Page 29 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

“Why don’t you want to pursue things with Vikram?” Amrita asked, noticing the silent exchange between Zarya and Jasmine. “Is it only because of the steward thing? Because I meant what I said—the demand for celibacy is an archaic constraint, and few would judge him for pursuing a relationship.”

Zarya peeled her gaze away from Jasmine to look at Amrita.

“No. It was that at first, but I think I’ve realized I don’t feel the way he wants me to feel about him. That I don’t feel…” she trailed off. Could she reveal the whole truth to Amrita?

But the princess was perceptive, and she picked up immediately on the thought Zarya had failed to complete.

“Don’t feel what? Is there someone else who you have these feelings for?”

“No,” Zarya said entirely too quickly, and Amrita raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, yes, that was very believable,” she said with a roll of her eyes that felt more like the princess she knew.

Zarya smiled. “There might be.”

“Who?” Amrita asked, her eyes spreading wide. “I haven’t seen you talking to anyone other than Yasen, and I know it’s not him. Wait—” Amrita narrowed her eyes. “Rabin. When he came with us the other night, there was a weird tension between you. Is it Rabin?”

“No! Of course not. That’s ridiculous,” Zarya said. “Will you keep it down?”

But Amrita ignored her. “But you just met him. Oh, was it love at first sight? What does he think about this? Have you talked? Have you kissed? Tell me everything.” Amrita was talking a mile a minute, and Zarya resisted the urge to reach over and clamp a hand over her mouth. She would ruin all the hard work of the henna artist.

“Stop it,” Zarya begged. “I’ll tell you. Just keep your voice down.”

“Okay,” Amrita said, ducking her head. “Tell me.”

“I didn’t just meet him.”

“What do you mean?”

Zarya then relayed some of what had happened in the dream forest, following it up with his less-than-warm reception at the joining ceremony.

“So, I know he doesn’t feel the same way,” Zarya said. “But I still can’t seem to organize my thoughts when I’m around him.”

Zarya glanced at Amrita, who was staring at her hand. She waited for her to respond, but it seemed like Amrita had drifted off again.

“Amrita?” Zarya asked.

The princess looked over, her brows furrowing and her mouth flattening.

“Does Vik know about this?” she asked in a sharp tone.

“No,” Zarya said, taken aback by yet another quick swing in her character. “No. Absolutely not.”

“Does Rabin know about your past with Vikram?”

Zarya paused and shook her head, feeling a bit like she was being scolded now. She thought about him standing in the hall last night after her discussion with Vikram. Had he heard them talking? Did it matter?

“I don’t know,” she answered truthfully.

“You’re going to have to tell him. Vikram, I mean,” Amrita said. “He cares for you.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” Zarya said. “Nothing is going to happen between me and Rabin.”

“But you said you feel something for him, even if that’s the case.”

Zarya blew out a breath.

“I will,” she said as Amrita eyed Zarya up and down.