Page 79 of Tiger's Voyage

“I can’t go withyou,” I said flatly.Not really very gentle, Kells.

“Why not?”

Why not?“Because … well … Wes asked me first. It would be rude to accept your invitation after he asked me.”

Kishan thought about that and nodded in understanding. I mentally sighed in relief.

He said, “But I’ll be there regardless. I won’t interfere, but I’ll feel better if I can keep my eye on you. Like I said, Wes is slippery. Lots of men are, and I’m sure the place will be packed with men—and half of them will be trying to get their hands on you.”

“I think you’re exaggerating.”

“Don’t you remember the Star Festival? There was a line of men around the block waiting to dance with you.”

“Now I know you’re exaggerating. You danced with me four times.”

“I cut in line.”

He was so serious, I laughed. “Come on, Kishan. You can walk me to my room.”

The next morning, I heard movement in the adjoining bedroom. Thinking it was Ren, I knocked briefly and opened the door to find Kishan standing at the dresser in jeans searching for a shirt.

“Kishan?”

“Good morning, Kells.”

He turned and thankfully pulled a shirt over his head so I could stop staring at his bronze-muscled chest.

“Are you sleeping in this room now?” I asked.

Kishan shrugged. “You need a tiger around, Kelsey. Are you feeling alright? You look a little flushed. Did you sleep well?”

“I’m fine, just embarrassed about catching you half dressed.”Andenjoying the view.

I looked around the room. “I thought Ren didn’t want you in here.”

“He’s changed his mind.”

“Yeah,” I said sadly, “he does that a lot.”

“Kelsey—”

I raised my hand. “Never mind. I don’t really want to go there.”

Dropping the matter entirely, Kishan and I spent the day together, relaxing and playing water sports. He quickly became adept at the Jet Ski, and I found it as exhilarating as the motorcycle ride.

At least I did when I wasn’t overly conscious of my arms wrapped around Kishan, or my cheek pressed against his sun-warmed back. Now that I knew it was a serious possibility that we’d end up dating, I felt different around him, more awkward.

When Durga was talking about my life mate, she said I’d love him more fiercely than I’d loved before. Phet had said either brother would be a good choice, but I had been so determined to pursue a relationship with Ren and so resolute about keeping Kishan at a distance that it felt wrong for me to openly consider crossing that line. We had fun together, and Kishan didn’t pressure me, so I left it at that.

When we docked at Trivandrum, Wes disembarked but said he’d be back to pick me up at six. I spent most of the afternoon with Mr. Kadam researching our new weapons. Kishan stopped by from time to time to check on our progress.

We discovered that the trident, also called atrishulaortrishul, was a weapon rich in symbols. Mr. Kadam showed me a picture.

“Look here, Miss Kelsey. Each of the three prongs represents a variety of ideas. When wielded by Shiva, it reflects his three roles— creator, preserver, and destroyer. It also symbolizes the threeshaktis, or powers—will, action, and wisdom. Sometimes it is a reflection of the past, the present, and the future. With Durga it is said to represent states of being—inactivity, activity, and nonactivity.”

“What’s the difference between inactivity and nonactivity?”

“In this instance, I believe inactivity means ‘doing nothing, resting, or perhaps stagnation.’”