His answer got him a look over her shoulder, one that her mother might have been proud of. It was particularly 'wifely' – Nali was immediately grateful that her new husband had already buried his face back into his pillow. Shaking her head, Nali moved away from the window, wrapping herself in a long dressing gown, a last-minute gift from one of her sisters. Ivory silk, embroidered with blessings picked out in shining ebony threads. A lovely present, and useful in the next hour while Nalini moved around the suite.
When she returned to the bedroom, it was with a tray of breakfast, still covered and warm. She placed it on the empty side of the bed before calling Ashok's name again – more coaxing than demanding, this time. "Look, Ashok – breakfast is here. Come, it's time to get up. We aren't meant to keep the Cirque waiting."