Page 76 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

TWENTY-ONE

After Apsara’s abrupt departure from the throne room, Zarya remained to plan their excursion with Dhawan and the rest of the Chiranjivi. First thing tomorrow, they’d set out on what might be a fool’s mission, but no one could deny how many of their hopes were riding on this.

During the conversation, she sensed attention from both Vikram and Rabin, and while she was sure of what the former wanted, she had no idea what to expect from the latter. What she did know was that she had no desire to engage with either, and as soon as they were done, she made a swift exit and went to search for Yasen. She knew she’d have to confront Vikram soon, but she was doing the mature thing and completely avoiding it.

What she needed was a stiff drink and something to distract her until tomorrow. She was once again being forced to reconcile the pieces of herself she hadn’t known existed until someone chose to enlighten her. Every time she thought she understood who she was, someone came along to peel away another bruised layer, exposing the raw nerves beneath.

Row had kept this from her, too. She’d seen the look on his face and the defeat in his posture when Dhawan had revealed how her magic made her a part of the Chiranjivi. What had Row’s plan been? To just hope she would never find out? Why had he chosen to do this again when they’d been making such strides in their relationship?

When Zarya found Yasen, he was in the palace ballroom, lounging at a table with a drink in his hand. Massive crystal chandeliers dripped from the ceiling, reflecting soft light off walls covered in jewel-toned silk.

As she slid into the seat next to him, a server immediately placed a drink in front of her. Weren’t they short-staffed right now?

“What is going on here?” Zarya asked, referring to the dozens of courtiers chattering with crystal glasses perched in their hands. “Is this a party? Right now?”

Yasen pulled a wry face. “I’m almost sure Vik’s father arranged the joining with Amrita so he could throw parties like this using the royal coffers. And why not?” He waved his glass over the scene. “It isn’t like half the city was devoured by the blight mere hours ago. Why let any of that get in the way of a good time?”

He had a point, but as she surveyed the room, sparkling with conversation and jewels, she wondered if he was being too hard on them. This situation was stressful for everyone.

Though as she watched the nawab sink his teeth into the pink flesh of a fairy’s exposed neck, she thought maybe it wasn’t all that stressful if you were rich. Perhaps Gopal Ravana saw himself as untouchable.

“What’s new with you?” Yasen asked, leaning over and pressing his shoulder against hers. “Any brooding warriors catch your attention lately?”

Zarya flushed and threw Yasen a would you shut up look.

She hadn’t had the chance to tell him what Rabin had whispered to her before she collapsed in his arms, and she was hesitant to read anything into it. She would die before she called him out on it and made a fool out of herself again. Besides, she was still angry about how he’d been treating her, and she hadn’t reconciled how she felt about that yet, especially as she was increasingly certain that he was magically tethered to her somehow.

“You’re one to talk,” Zarya said. “That rakshasa in the corner can’t take his eyes off you.”

Sure enough, a ridiculously handsome male was looking in their direction. His hair gleamed a pale shade of blonde, his brown skin dusted with gold to match his sherwani that stretched very pleasingly over his lean frame. Yasen glanced over, a rakish grin on his face. The rakshasa, sensing the invitation, began to walk over.

His eyes passed over Zarya before focusing on Yasen.

“Is this seat taken?”

Yasen patted the spot next to him. “It is not.”

The male sank into the seat when a voice she recognized sounded behind her.

“Zarya,” Vikram asked. “Could I speak with you alone for a moment?”

Zarya repressed a sigh as she twisted in her seat to face him.

She had a feeling she was about to be cornered again, but this was good. It was time that she cleared things up. She looked at Yasen, maybe hoping he’d rescue her from this conversation, but he was already engrossed with his new friend.

“We’ll give you some space,” Zarya said. “Enjoy. And be good.”

“You too.” He waved at her absently, not looking her way.

Vikram then directed her through the room. They exited a set of narrow glass doors leading out onto a small balcony that overlooked the gardens. Partially repaired after the kala-hamsa attack, they glowed merrily in the twilight. The ocean crashing on the nearby shore drowned out the sounds of music and chatter inside, making it feel like Zarya and Vikram were in a world of their own.

“I was hoping we could talk,” Vikram said, standing beside her at the railing. “Have you thought about what I asked you the other night?”

“I have,” she said. “I’m really sorry, Vik, but the answer is no.”

“But why? No one will care, and damn the people who do.”

“It’s not that,” she said. “I mean, it’s partly that, but it’s more, too.”