Page 19 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

The statement felt almost like an accusation. It was true she’d paid little attention to her guardian beyond what his actions had always meant for her.

“I’m asking now.”

“I’m four hundred and thirty-seven,” he said.

The answer didn’t entirely surprise her. There was no question Row had lived through a lot.

“What’s that like? Living for so long?”

He lifted his shoulders. “It’s the only thing I’ve ever known.” He paused, considering his words. “But the weight of near immortality can be heavy. There’s a reason magical species tend to stick to their own. Forming bonds with people you know will have to leave you long before the end can be unsettling.”

“How long do Aazheri live?”

“That is a matter for debate. Hundreds of years. Maybe a thousand? No one can say for sure.”

Zarya nodded. “Okay, teach me some magic.” She placed her mug on the table and pushed up her sleeves.

Row then ran her through a series of common anchor combinations as Zarya tested them against his magic. While the proportions differed, she began to decipher its patterns and could see how she might use this knowledge to continue practicing.

“Try mixing a bit of spirit and water,” he said.

She did so, producing a rainbow that arced from the palm of her hand and disappeared over the edge of the balcony in a shimmering riot of color. She grinned, weirdly proud of herself.

“That’s always been one of my favorites,” he said.

When they’d had enough, Zarya stood. Something had been weighing on her conscience ever since she’d escaped the cottage. “Hold on for a second. I have something I want to give you,” she said. She tiptoed into the house and paused, but it sounded like Aarav and Lekha had tired themselves into silence. Maybe he’d hit his head so hard that he’d finally passed out.

She made a mad dash to her room and retrieved Row’s sword lightning quick, just in case Aarav and Lekha woke up and resumed their activities.

When she returned to the balcony, she held it out to him. It felt like a first step to peace.

“I’m sorry I stole this after you went missing. I was only thinking about myself at that moment.”

Row took the sword. His fingers traced the etched patterns in the leather. “I’m glad you’ve had this with you. These runes are protective.”

“What kind of magic is that?”

“Some Aazheri have magic that is unique to only them, like your nightfire. Mine works through symbols, like the ones I used to protect us from the swamp and to keep you there. It’s called rune binding.” He was silent for a moment before he handed the sword back to her. “But you should keep this, Zarya.”

“It’s yours.”

“I want you to have it. Let it keep protecting you. It would give me some peace of mind. Whatever happens, a part of me will always worry about you. I know you don’t believe me yet, but I only ever wanted the best for you. You aren’t my daughter by blood, but understand that I’ve always thought of you that way.”

She’d spent months wondering if Row was her father, and when he’d told her he wasn’t, a part of her had shriveled away like a flower in winter. She was so angry with him, but he’d also been the only home she’d ever known.

“What about my father?” Zarya asked. “My real father.” She shook her head. That description didn’t feel right. “I mean the man who fathered me.”

Row’s shoulders slumped as though he’d been dreading this question.

“Your father,” he said slowly, “is a complicated man.”

“Evil,” Zarya said, thinking of the few things she’d learned about Raja Abishek. Namely, when Yasen had told her about how he’d murdered all those vanshaj and that he wanted to steal her magic.

“He’s… driven by the desire to see Aazheri as the irrefutable source of power in Rahajhan,” Row said. “And sometimes that makes him do things many would question.”

“That sounds like you’re making excuses for him.”

“No, I’m not trying to, but it’s more complex than that. I left Andhera because I disagreed with both his treatment of the vanshaj and the ways in which he chose to assert his dominance. It all became too much, and while I understood some aspects of his vision, I couldn’t agree with his methods.”