The Lotus Empire (The Burning Kingdoms, #3)

by Tasha Suri

“There will be war, of course.”

“Perhaps wisdom and war cannot go hand in hand.”

“I don’t regret it,” Priya said, defiant now. “I’m sorry. I love you. I would do it again.”

“You can save Ahiranya, if you love it so,” she said. “Grow strong before the empire can set your loved ones aflame. That is all you need to do.”

Yeah sure simple enough tf

“That sounds a little like murder.” “Does it? How strange.” “Malini.” “I thought we were beyond your judgment, Rao,” Malini said, baring her teeth into a smile. “You’re missing the most important truth: I trust you more than I trust them.

But remember this: You have value, but the ones you love do not. Not to my kin. I could take the eyes of the boy Rukh. Or a tongue. Or a hand. I could steal away Bhumika’s daughter and let the soil swallow her. And I am the kindest of my kin.”

“A healthy prince.” Was she meant to value a prince more than a princess?

“I knew I loved him,” he admitted. “When he was alive, I knew I loved him… more than I should have. But the shape of it—that wasn’t something I let myself see. I didn’t know.” “Did you really not see?” “It was like staring at the sun,” Rao said. A shaky laugh. “Really looking at it would have destroyed me.”

“It’s not tragic to love like we do,” Sima said gently. “To be like we are. You… you should know that. Although I’m sorry you’ve had so much grief.”

#buryyourgays

Come and find me, Malini. If you want me, I’m yours.

crouched down next to them. “Rukh,” she said. “If you ever have a chance to leave Ahiranya, take it.” “Hi, Priya. I’m fine, Priya.”

“I know you don’t need your gifts to fight,” Malini whispered. “Move, and I cut. So, my love. Will you come with me?” The only answer was yes.

“I condemn the yaksa,” Bhumika said. “Only the yaksa.”

“Try to do what the empress wants. Please, Pri. Don’t die now. I’ll never forgive you.”

“You can love something knowing it can destroy you. Maybe you love it more for it.”

“Do you dream of a place where three rivers meet? Where stars live inside and outside the water?” “I dream of you,” Malini said. “Those are the only strange dreams I’ve had.”

“To destroy Ahiranya would destroy you,” Malini said. “I don’t want to destroy you. Not any longer.”

“Where will you go when the war ends?” Malini asked, in the dark, in the quiet. “Nowhere,” Priya said. It was the most honest she could be. She felt the sting of her wrists, the echo of teeth at her throat. “Nowhere,” she whispered again. Malini pressed a ghost of a kiss to Priya’s hair. “Sleep,” she murmured. “I have you, Priya. I have you.”

But she understood Priya now. Nowhere. Priya was not planning to return from Ahiranya. She was planning to die.

“So must Priya die,” she said, “for the deathless waters to be destroyed? Is her life the price?” “You can ask and ask again, Empress,” Bhumika said. “It will not change the truth.” A pause. “I am sorry.”

“As long as Priya lives, the yaksa will never be truly gone from the world,” Bhumika said, into Malini’s silence. “But if you will let me go with her. If I can do anything to spare her pain…” “No.” She spoke before thinking. “I will go with her.” And I will bring her back alive.

“I’m not choosing death. I promise you, I’ll return.”

“There you are,” she said, cupping Priya’s cheek. “My Priya. My love.”

Even if Bhumika never remembered her, she deserved to know that her sister loved her. Priya owed her that.

:(

“Then live. I won’t allow you to die,” Malini said, her voice low. “I have no better leverage to use against you than my own life. If you die, then I die. So you will have to live.”

“We leave together, or not at all,” Malini said quietly. “I’ve chosen.” A rattling breath. “But you have—no faith. To burn.” “I have no faith in the mothers,” whispered Malini. “But I have faith in you.” Malini lowered her into the water. And let go.

ahhhhhhhh

“I have faith in your humanity. In all of you that is broken and hurtful. I have faith in all of you that is mortal. You have many faces, Priya. The mortal one, the flawed one, and the one with power, this immortal one—they’re all mine. If you will allow it. They’re all mine.”

“Priya,” she whispered. “Find your way back to me.”

“Priya,” she called. “Priya, don’t. Priya, Priya—” Her sister smiled. Her sister mouthed a word. Goodbye.

“There will always be men like you,” Rao agreed, pinning him harder. It was easy. “But they will not be you. That’s enough for me.”

My Malini. I’ll come back to you. I promise.

“She burned,” Rao said again. “That’s what you saw. And she stepped out of the flames unharmed. She saved us all. That’s what we’ll say. When you survive this—and you will—that’s what you’ll say. She’s a living mother of flame. A living goddess. You understand?” Through the pain, Sahar’s expression cleared. She nodded. “Yes,” she said, more firmly. “That’s what I saw.” No one would have power over Malini again.

“Let me offer you advice I know you will not take, Vijay: When I am dead and gone, learn to lie. You will need many masks to survive.”

“If you garland me,” Priya said quietly, tenderly, “I will love you and marry you. I will stay with you until time ends, and the green is no more, and there’s nothing but cold stars left.” A pause. A gentle hand grasping her pallu. “Look at me, Malini.”

“Priya,” she said brokenly, tears in her eyes. “Priya, how could you have left me for so long?” Priya’s arms surrounded her. “I didn’t have a choice.” “You’re a monster for leaving.” “I’m a monster generally.” Her grip tightened. “I love you too, Bhumika.”

“I never thought I could have her,” Priya said. “But I have her. She has me. We’re going to see the world. It may take lifetimes.” She touched a hand to Bhumika’s and took a step back. The sunlight, dappled by leaves, shone through her.

“I’ll see you again,” Priya said. “Tell Padma to eat more, will you? Our little grandma’s too small by half. And tell Rukh—tell Rukh I’m proud of him. I always will be.” “I will,” Bhumika said weakly. And when Priya vanished, she slowly sank to her knees.