At the maze fort, fate had turned against her. But today it was in her favor, and it was all thanks to Priya’s presence. All Malini needed to do was let the tide carry her. She raised her saber in the air and finally let out the cry bottled inside her—a thin, wild thing, like a bird of prey taking flight above a wounded hare. The sunlight caught the edges of her saber, giving the polished blade a hue like bright fire. “For Parijatdvipa!” she yelled. “For the mothers! For your empress!” She heard the answering cries around her, a noise that swelled and swelled, already triumphant, drowning her
...more
