Ravindra kept his eyes shut as Ragini left the mountain. Healing with Soma was a dizzying ordeal, and keeping his eyes open only worsened the nausea gnawing at his chest. Only a fraction of his injuries had healed from the few drops of Soma in his system, but it was enough.

Before long, he felt steady enough to sit. As soon as he did, several soldiers knelt beside him, urging him to rest. He waved them off with a shaky hand.

“I can’t lie here any longer,” he growled.

Most of the soldiers backed away, but his most trusted attendant and cousin, a demoness named Sukanya, stood her ground beside him. She offered her hand, and he grasped it, allowing her to help him up.

“What news from the battlefield?” he asked.

Before Sukanya could answer, a woman’s voice cut through the air. “King Ananda and the others are fighting a great beast. They’ve sent back all the remaining soldiers.”

Ravindra’s legs wobbled with the effort, but he turned to face the source of that haughty voice.

Sukanya moved to his side, pulling one of his arms over her shoulder. Reluctantly, Ravindra leaned on her. His pride rebelled at showing weakness before the High Goddess of the Heavens, but collapsing in front of her would be worse. He could imagine the contempt in her eyes if he fell to his knees.

“Queen Chandika,” he said, his tone wary. “Forgive me for not greeting you properly.”

The Queen glanced at him with a raised chin. “For your great service on the field, you are forgiven.”

Ravindra felt a headache pulse behind his right temple. Queen Chandika might have played at civility around Ragini since she married Rudra and became Lady of the Mountain, but to him and his father, her disdain remained palpable.

He had no chance to retort. A deafening boom echoed across the mountain, making the trees shiver.

“Sukanya, do you have enough energy?” Ravindra asked.

“Yes, Your Highness,” she replied.

“Tell me what you see.”

“As you command, Your Highness.” Sukanya turned her gaze toward the plains and activated a spell for farsight. She reported, “The great beast attempted to strike our soldiers, but King Ananda blocked it.”

Sukanya continued to narrate the unfolding events in the calm, steady tone for which she was known. As she spoke of a Celestial Chakram slamming into the Great Devourer, a tremendous shockwave swept over the plains and up the mountain. The ground shook, then trembled as the Devourer crashed down.

Queen Chandika clasped her hands, her fingers trembling. On any other day, Ravindra might have relished her fear, but his own hands were clenched into fists, pain shooting up his arms.

“Can you see the kings?” she demanded. “Where is my king?”

Sukanya squinted but shook her head, lips pressed tight.

“What do you mean—” Queen Chandika advanced on the attendant, her gray eyes glowing with fury.

Ravindra raised a hand to stop her. “Sukanya is only saying what she can see,” he said, glaring at the Queen. When she backed down, he asked Sukanya in a gentler voice, “Can you see my sister?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Sukanya answered softly.

“Where is she?” he asked.

***

Ragini could scream no more. She slumped in Dinan’s arms, and the Bull Spirit carried her back through Rudra’s shield. He knelt beneath the entwined trees and gently set her down. Ragini clung to his arm, hiding her face against his chest, her body shaking with sobs. Dinan’s own face was streaked with tears. He could offer no words to comfort his Lady. What could one say to someone who had just witnessed the death of a beloved father?

Ahead of them, three figures descended the stairs quickly. One limped, supported by another.

“My Lady,” Dinan murmured, trying to get Ragini’s attention. “Your brother and the High Queen approaches.”

Ragini wiped her face hastily and struggled to control her breathing. If anyone saw the Lady of the Mountain in such a state, it would demoralize them. She could mourn in private, but in front of others, she had to keep her composure.

Leaning on Dinan’s arm, Ragini stood and turned to face Ravindra, Sukanya, and Queen Chandika.

Ravindra pulled away from Sukanya and limped toward Ragini, who rushed forward to embrace him. Safe in her brother’s arms, Ragini fought to keep from breaking down again.

Drawing back, she looked into Ravindra’s eyes. “Father loves you, and he’s proud of you. Proud of us both.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Ravindra searched her face, but Ragini had closed off a vulnerable part of herself. He could read nothing in her expression.

Ragini didn’t answer. She moved past him to approach Queen Chandika, hands together in a respectful greeting. The Queen mirrored the gesture, albeit uncertainly.

“My King—” she began.

“—wants you to know how much he loves you,” Ragini interrupted. “And how deeply he cherishes his daughter.”

Queen Chandika paled. “Where is he?” she demanded, her voice rising. “Why are you here, but he is not?”

“I don’t know,” Ragini replied sternly. “But I will find out.” She glanced over her shoulder at Ravindra and added, “Alone.”

“Ragini, you cannot—” Ravindra began to protest.

“You are not leaving this mountain alone!” Queen Chandika declared, drawing herself up to her full height, towering over Ragini by half a head.

Ragini’s red eyes flared like kindling. She slowly turned her gaze back to the queen and stepped toward her. When she spoke, her voice rang with authority. “Who are you to command me, God Queen?”

She took another step, and Queen Chandika held her ground. The two women stood almost toe to toe.

Ragini spoke slowly, every word resonating with a deep energy. “I am Ragini, daughter of King Venkata and Lady of Mount Kaashil. With the Kings of the Heavens and the Underworld missing, and my husband deep in meditation, I am the highest authority in the three realms. Do you challenge that?”

Queen Chandika met her eyes and trembled. Whether it was out of fear or rage, no one could tell. She set her jaw, then stepped back, lowering her gaze.

“No,” she whispered.

The glow in Ragini’s eyes dimmed, appeased.

“Dinan!” she called.

“Yes, my Lady.” Dinan stood to attention.

“No one is to leave the mountain until I confirm the Great Devourer is defeated and locate the kings.” Ragini pulled the loose drapery of her sari around her and tucked it securely into her waistband.

As she moved toward the shield once more, Ravindra called after her. “Ragini.”

She paused but did not turn.

“Come back safe,” he pleaded.

Ragini pressed her lips together. She couldn’t promise that—not this time. Knowing she’d shed a tear if she turned back, she marched forward and passed through Rudra’s shield for the last time.

Rudra, she thought, Please forgive me.

***

Far above the mountain stairs, past the palatial courtyards, through a secret door, and at the end of a long tunnel, Rudra sat deep in meditation.

Long before the calamity at the start of the war, Rudra had watched everything unfold. His duty as Lord of Destruction to the three realms was to bear witness to all actions and events. And it would take more than maintaining a powerful shield around his mountain to distract him.

Many believed Rudra knew all that was and all that would be. And to some extent, that was true. Rudra could see into all branches of the future.

He laid them out before himself and watched the possibilities narrow to fewer paths.

When Ragini left the mountain again, Rudra watched the branches fall away until only a handful remained. He could remain here, hold onto the shield as he promised, and leave Ragini to her duty. Even if he left the mountain, the possibilities wouldn’t change—not really. They had moved too far down the path to go back now.

But that would mean Ragini, his beloved, facing the Great Devourer alone. And that thought pierced his heart.

The Gods and Demons couldn’t have known their war would tear into the fabric of the universe. Even though Rudra had warned them, they proceeded recklessly, as if the ultimate consequence wouldn’t come to pass because their side would win swiftly.

He could resent them for bringing the world to such a desperate state that Ragini would lose her father.

And now, if he did nothing, she would have to fight alone. But she wouldn’t blame him. His Ragini was courageous and just. She wouldn’t shy away from her duty, even if it cost her everything.

With no more time to reflect, Rudra knew one thing: he could not let Ragini do this alone. It didn’t matter if the future couldn’t be changed. Even one last chance to hold her would be enough.

Rudra opened his eyes and released the shield around his mountain.