Page 49 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

“But I—”

“Just try,” he insisted.

She nodded, still attempting to do what he asked, but she distinctly remembered balling her magic into a knot when she’d used her nightfire. Perhaps her memories of that night were clouded, though. She hadn’t been thinking straight. And besides, when she’d tried the same thing on the ajakava, it hadn’t worked, so maybe he had a point.

A blast of magic shot from her hands—another bolt of fire that struck the target and bounced off, hitting the wall. It ricocheted across the training yards, skimming over everyone’s heads as people shouted, “Duck!” and “Watch out!”

Suvanna, who stood on the far end of the courtyard, rescued the soldiers with a splash of water, dousing the flame into a sprinkle of harmless mist. Everyone turned to see who had nearly lit them all on fire, and Zarya wished she could crawl into the ground like a worm.

“Sorry,” she whispered and then waved like a complete fool. They turned away a moment later to resume their training, but not before Zarya nearly perished from mortification.

“I’m not sure this is working,” she said to Dhawan, who laid a hand on her shoulder.

“Keep trying. You’ll get it soon enough. I’m happy to help you any time—just send for me in the palace.”

“The palace? You’re not living in your cottage anymore?”

“I thought it best to be closer to the library so I’m able to continue looking for information about the blight.”

Zarya glanced towards the busy fighting yards, feeling a few lingering stares directed her way.

“That makes sense,” she said, turning back to Dhawan.

“I’ll only be leaving to tend to my garden from time to time,” he said.

“Your garden?” She wondered what was so important about a few flowers when the world was falling down around them.

The corners of Dhawan’s eyes crinkled with his smile. “My flowers are very important to me. They’ve kept me company through many lonely times.” He clapped her shoulder again. “Get yourself something to eat. I hear they’re serving paneer pakora.”

Dhawan gestured towards the fort and the small canteen that served the soldiers coffee, tea, water, and other various snacks throughout the day. Her stomach rumbled as the smells wafted towards her.

She stepped over the threshold and surveyed the room full of soldiers, taking a break at small wooden tables.

“Ooh. Ooh. Steward, I see an arrrrrmmyyyyy…” came a mocking voice, and Zarya’s attention turned to a member of the Khada, recognizable by his uniform, with his back to the door. “They’re made of ghooosts.”

He held up his hands and wiggled his fingers, and everyone around him burst out laughing. It took her a moment to realize they were mocking… her.

“Oh, oh,” continued the Khada, “I can’t control my magic.” Then, he feigned someone stumbling as they threw out a hand, mimicking her earlier mistake with her fire.

Rooted to the spot, her ears grew warm, her neck flushing with heat. Her gaze met with a soldier who sat in a chair, looking up at her. He wore a line of tattooed stars around his neck, and she saw something reflect in his eyes. A secret code that transmitted between them. He’d seen the ghost army, too.

The room had fallen silent as every eye turned towards Zarya, guilt coloring their expression.

“You idiot,” someone snarled, and she turned to find Aarav stalking towards the bully. “Shut your mouth.” Aarav grabbed the man’s collar and dragged him towards the door. Zarya stepped out of the way as Aarav hurled the soldier to the ground. “This is not the behavior of a Khada.”

Aarav spat on the ground, narrowly missing the man’s head. “Get out of here before I explain to the general what a disgrace you are.”

The soldier scrambled back as Aarav hunched over him with fury in his eyes. Then, he flipped over and scurried away as Aarav straightened and turned to Zarya.

“Sorry. I hope you don’t mind. He’s always such a little prick. He had that coming.”

Zarya nodded slowly. “No. It’s okay.” She bit her cheek. “Did you… just defend me?”

Suddenly, Aarav seemed embarrassed by his actions as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I did.” He shrugged and grinned. “You would have done the same.”

She would have. Maybe not once upon a time, but things had changed for them.

“I would have kicked his ass until he was black and blue,” she said with sincerity. “I guess we’ll call this even for the ajakava attack.”