Free MAHABHARATA SERIES BOOK#2: The Seeds of War (Mba) by Ashok K. Banker

even mused on the possibility of calling her to his sleeping pallet at night, when Devayani was asleep. But Devayani was too shrewd to let such a thing occur right under her very nose; she took the precaution of having Sharmishtha’s wrist tethered to her own, under the pretext that if she, Devayani, happened to wander away in her sleep at night, Sharmishtha would keep her safe. Sharmishtha knew what Devayani was doing but could neither object nor do anything about it. She contented herself with shooting knowing glances at Yayati at every opportunity and permitting him glimpses of her when possible. One night, she made sure to change her garments directly in front of a lit lamp, so that her naked shadow was projected onto a flimsy sheet that was hung on a branch to afford her privacy, knowing that Yayati was watching on the other side of the sheet. After bathing, she did not dress by the river but ran back circuitously so that he would catch a glimpse of her through the trees, just enough to tantalize and arouse his desires, yet never enough to satisfy. It became a game between them to seduce the king. Yayati was aware of it and enjoyed it to the hilt. After all, he could not lose at this particular game! Or so he thought. 
    It was Devayani who made the killing move. One day, during the visit to the lotus pond, she deliberately permitted a moment of intimacy to blossom into hesitant passion between them. Even as their bodies brushed against each other fully clothed, hands intertwining, she sighed deeply, then pulled away. The maids had been told to wait a distance away, and even Sharmishtha was not with them, for Devayani had planned her move meticulously. 
    When she had stayed silent for several moments, Yayati said, ‘Devayani? What is it? Why are you so quiet of a sudden?’ Being quiet was not one of Devayani’s foremost characteristics. 
    ‘I was thinking that it is time you met my father,’ she said softly. 
    ‘Certainly,’ Yayati said cheerfully, ‘I have heard so much about him, from others and now from you, it would be a great honour. I always respect brahmins of high learning such as he and few can claim a tenth of his knowledge and wisdom.’
    ‘Then it is settled,’ Devayani said. ‘You shall meet him today itself. We shall go to the city. I shall send a maid at once to announce us.’ 
    In fact, knowing how engrossed her father became with his work as a preceptor and wanting Yayati’s reception to be a grand one, Devayani had sent this message to Guru Shukracharya days earlier. 
    ‘Why not?’ Yayati said. ‘Although afterwards, I shall have to return home. I have been away longer than usual and my ministers and people will start to worry.’
    Devayani smiled at him. ‘Yes, of course, you have a kingdom to govern. Once we have seen my father and he has given his blessings, we shall proceed to your palace at once. It shall be exactly as you wish.’
    Yayati frowned at her. Had he missed hearing some part of the conversation? Or was he misunderstanding her meaning now? ‘You mean to say, I shall proceed home, do you not? You shall stay in Vrishaparva’s palace with your father. And your maids.’ 
    She laughed, a natural full-throated laugh, warm and apparently guileless. ‘Why do you tease me so, my love? You know that after I am wed, I cannot possibly stay in my father’s house while my new husband goes home without me. Imagine what everyone would say!’ 
    Yayati was taken aback. ‘After you are wed? Your new husband? What are you saying, Devayani? Who are you marrying and when is this event to take place?’
    Devayani looked at him disconcertedly, a shining brimming in her bright eyes. ‘There is a limit to teasing, beloved. Do not torture me now!’
    Yayati shook his head. ‘I do not understand. What are you saying? You surely don’t mean that you and I…that we are to be wed? Us?’ 
    Devayani laughed and clasped her arms around his neck. She had to rise up on her toes to do