I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’ll keep that in mind. You know, you really don’t have to carry me. Your super-strength is gone now, and I don’t want to be the cause of my husband’s back problems.”
He narrowed his eyes playfully. “There is nothing wrong with my back,hridaya patni, and though I may not have the strength of a tiger any longer, I still have the ability to seize willful women who cross my path.”
“Is that a threat or a promise?”
“Yes.”
Ren unlocked the door, stepped inside, and kicked it closed. Then he proceeded to make good on his promise. I protested briefly that our bags were still outside but his fingers had already unwound my braids and after another minute I no longer cared about our bags.
We broke apart when the doorbell rang. Outside on the front steps stood a mail carrier with a package.
“Can I help you?” Ren asked.
“Delivery for you, sir,” the man said and handed off the package.
With a nod and a smile of farewell, Ren closed the door and tore open the mysterious package. Inside it lay a heavy, wooden box.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I’m not sure,” Ren said as he clicked open the lock. He lifted the polished lid to reveal a scroll perfectly encased in glass.
“It’s the Scroll of Wisdom,” I whispered. “The ocean teacher said we weren’t to read it until after the fifth sacrifice had been made. How did it get here?”
“I don’t know. I thought it was in the safe.”
I picked up the packaging. “Ren, there’s no shipping label.”
We made eye contact and I jumped up and ran to the front door, throwing it wide. The postal worker was walking slowly down the hill.
“Wait!” I shouted.
Ren and I ran outside, coming to an abrupt halt as the man stopped and turned. The courier smiled. Then he pressed his hands together and inclined his head. The air swirled around him, and his hat vanished to show a balding head and a crown of wiry gray hair. His blue uniform and boots transformed into a roughly woven wrap and sandals.
I gasped and took a step forward. “Phet?” I asked earnestly.
The man smiled. A tear slipped down his cheek, and the magic that swirled around him intensified, obscuring him from view.
“Phet!” I reached for him, but his body faded until he was gone completely.
Once again, my mind reeled. If that was Phet and he had come all this way to give us a message, I definitely wanted to know what was so important.
“I didn’t imagine it, did I? That was Phet, wasn’t it?” I asked, already walking back up the driveway to the house.
“Yes,” Ren confirmed, trailing along behind me.
Even though he stopped by the car to retrieve my grandmother’s quilt and our bags, he quickly caught up to me at the front door, and we both rushed back into the house, straight to the Scroll.
The glass tube seemed to have been blown around the document inside. There was no way to open it.
“I’ll have to break it,” Ren said. “Stand back a little.”
I moved back a step or two as he gripped the cylinder. There was a snap and the tinkling of broken glass, and then Ren had the Scroll in his hand. A heavy wax insignia sealed it shut.
Ren trailed his fingers over the imprint. “It’s my family seal—the house of Rajaram...” he said excitedly.
Carefully, Ren broke the seal and spread the ancient pages on the kitchen counter. The sheets of thick Sanskrit-covered parchment quickly began to yellow around the edges.
I smoothed the paper flat for Ren as he ran his fingertip lightly over the words.
“Kelsey, this is a letter fromKishan.”
“What does it say?” I asked anxiously.
Ren and Kelsey, I apologize for corresponding in such a dramatic fashion, but I couldn’t risk either of you reading this before certain events had been set into motion, and I wanted to dispel any worries either of you might retain over my decision to stay in the past. After you left, Anamika and I spent many years serving people of different countries. We built a home high in the clouds on the rocky slope of Mount Kailash and used the power of Durga’s gifts to supply food, clothing, and healing all over the world. Our home was considered sacred ground for many world religions, and pilgrimages were made to the mountain base to worship the goddess Durga. The peoples of Asia thrived under her hands. She inspired artists, poets, political reform, religion, and social harmony. Anamika and I formed a bond of friendship and respect that led to love. I am proud to have served as her companion, and I am blessed that she agreed to be my wife. We have had a very long and happy life, and it would have been wrong for me to leave you thinking that I was miserable or disappointed with the choice I made. It took me some time to learn to live without you, Kelsey, and I’ll admit that there were many times I cursed my decision to stay behind, but destiny treated me well, and I have a family and a life that has enriched me and made me a better man. Kelsey, there is still a piece of my heart that belongs to you. I have cherished it all these centuries. You were the angel who saved me from a life squandered, and your influence has impacted me in more ways than you know. The warmth, kindness, and love you offered when you decided to save two lost tigers changed the course of my life. A happy ending was promised, and a happy ending was delivered. Every single day my heart swells with gratitude for you. Ren, forgive me for my jealous, impetuous youth. Whatever good I have done in the world, whatever strides I have made as a man, it was because I was able to look to my brother for an example. For what it’s worth, you would have made a great king. If there is one regret that I have, it’s that I wish I could pass through the long centuries with you. I miss you both, but I know that your lives will be full and rich, for I have glimpsed what is to come. Forgive my interference, but it was something I needed to do. The question that has often plagued my mind have been answered. He’syours,brother. May your love for each other continue to grow, and may you find joy in the life you build together. Treasure your time with your family for the days pass quickly. Perhaps in another time and another place we will meet again. —Kishan
I dashed tears away from my eyes. “It was a letter from him all along. If only we’d opened it.”
Ren covered my hand with his. “If we had, the course of all our lives would have changed. Destiny has been fulfilled the way it was supposed to have been.”
I nodded, overcome with emotion. Ren wrapped his arms around me, and I buried my face in his chest and thought of the brother we’d left behind.
“Ren?” I mumbled against his shirt. “What did Kishan mean when he said, ‘He’s yours’?”
Hesitating briefly, Ren sighed and pressed a kiss in my hair. “When Lokesh took you from the yacht, Kishan and I went looking for you. Do you remember?”
I nodded. “You were on your motorcycles.”
“Yes. On our way to rescue you, Kishan told me that he’d had a vision of you with a little baby.”
“It was his vision from the Grove of Dreams,” I said softly.
“What he didn’t tell you was that he lied to you about seeing the baby’s eyes. In his vision, your son had golden eyes. He also heard you say his name. You called him Anik Kishan Rajaram.”
I softly gasped. “Kishan... he must have thought that the baby was his.”
“He did. When he agreed to stay behind, he believed the golden-eyed baby would never be born.”
“So then his message—”
“His message means that the father of the golden-eyed baby, the man he saw with you in the Grove of Dreams, was me.” Ren pressed his forehead against mine. “All this time I believed that I had stolen his rightful place. That his destiny was to be with you, when really the baby was always mine.You were always meant to be mine.”
“He never told me,” I whispered sadly. “Why didn’t he tell me?”
Ren lifted his head. “He wanted you to choose, Kelsey. He wanted the decision to be yours.”
After a pause, doubt filled Ren’s eyes. “Do you regret it, Kelsey? Choosing me?”
I placed my palms on both sides of his face and willed him to looked at me. “Never. Alagan Dhiren Rajaram, I will never regret choosing you. But—”
“But?” he whispered.
“But every day I regret leaving Kishan behind. He’s always in my thoughts.”
“He’s in mine too,” Ren confessed. “Kishan sacrificed himself so I could have what I always wanted. At least now we know he found a measure of happiness.”
We held each other for a long time until I asked, “And speaking of happiness, how long do you think it will take Sunil to catch Nilima?”
Ren smiled. “It could be a while.”
“She is a bit stubborn,” I conceded.
“Stubbornness runs in the family.” Ren laughed when I punched him in the arm, and his eyes sparkled with a familiar gleam. With a squeal I took off running while Ren grabbed my quilt and wrapped it around me.
He kissed me thoroughly and with me on his lap, we sank into our favorite chair.
“You can’t escape my clutches, Mrs. Rajaram,” he said brusquely.
I put my arms around his neck and drew him closer, his lips right next to mine. “And I’ll never want to,” I whispered confident in my choice.
I knew then that my future had always been Ren.
Destiny chose me...
Tobefriend him...
Tosave him...
Tolove him.
And I would spend the rest of my life doing just that.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Finishing a book is an exhilarating sensation. I imagine it’s similar to the feeling of reaching a mountain peak or finishing a marathon—utter exhaustion meets a deep sense of satisfaction. Occasionally, I look back at my writing journey, marvel at just how far I’ve come, and wonder how on earth I did it.
But, I also remember that I didn’t climb that mountain alone. I had companions in this marathon. My family has always been a source of strength. My brothers and sisters and their respective spouses are dauntless in their support and encouragement.
In creatingTiger’s Destiny, I’d like to especially thank my youngest brother Jared for patiently going through all my battle scenes. He acts out each one which is so important in getting it just right and he makes me laugh when my life gets too tense.
I’m also deeply grateful for his wife, Suki, who manages all my giveaways and contests. She’s always available and shows great patience with me when teaching me how to better my social media skills. Thanks to my sister, Tonnie, for taking on the juggernaut that is my fan mail so that I have more time to write.
Mom and Dad, you two are the best. This past year my mom has painted, glued, strung, sewed, glittered, and dyed more things than I could ever wear or give away. She is amazing and I’m always in awe of her talents. My dad organizes all my personal trips. It’s so nice to be able to say, “Dad, I need a hotel in Timbuktu,” and he’s off and running.
Special thanks to Alex Glass, my agent who helped make my dream of being an author possible and to Raffi Kryszek who has made the optioning of my books a thrilling roller-coaster ride.
At the publishing house, Sterling, I’d like to thank Judi Powers, Katie Connors, Meaghan Finnerty, Katrina Damkoehler, Mary Hern, Fred Pagan, and especially my editor, Cindy Loh.
I believe I’ve been remiss in forgetting to thank Cliff Nielson who designed my brilliant covers. He does an amazing job!
Sudha Seshadri has been a wonderful guide and adviser on all things India. She’s been with me through the whole series and is always ready to lend an expert hand when I need it.
I’d also like to express my appreciation for my fans. You guys are all amazing! You send me poetry, art, gifts, and special notes that make my day. You also tweet, blog, like, friend, and follow me everywhere with many of you interacting with me on a daily basis. You’re all lovely and a delight to meet online and at my events. I send good wishes out to you every day and heart your homemade T-shirts. Your support means the world to me.
Lastly, I’d like to thank my husband, Brad, who sees the best and the worst of me. Tigers have pretty much taken over his life but he enjoys every minute. It’s wonderful to have such a good man at my side—one that walks with me through this journey and helps me over the rough spots. I couldn’t ask for a better companion.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Space and Time
Chapter 1
Pursued
Chapter 2
Ascension
Chapter 3
Shotgun
Chapter 4
Reunion
Chapter 5
Putting the Pieces Together
Chapter 6
Vaishno Devi Shrine
Chapter 7
Destiny
Chapter 8
A Farewell
Chapter 9
Voices of the Departed
Chapter 10
The Birth of Durga
Chapter 11
Pledged
Chapter 12
Guise
Chapter 13
Barren Island
Chapter 14
Phoenix
Chapter 15
Sati Wife
Chapter 16
Firefruit
Chapter 17
The Cave of Sleep and Death
Chapter 18
Rakshasa
Chapter 19
Qilin
Chapter 20
Bodha—City of Light
Chapter 21
Lords of the Flame
Chapter 22
The Heat of Battle
Chapter 23
Chimera
Chapter 24
A New World
Chapter 25
Sibling Rivalry
Chapter 26
Allies
Chapter 27
War
Chapter 28
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Chapter 29
Defeating Mahishasur
Chapter 30
Amulet United
Chapter 31
Trading Places
Chapter 32
Promises
Chapter 33
Futami Rope
Epilogue
Rising Generation
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