‘An’ Pari thinks you’ll have changed your mind, which I don’t want to believe but,’ he shrugged, ‘it got me worried.’ The hope in his eyes was enough to make her want to cry. ‘So can you give me a sign, of how you feel? Only it’s killing me standing here like a fucking post.’

She stared at him, wondering why she wasn’t saying anything. After all these years, why did he have to come now, when it’s too late? The truth was, there had been no good time for Varg to arrive. They might have stolen a few nights together, but her time had never been her own.

It would be so easy for her to go with him. To leave the castle behind and never come back. She wanted that. She wanted to make the fantasy real, but …

Glider barked expectantly and she looked at the floor, unable to meet Varg’s gaze. She could feel it on her though, nakedly hopeful. It was not in her to kill that hope, nor was it in her to lie to him.

She felt Glider’s nose press against her back, and when she didn’t move, the Dogkin butted her gently, sending her stumbling forward, straight into Varg’s arms.

He had the same smell, and it brought back memories of earlier days, of them struggling to survive in the Wild, of them huddling together, out of fear at first, and then because they wanted to. Her left hand began to move on his back, betraying the feelings she wanted to bury. After a moment’s hesitation, Varg’s hands began to move too, gently, guiding her close.

I must not encourage him any further, she thought as she watched herself cup her fingers around the back of his neck.

After that, she didn’t think too much at all. His lips brushed hers, shy at first, but becoming more confident as she leaned into him, going on tiptoes to stop him from breaking contact. She did not want to stop kissing him. It occurred to her that in the past, Satyendra had always disturbed their brief dalliances with his crying. The thought of him sobered her, forced her to face reality again. Reluctantly, she pushed back from Varg. Even now, he finds a way to come between us.

Varg grinned at her, the expression taking years from his face. ‘I liked that sign. Can I have another one?’

She shook her head.

‘What’s up?’

‘It’s complicated. The rebirth ceremony is today.’

‘Course it is. I’m sorry, Chand. Really. Do you want me to come back later?’

‘No. I don’t want you to go at all … He’s gone. My son has really gone. I failed him, right at the end, I …’

Chandni began to cry, the tears coming like an assassin from the shadows, springing up before she even knew they were there.