Ashwin grimaces. “My heart’s wish is to regain my imperial city and palace. I didn’t know the Voider would come disguised as Rajah Tarek.”
Datu Bulan drums his fingertips against the table. “Agency is not only what we do but why. What else did your heart’s wish entail?”
After a strained pause, Prince Ashwin replies, “I wished to return to my palace.”
“And wed the kindred?”
Kali chokes on her drink and turns to the side to cough.
“We aren’t officially betrothed,” Ashwin replies.
My brows shoot up to my hairline. What in the gods’ names does that mean? The answer is either yes or no. Kali continues to clear her throat. The prince does not clarify, leaving the datu to presume what he will about him and Kali.
“How do you intend to win back your palace?” Bulan challenges. “Voider aside, the bhuta warlord will not withdraw.”
Kali jumps back into the conversation. “Once we regain our army, we’ll unseat Hastin. But we cannot do that without your aid.”
The datu slips his hand down the front of his tunic, over his heart. While he thinks, he scrutinizes Kali and Ashwin. Does he also notice how close they are sitting together? At last, he voices his verdict. “You have use of my navy.”
“How will your fleet reach Vanhi?” Prince Ashwin asks.
Princess Gemi adds her thoughts to the mix. “We could reach out to the Paljorians.”
Datu Bulan shakes his head. “Chief Naresh is a pacifist. In all his years ruling the Northern Peaks, he has never deployed his army for or against a regime.”
“If I may,” I say, drawing all eyes to me, “we shouldn’t need the Paljorians. So long as your navy can utilize the waterways for travel, we can confront the demon rajah in Iresh before he leaves for Tarachand.”
The prince slumps, as if he should have thought of that himself. My proposal is simple, but our success hinges on us reaching Iresh before the demon rajah leaves. He is taking longer than I anticipated to rally his men and resources. Maybe he is waiting for the raiders to bring him Ashwin and Kali . . .
“Wisely strategized, General Naik,” says Datu Bulan. “The admiral and our fleet will depart in the morning.” Tomorrow? Deploying the navy should take days. They must have begun preparations before our arrival. “I presume your party intends to go with them.”
“We do.” Kali’s tone turns guarded. “What do you require from us in return?”
“My requests will be reasonable, Viraji.” The datu smiles broadly. I understand where Gemi gets her charm, but must he refer to Kali as Ashwin’s intended? “Prince Ashwin, have you ever seen an arctic tiger? Their coats are ivory with charcoal stripes. I traded three barrels of shark fins for one pelt. It’s mounted in my study. You and I will retire there to discuss our terms.”
Ashwin does not refuse. He has little leeway for the terms of our alliance, and the datu knows it. Bulan will walk away from the negotiations table with more than a fair trade.
The datu and Ashwin excuse themselves. Kali watches them leave, her focus so severe I question her ability to drag Ashwin back by sheer will.