"I was wondering what kind of girl could have botched up a rescue attempt so badly. Now that I know it was you all along, everything makes sense."
"Go away."
Rome runs his nose down the side of my face, smiling at the way I shiver. "After all thes...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
LATER, NEHA GIVES US A PHONE CALL. Charlotte has gone into surgery. Prince Vasuki drives Rome and I all the way back to the hospital. Neha, in her classic black sari and steel expression, stands at the front of the building. Only her eyes move, following the car across the parking lot. Like Rome, her presence gives off a tangible energy. People part ways around automatically, some of them even pausing in their tracks to gawk at her.
"She has the self-awareness of a broken streetlamp," Prince Vasuki says, with a mix of exasperation and fondness.
"You're the one with purple car," Rome drawls.
"It's byzantium, you fiend."
"I don't know what that is."
"Clearly."
Prince Vasuki pauses at a secluded spot at the back of the hospital. A second later, Neha's inside the car. I jerk at her sudden appearance. The inside of the car starts to make a hum so quiet that only I can hear - another side effect of Rome and Neha being in the same space together. It puts my hair on edge.
Neha offers me a wrinkled napkin. Charlotte's name and number have been scribbled on it in dark red ink.
"I have memorized the information," Neha informs me. "In case the writing is in illegible."
"She told you to give this to me?"
"Yes. It appears she's formed an attachment," Neha says distractedly. She forces Vasuki to turn his face towards her, putting his chin into her hand. Rome watches them, entertained but not surprised. "How is your health?"
"I'm terribly unwell," Prince Vasuki says solemnly. "In the hour that we were apart, some thugs found me and tore me apart. It was only because of the brave efforts of Rome and Winifred that I escaped with a bare inch of my life."
"Thank you," Neha says to the both of us.
"It was sarcasm, Neha."
"Oh. Then, I rescind my thank you," Then, without a moment's pause, she settles back into her seat. "Where will we being going?"
"I was thinking Serpentine," Prince Vasuki suggests to Rome, who simply nods. I can't believe they're being so casual about this. Serpentine is one of the most high-end restaurants not only in Capital City, but in the entire nation. It has eight floors, all dedicated to serving fresh seafood and interesting drinks. "How far along is Ramon?"
"The dinner will take a while, but he says the table has been set up."
"Good enough for me," Vasuki reaches out and sets his hand her shoulder.
Neha holds out a hand. Rome gently places his fingers on her wrist. They all look at me.
"I need physical contact to in order to transport you," Neha explains.
