Page 100 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

Outside, they were greeted by the sights and sounds of the festival already in full swing. They joined the crowd, finding an endless line of food stands serving everything from kachori to lassi to every flavor and variety of chaat one could imagine.

The cheerful stands were garlanded with bright orange marigolds and curls of gold ribbons. Lining the sidewalks were large terracotta pots filled with more bright flowers, wrapped with strings of twinkling lights.

It was a burst of color against the dark night. A bright spot in the looming threat they’d all been living under. How could people be so carefree and happy when their world was crumbling at the edges? She was happy to see this, though. Relieved to find a place the blight hadn’t reached yet, and she tried not to think about what might happen to these people if they failed tomorrow.

They couldn’t. They had to figure this out, not only for the citizens of Daragaab but for every person who might come under its shadow next.

Once they each chose a dish or two, they gathered at one of the dozens of tables that sat on an elevated boardwalk overlooking the lake, a wooden railing running along its length. Koura arrived a moment later with a large jug of beer in each hand and set them down.

The mood was light as they shared their food, tasting bites of earthy chole bhature or a nibble of sweet, syrupy malpua. It was obvious how badly they’d all needed a break from the constant worry of the blight. They had a job to do, and everyone was counting on them, but even wayward heroes needed a moment of rest.

Well, everyone was enjoying themselves, save a certain dark-haired rakshasa who stood with his elbow planted on a high table while he sipped at a glass filled with something that looked strong.

She felt his gaze on her and applauded herself for sidestepping his earlier invitation. He might have wanted things to go a different way tonight, but he could wait. He had made this bed, and now he could lie in it.

She ran a hand down her face with a sigh.

Don’t think about him in bed.

As the evening wore on, the celebration swelled in a crescendo of dancing and music, and Zarya lost herself in its carefree rhythm.

Eventually, she found herself seated next to Apsara, who leaned back in her chair with a foot kicked up on another. She held a cool glass of water to her forehead as she watched Suvanna converse with Koura, who towered over her slight, delicate frame.

Zarya’s gaze wandered to Rabin lost in a discussion with Kindle. She mentally traced the contours of his profile—the sharp slope of his nose and the curve of his lips. The way his dark hair spilled over his shoulders like rivers of shadow. The lines of his shoulders and the slight flex of muscle in his forearm as he lifted his drink.

“So. Rabin, hey?” Apsara said, tearing through her thoughts. The winged woman now sat with her arms folded on the table, leaning towards her.

“What?” Zarya asked, pretending like she hadn’t just been dissecting him piece by piece.

“Don’t play dumb,” Apsara said, arching an eyebrow. “You think we can’t all see how he’s obsessed with you?”

She snorted. “He’s not obsessed with me. He’s just angry he can’t have what he wants.”

“What does he want?” Apsara tipped her head in question.

“I don’t know. He wants…”

“To fuck?” Apsara asked with a grin as Zarya choked on her drink, “That much is obvious but beyond that?”

“That’s what I don’t know.”

Apsara pressed her lips together. “Fair enough.” She appraised Rabin from head to toe. “No one would blame you if you want to”—she swirled a hand in the air—“try out the horse. So to speak. Especially when it looks like that.”

As if sensing he was the subject of their conversation, Rabin’s gaze turned to them, his glass pausing in midair. Zarya burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand. His eyes narrowed into knife-sharp slits.

“Ooh, that’s his scary face,” Apsara quipped. “You’re in trouble now.”

“Me?” Zarya laughed. “You’re the one who called him a horse.”

Apsara grinned—it was nice to see her loosen up.

“Keep up the interrogation, and I’ll turn it back on you.”

Apsara blinked, keeping her face neutral. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, please. Like everyone hasn’t seen you and Suvanna getting cozy.”

It was Apsara’s turn to glare.