Page 67 of Heart of Night and Fire

With a sigh, she flipped to the other side, attempting to find a comfortable position. She jolted at a clicking sound coming from the glass doors leading to the garden. Why was someone sneaking around outside?

Slowly she sat up before pretending to sort through the stack of books on the table. Row’s sword, which she’d taken to carrying almost everywhere, sat propped against it. Zarya picked it up and made her way over to the doors, peering through the darkness.

Something hit the glass again, and she moved closer, carefully pushing down the door handle and stepping outside. The garden appeared to be deserted.

“Who’s out here?”

“Zarya.”

She whirled, sword up, ready to strike.

Vikram emerged through the bushes, hands raised in surrender. “It’s just me.”

“What are you doing? You scared me half to death!”

“You didn’t look that scared.” He glanced at her raised sword.

“It’s an expression. Why are you hiding in there?”

“I knocked on the door, but no one answered, so I thought I’d check around here. I missed you.”

Vikram grinned in a way she found maddeningly charming.

“This is a very strange way of showing it.”

“Are you going to keep pointing that at me?” He placed a fingertip on the point of the sword. She scowled before lowering it to her side. Then she dropped onto a bench as another wave of pain seized her chest and head.

“Are you okay?” Vikram asked, sitting down and rubbing her back.

“Yes. I mean, no. I’ve got a headache,” she said, not quite sure how to describe all the things she was experiencing. This didn’t feel normal. This didn’t feel like a typical set of aches and pains, and she was starting to worry something was truly wrong with her.

“Here,” Vikram said, digging into his pocket. “Take some of these.”

He shook two of the healer’s pills into his hand, and she let out an exclamation of joy. “Gods, I could kiss you,” she said, taking them and swallowing them dry. For a few moments, she sat with her eyes closed, grasping the edge of the bench and waiting for the pills to take effect.

“Does that mean I’m forgiven for startling you?” Vikram asked, and she tossed him a glare. “Don’t be mad at me,” he said, sliding closer, a playful grin on his face. “What I really want is to show you something.”

Curiosity getting the better of her, she asked, “What?”

The pills had begun their magic, taking off the worst edge of her pain, though it still lingered in the background.

“C’mon,” he said, standing up and grabbing her hand. “It’s a surprise.”

Despite the ache in her limbs, Vikram was enthusiastic enough that she let herself be tugged along.

He led her out of the garden and into the city. They wove through alleyways, avoiding the busiest streets, until they came to a small doorway set into the base of a tall, round tower.

She followed Vikram as he effortlessly bounded up a spiraling staircase. Her aching legs and tight chest protested, but Zarya trudged along behind, gripping the railing as she towed herself up.

Up and up they climbed, until they finally arrived at a circular observation deck. A wooden platform ran around the perimeter, offering a sprawling view of the city in every direction.

Zarya took in a deep breath as she beheld the millions of twinkling stars that shone overhead. Below them, hundreds of people traversed the streets, eating and drinking at outdoor tables, music playing, and conversations floating on the air. Families gathered on balconies, sitting down to dinner as they shared stories of their days. Even on the rooftops, lovers and friends embraced, heads tilted together, gazing at the brilliant sky.

It was the breathing, vibrant beauty of life.

Hope was a potent thing. Even when faced with innumerable dangers, the city found a way to celebrate. To bring light into the darkness. To smile in the face of adversity and find comfort in the shadows.

Maybe Suvanna was wrong. Darkness wasn’t beaten with more darkness.