Page 4 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

“Where?” Rabin asked.

“The Lotus Blossom,” Yasen said.

A flicker of irritation deepened Rabin’s bottomless scowl.

Zarya had asked Yasen to choose somewhere fun like the peri anada where she’d first kissed Vikram, and Yasen claimed he knew the perfect spot.

It took Zarya a moment to realize the low rumble she heard was coming from Rabin’s throat.

“You are not going there,” he said, his stance stiffening as he somehow managed to take up even more of the space around them. Though he’d been adamant he hadn’t been speaking to Zarya a moment ago, it appeared as though he was speaking directly to her now.

She curled her lip in disdain, matching his growl with one of her own.

She’d be damned if she ever obeyed a single one of his orders.

“Yes. We are,” Zarya declared. This asshole wasn’t seriously trying to tell her where she could and couldn’t go? She grabbed both Amrita and Yasen’s hands and stalked off, dragging them behind her.

Zarya heard the click of Rabin’s footsteps as he followed.

She picked up their pace, forcing Amrita to scurry on her shorter legs. The princess peered over her shoulder in worry while Yasen let himself be tugged along, not caring either way.

“Then I’m coming with you,” Rabin said. Zarya let go of her friends before she spun around, her nose flaring and her hands planted on her hips.

Rabin stopped just short of where she stood, his massive frame towering over her like a mountain blocking out the sun. She tried not to notice the way he smelled. That fresh, earthy aroma she remembered from her dreams layered with more grounded scents like the oil he used to sharpen his sword and hints of bitter coffee.

“You are not coming with us.” Zarya spread her stance, hoping she looked intimidating, but was pretty sure she was about as menacing as a baby monkey.

“Then I’m going to alert the entire guard of Dharati that the princess is out on the loose.”

“Oh, you would do something like that, wouldn’t you?”

“Zarya,” Amrita said. “It’s fine. I’ll just return to my room. You don’t need to do this.”

“No,” Zarya replied, keeping her gaze pinned on Rabin.

Now, this had become a different challenge. One where she would not lose to him again. He’d already made a fool of her once, and she would die before she bent to his will. Now or ever.

“We’re going. This is none of the commander’s business.”

Zarya thought she caught the slightest flinch at those words.

While many of the palace soldiers had dropped to their knees in his presence the night he’d shown up, it was clear many things had been left unsaid surrounding his departure, especially given the way Vikram had reacted to Rabin’s unexpected arrival.

She tucked that bit of ammunition away so she could make use of it—like driving a splinter under his fingernail—when the perfect occasion presented itself. If she couldn’t intimidate him, she’d find more subversive ways to tip him off balance.

Zarya and Rabin stared at one another.

Gods, he was daunting. It was taking every ounce of her willpower not to curve her spine under the weight of his fury.

She hoped he couldn’t sense the trickle of fear that crawled down the back of her neck. He looked like he could pick her up and crush her head like a paper lantern with one of those big hands. Then wipe it clean and sit down to dinner like nothing had happened. Maybe while cheerfully whistling a sinister tune.

He took another step until he stood so close she had to bend her neck to look at him. It was obvious he wasn’t backing down, and he’d make good on his threat with the snap of a finger.

“Fine,” Zarya said finally, hating that she had no choice but to give in. “Come with us, then. Just stay out of my way and keep your mouth shut. If you know how.”

Before he could reply with another exasperating comment, she spun around and grabbed Amrita’s hand, marching them towards the garden gate. Behind them, she heard the footsteps of the two men following. Zarya tried to shake off the dark cloud coalescing over her head. She’d wanted this to be a fun night for Amrita, but this overbearing commander was like a thorn wedged in the sole of her boot, leaving behind a trail of blood with every step.

She affected a bright smile, seeing the worry on Amrita’s face.