All heads swiveled toward the nagarani. She rarely entered debates, preferring instead to abstain and then converse in private with her husband. Venkat had heard that the final decisions on so many subjects affecting the kingdom were often hers; even King Vasuki deferred to her wisdom.

She made no move to rise from her chair, just one more member of the council. A quiet confidence radiated from her, as soft but powerful as her immense beauty. More ballads had been written of Vasuki’s greatness than of hers, and Venkat got the impression she liked it that way. He appreciated that; he, too, would rather stand on the sidelines and work his magic in the shadows.

“Lord Himanshu,” she said firmly, “you know the accessibility of dreams is hardly a priority at this time. No one would wish otherwise more than the nagaraja and I, yet we may only act in the realm of what is, not what we wish were so.” She turned to Asha. “As for you, Princess, no matter how confinement grates at us all, it is vital you remain within our borders if we are to shield you.”

There it was again, Asha’s brittle smile. She reached for a cobalt-honey cake and fed it to Chintu. He smiled, obviously gratified, as he chewed. To everyone but Venkat, it must have seemed a sweet moment between lovers-to-be.

“As for how we should proceed,” the nagarani went on, “it seems to me that we must curtail all travel beyond our realm, at least until the wedding is past.” She looked at Nayan. “I am afraid that includes even your runners, my lord Nayan.”

The assembly broke into roars. “How are we to get along without dreams?”

“Of what relevance are dreams when the garudas wish to drink our blood?”

“If the borders cannot be secured, the clan of Maniakkhika will not remain here to be slaughtered!”

“The clan of Takshaka is prepared to reclaim Prithvi for our people, with or without the rest of you!”

Venkat could only think of his runners. It made sense to keep Asha in Nagalok, but why did they have to suffer, too? What would they do if they couldn’t harvest?

“Enough!” King Vasuki called. He had to repeat himself twice before the council settled down once more. “I have always tolerated and even welcomed dissenting opinions. What I will not endure is this lack of unity. That is what permitted the garudas to regain a foothold among us.”

The other nagas offered apologies, some more reluctant than others.

“Naturally, the borders will be secured,” said Queen Naga Yakshi, steel underlying her mellifluous tone. “We have already tripled the number of troops safeguarding the portals. In addition, as I have already said, there will be, effective immediately, no more travel of any kind between the realms. I am certain all of you can endure a few weeks without fresh dreams.”