Page 136 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

That, too, would be its own kind of prison.

With a deep breath, Zarya shoved the darkness back into its cave and locked it away, where she would keep it contained forever.

This was a promise to herself.

“No,” she said, shaking her head as the temporary light reflecting in Dhawan’s eyes flared out. “You killed my friends. And that will never be what I want.”

As tears slid down her cheeks, she pressed the point of her blade into the soft flesh of his throat, using the weight of her body to drive it home. Blood trickled down his front as he gurgled, his eyes wide, and then he slumped over dead.

The blade clattered from her hands, and she inhaled a ragged gasp like someone had been holding her head underwater.

Stumbling back, she reached for something to steady herself, but there was nothing, only empty space as she tripped, crashing to the floor as the world faded away.

THIRTY-NINE

Hurried footsteps sounded in the distance as Zarya’s eyes fluttered open. She studied Dhawan’s cooling body, lying a few paces away as blood pooled underneath him. She had done that. Killed him. Exacted her revenge for everything he’d done, but for the briefest of seconds, she’d considered the opposite.

She didn’t know if she could ever reveal the shame of how she’d wavered to anyone—even if it was only for a moment. But her only witness was dead now, and so Zarya would add another secret to her growing collection, hoping she wouldn’t break under their weight. The footsteps drew closer, and she groaned. She couldn’t fight anymore. Her body had turned numb from the inside out. She wasn’t sure how she was even still conscious.

Row and Apsara burst into the room, and Zarya choked on the taste of her relief.

Their eyes flicked to Dhawan’s slumped form crumpled on the floor. Apsara kneeled and smoothed Zarya’s hair back, squeezing her shoulder.

“Hang on,” Apsara said. “Help is on the way.”

Kindle and Suvanna entered the room, and Zarya squeezed her eyes shut as Vikram arrived and kneeled before her. He gently took her hand as she noted the purple and black bruises covering his face and his torn clothing streaked with dirt.

“Yasen,” Zarya said, twisted with an agonized sob. “Dhawan killed him. He’s gone. Someone needs to find him. He was in a cave in the tunnels.”

Vikram’s fingers tightened against hers as his eyes shone with tears. He nodded, ordering a pair of guards who stood near the door to search for his body. Then, he clutched her hand as he slumped to the ground, tears streaming down his face.

“I’m so sorry.” Her voice shook. “I couldn’t stop him.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

He glared at Dhawan’s prostrate form.

Finally, Koura jogged into the room.

“You again?” he asked softly, crouching next to her.

Zarya opened her mouth, and Koura raised a hand. “I know. I am helping Amrita, but it seems you are also a hero in this story.”

He gestured to Dhawan, and Zarya offered him a weak smile.

Koura set to work, using his magic to piece her seams back together. The room held still and silent for several long minutes as Koura’s magic restored her damaged body.

Another set of footsteps echoed at the end of the room, and Zarya looked up, feeling her heart fold itself over inside her chest. Rabin looked at Dhawan before his gaze drifted to Zarya, his bloody sword clutched loosely in his hand.

The look on his face was one of pure, unfiltered relief as he approached, but the sight of him made her grow hot and cold all over as her heart raced and the ceiling began to spin. She struggled to push herself up.

“You should rest,” Koura said, but she waved him off, lurching to her feet on trembling legs.

“Is it true?” Zarya asked Rabin, her voice cracking. “Were you lying to me?”

His gaze shifted away, guilty truth written all over his face.

No. She hadn’t wanted to believe it. She would give anything for Dhawan to have been lying.