to deserve your scorn? I suggest we waste no more time bringing them both to Melukhha—Devikota is no fit home for the family of our High Tantrika!”

She swallowed against the painful lump in her throat; no matter what the envoy said, she did not care if she never saw Sumangali again. But Obalesh, the infant she had carried and fed and bottom-washed? He was a different story. “Have you recent news of Devikota?” she asked abruptly.

Lord Kushal inserted a pinch of snuff in his nose and inhaled elegantly. “Andhaka continues as headman, supported by Ghora’s wily counsel. I cannot touch them without evidence of their corruption and no one dares provide it. Pity Devikota is so insignificant a village—or I would simply plant a mole in their inner circle and catch them red...

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