Page 21 of Heart of Night and Fire

Yasen narrowed his eyes, and Zarya got the sense she’d just done something wrong, though she couldn’t imagine what. She sucked in a tense breath as he took a slow step towards her.

Zarya had to look up to meet him in the eye, and she did her best not to cower under his penetrating stare. “Are you keeping something from us, Swamp Girl?”

“Do not call me that,” she said through clenched teeth.

He smirked, but there was not a trace of amusement in it. “How are you going to stop me?”

“Shall we get some lunch?” Vikram clapped his hands right between their faces in a clear attempt to distract them from whatever this was. They turned to look at him, their stances locked for a fight. “Yasen! Join us.”

Zarya took the opportunity to take a step back, distancing herself from Yasen’s line of questioning. Yes, she was hiding things, and the less anyone knew about where she’d come from, the better.

“Yes, please,” she said, keeping her eyes on Yasen, watching for any sudden movements. She didn’t trust him for a moment. The silver-haired rakshasa glowered at her and then nodded slowly.

“Excellent,” Vikram said, steering Zarya away by the elbow, a note of relief in his voice. “I know just the place.”

NINE

Yasen spent lunch with his arms crossed, glaring at everyone who passed, and Zarya was immediately sorry Vikram had invited him. They sat outside a tavern next to the palace, overlooking the water, their table shaded by the flowering boughs of the Jai Tree. The scent of blossoms permeated the air, mixing with the scent of the nearby ocean.

Zarya couldn’t get enough of the city. The feeling of being lost in the masses, just one normal person going about their life with a home and a family and people who loved them to return to at the end of the day. That’s all she wanted. It’s all she’d ever wanted.

Their server brought out bottles of wine, along with platters of chili chicken, chapatis, and savory fried vegetable pakoras with tangy tamarind chutney. She also brought a stone carafe and two stone cups from which Vikram poured a stream of thick red liquid before handing one to Yasen.

“Is it true, then?” Zarya asked, leaning forward, sure of what she’d witnessed but dying to confirm it. Had her books been accurate about rakshasa lore? She sat back abruptly, her face heating. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”

“It’s okay. Yes, rakshasas drink blood. Is that strange to you?” Vikram asked, with a curious tilt of his head.

“I’ve never met one of your… kind. Only read about you.” She winced, realizing how pathetic that sounded.

“How very strange. There are many of us in Daragaab. You are very mysterious, Zarya. Have you never ventured beyond the southern shore before yesterday?”

She noticed Yasen stiffen as if he were now paying attention to their conversation, waiting to hear her answer, when he’d been pointedly ignoring both her and Vikram until now.

“Oh, of course,” she said, waving a hand. “It’s just been a long time. I was much younger. I must have met rakshasas then. I just forgot.” Her laugh sounded forced even to her, and Yasen glared her way, but Vikram just offered another one of his patient smiles. She couldn’t tell if he found her charming or absolutely brainless.

“Can I ask…” Her unfinished question hung in the air.

“What?” Vikram asked, while Yasen continued watching their exchange, one arm across his broad chest, the other holding his stone cup in mid-air.

“What sort of blood is it?”

“This is human,” Vikram said, taking a sip and laughing as Zarya cringed. “Don’t worry. Willing donors are paid handsomely for their gift.” He winked. “Of course, devakin blood is much sweeter. Aazheri blood is the most succulent, but they aren’t particularly willing snacks most of the time.”

He took another sip and then smiled broadly, exposing his sharp and elongated canines.

“What are the teeth for if you drink it from a cup?”

Yasen sputtered, choking on his drink as he slammed a fist to the middle of his chest.

“Sorry, that was rude. I’m sorry. I don’t have a lot of experience with conversation. I’m not good at this.” She flapped her hands and covered her face.

“The teeth,” Vikram said, apparently not minding her curiosity, “are for biting, yes. Many hundreds of years ago, our ancestors subsisted on hunting animals and humans. But as we mated with yakshis and other species over the centuries, our tastes slowly changed. We are far more civilized now. While we still crave blood and need it in small doses, we also enjoy the same foods you do.

“Animal blood isn’t particularly satisfying but will do in a pinch. There is a thriving market of blood procurement for rakshasa tastes.”

“Oh,” Zarya said, her cheeks turning hot as she considered her next question, wondering if her books had been faithful on this next—and very important—point. “Do you also use the teeth for… other things?” The question came out as a breathless whisper.

Yasen barked out a laugh and leaned forward with a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Oh, tell me she’s asking what I think she’s asking.”