When Satya woke up, it took her a fraction of a second to realise that she was not in her own bed, up in the loft of her home. She sat bolt upright and blinked. 

Did I fall asleep again?

She clutched at the poultice, moving it towards the patient’s wound. 

Oh, it’s gone!

A dull red scar remained on the exposed thigh. 

“You’re awake!” The young general’s voice made her jump. 

His handsome face came into view. He was sitting upright now, his back resting against his pillow. 

“Did I not tell you to go home last night?” he demanded in a stern tone.

“Forgive me!” In a panic, she sprang up and scooted away from the bed. The poultice fell from her hands. Her foot stumbled on Vidyuta’s bag and other items lying on the floor behind her. With a bump, she landed on her bottom. “Ow!”

Veerata passed a hand across his mouth, curbing his mirth. A devilish twinkle shone in his blazing, amber-coloured eyes. Satya felt mortified at his obvious amusement. 

Clearing his throat, he put on a serious face. “Thank you!”

“What?” she asked, confused. 

“The doctor told me everything,” he explained, “about your treatment. I must thank you for your help.”

His words brought no comfort. She’d planned to leave at daylight, but she couldn't remember when she fell asleep. Avoiding him would have been for the best. Her mind was in turmoil. She still hated him, but she had healed his wound with her powers, and now he was thanking her. The young doctor was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps it was time to leave.

“How long are you planning to sit on the floor?” He teased.

Satya stood up, feeling even more embarrassed. “Pranam, Senapati,” she said, remembering her manners and joining her palms.

“You know who I am?”

She shrugged. “Everyone knows who you are.”

“Come closer!”

She blanched. “Why?”

“Are you afraid of me?”

“What?”

“I won’t eat you. You’ve been working all night. You must be tired. Come closer and sit down.”

Satya felt her annoyance mounting. He was still making fun of her. “I’m not tired,” she declared. “I’d rather stand.”

“Very well!” He smiled, unable to hold back his laughter any longer.

She pouted. “If you’re feeling better, I will go home now.”

“My guards will take you home.”

“There’s no need.”

“Let me be the judge of that. You saved my life. It’s the least I can do.” 

Their eyes met. She gulped. He was smiling at her with such undisguised warmth. 

How strange! Am I happy to see him smile? Impossible!

“The doctor told me you are a medical student at the university.” 

Satya nodded. “Acharya Dhanwantari is my teacher.”

“I’ve heard a lot about Acharya, but I’ve never met him.” 

“He taught me everything I know about ayurveda.”

“I must thank him for teaching you so well.”

The remark made her grin; a most innocent reaction to a well-deserved compliment. But Satya was unprepared for what followed. 

Veerata’s smile vanished. His blazing, amber-coloured eyes widened a notch in pure fascination. His brazen stare sent a strange thrill down her spine. 

She lowered her eyes. “I must go home now,” she mumbled.

“Wait,” he said, averting his gaze. “You must wait a little longer. I still have a couple of things to ask you. First, I must offer you a reward for saving me. Is there anything you want?”

“You promised to help the girls in the basement.”

He nodded. “I remember. That would be my duty, though. It cannot be your reward. Is there nothing else you want? What about money?”

“I am not a doctor yet. I can’t accept payments for treating anyone.”

Veerata threw back his head and laughed. It was a lively sound. The corners of her mouth twitched upwards, hearing it. 

Just then, Vidyuta opened the door a crack and popped his head in. “Senapati, the guards have brought Brahmadatta.”

Satya looked at the young general in alarm. 

“Don’t be afraid,” he said, as though reading her mind. “Just follow my lead.” He nodded to Vidyuta. “Please let him in.” 

Vidyuta walked into the room, followed by the mayor and the two guards. 

“Senapati,” Brahmadatta cried. “I heard you were unwell last night. How are you feeling now?” 

Satya head throbbed in anger at his elaborate farce. 

“Brahmadatta!” The young general’s voice held a dangerous tone. “Why did you send this girl to my room last night?”

“What girl?” the mayor looked at Satya, puzzled.

Is he pretending not to know me?

Veerata continued, his eyes narrowed. “There is only one girl standing in this room. Please answer me.”

The man’s wild eyes darted between them both. “I don’t understand.” 

Veerata looked at Satya. “This is my second question to you, Satya. Did you hear this man speak last night before you reached my room?”

“Yes, I recognised his voice.”

“Impossible!” Sweat broke out all over Brahmadatta’s face. His eyes widened in understanding as he stared back at Satya. 

She averted her gaze. No, you can’t deny it any longer.

“Arrest him!” The young general ordered his guards. 

They pulled up on either side of him, grasping his arms. Tears streaming down his cheeks, he pleaded his innocence. 

Veerata cut him short. “Brahmadatta, my guards have already arrested your men. In the name of Samrat Padmapani, I sentence you to death by hanging.”