Page 173 of Tiger's Voyage

“We don’t know that this creature and the one she spoke of are the same.”

“It looks bloody likely to me!”

“That’s your fear talking. I know you’re scared, but there’s no use panicking about something that hasn’t happened yet and might not ever happen.”

“I don’t want to be eaten by a shark,” I whimpered softly.

Ren wrapped his arms around me, smiled, and said, “Youare much more likely to be eaten by a tiger. Remember?”

I nodded weakly and sniffled as a tear dropped onto my nose. He kissed my forehead and pressed his hands against my cheeks. “We’re going to be alright. I promise. Okay?”

“Okay,” I replied quietly.

His thumbs traced my cheekbones lightly, and my breath hitched. Nervously, I stepped away from him before his comforting progressed to the next level, and I walked up to the statue of Parvati. Ren watched me quietly, not moving from the place where he’d embraced me.

Poor Parvati. You had to choose between two men who risked their livesfor you too. You had to worry and wonder if either one of them would survivethe monster.I wiped away a tear from my cheek and reached out to touch her hand. The statue shimmered and disappeared.

“Ren!”

“I saw it!”

The statues of Indra and Shiva shimmered and disappeared also, but what was worse was that the giant shark also began to shimmer. I cried out in horror as it disappeared. At the same time we heard a bark of triumph come from below us.

“Hey, guys!” Kishan hollered. “I found it! I have the Necklace!”

26

Surfacing

“Whoa! What’s happening?” Kishan shouted.

After the statues disappeared, a shimmering cloud descended around us. When it dissipated, both my clothes and Ren’s had changed. My mouth fell open. He looked like an Indian god.

The only piece of clothing on his body was a white wraparounddhotithat tied at his waist and ended just above his knees. He wore a golden headdress, armbands, and ankle and wrist cuffs. Around his neck hung an intricate golden necklace. His bronze muscled body glistened.

“Are you,” I swallowed thickly, “oiled?” I couldn’t help but stare incredulously at his broad chest.

Ren didn’t answer. He just gaped back at me with a very strange expression on his face.

“What? What is it?” I asked nervously.

“You … you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

“What?” I looked down at my costume and tentatively touched the thick golden belt that hung at my waist. “Wait here a second.”

I headed over to a sea-blackened window, hoping to catch my reflection. “Huh.” I was looking pretty goddesslike. A thick, heavily embroidered white skirt draped from my waist all the way to the floor. My hair was intricately braided and coiled at the nape of my neck, and loose curls tickled my bare skin. Adupattascarf wrapped over my tight beaded top and draped in folds from the belt. The golden belt cinched tightly at my waist and hung over my hips, accentuating their curves.

I, too, wore golden jewelry—a sparkling tiara, many lengths of golden chains, heavy earrings, bracelets, and even anklets. Though the sheer, whitedupattahung down my back and covered the front of me, the top under it was very tiny. When I moved, I could feel the silky dupatta brushing my waist and back. I crossed my arms, trying unsuccessfully to cover my bare skin.

It didn’t help that when I turned around, Ren was still staring. To my utter amazement, he dropped down on one knee, took my hand, and touched his forehead to it. Nervously, I stammered, “Uh … Ren? What are you doing?”

“Kneeling before a goddess.”

“I’m not a goddess.”

“You are. A goddess, a princess, a queen. As a soldier, I pledge myself to your service. As a prince, I grant you any boon within my power. As a man, I ask to sit at your feet and worship you. Ask me to do anything for you, and I will do it.”

He raised his eyes and captured both my hands in his. “Sundarirajkumari, my heart quickens to see you adorned as a royal princess from my time. If I had met you then, if you had visited our palace, I would have immediately knelt at your feet just like this and begged you to never leave me.”