Page 109 of Storm of Ink and Blood

“I know. And that might be part of what’s swaying me.”

He shrugged, the movement rustling the sheets. “I also haven’t seen him in decades, so he could be an entirely different person now.”

“I know that, too. But do we ever really change the essence of who we are?”

He reached out a hand and wrapped it around hers. “I suppose not. Just be careful, okay?”

“Of course, I will be. Thanks, Yas.”

She leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek just as a knock came at the door.

“Zarya,” came Rabin’s rough voice, threaded with authority. She rolled her eyes and slid out of bed.

“What?” she asked, opening the door. Wearing only shorts for sleeping and a thin, sleeveless top, she felt his tactile gaze travel over her body, causing an inconvenient flare between her thighs. She used the door to shield herself, not that it helped. At all.

She frowned. “What do you want? Why are you banging on my door so early?”

“We need to see the mystic today.”

She scrunched her eyebrows together. “Who?”

“To perform the Bandhan.”

“Rabin—” After his declaration in the forest yesterday, she knew he was right. But she also hadn’t technically agreed to anything yet. Despite her best efforts, she’d spent a good part of last night tossing and turning, thinking about that kiss and kind of wishing she hadn’t stopped, all while wondering if she was really considering binding herself to him forever.

“Zarya, you know we must.”

Rabin regarded her with that signature intense look in his eyes, his expression serious. She dropped the door handle and rubbed her face with both hands. Binding herself to him would mean crossing a chasm she was trying to avoid. They could never be anything casual again. But this wasn’t only about her feelings. This was about the vanshaj and everything they stood to lose if she failed at her task.

Rabin was in her life. Nothing would change that. A part of her—maybe a larger one than she wanted to admit—wanted that.

“We can do it in Ishaan?” she asked.

He dipped his chin. “Row has a contact.”

“Today?” she asked, hoping he’d give her more time. But that was also a luxury none of them could afford.

Rabin planted his hand on the door and pressed it open. He stepped into the room, towering over her like he was prone to do. “This is inevitable. Why delay? The longer we remain unbonded, the longer it will be until I can fully protect you.”

She took in those words, still hesitating as she peered up. Her stomach did a little flip, and she cursed her body’s involuntary reactions.

But she had to do this. For their cause. To fulfill her destiny. She’d been granted nightfire—possibly the only thing that could quickly break the collars—and then fate had also granted her with a protector and a way to control the magic. She’d always known he was a part of a pattern she couldn’t see yet. But now it became clear. They were meant for this.

“Okay.” Zarya ran a hand down her face. “Let me get dressed.”

“I’ll be waiting for you.” He said it so sincerely and with such fiery passion that a secret spot in her stomach fluttered.

Their gazes held, and she understood that he didn’t mean only right now.

She nodded. “Give me a few minutes.”

When she closed the door and spun around, she found Yasen sitting up, arms folded and brow raised.

“What was that about?”

Pressing her back against the door, she blew out a long sigh. “Apparently, he’s officially becoming my paramadhar today.”

He opened his mouth and paused. “Are you sure about this?”