Page 57 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

“Her Majesty agrees,” he said a moment later. “You are not the first to come to us with this request, and we will address it when the time is right. For now, we must deal with the immediate threats to Daragaab’s safety.”

Vikram paused once again, listening to Amrita, while Zarya felt heat rising up her neck. Was Amrita already turning into her mother?

“She suggests you continue your weapons training and work with Row on your magic. That is how you can be most useful to her.”

He then scribbled something onto a piece of paper and handed it to her. “This will give you access to the magic books in the library. Give it to the archivists.”

Zarya stared up at Amrita, unable to believe her ears.

“That’s it?”

“That is what she desires,” Vikram said.

Amrita’s expression remained neutral as she watched Zarya, but she had to know Zarya was angry with this inadequate response.

“Fine,” Zarya said, accepting the note and shaking her head before she turned to leave.

“Zarya!” Vikram called, and she stopped.

“Can I come see you later?”

Zarya’s lip curled. He was asking this right in front of the queen? In front of everyone watching them, waiting for a juicy tidbit to pass around like over-ripened fruit?

“No,” she said curtly, feeling no need to add anything to temper her harsh response, and then turned and left the room.

Zarya strode through the palace, heading for the library, attempting to put the encounter in the throne room out of her head.

She needed to read more about the anchors and, more importantly, the dark magic that hummed inside her chest. She checked for her five-pointed star, assuring herself the sixth anchor remained safely tucked away.

The library was a swarming hive of activity when she arrived. Immediately, she spotted Professor Dhawan seated at a table surrounded by open books, his nose nearly touching a page that occupied his focus.

Dhawan looked up at her approach, sitting back.

“Zarya,” he said. “What brings you here?”

She held up the note Vikram had handed her. “I’ve been granted permission to access the magic books. I was hoping I could learn more about my abilities.”

He scanned her over as he folded his hands across his stomach. “Have you been practicing your building blocks?”

“Yes,” she lied. There had been little opportunity to practice since his lesson, and she’d snuck in whatever time she could, but not the way he’d instructed her. Instead, she’d focused on the ribbons of her magic and had managed to channel small streams of nightfire. It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress.

“Good, good,” he said, nodding. “I’m glad to hear it. Let me know when you’d like to practice again.”

“Sure,” Zarya said.

“Have a seat,” he said, gesturing to the table across from her.

She did as he asked, scanning the books laid out. Her eye snagged on a book of fables sitting open, and she dragged it over. She scanned the page, absorbing the familiar lines of the story of the Bayangoma birds.

“This was always my favorite story when I was a child,” she said, flipping the page. This edition had been beautifully illustrated in splashes of color and edged with gold paint. “Row used to tell it to me all the time.”

“Ah,” Dhawan said, peering over. “That is a magical tale indeed. I’ve always liked the idea of the birds revealing secrets only to those who are deemed worthy. It seems very noble, doesn’t it?”

“I wanted them to tell me who my parents were.”

“You know there’s a grove less than a week’s journey from here?”

“I thought it was only a story,” she said.