The Crimson Fortress by Akshaya Raman

Author:Akshaya Raman [Raman, Akshaya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781471411274
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

- RONAK -

WHEN RONAK AWOKE in his Lyrian accommodations the day after the emperor’s welcome ball, the first thought he had was that in order to get close to the emperor and find the compass, he would need help.

After he’d gotten ready for the day—in his own Ashokan clothes rather than the wardrobe of Lyrian tunics the emperor had provided—he nervously paced in the hallway before working up the nerve to knock on Preethi’s door. She opened it almost immediately, surprise evident on her face.

“Ronak? What are you doing here?” She too was dressed, but unlike him, she’d selected a Lyrian-style gray silk gown that swished around her ankles as she moved.

“Can I come in?” he asked, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Of course.” She opened the door wider, allowing him in.

He recalled the promise he’d made to Jay, that he’d keep her out of his deal with Ekta, but he stifled the guilt he felt as he stepped inside. The layout of the room was identical to his, but it was decorated so differently with warm-toned furniture and patterned wallpaper that it looked almost like an entirely new space.

“Did you have a good evening?” he asked as he sat on the edge of the chair she offered him.

“I did. Did you?” She sat across from him.

Ronak lifted a shoulder. “Big gatherings aren’t really my thing.”

“I’d never have guessed,” she said dryly.

“You’re good at this, though,” he said. “Talking to people,” he clarified.

She eyed him carefully. “Are you here to make sure I don’t tell anyone about your brother?”

Ronak thought that he’d been subtle when he’d gone to find Kaleb, but Preethi was sharper than he’d given her credit for.

“No,” he said. “I’m actually . . . I wanted to apologize.” He exhaled, looking out to where she’d opened the terrace doors, allowing the brisk morning air in. He’d practiced his words and considered carefully what he intended to say, but he’d never been particularly good at being vulnerable. At asking for help. “It’s hard for me to trust anyone when people rarely see me for me. I’m a tool first and foremost, for my family or for the Council to use and discard as necessary.”

Preethi relaxed in her seat for the first time since he’d walked in. “I know the feeling,” she said. “People only seem to see me as a manipulative social climber or a vapid girl obsessed with boys. Whatever suits their needs on that day, I suppose.” She smiled wryly at his surprised look. “You think I don’t know what’s said about me?”

“I didn’t think you’d address it so directly,” he admitted.

She smiled. “I don’t believe in wasting people’s time. I learned a long time ago that if I want something, the best way to get it is to own up to it.” She lifted a shoulder. “What’s the point of lying about your desires? The truth always comes out anyway.”

This was the first time the two of them were actually conversing honestly, away

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