Page 52 of Heart of Night and Fire

Zarya stopped pacing. “What do you mean?”

“It’s becoming volatile and unpredictable. Before, it was just a slow creep, but now it’s jumping. Pockets of rot are appearing in detached areas. And the demons are becoming stronger and bolder. A pack of vetalas killed three Khada soldiers this afternoon.”

The lines around Yasen’s mouth grew tight, and she walked over to place a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. Were they your friends?”

He shrugged, though she sensed he was trying to make the gesture appear more casual than it was. “I trained them. But that’s the life of a soldier. Friendships are always temporary when death is your constant mistress.”

Zarya didn’t like that answer at all. Despite his general abrasiveness, she was worried about him. She sensed there were secrets and truths he was holding tight. Things that were painful for him to examine too closely, something she understood all too well.

“Be careful when you’re out there,” she said. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”

“Now you see why I didn’t want you joining them?” he asked as he held open the door and they left the haveli, entering the bustling streets of Dharati before taking a shortcut through the palace to get to the stables.

“I want to help,” she said again, and he let out a resigned sigh.

As usual, dozens of vanshaj scurried about the palace, laden with bedsheets and towels, trays full of food, pitchers of wine and water, along with whatever item someone had demanded from the other side of the sprawling compound.

Zarya watched Yasen eyeing a woman as she passed, her head bent low and her eyes on her feet. She saw the way his fist tightened and remembered how impassioned he’d been when he’d spoken of the uprisings in the northern part of the continent. While she’d first assumed he was unaffected by their presence, it was now obvious it bothered him as much as it did her.

“This is what I signed up for when I joined the queen’s ranks,” he said as they continued, picking up on their earlier conversation. “Kind of.”

“What do you mean ‘kind of’?”

“I always knew I’d join the army. But I dreamed of traveling throughout Rahajhan, fighting battles for Daragaab across the continent. Or maybe as a mercenary with no one and nothing to answer to. I’ve always wanted to see more than just this place.”

They found the palace stables and selected a pair of horses.

“You don’t like it here?”

“After a hundred years of conquest, Daragaab’s borders have been secure for decades. Rani Vasvi is impervious to magic, and our military is renowned, so our enemies are few. For a soldier, it can become tedious.

“I’ve considered going to Gi’ana or even Andhera to join their ranks. The nexus of three regions, plus the Saaya in between, ensures things are never really settled.

“What’s the Saaya?”

“It’s unceded territory both regions have been fighting over for centuries.”

“Why?”

“Just a few hundred untapped diamond mines.”

Zarya whistled at that. “I guess I can see why no one wants to let go.”

The corner of Yasen’s mouth ticked up. “But I can’t abandon Vikram,” he added.

“He doesn’t want to leave?”

Yasen shook his head. “His father would never allow it. The Ravanas are essentially royalty, and Vikram has duties he must fulfill.”

Something in Yasen’s voice told Zarya this was at the heart of their argument, but she didn’t want to pry. While he was being amicable, she didn’t want to risk getting on his bad side again, so she let the matter drop for now. It was none of her business.

“At least the blight has kept things interesting.”

She gave him an incredulous stare.

“What? I realize it’s unfortunate those soldiers were eaten today, but at least it was a little excitement.”

“Honestly,” she said, muttering under her breath as Yasen laughed.