Page 120 of The Divine Lies We Weave

The Viperess hesitated. Right.

Leela stood on the deck as the crew loitered downstairs. She kept wringing her fingers, watching as Tanmay took the wheel and guided them over the sands. Navya continued to float them over, and Leela had to suppress the spite of jealousy coiling within her.

She had to wonder how many times Navya was with Rajesh, but then that unleashed more emotions she wasn’t comfortable feeling. Navya was a beautiful woman, with glowing eyes like dark, rich emeralds and long, wavy hair. Who wouldn’t be attracted to her? She almost imagined her fingers sliding over Navya’s curves and edges, over the crest of her breasts and⁠—

Leela shook her head. She didn’t have time to think about being with someone else.

Not for a long time.

Leela woke to a knock on her door.

“Wake up, sunshine!”

Leela groaned and stumbled to the door, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Hema stood on the other side, as energetic as ever. A broad smile was plastered across her face, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

“Morning,” Leela groaned.

“Oh, don’t be like that, this is a good morning! We’re finally getting off this Flames-forsaken ship,” Hema said.

Leela’s hand stilled on the door. “What did you say?”

“We’re going outside,” Hema said.

“I heard what you said. I was just processing,” Leela said

“Oh…” Hema frowned. “Well, ready to explore a city? I’m so ready to stretch my legs.”

“The ship isn’t all that bad,” Leela argued.

“When you have to grow resources on your own and travel for days, then yes, staring at walls all day long can get boring. I long for adventure. Why do you think I became a hunter?”

“Because you were forced to be a Vessel by the kingdom?”

“You are such a know-it-all, you know that?”

Leela groaned and clutched her abdomen as pain stabbed her. Her mind was a mess, like there was a swarm of bees buzzing too loudly and filling her head with honey. The thoughts were looming, and she was best left alone.

“I can’t today,” Leela said, wiping her face. “I don’t feel like it.”

Hema put a hand on her hip. “No. You are not doing this. You need help, and someday you’ll learn it’s better to be with others than be alone.”

Leela stared at Hema, her forwardness stunning the words on her tongue. Deep down, Leela knew Hema was right. It was better to face challenges with people who were willing to support her. But Leela hated feeling like a burden. And honestly, she didn’t want to drag them down with her. Especially not always-optimistic Hema.

Hema’s expression softened. “I can see you’re struggling, and I’ll say it again.” She stepped closer. “I am here for you. Through thick and thin. Any storm cloud or rainbow.”

Leela’s lips hitched. “I know. Sometimes asking for help is the hardest part.”

“It’s not hard with me and it won’t ever be. I can help you. Always.”

Leela smiled and nodded. Despite her emotions, she knew Hema was right. “Let me get dressed.”

Leela shut the door and walked over to the wardrobe, grabbed a new band to wrap around her chest, slipped on a red blouse with golden embroidery, and shuffled into a pair of black flowing pants.

She checked herself in the mirror. Since the start of her voyage, she had grown stronger. Muscles had thickened her arms and legs, and her stomach even had a few lines she never thought possible—no matter how good she ate or worked out. Her hair was longer, growing past her shoulder blades, and her eyes looked aged.

She stared at her eyes the most. The memories of the journey were trapped within them, and were obvious if she stared long enough.

Gulping, she forced herself to turn.