Page 101 of Heart of Night and Fire

Jasmine pressed her mouth together, clearly not happy with this response.

“Mother,” Vikram said, wrapping a hand around her shoulder. “We cannot delay. To do otherwise could mean Daragaab’s ruin.”

“Very well. It won’t be easy, but I’ll do my best.”

She squared her shoulders like she was a soldier about to face a horde and not a woman being asked to plan a party on short notice.

“Thank you,” Vikram said. He turned to Amrita. “Are you ready?”

The princess nodded, her posture straight and her expression determined.

“Of course I am.”

“Good, then we’ll need everyone’s help, and we’ll need to move fast. They’re coming for us.”

Vikram looked towards the city wall, along with everyone else who’d overheard their conversation.

An ominous shriek far in the distance pierced the night as Vikram’s grim words repeated in Zarya’s ears.

They’re coming for us.

THIRTY-SIX

Despite the solemnity of the occasion, Vikram and Amrita’s joining day dawned with a bright sun peeking over the horizon. Zarya slid out of bed and headed downstairs, where she made herself some chai and spiced scrambled eggs. A few moments later, Aarav came down with his arm slung around the shoulders of a pretty young woman who was giggling at something he’d just said.

“Good morning,” Zarya said, raising an eyebrow.

Aarav grinned. “Zarya, meet Lekha.”

Zarya smiled at the young woman, who bowed with a shy tip of her chin. “Nice to meet you, Zarya. I need to get going.” She pecked Aarav on the cheek and scurried out.

Aarav watched her leave with a goofy expression on his face.

“Who was that?” Zarya asked.

“I met her in the infirmary after one of my shifts. She bandaged me up. She’s going to be my date for the ceremony later.” He poured himself a cup of chai and leaned against the counter, wallowing in his smugness.

“Well, aren’t you just the most charming prince,” Zarya replied, her mouth now full of eggs.

“I suppose Yasen is taking you?” Aarav canted his head in a gesture of pity, causing Zarya to frown.

“No, he’s busy with Vikram. Sidekick duty and all that.”

Did she need a date? And was it too late to find one? No, that was ridiculous. Maybe she’d meet someone later, she mused, the corners of her lips turning up at the thought.

Zarya went to answer a knock at the door, finding two women she’d never seen before, one armed with an enormous makeup kit, while the other held up a garment bag proudly. “The most esteemed future steward sent us to help you get ready, miss.” They curtsied to Zarya. “We’ll set up and call you in a moment.”

They headed upstairs in a cloud of perfume while Zarya stared after them in surprise.

Aarav shook his head as he bit into a piece of roti. “That rakshasa is so completely in love with you.”

Zarya gave him a sharp look. “I thought you said I had to stay away from them because rakshasas only had one thing on their minds.”

He shrugged. “I have better things to worry about now.”

She snorted a derisive huff. “It may surprise you to know men and women can be friends without it meaning more. He knows it’s over between us.” Zarya drew herself to her full height and looked down her nose at him.

“Whatever,” he muttered.