everyone and everything, for he is the source of both darkness and light, as well as the fount of all contradictions.” Bending low, he whispered into her ear: “Take care never to displease Rudra, Ishvari—the misery inflicted by his whip humbles the proudest soul!” Then he noticed the bruise on her forehead and his eyes narrowed into slits. He turned to her mother. “Your name, if you please,” he ordered frostily.

“Sumangali,” she whispered, her almond eyes widening in her pale face.

Lord Kushal pointed to the bruise on Ishvari’s forehead. “Are you responsible for this?”

Sumangali shook her head, too intimidated to speak. She clutched Obalesh to her breast, her demeanor reminding Ishvari of the sacrificial goat the butcher had tied outside his door on...

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