Page 87 of Dance of Stars and Ashes

Yasen grinned as she tried to find her voice around her flustered tongue.

“What happened? I want every detail.”

She looked around, checking to see that no one was listening before she stretched up on her tiptoes and whispered everything in Yasen’s ear.

When she pulled away, he was beaming. He slapped her on the back so hard she nearly stumbled. “Glad you finally got some tongue, Swamp Girl. Maybe you won’t cry so much now.”

She rolled her eyes. “Maybe.”

“Are you ready for this little adventure?” he asked.

“I think so. I wish you were coming, too.”

He would remain here with the army as its commander. She still hadn’t coaxed him into sharing his feelings regarding his new position, but when she returned, she intended to sit him down and make him spill his thoughts.

She’d cry if she had to.

Zarya had heard many speculative rumors through the palace wondering if Rabin would be resuming his role, but given the way Vikram was glaring at his brother right now, she didn’t think that seemed very likely.

Yasen snorted. “And have to watch you and Rabin make ‘fuck me’ eyes at each other for the next week? No, thank you.”

Zarya made an indignant sound. “We are not doing that!”

Yasen gave her a pointed look and then glanced across the courtyard where Rabin stood, giving her what really did look like “fuck me” eyes, apparently taking a break from his brooding.

Zarya huffed and turned to Yasen. “Fine, stay here and protect the queendom.” They both glanced at the man in question, who was still watching her with that same hunger.

“Besides, I’m still angry at him. I’m making him work for it,” she said. “After everything he put me through.”

“Are you?” Yasen asked, clearly skeptical.

“Yes. Kind of. Mostly.”

“That’s my girl,” Yasen chuckled, wrapping her in a hug. “We’ve never been especially close, Rabin and I, but we did spend many years living under the same roof. Those who served under him still respect him. Including me. I just hope he isn’t as scary when you kiss him.”

“I haven’t let him kiss me yet,” she said, weirdly proud of that.

Yasen whistled. “Wow, playing hard-ass. I can respect that.”

Rabin’s fierce intensity didn’t exactly frighten her, but there was nothing subtle about his attention.

“Be careful, Zee. Okay?”

Zarya got the sense he didn’t just mean on the journey.

“I will be,” she said. “We’ll be back as soon as we can.”

He wrapped her in a hug and squeezed her tight. “I’ll miss you. This place won’t be the same without you.”

“I’ll be back. I promise,” she whispered, hoping that was true.

TWENTY-FOUR

“Everyone ready?” Row called to the group, and they all exchanged wary looks. They were as ready as they’d ever be. Everyone nodded before mounting their horses and heading out of the courtyard.

As they passed through Dharati, Zarya studied the ruined buildings. Everything was hollow black ash, the air heavy and distended with an unnatural silence.

Zarya kept in step with Row.