Page 2 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

“Amrita,” Zarya said, attempting to divert Amrita’s train of thought to her plans for tonight. “It wasn’t their fault. They’re stretched thin right now, and we might have taken advantage of this convenient oversight in your security.”

“Why?” Amrita asked, pulling her blanket up to her chin as though it were a sheet of cashmere armor.

“Because we’re getting you out of here. Just for tonight.”

“We’re leaving the palace? Where?”

Though Amrita’s eyes widened with concern, Zarya detected the note of excitement in her voice. It was just as Zarya thought—Amrita was desperate for an escape. Even if it was only a temporary one.

Zarya tipped up a mischievous smile. “It’s a surprise. Come on. Get dressed.”

“Vikram said I should stay here,” Amrita said, her gaze moving to Yasen as though seeking the lieutenant’s permission to defy his commander’s orders.

“Don’t look at me,” Yasen said. “I’m not the one in charge around here.”

“Amrita, if you don’t want to go, we won’t force you,” Zarya said, clasping her hands under her chin. “But it’s going to be fun.”

When Amrita hesitated, Zarya took her hand and squeezed it. “Trust me. We won’t let anything happen to you.”

Despite Vikram’s fears, Zarya was sure the city itself would be safe enough. The people of Daragaab were mostly busy dealing with the aftermath of the attack, repairing their homes and businesses, while the demons had withdrawn since that night, retreating into the swamp, where they’d remained relatively quiet ever since.

Ever since Zarya had used her nightfire to tame them.

She still wasn’t sure if her magic had dismantled their hold on Daragaab or if they were simply biding their time and licking their wounds, gathering their strength for another attack.

Amrita must have seen something convincing in Zarya’s expression because her face spread into a huge smile a moment later.

“Okay, fine. But it’s just for a little while, right?”

“Right. A few hours at most. I’d never lead you astray,” Zarya said, and Yasen snorted. Both women glared at him, and he held his hands up in surrender.

“What?” he asked with feigned innocence.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Zarya said. “You agreed to come along.”

“Only under duress,” he said as Amrita scooted off the end of the bed and crossed the room to her closet.

“I asked you once,” Zarya replied as Amrita dug amongst the racks for something to wear.

It was true that Yasen hadn’t been all that hard to persuade into indulging her scheme. She suspected it was because Yasen didn’t agree with Vikram’s tight hold on Amrita, either, though he wasn’t in a position to voice those thoughts out loud. Even if they were friends, Vikram was still his commander.

“I suppose it’s a testament to your impressive powers of persuasion. You should be very proud of that,” Yasen said dryly as Zarya rolled her eyes.

“Put on something comfortable but festive,” Zarya told Amrita. “Something that makes you feel like… you.”

Amrita disappeared into her bathroom and came out a few minutes later wearing a pair of loose pink pants and a beaded white kurta. She’d freshly scrubbed her face and tied her curly hair on top of her head. Around her shoulders, she’d draped a sheer pink dupatta.

“How’s this?” she asked, twirling from side to side. “Am I suitably dressed for whatever mischief the two of you have planned?”

“You’re perfect,” Zarya said, sliding off the bed where she’d been sitting. She wore her usual black leggings and a fitted sleeveless kurta of deep blue silk embroidered with silver stars at the hem. It had been one of Row’s picks that she’d discovered in the haveli when she’d first arrived in Dharati all those months ago. “Let’s get out of here.”

Zarya took Amrita’s hand, and the three companions exited onto the balcony that ran the length of Amrita’s suite. Yasen hopped up onto the lattice attached to the wall first and shimmied down, disappearing into the darkness of the garden below.

Amrita peered over the edge before looking back at Zarya.

“We don’t have to do this,” Zarya said again. She really hoped Amrita wouldn’t choose to remain in the palace, but Zarya didn’t want to force Amrita to do anything that made her uncomfortable.

“No, I do,” Amrita said with a determined set to her jaw. “In a few more days, a simple thing like climbing down a lattice will be… impossible.”