Page 117 of The Divine Lies We Weave

Rajesh flinched. “I’m sorry we never got what we wanted. I’m sorry. I’m so… sorry.”

Leela choked on a sob. It was too late now. All of the emotions had been rising for days. But this was for the best. It was… It was…

Rajesh eventually staggered to his feet. He held onto her shoulders, body slumped. He looked at her like a wounded dog, and it hurt Leela all the more, that pain. That was why she had to let him go. She smelled him, all the sweat and salt, and tried to memorize it.

He planted one last kiss on her forehead, slow and filled with unspoken words, before he grabbed his shirt and left without another word.

26

RAJESH

He refused to think of her. He couldn’t, not without feeling the heartache all over again. As soon as he got back to his quarters, he let his heart break.

And the lustisha burst from the sandstorms.

27

LEELA

Leela refused to see him. She couldn’t. Her heart continued to mend over the sweeping days, and she was sure his did too.

Although by the third day of barely seeing him, she wondered where he was.

On the fourth day, she sat at the dining table, tracing the edge of her wine glass lost in thought.

“Everything okay?” Hema asked.

Leela snapped out of her daze. “Oh, yeah. All good.”

“Are you sure?” Hema asked, leaning over. “You’ve got that vacant look in your eyes that says you’re drowning in your thoughts.”

“I’m sure.”

“You know that can be rather annoying,” Navya said, reclining on her chair.

“Rude,” Hema said.

Leela turned to Navya. Their relationship never got better, no matter how much Leela tried—not that she really had. Navya hadn’t warmed up to Leela, and Leela hadn’t tried to make her. There was no point trying to change her mind. So they’d sit in silence at mealtimes.

Leela sighed, too tired to engage, and glanced around the table. The rest of the crew were busy mingling, laughing, and bellowing across the tables. The alcohol had seeped into some with its dangerous claws, and she was nervous to be around the truly intoxicated ones. Especially Vedant, as he tilted his head back, cackling to the skies further down the room.

She hadn’t spoken to him either. Not since their fight.

Barely any of the crew spoke to Leela after that. She thought it a fair trade. She was dangerous, and she was still learning to deal with the Viperess.

Have you forgiven him, yet?

Who said I will forgive him?

Leela groaned. So you are still after vengeance?

The Viperess didn’t answer.

What is it then?

The Viperess uncurled in the darkness. I have come to terms with the Scorpion. But it does not mean I forgive and forget like that.

Something about that nerved Leela. What does that mean?