Ghost Monkey, стр. 36

"No." Sugriva shook his head. "After you roast them, they look like guts. I use them to scare the children."

The young woman's jaw dropped as she gasped. "You are a monster, Sugriva. What a horrible mind."

He walked close enough to whisper, "You should see what I'm thinking of you right now."

Her cheeks reddened more, followed by a giggle. "I would very much so like to see those thoughts. Maybe you could show me."

That made Sugriva uncomfortable. At least in public. "Some day. When you fly us away from here." He looked up, the mirth leaving both their eyes.

"You know I can't, Sugriva. My path. Your path."

"What happened to the talk of dharma is nothing more than shackles?"

She looked away, anywhere but into Sugriva's eyes. "I am to be a proud hawk." She paused, pondering the next words carefully. Then she looked straight at Sugriva. "So I can impress my future hawk husband."

It was an intentional jab, and he knew it, one to kindle jealousy because she disliked of their conversation. When Sugriva recovered, he said, "A worthy husband won't care how you fly."

Prisha moved out of the market, into a back alleyway. Sugriva followed, until they were away from the din, in between tight buildings, with trees providing cover overhead.

His hand reached out and laid over hers, and his heart thumped noisily in his ears. She interlaced her fingers with his, and his fear that she didn't feel the same abated.

"I wonder who that future husband will be." She grinned, her free hand pulling strands of hair back from her face. She leaned closer, and Sugriva met her lips. The first kiss was gentle and restrained. The second kiss was savage; he pressed her hard against a tree.

Half their clothes laid strewn across the dirt path, and once finished with play, they pulled their belongings together again. Prisha couldn't stop giggling, and this brought a grin to Sugriva.

"I should go," she said.

"Wait." He went to the rope and undid it. She looked mortified, but he put a finger to her lips. "I want to see you fly. I can tie them back up when you're done."

"But if anyone saw—"

"I think Divyan will have more issues with us together half-naked than with you flying."

Temporary horror crossed her face with the realization of what they just did. Sugriva touched her cheek and said, "I'll love you forever. Others live a good life outside the empire. We can, too."

"We could run away to a quaint village, like the ones you talk about." The smile returned, and the idea took root.

"Work the land or go fishing. You're a hawk, a natural hunter. We would brave the frontier hand in hand." The more he talked, the more real it was in his mind. He thought of Mibtha and the joy he had in such a simple life.

However, he could see the thought of laborious living killed the dream on Prisha's face. "Of course—a hunter." The words tapered off into a whisper.

The idea would grow on her once she had a hunt under her wings. Sugriva knew she would see their life the way he did. "We will make it work. Now, go fly." He patted her bottom, and she blushed with a squeal.

Wings unfurled, and she jumped. Sugriva lost her in the foliage until she burst up through the canopy, blotting out the stars as a graceful form Sugriva couldn't take his eyes off. When she landed, her chest heaved with the excitement, and she forgot all about banishment. She was wrapped up in Sugriva, and before either of them realized it, they were naked on the jungle floor.

SUGRIVA EXTENDED HIS arms above his head, saluting the rising sun. Every breath was fresh and crisp, as the monkey practiced his breathing exercises to calm his mind. Metal clashed and wood clacked below from sparring. The tranquility of the rhythmic sparring made Sugriva realize it had been a long time since he felt such peace. Divyan gave him purpose in training his son, while his daughter gave love. Thorough, lengthy love. The thought of her made him smile, disrupting his meditations.

When the sun was high enough to bathe Sugriva's entire body in its glow, he opened his eyes and slipped down the side of the building, landing in the courtyard. Amu wasn't there, which was a little frustrating. The boy was rarely late. In the back of the courtyard, in the small office, Divyan looked over maps as scouts whispered in his ears. Sugriva went to his side. "General, where is Amu?"

"Not today, Sugriva," he said. "Something came up, and he's staying at the nest." His eyes were sullen, then he looked up. The sorrow was replaced by a glimmer when he saw Sugriva. "Want to do some field work?"

The monkey nodded eagerly. "I've been caged too long."

"We need a patrol at Sita Falls." He pointed on the map, though Sugriva knew where that was. As children, they would go there all the time, standing on the ledge and daring each other to jump. It was part of the lore of the Falls.

"Too many jumpers lately?"

"Would be nice if that was all." He sighed. "People go out there, and they don't return. That's not unusual, but usually suicidal ones don't tell people where they're going. We think it's bandits, maybe a few rogue Fangs. Are you up for it?"

"Yes. I will go immediately."

Divyan walked around the table and embraced Sugriva. "Thank you. You are family to me, and doing this removes a burden. Stay safe so you can keep training Amu. He gets better by the day because of your guiding hand." He kissed Sugriva's forehead, then the two rested their foreheads against each other. "Most importantly, do not engage. If there are enemies, report it."

THE TREES OVERLOOKING the falls were sturdy enough to create a small camp in the branches. Most people didn't look up, unless they were janaav of certain