Constance could see a slight resemblance to her uncle in his high cheekbones and the firm set of his chin.The boy was clearly a self-important monster.She was delighted regardless.He washerself-important monster—a newly discovered part of her family.
Arjuna regally inclined his head, the bow just low enough to be polite without compromising his superior status.“Welcome to the Palace of Nandapur.”
“I already welcomed them,” Vanika retorted.
The boy’s dignity flew out the window.His eyes narrowed as he rattled off a stream of surly Odia.
“I’ll tell your uncle you said that,” Vanika shot back wickedly.She pointed, calling over her shoulder to Constance and the others.“The royal ladies are waiting for you in there!Have a nice day!”
Her skinny legs took the stairs two at a time.She dashed past Arjuna.
“Where do you think you’re going?”he protested.
“To school!You’re going to be late!”
“I’ll pinch your cheek so hard, it will turn red!”Arjuna shouted after her.
“I’ll push you so hard, you’ll land on the moon!”Vanika called back.
“Great kid,” Adam declared authoritatively as he watched the children chase each other around the corner.
“Did that girl just say there was more than one royal lady?”Neil sounded intimidated by the prospect.
Constance felt a quick thrum of excitement.
They passed into the room that Vanika had indicated, an expansive parlor furnished with soft cushions and thick carpets under walls of soft sea green.A barrier of elaborately carved stonework provided a filtered view over a garden punctuated by more elegant fountains.
Constance’s grandmother sat on the divan beside a lovely Indian lady in her forties with softly rounded cheeks.A red bindi accented the space between the stranger’s brows.She wore a rose-hued sari, gold sparkling at her wrists and ankles.
The round-cheeked woman rose from her seat, extending her hands.“You must be Constance!I’m your Auntie Parvati—your Uncle Balaram’s wife.”
“Uncle Balaram?”Constance echoed helplessly.
“Vijay’s younger brother,” Padma filled in from her regal perch on the cushions.
Constance stared at the lovely woman currently clasping her hands and smiling at her with generous affection.Giving in to the impulse, she pulled her into a hug.“I’m so terribly pleased to meet you!”
Parvati hugged her back with an easy laugh.“And we are so happy you are finally here with us!”
Her newly discovered aunt’s arms were soft and warm.She smelled like orange blossoms.
Constance quickly brushed a few tears from her face as she pulled back.“Goodness, look at me!”
Parvati cupped Constance’s cheek, her eyes warm with affection.“But someone should have told us that you were here!I meant to meet you at the door.”
“Don’t worry about it.”Adam yanked back on Kalb’s collar as the dog sniffed suspiciously at a plate of pastries on the table.“That cute kid showed us how to get here.”
“Who is Vanika, anyway?”Constance asked.
Her grandmother and her new aunt exchanged a look.
“She is an unofficial ward of His Highness’s.”Parvati’s succinct reply implied that there was more to the story.
Mr.Chowdhury strode into the room with an air of efficiency and purpose that Constance realized must be routine for him.“Ah—here you all are.”
Parvati warmly clasped his hands in greeting.“Nawaz!When did you and Vijay arrive?”
“Three hours ago,” Mr.Chowdhury replied.“But His Highness had to proceed directly to a meeting.”
