Are you rightly mine? Can I keep you too? “Do you ask all the kings who serve you to obey you?” Priya asked. “Not so directly,” said Malini. “With them I play the necessary games and niceties. I write pacts and bargains. I flatter and dole out power as required. But you—you are not them. And I am asking you.” “Will you believe me if I say yes?” Priya asked. “You’ve placed your life in my hands before,” Malini said softly. “The deals we have struck between us have always held true. I’ll trust you again, as I always have, and always shall.” “Don’t say such things,” Priya said, voice smaller than
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