Ishaan Dev paced his chambers a little agitated at dawn. They had reached Suryapali two days before, and he carefully avoided Priyambada ever since, as they had promised not to get into each other’s way. Today, Gulabi Bai informed him of a Fire sacrifice the Queen wanted him to do. It came in a written order. But he was surprised that Priyambada had agreed to do it sitting on his left as his wife. So unlike her. He was almost sure that the queen had refrained from telling her the entire truth of the Fire sacrifice. But he knew the rules. He knew what the queen planned and what she expected of him. He needed to speak to his mother.
Maharani Trinayani Devi placed the smoking pipe down and dismissed her maids with a wave of her hand, as her son stood at the threshold. Something told Ishaan Dev that his mother expected him there. He didn’t like being read into, like the back of her hand, by his mother. He sighed as she gestured at him to take a seat.
“I was thinking when you would show up…”
“I can’t do the fire sacrifice.” Ishaan Dev almost blurted as Trinayani Devi frowned a little.
“Why?” She asked calmly as he sat down.
“Because you sure didn’t tell her what it means, but I know it. You want me to lie to the Gods, and I can’t do that.” Ishaan Dev shook his head.
“Lie to the Gods?” Trinayani Devi raised her eyebrows, a little amused. “Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev, let me remind you, you had no issues when I arranged for a wedding night before the war, so what is the harm in a fire sacrifice?” She rebuked. Ishaan Dev inhaled as he eyed his mother. “Are you telling me you dare to think that you will survive as the future king of Neelambargarh by keeping their Princess without the honour of a wife? So you expect the princess as your concubine? Shaming your family's reputation in the eyes of enemies…”
“I am saying they don’t have such rituals, so it won’t matter.” Ishaan Dev looked up at his mother, interrupting her. “I decided to be cordial only for the sake of it.”
“Politics, my dear, is harder than it looks. It is not only about the war you win or the throne you sit on.” Trinayani Devi spoke, making a gurgling sound on the hookah as she puffed it, “It is also about your alliances. Who is on your side and who isn’t! Right now, for the sake of your future, you need her.”
‘I need her?” Ishaan Dev’s eyebrows raised slightly, amused. “I destroyed her dynasty and took her as a slave. What need does she have for my life?”
“I saw the rebellion, Ishaan, you didn’t. I saw how she controlled her people. When you sit on the throne of that place, you will need her by your side, with her genuine support, to tame her people.” Trinayani Devi shook her head. “Remember that. She may look timid, but she is not as powerless as you assume her to be.” Ishaan Dev sat in silence.
“But the fire sacrifice… You will expect me to…” Ishaan Dev looked up as Trinayani Devi smiled.
“All in due course of time.” Ishaan Dev shook his head as she added, “It is an order from the Maharani of Suryapali, Yuvaraj. Not a request.” Sometimes, when his mother reminded him subtly of his position, Ishaan Dev felt irked, yet he could do little to speak up about his frustration. At that moment, he was glad that he would soon be the ruler of Neelambargarh. And then, he could do whatever he wished to. Just not that day.
Mandakini took charge of arranging the Fire sacrifice and the wedding chambers for the bride and groom. She took care of the smallest of details, from flowers to food and looked over the arrangements herself. While the flower petals were being laid in the bed chamber, Mandakini heard the maids whisper among themselves how the last time the war had interrupted the occasion, and they had found the room ransacked. The palace rumours ran that the captive enemy was fiery. Otherwise, who would be a fool to refuse a man such pleasure on his wedding night? Mandakini would have shunned such rumour-mongering maids on any other day. But she was too preoccupied with the thought of how right they were. She had to think of something that would make the enemy willingly surrender to her nephew. She wouldn’t let the future king of her dynasty be insulted twice over by a teenager from Neelambargarh.
Priyambada was surprised by the amount of jewellery she was made to wear for the Fire sacrifice. She kept asking what it was about, but nobody answered her correctly until Urvi came in to find her decked up in red, green and gold and whispered something into her ears. Priyambada’s mind raced at the news. She couldn’t back out of it now. She had given the queen her word. Right now, Maharani Trinayani Devi was the only person who respected her as a human being. She couldn’t insult her. But Ishaan Dev? What if he got the wrong message?
“I need to go talk to him.” Priyambada stood up abruptly after Urvi finished making the tinklers on her veil make music. The maids stared at her and exchanged amused smiles.
“You can’t see him now.” It was Gulabi Bai who walked in to make sure she was properly dressed. “You have to wait till you reach the holy fire altar.”
“But…” I need to clarify something.
“I am sure it is not important enough to break the traditions of Suryapali and upset the queen?” Gulabi Bai smiled, but her voice was firm. Priyambada sank back in her seat as Gulabi Bai put the veil over her face.
Ishaan Dev had been almost forced by his friend Trishan Dev to dress up in the official traditional attire of Suryapali. It included a long robe and a turban with a brooch over his drape. As Trishan Dev fixed the brooch, he stared at it and remembered an identical one he had given someone. He might have decided to part ways with her rather reluctantly, but his heart still ached in her memory. He tried to put up a straight face as he fixed the brooch. It was pinned close to his heart, as a reminder, as if of what he couldn’t have. He finished dressing up by tying the waistband with the royal emblem over his robe. He picked up his sword.
“You are not going for a fight, Brother.” Ravi Varman entered the room with an amused chuckle. Ishaan Dev ignored his taunt and placed the sword and dagger on his waistband.
“Oh, Rajputra! Have you not seen the untamed Neelambargarhi?” Trishan joined the banter, “It is more than war if you ask me.”
Ishaan Dev suddenly remembered her eyes right before she jumped into the river. For a fraction of a second, there, she appeared helpless. It disturbed him. He was used to admiring the challenging, fierce enemy in her. He had perhaps never imagined she could be weak.
“Oh, he is going to conquer the enemy tonight, too, aren’t you, brother?” Ravi Varman gave a sly smile. “Teach her where she truly belongs, under you.”
Trishan Dev laughed at the banter. “Well said. Yuvaraj, make us proud!”
“Don’t I always?” His taunting tone made the men smile again. Gulabi Bai grabbed his attention as she appeared at the threshold to call him for the rituals.
Ishaan Dev’s jaws stiffened as Urvi and Gulabi Bai helped Priyambada to sit down beside him. He shifted a little in his place to make sure there was no contact, even with her attire, even by mistake. They were instructed to give offerings of flowers, leaves, and clarified butter to the fire altar. As Priyambada’s hand neared his, Ishaan Dev noticed her body leaning in close to the fire, the end of her veil near it. He eyed his parents and stepmother up on the platform. The crowd behind them was watching. Priyambada moved again, the veil almost catching fire.
“Move back.” Ishaan Dev spoke rather firmly, pushing her veil away from the fire with his free hand. Priyambada was quick to realise her veil was about to catch fire, and she pulled it back into her body.
“I am here only because of the queen!” She said rather abruptly. “Nobody should think otherwise.” Ishaan Dev’s jaws tightened. He didn’t even care to glance at her. She was again trying to intimidate him. He wouldn’t give her the pleasure. Priyambada looked at him from behind the veil. He looked tired. “I said…”
“You were heard.” He interrupted as she sighed.
The spread in front of Priyambada made her look a bit wide-eyed at it. How was she supposed to eat all of that? Maharani Trinayani Devi smiled. “Just taste a bit of everything. It’s tradition.”
“Oh, did you know this is my elder brother’s plate?” Nayantara interrupted her first morsel. “It’s a tradition that newlyweds eat from the same plate.”
“He seems to have left more food on his plate than he usually does.” Rani Ratnawati almost taunted.
“He knows the tradition.” Trinayani Devi smiled, “He will not let her stay hungry. After all, the same quantity needs to be shared.” Priyambada wanted to speak her mind. How pathetic a tradition was this? She was supposed to live at his mercy and on his leftovers? Back home in Neelambargarh, her parents ate together. Here, the women waited for the men to finish and had a separate eating area for themselves. Things were so different. But Priyambada knew any word from her mouth could cause her own life to be in danger. She kept quiet.
After dinner, she was sitting in the private garden as the noble ladies flocked around her to celebrate once again. Priyambada wondered why Suryapalians celebrated more than they worked. Mandakini Devi walked up to her in the crowd, prompting her to get up from her seat. “I haven’t been particularly nice to you in the beginning.” She smiled politely as Priyambada looked up “But ever since I heard how you saved the queen, I think I owe you an apology.”
“You don’t need to…” Priyambada stopped as Mandakini took a plate of sweets from the maid and held one to her lips. “Here, have some. It will make me feel you forgave my behaviour.” Naive as she was, Priyambada took a bite from the sweet that Mandakini had sedated. Mandakini had gathered that the only way Priyambada would be submissive to the prince was if she weren’t in her senses. She knew quite well that neither the queen nor her brother would approve of such treachery, but she was sure that if Priyambada did manage to conceive that night, they would be happy to overlook her actions. Mandakini then wanted to lead her to her wedding chambers.
Ishaan Dev was unsure of what was happening. It would be rude of him not to show up and aid the gossip mongers of the palace, especially after what Trinayani Devi told him about expectations from him from the political angle of things to go in his favour. But if he did show up, Priyambada would end her cooperation with a misunderstanding. On one hand, there was his mother and aunt, pushing him towards the closed doors of the chamber, while on the other hand, he wished he didn’t have to do this. A messenger intercepted him on the way to the chamber.
“From Mait?” He raised his eyebrows as the name made his heart skip a beat, still. He opened the wrap of the message, and a brooch fell into his palm. Ishaan Dev’s jaws tightened. A letter, along with it, mentioned that Advika was engaged. A sudden rage ran through Ishaan Dev. Engaged so soon? Like she was waiting for him to leave? She had cleverly omitted the name of the prince. What would he have done if he knew it? Would he wage a war and kill him? Take Advika by force like he… Ishaan Dev closed his eyes and controlled his temper as he crumbled the message up in his fist. He could still wage a war against Mait for her. Just for her audacity to refuse him. If she could make it political, couldn’t he do the same? Ishaan Dev stared at the brooch in his palm. He flung it across the corridor, and it rolled onto the stone floor and broke into pieces.
“Any messages to return, Sire?” The messenger asked softly. He shook his head.
Ishaan Dev pushed open the door of Priyambada’s chamber as a thousand thoughts ran through his mind. He was angry, agitated and frustrated. Whatever had happened in his life was because of her. How could he let her go so easily without any implications? He stopped at the sight of the decorated room and remembered his apology for manhandling her. He knew better. He should stop, turn away and leave before he did something he would regret to her. But his rage took the better of him. He walked inside fiercely and overturned a vase, jolting Priyambada. She stared at him, almost amused. Ishaan Dev didn’t expect that.
“Look!” She said, jumping up from her position and almost clapping in joy, “Stars!” She pointed up at the chandelier. Ishaan Dev stopped with a confused frown.
“What?”
“Stars!!!!” Priyambada said, twirling under the chandelier. “They are here. In the room.”
Ishaan Dev thought for a second that she was acting out of her way to irk him.
“Priyambada, I am in no mood for your games.” He said, raising his voice.
“Hush!” She put her finger to her lips. “Not so loud, my ears ache. And my head…” She started walking towards him and stumbled on her skirt. Ishaan Dev grabbed her arms almost in a reflex to prevent her from falling as she rolled with laughter.
“Isn’t it funny? I tripped.” Priyambada’s speech sounded slurry. Ishaan Dev looked suspiciously at her.
“Are you alright?” He asked as she suddenly rested her head on his shoulder. Ishaan Dev froze. He suddenly forgot his rage and his issues.
“My head… feels light.” She fumbled. He could smell her perfume now and the flowers that adorned her thick braid. Her dusky skin was oiled with his favourite smell. Ishaan Dev stiffened.
“What did you eat?” Ishaan Dev asked. The lack of response made him shake her shoulders.
“Try to remember what you ate.” He could see that her eyes were blurry. She was intoxicated. What were the people thinking? He would take her that way when she was not in her senses. Where was the fun in that? He had more pleasure taming her fierce self-esteem. Ishaan Dev suddenly remembered his body overpowering hers just when the war drums blew. Would he have … His train of thought was interrupted by her slipping from his arms. He raised her again with a shake.
“Priyambada!” He said almost like scolding.
“Huh?” Priyambada could barely open her eyes.
“What did you eat?” He asked again.
“Leftovers… stu… stupid rituals….” Ishaan Dev shook his head “After that? Try to remember?”
“Sweets.” Priyambada yawned like a child rubbing her eyes “What’s wrong?”
“Who gave you the sweets?” Ishaan Dev asked with a frown. Priyambada looked slightly disoriented as she looked around the room “I want to sleep. The bed….”
“Focus!” Ishaan Dev shook her again.
“Urgh! You hurt me, you bad man!” Priyambada tried to timidly push him, almost in playfulness and laughed again. “I called you a bad man, aren’t you going to kill me?” She tried to take out her dagger, but Ishaan Dev snatched it.
“Who gave you the sweets?”
“Rajku…. Mandakini.” She jolted away suddenly from the proximity and stumbled on the vase he had overturned. She landed on her back on the carpet as Ishaan Dev rushed to pick her up. She laughed again.
“I tripped!”
“Let’s get you to bed.” He gave her his hand, but she refused to take it and sat still on the carpet.
“I am going to watch the stars.” She pointed again.
“You were sleepy,” he reminded her, rather frustrated.
“I want to…”
“Shut up.” Ishaan Dev scolded, making her frown at him. He sighed. “Okay, you have tested enough of my patience.”
He picked her up before she could protest and laid her down on the bed as she started wobbling. “Put me down, you… Bad man!”
“Hush.” Ishaan Dev placed his hand on her lips as her hair fell across the pillow. His gaze wandered to the mole on her lip again as he looked away. He pulled himself up from atop her and drew the blanket across her body to cover her.
“Go to sleep. Now.” Ishaan Dev said as she stared at him. “Close your eyes, come on!” He put his hand over her eyes and could feel her eyelids flutter.
Ishaan Dev inferred he liked her better when fighting. Taming an “Un-Priyambada” version of her was not only a pain but also not at all interesting. He slowly removed his hands as the fluttering of the eyelid stopped. She had fallen asleep. He removed her hair locks from her face and arms, trying hard not to lose balance and crush her under him. He realised that the perfumes on her tickled his senses, and moved back a few steps and watched her sleep. The last thing he wanted was to be attracted to her. It was just the perfumes he gathered, as his gaze wandered again down her slender neck to watch her breathe. He looked away. Inhaling deeply, Ishaan Dev turned to leave.
Urvi was sitting in the corridor, anticipating the worst, when she saw him leave. Urvi immediately picked herself up and ran into the chambers. She stopped at the sight of her mistress sleeping and murmured a soft prayer. She then carefully lifted the blanket without waking Priyambada up to investigate her fear. A sigh of relief filled her face as she thanked the gods for protecting her mistress.
Tarabai woke up with a loud bang on the door of her Kotha as the soldier declared that the prince wanted to see her. She frowned, a little surprised. “Now?” It was late at night, and as far as the rumours travelled, he was supposed to be in bed with his bride. The soldier nodded and left. Tarabai took out her semi-transparent robe and dressed in a hurry. Her thoughts made her smile at her reflection as she applied some lip colour for him to taste. He didn’t want his bride. He wanted her. Like he always did. Tarabai knew how much he had loved the princess of Mait. She feared that he would decrease his visits to her once he married the love of his life. This princess of the enemy state had managed to push him further into her arms. She would protect him, love him and show him another world. She was the peace he sought. Tarabai smiled as she picked up her oils and aphrodisiacs. She knew he wanted her body. But tonight, again, she would make love to the man she loved.
