Page 138 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

Then, every eye in the room turned to the ceiling as the anguished roar of a mighty dragon rang out over the city so loud it shook every star in the sky.

FORTY

Hours later, Zarya rested in bed, listening to the sounds of the ocean. After Koura had healed the worst of her injuries, she’d taken a bath and changed into clean clothes, but nothing could wash away the stain in her heart.

Limbs sticking straight out like a starfish, Zarya stared at the underside of the canopy, blinking away a never-ending stream of tears. Still feeling Rabin’s kiss from that morning, Zarya touched her bottom lip, trying not to spiral into the yawning cavern of his betrayal.

It felt like it had all happened a million years ago. How could so much have changed in less than a day?

She missed Yasen with every fiber of her soul. She couldn’t stop thinking of him. And of Aarav and the way he’d given up his life for hers. They had spent every day at odds, and just when they’d finally forgiven one another, he’d been whisked away forever.

It all left a hollow ache in her chest, like a lonely echoing pit.

A knock came at her door, and Row’s head poked inside. She sat up and brushed the tears from her cheeks.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, pulling up a chair to sit at her bedside.

She shrugged. “A little weak, but I’ll survive. What about you?”

Row gave her a sad smile. “I’ve been better. Will you tell me what happened with Aarav?”

She nodded and then explained what had transpired in his last stand with the Kiraaye Ka. “We made up at the end,” she said, wiping another tear from her eye with the corner of her blanket. “We both apologized and forgave one another for everything.”

Row let out a heavy breath. “You know, that makes me very happy to hear.” He leaned forward and clasped his hands. “Are you ready to talk about what happened with Rabin?”

Zarya shook her head. “I don’t know what there is to say. You were right about him, and I was wrong.”

He made a wry face.

“I didn’t want to be right,” he said. “I hope you know that.”

“I do,” she said. “But how did no one know that’s where he was?”

“Abishek has always been very secretive. Andhera is difficult to get to, and news rarely travels outside its borders. If he wanted to keep it a secret, then it wouldn’t have been hard.”

“So, Rabin was keeping it a secret.”

Row spread his hands. “I can only assume so.”

“Why?”

“That, I can’t answer, Zarya. I wish I could.”

She rubbed her hands down her face. “It doesn’t matter. It’s over. I can’t trust him again.”

Row reached over and clasped Zarya’s hand in his before he squeezed it.

At that moment, another knock came at the door, and Row stood to answer it, speaking with someone on the other side before he turned to Zarya.

“I do have a surprise that I think should help cheer you up.”

His eyes twinkled as he smiled.

“What?” she asked, frowning at him.

“Come with me. I promise you it will be worth it.” He cocked his head and gestured for her to follow.

“Just tell me,” Zarya said. She was not in the mood for any more surprises right now.