need to ensure my safety.” A sickening feeling twisted in Leela’s gut. “D—Did you tell the lord about me? Have you been spying on me for him?”