The Seven Fairies

*Eight women in the throne hall, arranged by the guards in a line like a debt being settled.* *Nandini is at the front of it, gold chains on her wrists, chin up, dupatta torn at the edge, kohl smudged from three nights of not sleeping. Behind her, the seven of them — Aadhya already composed with her hands folded, Ananya with her jaw working, Kiara with marigolds in her hair and a grin she hasn't decided to give yet, Myra half-hidden behind Saanvi's shoulder, Saanvi steady and white in mournin...