Chapter Text
The dull glint of the bronze lamp flashed in his mismatched eyes. The flickering light of the candle cast sharp shadows over the face that was looming over him, staring him down. This was the same face that had flooded with concern during those long weeks of mourning his father, that had provided gentle reassurance when he had finally ascended the throne.
Only now, it wore a mask of disdainful contempt.
"Why?" he asked. "Why? I thought we were...."
"Friends?" was the scoffed reply. "Family? 'Brothers in all but blood'?"
"How did I miss this?" he mumbled, more to himself than anyone else. "How did this happen?"
"You have taken everything from me.... Now you shall see what it is like to be cast aside and forgotten!"
"Takshaka, please!" he pleaded. "This bitterness does not suit you!"
"You do not know me anymore," Takshaka snarled.
"Please.... think of Krithika.... and my little Arundhati! Do not be the reason she grows up without a father!"
Takshaka smiled, slow and vicious. "Oh, old friend.... I am afraid she will not be growing at all. I can see it now.... a terrible accident to the crown's only heir. And at such a young age, too, barely seeing three years before her tragic death. Such a pity."
Fury, hot and burning, clouded his mind, and he advanced on his minister, unsheathing his blade with a low growl. "If you harm even a hair on my Aru's head, I will-"
"Bold words from someone who will never see the light of day again," Takshaka cut in calmly. "Just know that you caused this pain to yourself and your family. Your downfall is your own fault."
Your downfall is your own fault.
The words rang in his head, growing louder even as Takshaka struck two stones together and recited an incantation that made the pale lamp glow with the light of a thousand suns. Belatedly, he realized what was happening, and opened his mouth to speak-
Nothing came out, for he had been sucked into the lamp with his advisor's face as his last memory.
Takshaka smiled, and blew out the candle.