Page 122 of Storm of Ink and Blood

“Sure, she’s angry,” Zarya said. “But maybe we can talk things out.”

Rabin shook his head. “There will be no talking things out. She wants you dead.”

Zarya looked so taken aback he wanted to hug her and shake her at the same time. “Why would she want that?”

He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into the farthest corner of their cell, joining Yasen, and spoke in a low voice so only they could hear.

“This prophecy has ruled this family for two centuries. They spent their lives existing in the shadow of a child that was never born.”

“Right…” Zarya said.

“Except she was born, and now she’s shown up to blow apart all of their lives.”

“I don’t want anything from them,” she protested, and Rabin shook his head.

“It doesn’t matter. Dishani is ambitious. Her coronation is finally around the corner. She is this close to getting the crown she’s coveted her entire life, and now you’re here to take it all away.”

She stared up at him while he waited for his message to sink in.

“The queens of Gi’ana have always been chosen by who is most powerful,” he added, hoping that would help her grasp the precariousness of her situation.

She slowly nodded. “And I have nightfire. And she knows exactly what she saw out there.”

“Yes. And it means you are the most powerful.”

“So, she thinks I want her crown, and nothing will convince her that isn’t true.”

She looked to Yasen for confirmation.

“She did seem to take a particularly strong dislike to you,” he said. “But that’s sort of normal when people first meet you.”

“Row explained all of this,” Rabin said gently, knowing her well enough to understand she’d tried to shove it down, refusing to believe it could be true.

She sighed and bit her bottom lip, obviously trying not to cry.

“I thought he was exaggerating. I thought…” She ran a hand down her face. “Gods, I’m so stupid.”

“You are not,” Rabin replied, placing a finger under her chin. “You are brave and selfless, and you were trying to do the noble thing.”

“Sometimes a little stupid,” Yasen said, holding his fingers close together. “But your heart’s in the right place.”

She huffed out a laugh through her tears. “I don’t want her crown. That’s the last thing I want.”

Rabin tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I know, but she won’t believe that.”

Her gaze met his, determination entering her expression. “So we have to get out of here.”

“That’s what I’m saying.” Then for good measure, he added, “And probably kill her.”

Zarya sighed loudly and massaged the bridge of her nose.

“Perfect. Just… fucking perfect.”

FORTY-TWO

The trouble was there appeared to be no way out of this damn cell. The walls were thick stone, the bars made of enchanted iron. Several days passed with no signs of Dishani, Miraan, or anyone from the royal family. And the longer they waited, the more Zarya’s nerves knotted with apprehension. She knew it couldn’t be because the princess had forgotten about them.

She had to be planning something.