The Exchange Ch. 13

This might have satisfied the Dowager. When she left the apartment later, her steps were lighter.

In the afternoon, Nitishila came to her, and he took her hands to kiss them. Inka then said, "My tapestry is finished. Would you fancy a look?"

"Oh? You've made a new tapestry?" Nitishila smiled and nodded. "I'd love to admire it."

Inka saw his expression slowly transform from pleased so almost dead as he took in the details of the piece, but Inka touched his shoulder and told him almost the same thing she'd told his mother. Then, she held a hand fan over his ear, as if she had a flirty message she wanted to conceal from the servants, and she whispered to him, "I have no choice but to forgive you now. The matter's been dragged far enough."

Perking back up, even grinning, Nitishila put his fingers over hers, where she held the fan, and he kissed her cheek. Then he murmured, "Now that you've said so, the air is more refreshing." Then he truly admired the tapestry, showing her which images were his favorites, how wonderfully arranged the colors were, how finely the skills had been displayed. Inka had to remind him that she had help from Jorun and even one of the maids. Nitishila was so pleased that he demanded that both women be rewarded. They'd each receive a cube of gold that could fit in their palms.

There was no pain in any of this. Inka was even thrilled, secretly so, but still thrilled. She thought her future with her husband would be much more fruitful, at least emotionally.

But she did wonder about her own feelings. Why did this tapestry satisfy her? Why did weaving it and showing it off make her think that the issue didn't matter anymore? After all, the tapestry was a visual synopsis of said issue. Wouldn't this thing cause more heartache?

As Inka clung to Nitishila in the night, as they said nothing and did little besides cuddling for a long while, she thought she'd finally found an answer.

Telling the story she'd experienced, exactly how she wanted to, it soothed her brain. Honestly, Inka believed she should've done this long ago.

When the couple starting doing more than cuddling, when Nitishila showed his affectionate aggression, Inka made him pause by murmuring, "I don't hate you."

He didn't offer a word. He only kissed her so deeply that stars danced behind her eyelids.

***

"I'm quite relieved to know you're safe and healthy," Inka said to Kishor, the man who knelt before her so obediently. Jorun put a tray of expensive treats on the little table near her.

Kishor kept his head low. "I'm grateful for Her Majesty's kind words."

Her fingers sliding treat after treat around, as if she found a fault somewhere, Inka said, "I'll have a reward arranged for you. You shouldn't go without compensation."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lifting a treat to her eye, lightly examining the crunchy texture, Inka went on. "Now that you're here, would you mind performing another task for me?"

Bowing in his kneeling position, he gave his answer. "I'd be honored to serve my Empress."

Inka called Jorun close to her. She whispered in her ear. Then Jorun hurried down to Kishor and put her own whispers in his ear.

***

Nitishila had the sweetest little idea one day, or rather a big idea. There would be a birthday trip on the sea for his Empress, and it would be much grander than the trip he'd enjoyed last year. Inka tried to resist. A simple party in the palace would be fine. But Nitishila was insistent.

"I've asked for the biggest ship available, and we'll have it decorated with the most precious things. I'll hire the most desired dancers and musicians, and the most skilled chefs." Playfully, he tugged on her ear, but he was careful not to pull on her earring. "And we'll surprise you with the rarest presents. Don't ask what they'll be." He tapped her nose. "Nobody will be allowed to tell you. All will be amusing little surprises for you."

Inka sighed and put her palm on his chest. "Who would be invited?"

"All the princess and princesses in the empire," Nitishila said quite proudly. "And all the local aristocrats." He paused to hum a little. Then he said, "I might hire some magicians and animal handlers to show you their tricks."

Inka put her fingers in his long hair and asked, "Would you please increase the amount of guards?"

"Definitely." He stroked that pale little hand in his hair.

"And would you have navy ships surround us, keeping us safe from pirates?"

"Why wouldn't I have them?" He tugged her hand away but kissed it. "Please let your mind rest. I'll arrange everything."

Inka trusted him.

That's why she was so happy to have the party.

***