Asha’s parents, aghast at what had befallen their daughter, had called off the betrothal. It was more of a formality than anything, because Prince Chintan and Karan had already fled back to the lap of the clan of Anant Shesha. On hearing that, Asha had sniffed. Fangless, that one. An embarrassment to his forebear. And to think he would have been my husband!

Sneaky as ever, she’d capitalized on her parents’ guilt and asked them to accompany Nitya and her to Prithvi. They would meet Sameer and then explain everything to Nitya’s and Tanvi’s mom and dad. Eventually, Tanvi would follow.

It was a good scheme, but Tanvi wasn’t ready to go. Not yet.

Nitya hadn’t seemed surprised, only wary. I get it if you need a little more time, but don’t make me have to come get you.

And then suddenly she and Asha were gone, and it was just Tanvi and Venkat. She’d avoided him for a week, feeling strange. Not sure what anything between them really meant. Maybe he’d realized what a mess she was.

But the council in its infinite wisdom had decided the best course of action was to throw a gala in honor of Asha upon her return from Earth, because apparently that was all nagas ever did, and Asha insisted Tanvi attend.

Tanvi had reluctantly agreed. It wasn’t like she’d be here much longer, anyway. She owed Asha that much.

And Venkat, a voice deep inside her had prodded, but she’d disregarded it.

And now Tanvi sat alone among nagas and naginis who kept studying her with fascination. It didn’t help that aunties and attendants were dashing in and out and hissing directives at one another.

Fighting the urge to duck out, Tanvi sat on her hands. Her sari was hot pink like the chair. Maybe if she didn’t move, she’d blend in with the upholstery.

“Wow.” Venkat sidled up to her, and just like that, she didn’t want to leave anymore. He looked so good in his burnt orange kurta. “You look amazing.”

She quirked an eyebrow as she got up so her giddiness didn’t show. “Yeah, right. I look like one of the servers. Someone even asked me to get them a drink.”

“Did you do it?”

“It was Asha. I had to.” Tanvi pointed to a small room off to the side. “That’s how I can tell you there’s a whole spread of snacks in there.”

“Well, if it was Asha,” Venkat teased. He lowered his voice and confided, “She gave Sameer one of the runners’ pendants, and he’s here.”

“She did what?”

The nearby relatives cast disapproving frowns at them. Apparently the species didn’t matter; human or nagini, all aunties had that same judgmental grimace.

But Venkat ignored them and smiled at Tanvi. “Speaking of snacks, I’m actually a little hungry. Join me?”