Feeling no older than Obalesh, Ishvari sucked on her thumb for comfort. How long before Sumangali broke down from the strain of keeping them alive in this wilderness? Would they survive the coming winter without a single kinsman to cushion their exile?

On the other side of the room, Sumangali prostrated before a stone deity of Mahadevi adorned with stripes of vermilion and a few wilting marigolds. Tears streamed down her mother’s gaunt cheeks as she gazed at the image. “Where is your protection, Goddess Mother?” she sobbed, so lost in agony she did not care that her daughter was watching. “Do you not love us any more?” Her beautiful face twisted with torment and Ishvari cringed to see her suffer. “Allow Ghora to defile this body just one more time,” Sumangali cried softly, &ldqu...

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