didn’t chase after you like a maniac just to make you weep, you know,” Inanna was saying wryly. “You’re a sparkling gem beside that witch and Hariaksa was only trying to protect you, just as he would his own child—which is why renunciates are advised not to breed! In any case, Atulya should never have told you about Hariaksa’s negative vote—royal birth is no guarantee against acting like a village idiot from time to time. Imagine even mentioning such a thing with so much riding on your maithuna tonight!” Her teeth flashed white in her sun-darkened face. “Well, I’m not much better than that gloomy old stick, am I? The difference is that I am here to help you win Takshak’s heart.”

She laughed at Ishvari’s bewildered expression, he...

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