Page 146 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

“That’s what I thought, too, but it’s too wild to consider, isn’t it?”

Row sighed heavily. “I… I’m not sure.”

“The first part came true.”

“It did.” He gave her a wary look.

“And I think I have to figure out what the rest means. And I have to go to Gi’ana for that.”

When he looked like he wanted to continue protesting, she said, “You owe me this. After everything, this is what I need you to do for me. I forgive you for everything, but I’m asking you to let me go and to trust me.”

Row nodded slowly, staring at the stone hanging around her neck.

“Your mother was full of more mysteries than I ever imagined.”

Then, he opened his arms and drew her into a long hug.

“You’re right. Just, please be careful,” he finally said.

“I will. And I will come back. I promise.”

He cupped the back of her head and nodded against her temple.

“I’m holding you to that.”

She squeezed him and then let go.

“I’ll write, too,” she said.

“Thank you.”

Zarya finished packing her bags but knew she couldn’t leave without doing something first. She ran downstairs and opened the door to find Yasen coming up the front walk.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hi. I was just coming to look for you.”

“What’s up?”

She was suddenly overcome with the idea of losing him. “I’m leaving.”

He nodded. “I thought that might be the case, eventually.”

She snorted a laugh. “Apparently, I’m very predictable. Row said he knew, too.”

He let out a sigh. “The way you’ve been sitting out on that balcony staring at the water like you want to jump in and swim away forever was my first clue.”

She huffed. “I guess I have been doing that.”

She looked at the water and then back at him.

“What would you have done if I had?”

He gave her a crooked smile. “Jumped in after you, Zee. Surely, you know that by now.”

Tears burned her eyes. “I’m going to Gi’ana to find my family.”

“I figured that.”