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Authors: Colleen Houck
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Deschen’s
eyes filled with tears along with mine when I described him throwing me against the
wall so hard that it knocked me unconscious. She gasped when I spoke of the months
I’d spent locked away from the world with only the flowers to brighten my room.
There were enough stories to tell—tales not so uncommon to women—that I had plenty
to share without going into any detail of the supernatural. I added that Hajari had
also threatened me multiple times, making inappropriate advances, pinching and touching
me when my father wasn’t nearby.
Finishing, I begged her not to mention Hajari’s abuse or do anything about it so my
father wouldn’t know. She agreed but insisted on telling me about the secret passages
in the palace. Then she surprised me by saying she thought I would be a good match
for her son and that, if I was willing, she’d like to arrange a meeting.
The fact that she accepted me so readily left me feeling skeptical of her abilities
to discern. I’d gotten the result I wanted, but I wondered what the cost would be
and not just for me but what it would mean for her and her family.
My father returned at the two-week mark, and I gave him the news that Deschen had
agreed to the match and wanted to arrange a meeting with Dhiren as soon as a lull
in his duties permitted. The news pleased my father. He assured me that the skirmishes
would immediately halt so that I might be introduced to my future fiancé.
When I inquired as to Isha’s health, he merely gave me a wide smile akin to a cat
that’s cornered a mouse. Then he whispered more threats, saying that Hajari had been
frustrated with my constant disappearances.
I answered with a partial truth. “Hajari makes some of the women here nervous. Deschen
has banished him from the women’s room, and as I have been garnering her favor, I
have been by her side almost continually.”
He stared me down as if trying to pick apart the secret thoughts in my head, but finally
relented. “Very well. In his free time, I’ll have him spy on that Kadam.”
Lokesh left by whatever secret means he had come with a promise that he would visit
me again, very soon.
The next day, I was sitting near Deschen half listening to the morning reports from
the men she sent out to bring her news of the warfront, when one of them said something
that perked up my ears.
As he bowed and left, I asked Deschen, “Was he indicating that your son has returned
home?”
“Yes.” She beamed and then added. “Oh, not Dhiren though. It’s my younger son, Kishan,
who has returned. I would imagine he will be joining us for our evening meal.”
“Oh.”
“Do not be concerned. You will meet Dhiren soon enough.”
I shook my head and gave her a small smile. “I look forward to it.”
“Very good. Now perhaps you will excuse me? I’d like to ensure the cooks will make
Kishan’s favorite meal tonight.”
“Of course.”
She placed her hand on my lower back as I rose. “Perhaps you’d like to walk in the
garden? There is a maze at the center that is difficult for most people to navigate.
I should think you can easily avoid your father’s man there.” Lowering her voice,
she whispered, “The trick is to always turn to the left.” With a twinkle in her eye,
she departed along with her entourage, and when I was alone, I used my ability to
become invisible. Taking her advice, I set out to explore the garden maze, something
I’d longed to do.
The Rajaram garden was very different from the hanging gardens above the king’s palace,
but it was beautiful all the same, filled with flowers of every description and leafy
trees that smelled of perfumed sap. Confident that I remained unseen, I took my time
exploring, fingering delicate plants and flower buds until I came across the maze.
Curious, I entered and turned left a dozen times until I came upon the center. A fountain
full of lotus flowers beckoned me
eyes filled with tears along with mine when I described him throwing me against the
wall so hard that it knocked me unconscious. She gasped when I spoke of the months
I’d spent locked away from the world with only the flowers to brighten my room.
There were enough stories to tell—tales not so uncommon to women—that I had plenty
to share without going into any detail of the supernatural. I added that Hajari had
also threatened me multiple times, making inappropriate advances, pinching and touching
me when my father wasn’t nearby.
Finishing, I begged her not to mention Hajari’s abuse or do anything about it so my
father wouldn’t know. She agreed but insisted on telling me about the secret passages
in the palace. Then she surprised me by saying she thought I would be a good match
for her son and that, if I was willing, she’d like to arrange a meeting.
The fact that she accepted me so readily left me feeling skeptical of her abilities
to discern. I’d gotten the result I wanted, but I wondered what the cost would be
and not just for me but what it would mean for her and her family.
My father returned at the two-week mark, and I gave him the news that Deschen had
agreed to the match and wanted to arrange a meeting with Dhiren as soon as a lull
in his duties permitted. The news pleased my father. He assured me that the skirmishes
would immediately halt so that I might be introduced to my future fiancé.
When I inquired as to Isha’s health, he merely gave me a wide smile akin to a cat
that’s cornered a mouse. Then he whispered more threats, saying that Hajari had been
frustrated with my constant disappearances.
I answered with a partial truth. “Hajari makes some of the women here nervous. Deschen
has banished him from the women’s room, and as I have been garnering her favor, I
have been by her side almost continually.”
He stared me down as if trying to pick apart the secret thoughts in my head, but finally
relented. “Very well. In his free time, I’ll have him spy on that Kadam.”
Lokesh left by whatever secret means he had come with a promise that he would visit
me again, very soon.
The next day, I was sitting near Deschen half listening to the morning reports from
the men she sent out to bring her news of the warfront, when one of them said something
that perked up my ears.
As he bowed and left, I asked Deschen, “Was he indicating that your son has returned
home?”
“Yes.” She beamed and then added. “Oh, not Dhiren though. It’s my younger son, Kishan,
who has returned. I would imagine he will be joining us for our evening meal.”
“Oh.”
“Do not be concerned. You will meet Dhiren soon enough.”
I shook my head and gave her a small smile. “I look forward to it.”
“Very good. Now perhaps you will excuse me? I’d like to ensure the cooks will make
Kishan’s favorite meal tonight.”
“Of course.”
She placed her hand on my lower back as I rose. “Perhaps you’d like to walk in the
garden? There is a maze at the center that is difficult for most people to navigate.
I should think you can easily avoid your father’s man there.” Lowering her voice,
she whispered, “The trick is to always turn to the left.” With a twinkle in her eye,
she departed along with her entourage, and when I was alone, I used my ability to
become invisible. Taking her advice, I set out to explore the garden maze, something
I’d longed to do.
The Rajaram garden was very different from the hanging gardens above the king’s palace,
but it was beautiful all the same, filled with flowers of every description and leafy
trees that smelled of perfumed sap. Confident that I remained unseen, I took my time
exploring, fingering delicate plants and flower buds until I came across the maze.
Curious, I entered and turned left a dozen times until I came upon the center. A fountain
full of lotus flowers beckoned me
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