Page 21 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

Gopal Ravana hadn’t made any further progress in sealing the chasm since she’d last seen him. Rumors were circulating that he’d refused to help unless he was granted a tract of land on the northern border of Daragaab, and the former queen hadn’t seen fit to acquiesce. Zarya imagined that with Amrita soon taking her place as queen and Vikram as her steward, he’d find a way to secure his wish.

But maybe Zarya could do something about the rift now that she had access to her magic. Professor Dhawan’s earth anchor hadn’t been strong enough, and she wasn’t sure if Row had already tried. She wondered where she fell on the scale of strength compared to the two older Aazheri. Given Aarav only had two anchors, she knew she was at least more powerful than him. The thought didn’t bring her as much satisfaction as it might have a few months ago.

Either way, this might be a good opportunity to see what she could do.

Feet already moving, she headed through the haveli and down to the boulevard. Even before the attack, the rift had found a tentative place in the lives of the Dharatis as they maneuvered around it, skirting the ropes that cordoned off its treacherous borders. It had become a part of their daily existence in a seamless way that spoke to the resilience of the human spirit.

Still, it was a hazard, and Zarya wanted it gone. The more the blight festered and wormed its way into Dharati, the more she wanted to eradicate every trace of it. As she walked the length of the rift, Zarya came to a stop at the end where a guard stood watch, ensuring no one accidentally wandered into it. She contemplated her next step after asking the guards stationed nearby to ensure everyone kept their distance.

Remembering how Rabin had placed his hand on the earth during the kala-hamsa attack, Zarya mimicked the movement, bending down with one knee on the ground and her palm flat to the sun-warmed surface.

Her sixth anchor was locked away for now, and her five-pointed star spun, almost like it anticipated her intentions. It seemed to sense her thoughts and emotions, growing agitated when she was upset or enthusiastic when it knew she was about to use her magic.

Focusing on her earth anchor, she drew on it. It shuddered as the ground underneath her started to vibrate. Taking that as an encouraging sign, she focused on closing the rift, imagining the sides pulling together. The chasm walls shifted a fraction as the earth groaned in protest. Rocks and shards of stone tumbled into the void as the ground continued shaking.

She squeezed out another fraction of movement while sweat beaded on her forehead. As her vision tilted from the effort, something nudged inside her rib cage, trying to get her attention. The sixth anchor peeked out from behind the fire anchor, begging to be noticed, and Zarya clenched her teeth. She would not touch it. She’d already decided that. Whatever enticing power it held, she would not wield anything that called itself the darkness without knowing what it meant.

Zarya let out a sound of frustration and let the earth anchor snap back into place as the rumbling street settled into stillness like the ripples of a puddle smoothing out.

She cursed under her breath, standing up.

“Looks like you could use some help, Princess.”

The air in her lungs stalled. That voice. The way it made her ribs compress and her stomach twist.

A shiver rolled down her spine as she turned to glare at Rabin.

He stood with his impressive arms folded across his equally impressive chest and his head tipped with a smug expression on his face. She wanted to punch him in his perfectly straight nose. How did an army commander with this much attitude manage to go this long without someone repeatedly breaking it? Taking in the breadth of him, she suspected few would have the guts to punch him, though.

“I’m fine,” she said and then sucked in a sharp breath, wanting to clear her conscience. “Actually, I did want to thank you for sticking up for me last night with Vikram. You didn’t have to take the blame for my mistake.”

Rabin’s eyes narrowed as they dragged down the length of her body. He said nothing as the silence stretched and stretched.

“Hello?” she said. “I just said thank you.”

He blinked as the corner of his mouth curled up in a snarl. “That isn’t necessary,” he finally replied, his voice full of derision.

Zarya opened her mouth and then closed it, at a loss for words. What an absolute jerk.

“Fine. Never mind, then.”

She turned away, attempting to gather her focus and concentrate on the rift.

Now, he was watching her, which made her too self-conscious to try again.

“Do you need something?” she asked, peering over her shoulder. “Feel free to find someone else to bother.”

He sauntered closer, scratching his chin as he peered into the chasm. Zarya tried not to notice the bit of shadow on his face that made him look even more dangerous and totally and utterly… lickable. Good gods, what was wrong with her? He’d made it clear he detested her, and this mooning was officially pathetic. So, he was handsome? So what? There were plenty of handsome men around Dharati. He wasn’t anything special.

“Doesn’t look like you’re fine, Princess.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“What? Princess? Isn’t that what you are?” He smirked and came to stand next to her. “Move over.”

“Excuse me?” Zarya’s cheeks heated with anger and a traitorous hint of something stirred from the heat churning in her stomach. She rolled her neck, willing herself to calm the fuck down. He really wasn’t that good-looking.

He was just an irritating man.