The princess swings her leg over the banister. “I’ll reserve you a seat by me at supper, Deven.” Her grin reminds me of Brac’s. And like Brac, beneath her arrogance lies steely independence. I find myself wanting to return her grin, but Princess Gemi drops into the garden and dashes off.
“She’s . . .” Kali sifts for the right word, “dynamic.”
I sheathe my khanda. “Indeed. A spirited one.”
Kali sticks me with a perturbed look. I send one back at her. The princess was abrupt, even rude, but by all appearances, harmless. I can stand bad manners over idealism. Ashwin could take a lesson in authority from the princess of the Southern Isles.
A low horn calls us to supper. Indah says the blare came from a conch shell, but it sounded like an elephant with a bad cold.
We gather on a terrace overlooking the cove. Moonlight silvers the water, and a breeze rustles the canopy. Star-shaped yellow flowers grow along the path, their bright petals splashes of light outside the glow of the chandelier lamp. The datu waves for us to occupy the table. Kali and Prince Ashwin take chairs near him, and I sit between the princess and Ambassador Chitt.
“Gemi,” the datu says, “you didn’t have time to change before our meal with our guests?”
She still wears a black tunic and trousers. I have never seen a woman wear a man’s clothes before. My mother would be beside herself to put the princess in a skirt.
“My apologies, Father.” Her response is exceptionally uncontrite, but he lets her alone.
Explosions sound behind me. I swivel around to look at seawater bursting up from the cove, geysers lit by flames of deep red and vibrant yellow. The plumes fan out in rows, and the fire follows, illuminating the streams.
“How did you . . . ?” Kali trails off in amazement.
“Aquifiers enchant the water to shoot into the sky, and Burners throw their fire behind the fountains for light,” the datu replies. “We perform this exhibit for honored guests and hope you will enjoy it.”
The jets of water dance in practiced patterns and varying heights, gradually building to a finale. Countless fountains gush to the sky, lit by a rainbow of fire. Then all at once, it is done.
Prince Ashwin is the first to applaud. “Spectacular.”
I join in, impressed, if not also confused. Anu gave bhutas their abilities to guide mankind onto a path of virtue. Is entertaining supper guests the best use of their powers? Kali holds herself close, chilled by the night, and frowns.
Servants bring plates of spiced fish. I sample a bite and wrinkle my nose, then chase the food away with a drink of coconut water. Down the table, Kali watches me, her own plate untouched. Her eyes shine with humor. Neither of us likes the briny flavor.
“Prince Ashwin, I must know, why did you release the Voider?” The datu’s direct question draws our attention to the prince. Indah and Admiral Rimba dine across the way. Natesa and Yatin are eating in their chamber. “Indah told me what happened, but I’d like to hear your explanation.”
Kali responds for Ashwin. “The sultan’s vizier began the incantation. He intended to use the Voider’s power to enslave bhutas and overthrow the empire.”
“And yet the demon has still come to reap revenge on the world.” The datu relaxes into his high-backed chair, his attention sharpening on Ashwin. “Tell me why I shouldn’t tie a millstone to your neck and drown you in the depths of the sea?”
Finally, someone who sides with me! Prince Ashwin’s panicky gaze seeks me out to defend him. I scoop another bite of food. Fishy flavor aside, this is the most amusing supper I have had in a long while.