Jul 16, 2021
If only they had met in another world, another life. Instead she found him in this one. Bound by duty and honor, sworn to protect and serve.
The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala
seen from Saudi Arabia
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Japan
seen from Türkiye
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Russia
seen from Russia
seen from United States
seen from Japan
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from Australia
If only they had met in another world, another life. Instead she found him in this one. Bound by duty and honor, sworn to protect and serve.
The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala
‘As long as it’s other people you’re trying to kill and not me, everything will be fine between us.’ The laugh that burst from her was free, unencumbered, a sparrow taking flight in clear skies. Lightness was returning to her world and she noticed the breeze on her skin, the warmth of Kunal’s fingertips against her temple, the feeling of knowing someone saw her.
The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala
‘Esha, stop!’ The ferocity of his words stopped her. ‘Stop running away. You let me live a dozen times over, you came back for me. You know who else has done that in my life? No one. No one has ever fought for me, ever.’ The ferocity had lessened, a small grin appearing on his face. ‘We may have had a small rough patch where we tried to capture and kill each other. So what?’ Esha snorted, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. Blood came off her cheek. ‘And this? You like me like this? My knife freshly blooded from killing soldiers like yourself?’ She waited, expecting another pithy comment, a sly retort, a smart evasion. ‘Yes. I’m more than just a solider. You’re more than the Viper. Esha saw the truth of it in Kuanl’s eyes, shining at her so bright and eager. It made the hard steel edges of her heart melt. She shook her head. He was insane, but who was she to question it? It was what she had always wanted, deep in a secret place. Someone who saw both Esha and the Viper and ran from neither. She had a hard time with that herself.’
The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala
You’re the only spot of good in this world that gives me hope. I believe in you. I believe you deserve that simple life you wanted, lemon boy.
The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala
‘Every time. Every time I see the ocean, I have the same feeling. my heart squeezes at the beauty and its absolute enormity. And I think again how I will never be able to paint its majesty or capture its every facet because I’ll never be worthy of it.’ Kunal fought the tightness in his chest. Esha looked at him with those inscrutable eyes. ‘Why do you need to be worthy to capture the ocean’s beauty?’ she asked, her brow furrowed. Kunal struggled, unable to find the words. ‘Something so raw and untamed? Pure? Hundred will dedicate their lives to art, to capturing the beauty and passion in the land around us.’ His mouth hardened and he felt the words spill from his lips before he could stop them, a soft whisper. ‘I will never be worthy.’ She shook her head at him, her lips pursed. ‘That’s stupid.’ Kunal felt the hairs on his neck bristle. He scrunched his forehead together, hot words on his tongue. ‘It’s not about being worthy. It’s about respect. Do you respect this land? Your people? Then you are entitled to it the same as everyone else. We’re not born perfect and we don’t die that way.’ The words on his tongue melted away as Kunal considered her. In a few words, they had exposed themselves to each other in a way more intimate than any brush of lips.
The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala
Bhandu clasped him on the shoulder as the prince left, his hand clenched on the hilt of the knife on his belt. It jarred him out of his thoughts, which were swirling in confusion, trying to decipher what had just occurred. ‘Good luck, Kunal. I know the prince mentioned attempted murder on your part but if you touch a hair on her head, I will find you. Anyways, I’m more worried about you, cat eyes. Try not to get killed—by her,’ Bhandu said with a grin, the twins looking at him with matching expressions of envy. Arpiya was silent, her head going between Esha and the retreating Harun with an eyebrow quirked. ‘If she hasn’t killed me so far, it’ll be harder than you seem to think,’ Kunal said in response. Bhandu let out a deep-throated laugh, the sound rumbling. ‘That’s because she’s never truly wanted you dead. Make sure it stays that way.’
The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala
‘Oi, cat eyes. Come over here,’ Bhandu said, calling loudly for him over the sounds of clashing swords, swinging maces, and grunts of pain. Kunal sighed, shaking his head as he walked over. ‘My name is Kunal, not cat eyes,’ he said in response, taking the spot next to Bhandu […] Bhandu laughed, a sound like a roar. ‘Kunal, then. Despite being a “former” soldier, you’ve got the markings of a person I might like. Let’s see if you pass the test.’
The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala
‘I remember bits and pieces of her songs, but he beat the poetry out of me and left cold steel instead. I still don’t know when I forgot the sound of my mother’s voice,’ Kuanl said, memories painting his words blue.
The Tiger at Midnight, Swati Teerdhala