Page 56 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

His gaze swept over her in a way that suggested it was more than just nice.

“How are things with you… two?” she asked, trying to ignore it. She didn’t want to come between this steward and his queen, even if they claimed their relationship wasn’t based on any romantic feelings. It felt wrong and… weird.

“We’re doing well,” he said. “Have you come to say hello?”

Zarya nodded and gazed up at Amrita, who was watching her now. Her big amber eyes held the same bright vacancy as before her transformation. What had happened to her? Had Rani Vasvi been this way? Still, everything about Amrita was overwhelming.

“Hi,” Zarya said, suddenly shy in the presence of such a magnificent sight. Amrita was so wholly other from what she’d been. She stood so tall, just like Vasvi, her body one with the roots and branches that surrounded her. But she was still Amrita in her own unique way. Zarya could see the shape of her face and the warm expression she had come to know.

“How are you doing?” Zarya asked.

“She says she’s doing well,” Vikram said, and Zarya started, forgetting that Amrita couldn’t actually answer her. “She’s happy to see you.”

Zarya stared at Amrita, thinking of the last conversation they’d had. Had Priya gotten her hands on that estate, or was Amrita still holding out? She wanted to talk to Amrita about Rabin and the wild encounter in the garden yesterday, but now, she couldn’t.

She hadn’t revealed anything about her connection with Rabin to Vikram and wasn’t ready to do so yet. She wasn’t sure what she owed him. They weren’t technically involved and really never had been, but for a few kisses that had all happened under a cloud of secrecy.

Still, if she considered Vikram her friend, then she would have to reveal she had feelings for his brother, even if they weren’t reciprocated. Realizing she could no longer confide in Amrita, Zarya brushed past these thoughts, getting to the matter that had brought her here in the first place.

“I was wondering if I could have your permission to access the magic books in the palace library?”

Amrita blinked, and there were several seconds of silence before Vikram asked, “Her Majesty would like to know why.”

Zarya looked around the room, noticing the curious stares directed her way. She recalled Yasen’s warning about vanshaj magic and knew she had to keep this confidential.

“Because I’d like to learn about my abilities. I’m hoping I can find out more about what… I’m capable of.”

This part wasn’t a lie, even if it wasn’t the entire story. She sidestepped the phrase “nightfire,” conscious of the need to keep it, if not secret, then at least hold some of the mystery from anyone outside the handful of people who already knew the truth. There were ears in this room, and she had no idea who was trustworthy.

Again, there were several beats of silence, and then Vikram answered, “Her Majesty agrees you may access the books for the purpose of learning more about your magic. She does ask that you not interfere with the efforts to learn more about the blight.”

“Of course I won’t,” she said, offended by the insinuation. “Why would I do that?”

“It’s important to the queen that all efforts are focused towards eradicating its presence.”

Zarya looked up at Amrita, seeing something flash across her eyes. Pain?

“Does it hurt her?” Zarya asked. “To maintain the protection on the walls?”

“It can cause her some discomfort. She’s still learning and sometimes has trouble holding onto the barrier,” Vikram replied. “Thus, the sooner we find a solution, the better.”

“So, we’re still vulnerable?” she asked. Was it an oversight that Amrita’s difficulty with her magic hadn’t been mentioned earlier, or were they deliberately keeping this information from everyone?

“We’re fine,” he said. “Don’t worry. They are but temporary breaches and are easily re-established.”

“What about helping the vanshaj?” she asked. While Zarya didn’t want to bring up vanshaj magic, she did want to address the deplorable conditions they’d witnessed earlier this afternoon.

Confusion flashed across Vikram’s face. “What about them?”

“The vanshaj quarter is in pretty rough shape. Surely, you know that?”

He rubbed the space between his eyes. “Zarya, what is the point of this?”

She opened her mouth and then closed it before she found her voice. “The point is, Amrita said she wanted to make improvements on her mother’s rule. This would be a good place to start.”

“As I’ve just explained, we are busy with the blight, and Amrita is focusing her energies on the city’s protection. There has been an increase in attacks on the southern wall. The army is busy and already stretched thin, as are all our resources.”

Vikram’s eyes flicked to Amrita, and it was obvious they were conversing silently. Zarya resisted the urge to launch into an argument.