“You could have died. Do you understand that?”
“I do.”
“You could have been accused of being an assassin. Or a rebel. Or both.”
“I’m truly not a fool,” Priya snapped. “I don’t know how often I have to tell you. I know.”
Sometimes she hated Bhumika. She could not help it. There was something about her temple sister that made her blood burn and poison rise to her tongue. Bhumika was all falsehood: meek to the world, fire in her heart. Bhumika liked fine sweets and fine saris and fine music. She had never, ever scrubbed a floor. And Bhumika had married the regent. That, Priya would never be able to comprehend, for all that Bhumika had saved countless lives in her role as his gentlehearted wife.
When Priya’s brother had abandoned her on Gautam’s doorstep, it had been Bhumika who had saved her. Bhumika, who had arrived in her mahogany palanquin and taken Priya into her household and ensured that Priya had food and shelter and the opportunity to live anew.
I can’t give you power. I can’t give you what we lost. I can’t even give you a family, Bhumika had told her. But I can give you a job. And that will have to be enough for you.
“Thank you for getting me out of the prisons,” Priya forced herself to say, tempering her tone. “I appreciate it.”
“Well, you don’t have me to thank,” said Bhumika. “It was the princess who interceded on your behalf. She told Vikram that you saved her life. She begged to have you as her own maidservant. Begged. And what could he do, but agree?”
“What?” Priya croaked out.
“There’s lemon water on the table by the window,” Bhumika said, gesturing vaguely to the left of the room. “Pour yourself a glass, and pour me one too.”
Priya did. Her hands did not even shake. But Bhumika’s voice was kinder when Priya handed her the glass. Spirits knew what Priya’s expression must have held, to blunt the edge of her ire.
“The general is in a difficult position,” said Bhumika. “The princess is… not her brother’s favorite individual. But she is still imperial blood, and if she dies here—by assassin or by sickness or some ill chance—then the general and his household will be punished. All of us will be punished.” Bhumika’s hand moved a little, where it rested on her stomach. “The princess must be kept in solitude. The emperor ordered it, and he must be obeyed. But her isolation means that Vikram cannot see her regularly either. She cannot be watched, or protected, as well as any of us would like.” A pause. “The general is inclined to give her what little he is able to.”
“You’re telling me,” Priya said slowly, “that you can’t save me from this task.”
“I’ve never been able to make you do anything, Priya. You could walk away, if you like. I think you of all people would find a way to survive, somehow. But if you stay, and become the princess’s maidservant, you could do us all a great deal of good,” said Bhumika. “The general was concerned when he beheld the princess. She is sick, and weak, and she cried a great deal. He doesn’t believe she is entirely well, or that the servant sent with her by the emperor is entirely—attentive. From what I saw of her when she arrived, I am inclined to agree. I can’t place any loyal guards on her doors. Lord Santosh has too many spies in the household for me to rearrange things quietly.” Her mouth twisted. “There’s only you, Priya.”
“You want me to watch her,” Priya said. “Spy on her. Keep her safe.”
“It would be helpful if you could keep her alive without exposing either of us, yes.”
Priya’s stomach felt leaden. “I’ll do my best,” she managed.
“Drink your water. You look terrible.”
“I’ve been sitting in a cell all day. Of course I look terrible.”
“Drink.”
Priya drank. Bhumika watched her as she did so, her own glass untouched, her gaze too knowing by far.
“I know you want to find the deathless waters,” Bhumika said finally. “No—don’t lie to me, Pri,” she went on, when Priya gave her an incredulous look. “Lie to yourself if you like, but I know you. And I know you think if you find the waters, you’ll find yourself. But, Priya, you remember as well as I do the price the waters can demand. I do not want to see you die for this. And if you choose to help me instead, if you watch the princess and her jailer, if you give me information—you may save many more lives than you can imagine.”