The Last Queen by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Author:Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni [Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers India
Published: 2021-01-19T18:30:00+00:00

SURE ENOUGH, NAUNIHAL IS unable to manage the intricacies of administering a kingdom. He’s forced to send his best friend Udham, Dhian’s nephew, with apologies and gifts, requesting the wazir to return to Lahore. Dhian agrees magnanimously. His purpose is served: all at court know that he’s the true power behind the throne. The Fakir writes: He is stronger than ever before, and more dangerous.

My clever Mangla has ingratiated herself with the qila commander’s wife, doing her hair and make-up for special occasions, exclaiming that she looks as elegant as any of the ranis of Lahore. Soon she becomes the woman’s trusted confidant. Thus I learn that Naunihal’s wife, Bibi, is pregnant. A delighted Chand has gone to the Golden Temple to offer prayers. I’m happy for them both. I learn also of Kharak’s death—no surprise, as his health had steadily grown worse. Naunihal—perhaps out of guilt—is planning a grand funeral.

‘A huge honour guard will accompany the body to the pyre outside the qila’s Roshni Darwaza,’ Mangla reports. ‘The cannons will fire one hundred times. Dhian has offered to provide all the soldiers—’

I cut her off. I can’t bear to listen to the details of a royal funeral. The last one, which wrenched away my beloved husband as well as my best friend, looms over me still.

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