I Shall Rewrite the Stars

Chapter 17

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Helios and I share a look, both lost for words. When he turns his attention back to the maharaja, my twin shakes his head.

“I—I can’t.”

Maharaja Ashoka chuckles. “Such a great honor must seem overwhelming, but the shock will soon fade—”

“You don’t understand.”

“Helios!” I hiss, reaching for him as he surges to his feet, and the room goes deathly silent.

“Raja is my friend,” Helios insists. “She’s already been forced into a loveless marriage once. I can’t be part of forcing her into a second. I can’t accept your offer.”

The maharaja’s smile slips, and with a smooth drop he falls back onto his seat. Though his lips have sunken into a frown, a sly, amused glint shimmers in his dark eyes.

“My rajkumari does all that I command, without question. If I order her to fight, she will take up arms. If I order her to die, she will use her last breaths to ask how she should do so.”

Helios’ hands ball into fists. “I’m aware that she’s all you could ask for and more.”

“Then—”

“But I cannot force someone who doesn’t love me, to take my hand as if she were just some prized golden collar or a royal fly pendant.” Helios grits his teeth, then flings an arm out. “Raja is not a reward. She’s my friend and I want her to be happy!”

“Helios,” Raja whispers, at the same time her father purses his lips and looks toward me.

“You’ve claimed to seek my wisdom, so I will offer this much for free: Jambudvīpa sits atop the world. My army is mighty; my power is absolute. If our families were to intertwine, there would be no question as to how far my warriors would march for both the glory of this empire, and the reclamation of your kingdom.”

“I…am aware, Esteemed Sire,” I say, overly conscious of all the eyes that have turned on me.

“I am also exceptionally selective toward any who might claim the sacred name of Jambudvīpa. The offer I have made to your brother is not a light one. I suggest you advise him to reconsider his declarations, whilst I am still feeling generous.”

I’m about to do just that, when I look at my dear twin and see the pain in his eyes.

And all at once, I’m struck by how young Helios is.

I had time in my past life to grow, mature, and fall in love. But my brother is still just barely into his manhood.

And just as he values Raja’s happiness, I value his.

“As children of Kemet, we are duty-bound to do whatever we must for the sake of our homeland,” I say to the maharaja. “But we are still young, untried and reeling from all that we’ve lost. In light of this, I beg you to forgive Helios’ rash rejection.”

“Selene!” Helios gasps.

“But!” I continue. “His reasons for rejecting your offer were neither childish nor selfish. Helios values your daughter just as much as the alliance between Jambudvīpa and Kemet. I beg of you to consider his genuine feelings before you cast judgment.”

“The happiness of a single girl is equivalent to all the power my empire has to offer?” The maharaja tsks. “Am I to be moved by such childish nonsense?”

“You ask my brother to become Raja’s husband—to become the physical embodiment of the alliance between our families. If he were to readily accept, to show himself as a selfish and impatient boy happy to take whatever you offer without a second thought, then he would be unworthy of your gifts.”

“Even so—”

 “Helios has earned your interest, hasn’t he?” I press, offering one last push in hopes of turning this conversation in our favor. “Please, let him earn your faith—let him earn a place among the leaders of your people. Let him prove to all of Jambudvīpa that he can be as useful to your empire as he is loyal to your rajkumari. Then no one will be able to question our bonds of alliance, friendship, and family.”

I’ve barely finished speaking when the maharaja’s lips widen into a radiant grin, and a momentary flurry of whispers shatters the silence.

“Such a clever, quick-witted response,” he says with a chuckle, and his eyes slice toward his daughter. “It seems my rajkumari has trained you better than I’d hoped.”

I swallow past the lump that’s formed in my throat, daring to raise my head a bit higher. “That she has.”

More whispers rise and fall, and Maharaja Ashoka raises a brow. I note it all, just as Raja taught me to. I note the expressions on the courtiers’ faces; look for any light that has reached their eyes; hear the unspoken questions and understand what information is actually being assessed.

From the moment we entered this room, the maharaja has been playing with us. He expected little; his court expected less.

Yet if I’m judging correctly, we’ve managed to take them all by surprise.

To my great relief, when my gaze returns to His Esteemed Sire’s, I find an almost approving look on his face.

“Well said—down to the very last detail.” Maharaja Ashoka’s eyes flick toward Helios. “You’re fortunate that Selene inherited Cleo’s wisdom and humility. But there’s a fine line between honesty and idiocy, boy, and you’ve treaded it like a tightrope.”

“I…” Helios hesitates, looking hopelessly between us.

“Forgive him,” I ask. “Helios is—”

“Far younger than you.” The maharaja’s tone shifts, and before I can say more, he claps twice.

Everyone, from the courtiers to the dancers to the servants rise and flood out of the room. In a matter of seconds, the air shifts to something heavier; more tense.

I fear I’ve realized too late that the game has ended.

“Tell me,” Maharaja Ashoka asks Helios. “Will you change your mind if I mention that it was my rajkumari who suggested the marriage alliance?”

“Is that true?” Helios demands, his gaze whipping toward Raja.

“Remember your place,” she snaps. “Your conversation is with His Esteemed—”

“Raja, did you really offer your hand to me?” Helios takes a step forward. “Really?”

It’s only after the maharaja flicks his hand that Raja explains herself.

“When Selene healed you, she saved not only all of your lives, but mine as well. And when you healed my son, you earned the greatest reward that His Esteemed Majesty can offer.”

“But you’re not just some prize to be won—”

“I am both a woman and a rajkumari. I value my happiness and I know my own worth.” She pauses a moment, and if only a tiny bit, the corners of Raja’s lips rise. “You are my friend, Helios. Love has blossomed from far worse circumstances than a political marriage, but I will be perfectly happy if all we ever share is this friendship for the remainder of our lives. I’d hoped that you might feel the same.”

Helios’ cheeks flush pink, and after a moment, he looks to the maharaja. “Didn’t you love your wife?”

“Helios,” I chide, at the same time Raja barks, “You’ve no right to ask that!”

“I did,” Maharaja Ashoka says, to the blatant surprise of his daughter. “I still do.”

“Then understand what you’re asking of me,” Helios begs. “I can’t accept the idea of watching the most important person in my life live in constant fear for her own safety. I can’t accept the idea of our son never knowing the freedom to smile!”

“Dangerous times breed difficult circumstances. But nothing is permanent. If you wish to change the norms of this palace, then you must first change the circumstances of the world beyond it.”

“I…” Helios clenches his fists so tight, his knuckles turn white. “I don’t know how. Since fleeing Kemet, I’ve realized how weak I am—how undereducated and underprepared I am. Giving my life to protect my friends, allies, and family seems easy. But I can’t imagine myself surviving all of this. I can’t promise Raja a future where I’m at her side long enough to build a safer world, let alone a safer Jambudvīpa.”

I clench my eyes as tears threaten to well in their corners. In my mind, I see the Helios of our past life. Did he feel this way, too? That there was no hope for his future? That he was destined to die…

“Where better to learn than at the side of the wisest man in the world?” Raja asks. “His Esteemed Majesty has gifted you solution after solution. Piece them all together, Helios.”

“There’s no time to—”

“Stop making excuses! You need only refine the skills necessary to face Roma and survive—”

“Jambudvīpa has enough to worry about,” Helios stresses. “Your focus can’t be on yourselves and helping me.”

“These old ears of mine hear nearly all things spoken in the world,” the maharaja reminds. “My attention is always split between one thing or another. Whatever distraction you might become will make no difference.”

Helios looks back and forth between father and daughter, then settles on the latter. “You’re sure about this? A Kemite marriage isn’t just for life. Unless we divorce and re-wed, our union will be eternal. I will find, marry, and love you no matter how many times we’re reborn.”

“A Jambudvīpan marriage carries the same expectations,” Raja replies. “I’m aware that this commitment will transcend lives.”

“Then…give us a year,” Helios asks of the maharaja. “One year for me to learn whatever I can from you. One year for me to prove to us both that I can be more than a sacrifice, and one year to see if Raja and I are truly compatible.”

“One year is a long time given the state of the world. I’d wager we’ll all be at war by then.” The maharaja hums. “I will grant you six months, instead.”

“How can I do everything I need to, in so little time?”

The maharaja looks at me. “If he should fail, will you use your wish to retain my offers of friendship and alliance?”

“Respectfully, Esteemed Sire, I choose to place my faith in you, my soon-to-be sister, and my brother,” I reply.

“A second gift then, in return for your faith.” A gust whips through the room, and the maharaja huffs a laugh. “Though his voice continues to move, I’ve a general idea where Cearion ny Kemet might be found.”

“You do?” Helios gasps, whilst I trace the flow of the wind.

“It’s no exaggeration when you say that you hear most things spoken in the world, is it, Esteemed Sire?” I ask. “Mother knew that you were listening when she told us to come here, because she knew that your Blessing has to do with controlling the wind.”

The glint in the maharaja’s eyes vanishes, his smile falling with it. “She did, and she must have wondered why I refused to send word of Gustavian’s movements before he struck. I doubt Cleo would believe me if I could tell her, but Roma moved in a silence so profound, even I had no notion of their plot until it was underway.”

“Then…did you send Raja to find us, as a final favor to Mother?”

“You catch on quick.”

“On her behalf—on behalf of both my parents, I want to thank you for that kindness. We’d have been lost without it.”

The maharaja waves me off with a flick of his hand. “It was a final gift to a friend I could not save, so think nothing more of the matter.”

“I see. May I ask then, if you’ve any idea of my brother’s condition? Has Taurus turned on him yet?”

“I’ve heard that boy relentlessly whining to be freed, so that he might return to Kemet. Elsewise, he’s not made any sounds of shock or betrayal.”

My heart leaps, both with joy and fear. There’s still time to save Cearion—he might truly survive in this life!

“Please allow me to go after him,” I beg. “Even if I must go alone.”

The maharaja raises a brow. “You wish to traipse about my empire unguarded? Impossible. However, you are acquainted with the chief guard of my rajkumari, aren’t you?”

As if the mere mention has summoned him, Mrunal steps up beside me from seemingly nowhere. Head bowed, he says, “I am at your beck and will, Your Esteemed Majesty.”

“Allow me to go with them,” Juba says, without lifting his face from the floor. “I swear, I will guard Selene with my life.”

“You’d better,” Helios mutters, then says to me. “If only we’d some way to keep in contact.”

“The moon and sea are bonded,” I say. “If need be, try reaching out to me through your Blessing. Moon-bathed seawater might just connect us if we give it a try.”

“You really think so?”

“I do.”

“I’ll start practicing, then.” He glances back. “You can help me. Right, Ptol—Ptolemy? Where did she go?”

I look back at the same time Juba stands, but the room is empty.

Ptolemy has vanished.

“I’ll take personal custody of that girl,” Maharaja Ashoka says, drawing our eyes. “She whines and frets, but she’s suffered much without telling you. She takes after your father in that way.”

“Sire?” I ask.

“For example, I heard when she was caught by one of the assassins in Chennai. Her silver tongue tricked them just well enough for her to escape unharmed.”

“Did you know that she’d come so close to capture?” I demand, looking from Helios to Mrunal.

“I didn’t,” Helios says.

“I…I found her bickering at the pigeons,” Mrunal says, his face pale. “I’d no idea…”

“Again, she’s an interesting girl,” Maharaja Ashoka says. “Have no worries for Ptolemy ny Kemet, as I’ll protect her until either she’s come of age, or Kemet has been restored.”

“Thank you, Sire,” I say, and Helios echoes me.

“Now then, when would you like to set off?”

“As soon as possible,” I say, and Juba gives a curt nod.

“Mrunal, prepare all that you’ll need for the journey,” the maharaja commands. “Take coin for lodging and food—and whatever weapons you deem necessary to assure your safety. No matter what happens, Selene ny Kemet will return alive, or else all who fail her shall suffer my wrath.”

“As you wish, Your Esteemed Majesty,” Mrunal says, and heads for the doors.

In his wake, the maharaja says to me, “I will send further instructions after consulting with Samira, and all should be ready within the hour. You’ve my blessing as well as my backing. Use these gifts should the need arise.”

“Only if I must,” I say. “And thank you, Esteemed Sire. On behalf of my family, our people, and all the world: thank you.”

***