Page 31 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

“Last night, he apologized for yelling at me,” Zarya said. “Said he couldn’t sleep because of the guilt.”

“Well, how nice for you,” Yasen said. “I’ve been getting the silent treatment. But then Vik doesn’t want to get into my pants.”

“Shut up,” Zarya said. “That’s not—”

Yasen snickered as she broke off her train of thought because that was precisely what it had been about. Why did that thought bother her so much?

“Listen, use your advantages where you get them, Zee. The world is hard enough.”

Zarya made a noncommittal noise. “Well, he doesn’t want me badly enough to get me out of coming out here with you, it seems.”

“I bet if you had let him inside those pants, you’d be home in bed right now,” he joked.

“What makes you so sure I didn’t?”

“Because after your little talk, he returned in a foul mood, only stayed at the party for another few minutes, and then left in a huff.”

“Oh,” Zarya said.

“Don’t feel bad. That’s not your fault.”

They arrived at the tower, stretching their necks to trace its full height. After tying up their horses, they entered the door at the bottom and made the ascent.

“This is another reason this task is reserved for miscreants,” Yasen said. “All these fucking stairs.”

Zarya laughed but decided to save her energy as they wound up and up.

“How many are there?” she asked.

“You know, I’ve never counted,” he said in a deadpan voice that suggested that was a ridiculous question to ask.

“Right. I guess not.”

After what felt like a very long time, they arrived at the top to find it empty.

“Where are the soldiers we’re supposed to relieve?” Zarya asked. “I just realized there weren’t any horses tethered downstairs.”

“Good question,” Yasen said, his eyes narrowing as he peered into the swamp over the crenelated wall that bordered the circular roof deck.

Zarya turned around, observing the glowing city of Dharati in the distance, the expanse of ocean on one side, and the shadowy slice of swamp. It sat to the south like a dreary blot of ink, the darkness nearly impenetrable.

Zarya studied it as Yasen came to stand next to her.

“Do you see them?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“You don’t think they went out there? Why would they?”

“Maybe I should go look for them,” he said. “You stay here.”

Yasen turned, and Zarya grabbed his arm. “You are not going out there all alone. We’re staying here. Maybe they got bored and returned to the city.”

She wasn’t sure why, but it didn’t feel safe for either of them to wander any deeper into the blight. Something in the air felt off.

“But maybe they didn’t.”

“Then what good will it do to go out there on your own and get yourself lost or worse?”