bless and curse in equal measure!” she cried. “Those I’ve loved most I’ve lost, and now you spurn me too.” She whirled away from him and fled through the darkness, more scared than angry. As she passed the washroom, she heard the chatter of aspirants. “Poor Ishvari,” Kairavi said. “Those darkening half-moons beneath her eyes reveal her utter chaos.” 

“Why worry about that vile creature?” Dalaja cut in. “Did she even bother to thank us for all we did for her after Archini died? Oh no, no, no, our grand maharani takes everything for granted.”

“A maharani of pariah stock, do not forget,” Charusheela sniggered. “The mother was a witch, did you know? The envoy thought the woman beautiful and took pity on her. That’s how...

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