Page 118 of Heart of Night and Fire

“You didn’t need to keep any of this from me,” she said, not restraining the accusation in her tone. “I would have listened to you. Done what you asked to stay safe.”

Row searched for his next words. “I’m sorry, Zarya. I was wrong. I should never have kept you in that house, and I should have told you the truth. All of it. I was afraid. I convinced myself the danger was so great that I caved into the fear, letting it control me.”

Zarya said nothing, scrubbing a tear that slipped down her cheek.

“I wanted to give you the answers you sought all those years. Now that you have them, I’m sorry none of it is what you hoped for.”

“And now what?” Yasen asked. “Isn’t Zarya in danger now?”

“Perhaps,” said Row, “but there is no reason to think Raja Abishek has any idea Zarya exists. ”

“But people saw my magic.”

“Most would have no idea what they saw. The only other solution is to go into hiding.”

Hiding. A few minutes ago, that was exactly what she had intended to do. But now, she wasn’t sure if that was the answer.

“Could I help with the blight?” she asked, holding up her hands.

“I think you could,” Kindle said. “When I tested you for magic, it was my hope this was what I’d find.”

“Then I’m not going anywhere,” Zarya said. Row opened his mouth, but she cut him off. “No. I’ve said from the beginning I wanted to help, and if I can make a real difference, then I’m staying.”

Row dipped his head. “I can understand that, but you’ll need to be careful.”

“So, what do we do, then?” Yasen asked.

“We need to find out what Abishek knows,” Row said. “If he knows Zarya exists.”

“And if he does?” Zarya asked.

Row clasped his hands, his forehead furrowing. “Then we have to ensure you never fall into his hands.”

“Absolutely,” Yasen said, putting his arm around Zarya, pressing a kiss to her temple. She gave him a tentative smile.

None of this was what she had wanted. Her dreams had always been simple. A life outside the cottage. A family. Friends. Love. To learn that her family by blood only wanted to use her or dispose of her was forcing her to come to terms with realities she’d never imagined.

She’d been too naive to navigate this world on her own.

But she wasn’t on her own anymore.

She looked around the room. At the faces that had become so familiar to her over the last few months.

Apsara came to stand behind Zarya and placed a hand on her shoulder. “If he does come for you, we will all protect you.”

Zarya looked at her, something warm and honeyed erupting in her chest. Her vision blurred with tears.

A family. Of a sort.

And maybe the only one she’d ever truly have.

* * *