The Black God's War by Moses Siregar III Read Free Book Online Page A

Haizzem defeats our army, it will be the end of everything we love. They’ll burn this city. They’ll definitely kill me, and they’d take you and—”
    Narayani froze Rao with her glare. “Then let’s go somewhere else and wait until things calm down.”
    Rao reached out to hold her. He knew she wouldn’t understand.
    Aayu threw up his hands. “Cousin, there won’t be anything to come back to if we don’t go. The army’s going to need our help.”
    Narayani broke free of Rao’s arms and snapped her head at Aayu. “What are you going to do? Meditate with the soldiers? Neither of you know anything about combat. I’d be more useful to the army than either of you. I’ve done actual healing work.”
    Aayu smiled at Rao with raised eyebrows, and Rao overcame the urge to grin. Narayani, like nearly all Pawelon women, knew very little about what sages actually did. “My love, he’s right. Aayu and I have abilities we can use to help our warriors.”
    Aayu sat in the chair in front of Rao’s desk and leaned back. “Cousin, listen to me. Rao completed his training with one of the best assessments in our history. They’re going to need our help.”
    “Why? You’ve always said there are a lot of sages at the citadel.”
    Rao reached out his hand to her. “I wish I could explain, but you know I can’t.”
    Narayani crossed her arms.
    Rao extended both of his hands, but she refused him. “My father and your father will be glad to have Aayu and me when they see what we can do to help them.”
    Aayu laughed. “Are you serious?”
    Rao’s cheeks tightened as he smiled. Granted, his father, the very rajah of Pawelon, would probably need some time to warm up to their presence. Rao’s father had forbidden him from joining the war. And General Indrajit, who was Narayani’s father and Aayu’s uncle, made a stern impression on Narayani and Aayu when they were children.
    “Why are you joking?” Narayani asked. “We’re talking about your lives. Rao, what about everything we want to create? The arts programs? The meditation center? The projects for the poor?”
    “Those things will have to wait.” Rao lowered his hands to his sides.
    “You expect me to wait here all by myself?”
    “No, Cousin,” Aayu said, “we decided you should pick up a long spear and fight. Doesn’t that sound good? Come right along.”
    “I can’t wait here. I hardly know anyone in this city. You can’t go, Rao. I swear it here and now. This is my sankalpa : I will not be separated from you.”
    Rao stared at Aayu, but his bhai also had no answer to her solemn resolve.
    Narayani pointed her index finger forcefully as she talked. “And if you’re going, I’m coming with you.”
    “No, that’s not possible,” Rao said. “It wouldn’t be safe.”
    “But I can help. Don’t they need healers? If you’re ever hurt, I can help you.”
    “Cousin, you’re insane. No. I promised your father I’d watch out for you. That means you’re staying in this palace, where you’ll be safe.”
    “You’re not in charge of me. If you go, you can either take me or I’m going to follow you.” Narayani let out her frustration with a scream. She grabbed a pillow off the bed and threw it against a wall.
    Rao found Aayu sticking out his tongue at him.
    I really wish this was funny . “If I could convince you we’re going to be safe, would you agree to stay here?”
    Narayani sat on the bed. Her eyes darted between the two of them. “Probably not. You can try.”
    Rao sat beside her and held one of her hands. Her long eyelashes brought out the sparkle in her brown eyes, even when she was angry. “Promise me, my love. Please.”
    “Only if you can absolutely convince me.”
    Rao looked over at his even darker-skinned friend. “I want to tell her about our abilities.”
    With an inflection both joking and serious, Aayu said, “Oh. Really?”
    Rao shrugged his shoulders. “Do you have a better idea?”
    Aayu scrunched his lips to one side