The Jasmine Throne (The Burning Kingdoms, #1)

by Tasha Suri

After Commander Jeevan had returned to guard Bhumika and the others—after he’d learned everything that had passed—Priya slipped away. She moved silently, carefully, making her way through the woods to the Parijatdvipan camp. Malini had a tent of her own—Jeevan had seen it erected, and sketched out its location to Priya with his words before she departed. Priya waited until no one was looking, then slipped inside. Malini watched her enter. She didn’t appear surprised. “Priya,” she murmured. She crossed the tent and took Priya’s face in her hands. But she didn’t kiss her. Merely looked at her. And Priya… “What, by soil and sky, is this tent?” Priya said, looking around. “Is that gold on the ceiling? And why do you have a writing desk?” “It’s actually modest by the standards of my youth,” said Malini, a smile curling her mouth. But her eyes were guarded when she said, “You shouldn’t have come here.” “Those soldiers couldn’t have harmed me.” “Nonetheless,” said Malini. “Why have you come?” Priya looked at her and looked at her, struggling for the words. “Malini,” she said, shaping the name carefully on her tongue, as if this way, she could keep it. “You’re where you need to be. My part of our bargain is done. And I’m… I’m here to say good-bye.” She watched the smile on Malini’s face fade and die. “I… In truth, I don’t think I should be here telling you this at all. This is—an act of trust,” Priya admitted. “Leaving,” Malini said. “You’re leaving.” “You knew I would have to eve...