Page 17 of Heart of Night and Fire

A wave of fatigue caught up with her. The past two days had been stuffed with more adventure and excitement than she had experienced in a lifetime. Tonight, she would sleep in the palace’s opulent bedroom, and tomorrow, she would figure out what came next.

Whatever happened, she was finally free, and she intended to stay that way.

SEVEN

Waves crashed against the shore, rousing Zarya from a deep and dreamless sleep. She slid out of bed and padded over to the doors that led out to a balcony overlooking the ocean. With her face tipped to the sun, she inhaled a deep breath of fresh sea air and stretched her arms overhead, sighing at the ache in her muscles.

It was still nearly impossible to believe she’d just spent a night sleeping inside Jai Mahal. She’d gone from the loneliest corner of the world to the bustling luxury of a palace. If she had anyone in her life to tell, this would have made for a very good story.

Zarya returned to her room to change, where she found a salwar kameez made of shimmery, bright pink silk.

In the sitting room, she found breakfast laid out on one of the low tables. Vikram and Yasen sat talking with plates balanced in their laps. Aarav’s door remained firmly shut, and she tossed an irate scowl his way, even if he couldn’t see it.

Both rakshasas looked up when she entered, Vikram giving her a crooked smile that sent a flurry of butterflies bursting in her stomach.

“That color really suits you,” he said, his gaze skirting her from head to toe as her cheeks flushed.

On the table was a large pot of chai. Zarya gratefully poured herself a cup and leaned back with it cradled in her hands.

“So, you promised me a tour of the city?” she said, looking expectantly between the two rakshasas.

“I’ll take you,” Vikram replied. “Yasen is on duty at Ambar Fort this morning.”

“What’s Ambar Fort?”

“It’s where most of the queen’s army trains and lives. We can stop there. Yasen loves it when I bring visitors.” Vikram grinned and slapped his friend on the back. Yasen glared at him and then at Zarya.

“Speaking of which, I should get going.” Yasen stood, his shoulders stiff. “Enjoy the city.” He tossed Vikram a pointed look before marching out of the room.

“He must be fun at parties,” Zarya said, biting into a crispy piece of fried dosa and gesturing to the door.

Vikram snorted. “Don’t mind him. He’s harmless. Shall we?”

Zarya nodded eagerly and wiped her hands on a napkin before jumping up from her seat.

When Vikram held an elbow out, she hesitated, chewing the inside of her lip.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, his green eyes brimming with concern.

While she was enjoying his attention, it was also overwhelming to finally be noticed. Being in the presence of anyone who wasn’t Row or Aarav was going to take some getting used to. She shook her head at her foolishness, wondering when this feeling would pass—this breathless sensation of surfacing from a lifetime lived an inch below water. But Vikram would think she was being ridiculous if she told him the truth.

Given all of Row’s warnings, maybe she should have been less trusting and more careful about the strangers she’d met, but she had a good feeling about him. Besides, the need for freedom warred with her sense of self-preservation, and caution was just another cage keeping her in.

And so, Zarya’s smile grew bright as she accepted his arm before he escorted her out of the palace.

Outside, the streets were as busy as the night before, and they wandered through the masses as Vikram pointed out landmarks and introduced her to so many wonders that she couldn’t seem to open her eyes wide enough to take it all in. No matter what happened, no matter how angry Row was when he returned, she’d never regret taking this chance.

A tiny voice in her head reminded her not to get too comfortable here. She had to get out of Dharati in case Row did return because he wouldn’t allow her rebellion to go unchallenged. She needed to find a way to earn some money so she wouldn’t be destitute when she left, but right now, she was also content to enjoy the tour and Vikram’s very enthusiastic company.

They passed the iron city gates they’d come through yesterday. They stood open again, revealing the forest and plains beyond. Zarya shuddered at the memory of the demons that had chased them to the city walls, while Vikram’s eyes darkened as he scanned the area.

“Yesterday, when the kimpurusha chased us, you did something with your hand. It held them back?” she asked.

The concern on his face cleared as he looked back at her. “It was just a bit of magic thrown at them. The demons recoil from it, but it isn’t enough to harm them. Not as effectively as an arrow through the skull, anyway.” Vikram pointed a finger at his forehead and made a popping sound, and Zarya laughed. “The city walls are enchanted by the queen to keep them out, so we ensure everyone comes inside before night falls. But the magic can only do so much, and a special force known as the Khada patrols the perimeter after the sun sets, fighting off anything that gets too close. It’s a dangerous job, but it’s the only way to keep everyone safe.”

“What exactly are they? The creatures? I’ve encountered naga near my home, but I’ve never seen ones like that before.”

“No one really knows. Demons of myth and legend who haven’t been seen in these lands for centuries. Things that should have remained in storybooks, rather than arriving at night to knock down our doors.”