Page 84 of The Divine Lies We Weave

Liar.

Some lies are meant to protect.

“I want you all to know our next course of action.” Rajesh tilted his chin higher. “We are going to find the wish-fulfilling tree.”

“The myth?” Navya scoffed.

“Not a myth,” Rajesh answered. “It very well exists, and I’m going to find it.”

“Why?” Hema asked.

Vedant barked with laughter, slapping his leg as if this were a joke. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Are you serious? You’re going to put our lives in danger to save that woman of yours?”

Rajesh curled his hands behind his back. “Yes.”

His crew muttered among themselves.

He held up a hand to silence them. “I am giving you all the option to turn back and go home. I will get a separate ship, and you are more than welcome to go. I will be traveling across the dunes, in any which way, which means more monsters. More bloodshed. Possibly heading into Kithium or Jhuna Rin lands.”

“But, Captain, sorry to say, no one has ever found the wish-fulfilling tree,” Tanmay said. “How are you planning to find it?”

“He has the Scorpion,” Vedant chided.

Rajesh glared at Vedant but softened his gaze when he turned to Tanmay. “The Scorpion knows the way.”

“You’re going to take advice from the voice in your head?” another crewmate asked.

“Yes,” Rajesh said. “At this point, we will change our course. You have until sunrise to make your decision. We will stop at the next town and refill our resources before crossing into Kithium.”

“Does your mother know about this?” Navya asked.

“No,” Rajesh said. “And she doesn’t need to. I am the captain of this ship. We are still hunting monsters, which is our job. We’re just finding the tree at the same time.”

Rajesh waited for anyone else to speak up. He had expected Vedant for one. Perhaps even Navya, considering their previous relations. A few of the crew at the back shook their heads but eventually left. He expected some to walk right out. He was asking a lot. The cooks, the medics, the Gilded Thorns—all of them. The deeper into the sands they went, the harsher the conditions.

The more monsters to fight.

“I don’t understand,” Hema said. “We’d be entering Kithium. Rumors have been rustling about lately about Nihikian spies. If we’re spotted, we could be charged.”

“We are Gilded Thorns. We can’t be trialed for hunting a monster over the border,” Rajesh said, hoping the lie would stick with the rest of his crew. “We are hunting a lustisha and believe it’s in the mountains. If anyone asks, we have the perfect way in or out.”

Rajesh ensured his crew understood as they nodded and glanced at one another. It was the lies that got them in this mess, and a few more here or there were bound to help them get out of it.

“Perfect,” Vedant said, chuckling. “Lying to Kithium. Of all the kingdoms to antagonize.”

“I’d rather them than Jhuna Rin,” another crew member snapped back. “Have you not heard of the lord who is looking for the Seven Artifacts?”

Rajesh glanced at the crewmate. “What are you talking about?”

The crew member averted his gaze. “Sorry, Captain, I heard a whisper about it before we left. I—I didn’t think it was relevant.”

“Tell me what you know,” Rajesh urged.

The crew member stood wringing the rings on his fingers. “Well, ah, there’s this Lord in Jhuna Rin who is looking for these artifacts. I’ve heard he’s collected a few already and is now searching the other kingdoms for them.”

“It’s just a lord. We continue with our course,” Rajesh said. “Sleep well. I’m sorry to disturb you. You have until sunrise for your answer.”

Rajesh didn’t wait for anyone to respond. He simply left and walked back to his room.