Princess Meena’s eyelids fluttered as though she were dreaming, caught between the realm of the living and some distant plane where voices echoed like waves. Her breath, once shallow and frail, deepened, drawing in the sharp chill of the cavern air. The soft glow of lantern light played upon her delicate features, and slowly, her eyes opened...
Ram Babu, who had not left her side since the Yetis had delivered the divine lotus, sprang forward with uncontainable relief. His hands trembled as he clasped hers. “Princess! You are awake. Praise the gods, you are awake!” His voice broke, raw with emotion.
Meena blinked, adjusting to the dim cavern, her body still weak though the power of the lotus pulsed within her veins. She could feel it—warmth coursing through her like liquid fire, mending,
