Page 55 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

“It’s fine,” he said, and she heard him sit in the chair positioned outside with a thwump. “Just hurry your ass up, Swamp Girl.”

“Keep it up, and I’ll try on every item in the store. And then do it all again, just for good measure.”

He chuckled, and she exhaled a deep breath, focusing on sliding on the boots she’d chosen, trying to shake off the worst of the creeping apprehension after her encounter with Meera. The woman could feel her magic, even if it was rooted deep, and that meant something important. She was sure of it.

Finally, Zarya was dressed. She stepped out of the changing room and spun in front of the mirror, admiring herself.

“What do you think?” Zarya asked, and the corner of Yasen’s mouth lifted.

“Not bad, Zee. You look like you might be able to beat me in a fight wearing that.”

She rolled her eyes and then dug into her old clothing, procuring some coins she’d earned from her job with the Khada.

“I’ll just wear them out,” Zarya said before she turned to look in the mirror again, smoothing her hand over her stomach and feeling the weight of these mysteries squatting heavy on her shoulders. They were winding around her, forming a labyrinth of dead ends and dangerous traps. Could she find her way through?

After they were finished, they entered the street, walking side by side.

When they passed Ambar Fort, Yasen gestured to his right. “I’d better get back.” The look on his face was grim, like this wasn’t a task he was looking forward to.

“What’s wrong, Yasen?” she asked, stopping and touching his arm. “Is this about your new role?”

She didn’t want to push him, but he looked so unhappy right now. He sighed.

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

“Very believable,” she deadpanned, and that won her a small smile.

“It’s only temporary, right? Until he finds someone better to fit the position. That was our agreement.”

“You know you’re more than capable of doing this, right?” she asked.

“Maybe. But the point is that I don’t want to.” He thumbed behind him. “Anyway. Where are you off to?”

“To see Amrita,” she said. Zarya wanted to investigate everything she’d learned further, and she had a good idea of where to start. “I want to ask for access to the magic books.”

“Be careful, Zee,” Yasen said. “If anyone finds out what you’re doing, it could mean trouble.”

“I’m always careful, Yas. You know that.”

He rolled his eyes before she gave him a salute and turned to walk away, determined to chart a path through this maze.

FIFTEEN

Today, the Jai Palace courtyard stood empty, the gifts and tributes to Amrita scattered across the ground like the aftermath of a gilded avalanche.

These offerings would remain for another few days before anything that could be salvaged would be distributed to people in need, while the flowers would be tossed into the sea as an offering to the gods.

Zarya stood outside the high green doors, studying the stunning array of flowers and branches. While a level of normalcy had returned to the palace, it was only normal on the surface. A bandage over a festering wound. How long could they reasonably rely on the queen’s magic to keep them safe?

She opened the door to the tree and stepped inside. The throne room had transformed, too. Instead of the mossy green of Rani Vasvi’s domain, the floor was now black and white tiles, the walls made of white iridescent marble that shimmered in hues of soft purple and pink.

Up ahead was the dais where Amrita had now taken her place. Here, too, was a change—instead of brown branches and green leaves, there was shimmery white bark and foliage rendered into metallic pink and green and gold. The effect was stunning.

Vikram stood facing Amrita, and Zarya noted the handful of courtiers lounging in the space, seated on the divans pushed up against the rounded walls where food and drink sat on low tables surrounding them. They spoke in hushed tones, their conversations halting mid-gossip as they watched Zarya approach the queen.

“Hi,” Zarya said, stopping behind Vikram, who turned and smiled.

He spread his arms in a warm gesture. “Zarya, it’s nice to see you.”