Page 76 of Heart of Night and Fire

A moment later, someone called out a command, and they lurched forward. Aarav and Zarya shared a grin. Despite the somewhat abrupt invite, this was already proving to be a thrilling adventure.

“Why are the queen’s guards coming with us?” Zarya asked Aarav.

He shrugged. “I’d guess to protect us out in the forest.”

“You’d think they’d have better things to do than watch over the two of us.” Zarya sat back and folded her arms.

“I suppose,” Aarav said. “Clearly, Vikram’s family has pull with the queen.”

As they exited Dharati, the carriage picked up speed, barreling through the countryside. A wall of trees lined them on each side, so thick it was impossible to see anything beyond the dense foliage. It was like moving through a living, verdant tunnel. After she grew tired of studying leaves, Zarya lay back and drifted off to the sway of their travel.

An hour later, she awoke as the carriage turned down a gravel road. They progressed through more leafy tunnels until a massive set of gates appeared before them. Golden bars twisted into intricate curls were anchored against a high stone wall where two guardsmen dressed in the same royal blue and red livery of the coach attendants waited. After the gates swung open on smooth hinges, they were waved through.

The carriage continued down another tree-lined tunnel before it opened onto an expanse of vivid greenery that sprawled far into the distance. Clusters of artfully arranged trees were interspersed with pristine fields of lush grass, shrubbery, low hedges, and huge plots of land bursting with a rainbow of flowers.

As the horses trotted down the stone path, the house came into view. Made of pale brown stone, edged in a delicate trim of white, it stretched across the flat horizon. A towering central building rose into a sweeping onion-shaped dome, surrounded by narrower buildings topped with smaller domes. Dozens of windows covered in intricate latticework curved into delicately pointed arches.

Zarya and Aarav poked their heads out of the carriage as they rolled towards the manor, studying the gardens furnished with white marble fountains, seating areas, firepits, and hammocks swinging between trees.

Flamingos stood in the crystal-clear pools, macaques swung from branches, and snow leopards lounged in the dense grass. Deer nibbled on flowers, peacocks strutted along the pathways, and even a baby lion splashed happily in a fountain. In the distance, an elephant raised its trunk into the air and let out a bellowing cry.

“Wow.” Aarav’s eyes were wide. “Why would Vikram and Yasen ever leave this place?”

Zarya wondered the same as the carriage pulled up in front of the house. An attendant swung the door open, proffering a stabilizing hand for Zarya. She took it and stepped from the carriage, trying to take everything in.

They continued down a short path where more animals frolicked amongst the plants and flowers. Tiny peri scurried about, some with skin like tree bark and others with smooth, leaf-green complexions.

Short, bearded men tromped about while plump, golden babies fluttered on feathered white wings. A group of tiny people—who looked like they were made of twigs—were having a tea party, while two purple-skinned peri clung together, fucking each other furiously under the shade of a large leaf. Zarya quickly looked away with a snort, covering her mouth. She widened her eyes at Aarav and they both snickered.

Green wooden doors, four times her height, stood partially open at the front of the manor. On the wide magnificent steps stood the familiar rakshasa who had accosted them at the bakery.

“I’m so happy you’re here.” She opened her arms wide, waving them up the stairs. “Come in, come in—you must be hungry. Lunch is all set up for you. Come and say hello to Amrita. She’s been dying to see you.”

They entered a cavernous space that boasted high, vaulted ceilings covered in colorful tiles that created swirls of flowers and leaves. Vikram had certainly been modest when describing his family and his upbringing.

A high-pitched squeal rang out, and they looked up to find Princess Amrita running down the stairs.

“You’re here!” came her high, musical voice. “Oh, I’ve been waiting so long to chat with you again.”

She ran up and hugged each of them, and Zarya felt awkward about the instant display of affection, while Aarav grinned like a fool as she ruffled his hair.

“I know you’re Aarav. I’ve heard all about your accomplishments at the wall. You must be very brave.” Aarav’s face turned a deep shade of red. “And Zarya! It’s so good to see you’re all better. I swear Yasen never stops talking about you!”

Zarya was sure the princess was mocking her, but there was nothing but sincerity in Amrita’s gaze. The princess nodded, her curls bobbing as she clapped her hands, delighted about absolutely everything.

“And you’ve met Diya, of course.” Amrita linked her arm with the woman who had invited them.

“Yes,” Zarya said. “And I still didn’t catch who you were, Diya?”

“I’m the nawab’s wife.”

She said it like Zarya should have known that all along.

“Right,” Zarya replied as it occurred to her this arrangement seemed a bit strange. “And why is the princess of Dharati here at Vikram’s family home?”

“Oh!” Amrita said. “Didn’t Diya say? We’re announcing the vowing tonight!”

“The vowing?” Zarya asked.