By C Phillip
Call of the Peacock
A flash fiction romance by C Phillip
Devaani hastened down the palace porch back to her living quarters. Feeling on edge, she clutched the ruby pendant at her neck. Her personal guards followed, their sharp eyes scanning the premises.
She’d gone halfway to the temple for the evening ceremony, and turned back when the pendant glowed a fiery red. The danger signal only activated on sensing a harmful entity close by. The magical gem, a parting gift from her late brother, had kept her safe once again.
The threat to her life had escalated since her beloved brother’s untimely death on the battlefield a fortnight ago. Just two days back, her personal guards had thwarted a gang of kidnappers within the temple premises.
Will the enemy not let me pray and mourn in peace?
Taking a deep breath, she gulped back her tears. The princess of Devbhoomi must appear composed at all times. For the past seven years, she’d fulfilled the royal duties in her brother’s absence while denying the sorrow in her heart.
At the entrance to her chambers, she stopped the guards. “Dismissed! Go back and secure the palace!”
They shot quick glances at each other.
“Now!” she snapped.
Despite their clear reluctance, they bowed and set off. Palace rules forbade armed persons from entering the royal living quarters.
The gem had cooled. Good, the danger must have passed.
Feeling less anxious, Devaani opened the door and stepped into the corridor towards an inner door. Her trusted maids waited inside.
To her right, barricaded windows looked out over a sheltered courtyard bathed in twilight. A light breeze wafted in, carrying the scent of night jasmines and a cuckoo’s melodious song.
On her left, life-size statues of celestial nymphs and musicians adorned the wall. Her gaze snapped back. An open palm-sized scroll swayed from a statue’s extended arm. She plucked it off, recognising the red symbol inside at once—a crown of peacock feathers with the name Devdatta written below it in Sanskrit—her brother’s personal emblem.
A wild idea erupted in her mind. Turning to the closest window, her eyes searched the courtyard. Is my brother still alive and trying to contact me? Or am I going insane with grief and loneliness?
Measured footsteps echoed on the wooden floor behind her, inching closer. Her pulse quickened.
A trap? For a moment, fear got the better of her. Dropping the scroll, she pivoted towards the inner door.
Too late! One large hand sealed her mouth, and another caught her securely around the waist. Struggling to break free, she pounded her small fists on her captor’s fingers.
“Don’t be frightened, princess,” a deep male voice whispered in her ear. “If you promise not to scream or run, I’ll release you.”
She fought off mounting panic. A kidnapper? How can I trust him?
Clutching her pendant tighter, she chanted a summoning spell in her mind. To her dismay, the gem glowed once and dimmed. The guards would never reach her now.
“Ratnaraj?” the man remarked. “Impressive. Did Crown Prince Devdatta give it to you? It won’t work against me, though. I’m not your enemy.”
He knew my brother?
No danger signal from the pendant; no summons to the guards. It’d never failed her before. Is this person telling the truth?
Distracted, she stopped resisting. He released her at once. Gasping, she stepped aside and turned to look at him.
Plain white garments and simple gold ornaments… A priest? But no, he wore leather sandals on his feet, and stood uncommonly tall and lithe. A mesmerising criss-cross pattern of light from the windows flickered over the light ebony skin of his muscular upper arms.
More like a soldier than a priest.
His striking brown eyes stared back at her from above the folds of a white cloth mask. Her cheeks warmed.
No one had stared at her in such a brazen manner before. Be it members of the court, guards or servants, all kept their heads lowered in her presence.
Confused, her eyes darted around the corridor. Where had he been hiding? How did I not see him before?
“Over there,” he spoke as though reading her mind, and jerked his thumb at an alcove between two stone musicians. “I was sitting there when you arrived. That part is in complete shadow, you see. Perfect for hiding.”
She gaped. Brazen and arrogant!
“You can’t be here,” she cried. “It’s impossible!”
He shrugged. “Your palace is not completely secured against fire portals.” He took a step towards her. “Princess, I need to speak with you.”
She raised a hand. “Stay back or I’ll scream!”
“I’m not here to kidnap you.” Palms up, he stopped. “See? I carry no weapons.”
How strange! His words and actions were suspicious, yet her fear and nervousness had dissipated. Can I trust my instincts?
Head high, she demanded, “Who are you? How dare you set foot in my chambers? Remove that mask!”
“You can call me Mitram.” He pulled off the mask, revealing his handsome, square-jawed face and a head of cropped, dark brown hair. Picking up the scroll from the floor, he held it open in one hand.
“Princess, I know you can’t trust me,” he said, holding her gaze, “but will you please hear me out?”
“How did you get that?” Her voice faltered, knowing the answer. Only her brother’s most trusted people carried it.
“Devdatta was my friend,” he whispered. “I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
She tore her gaze from her brother’s emblem. “Were you with him when it happened?”
Pain crossed his features, as though she’d shot an arrow into his chest. He shook his head, tucking the scroll into his cummerbund. “I keep wishing I’d been there. I’ve fought at Devdatta’s side for many months, but on that dreadful day, I was away on a secret mission. When I returned, it was already too late.”
Sorrow overcame her. Why now of all times?
She clapped her hands to her mouth as hot tears streamed down her cheeks. He turned to the window and waited in silence until she had wept to her heart’s content. Is he being considerate or he simply feels awkward? Either way, the sight of his broad back calmed her. She dried her eyes with the back of her hands.
“Mitram,” she asked, “is that really your name?”
He spun around, eyebrows raised. “You’re right. It’s not. How did you know?”
“You have the scroll,” she replied. “It could get you an audience with me and my father in court. Instead, you waited here in secret. Are you hiding from someone in my palace?” Her eyes narrowed. “Or you don’t trust me either, do you?”
“Apologies, princess.” He bowed low.
Is he relieved?
As his eyes locked onto hers again, his expression remained unreadable. Despite appearing brazen and arrogant, he sounded earnest, comforting, even affectionate.
Why was she so drawn to him?
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them. “I’m impressed. You’re as wise as you’re beautiful.”
Her heart jumped. His breath warm on her face, his closeness and rich sandalwood perfume overpowered her restraint. Unable to look away, she caught a glint of purple in his dark irises—proof of his true power. No wonder he spoke of fire portals and recognised her magical pendant.
“I do trust you,” he continued, “but my life is in danger. My true identity must remain a secret for now.”
Before she could respond, a peacock called from the courtyard. He shot another glance at the window.
“I haven’t much time. Tell me, princess, have you received any letters from Devdatta since last summer?”
She clenched her fists. Why did he ask that?
Before leaving for the war, her brother had promised to write frequently. At first, he’d kept the promise. Over time, his letters had dwindled until the past year, when she’d received none.
“About a month ago,” she said, watching Mitram’s reaction, “he wrote to Father. He needed more funds for supplies and weapons.”
A troubled frown wrinkled his forehead. “Princess, he wrote you six letters. Waited every day for your reply.”
Her mind reeled. Her legs trembled. Six letters?
She reached for the nearest statue, falling short of the target. His rough hand caught hers in a firm grip while his other arm supported her waist.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“I-I’ll live,” she murmured, trying hard not to stare at his toned shoulders while refocussing her thoughts. What happened to those letters?
He helped her lean against the wall between two statues before stepping back. “You never received them, did you?”
Relishing the coolness of the stone on her skin, she sank to the floor. “There may be many traitors in my palace,” she admitted, “but why would anyone steal my personal letters?”
Is he lying? Her mind accused him while her heart acquitted him. The pendant was never wrong. The scroll was proof enough.
He knelt down beside her. “Devdatta was right about you,” he said, a winsome smile lighting up his features. “He always said you’d make a fine ruler if given the chance.”
“Did he?” She looked back at him.
His head tilted to one side. “The fate of this kingdom is in your hands now. Your chosen partner will be the new crown prince. I heard the King will declare it soon at court.”
Her face warmed again. “What has that got to do with my letters?”
His smile turned into a penetrating stare. Her heart felt ready to burst out of her chest.
He took a deep breath and spoke as he exhaled. “If I present myself in court as a suitor, would you allow it?”
Her breath hitched. “You—”
He smiled again. “Devdatta suggested it the first time I met him last summer.”
His words churned in her mind. “The six letters he wrote…”
Mitram nodded. “A marriage alliance. He hoped you would agree.”
“Is that why you’re here?”
“Your opinion mattered the most to Devdatta.” He spoke with emphasis as his hand rested on his chest. “As it does to me.”
She ran her fingers across her forehead. “And my letters were stolen…”
He pursed his lips. “Traitors are everywhere. Someone must’ve leaked the contents.”
“But why?” she squeaked.
He hesitated. “All I can say is that this marriage alliance might’ve secured a ceasefire six months ago.”
She chewed her lip. Six months ago… a ceasefire? It would have been enough. Her brother would still be alive. The thought made her tremble again.
He caught her hand. Despite his calluses and battle scars, the touch felt pleasant, soothing even.
“Princess,” he said, “I promise to find and destroy all traitors.”
She couldn’t help smiling back. “In exchange for marrying me?”
Eyes sparkling with hope, he squeezed her hand. “I only ask for a chance to prove myself worthy. If I win your heart, it would be my greatest honour to marry you and rule this kingdom by your side.”
Speechless, she lowered her gaze. To her surprise, their fingers were linked. When did that happen? Cheeks burning, she pulled and he let go.
The peacock called again, closer to the window this time. Jumping to his feet, he whistled in reply.
The inner doors were flung open. Her maids filed into the corridor, shouting at Mitram. A ball of fire appeared, spiralling to its full size at an alarming rate. Everyone halted in their tracks, wincing at the bright light of the fire portal.
“Princess, I shall return for your answer,” Mitram said, and leapt into the magical flames.
The fire portal dissolved at once. Flocked by her maids, Devaani rose to her feet. In the distance, the temple bells rang out. The evening ceremony had begun.
Amid a clamour of worried and angry voices, all she could think of was the missing letters and her mysterious new suitor, Mitram.
The End
Call of the Peacock is a flash fiction romance with secondary main characters from an upcoming historical fantasy action series based in a parallel universe of Ancient India, written by C Phillip.
About the Author
C Phillip is a Mumbai-based, self-published author of 5 books in 2 series, one light novel and short stories. She writes action-packed historical fiction and fantasy books with a generous helping of romance, suspense and strong female leads. Apart from writing books, C Phillip is engaged in active research on women’s empowerment in ancient India, which she uses as a basis for creating credible, diverse, dynamic and multifaceted characters within an Indian premise.
By C Phillip
I vote for this story.. amazing and so well written
Voted! I can't wait to read the full story 💜
Voting for Call Of The Peacock ❤️❤️
Beautifully written.
This is such a lovely story. I vote for this one. The tension between the characters is shown brilliantly.
I vote for this beautiful story- well deserved !!
It was well written. I was throughout engaged in the story and even though it is a short story, I was looking forward to the next part.