Page 123 of Storm of Ink and Blood

Their only visitors were the occasional guards who dropped off what was probably food, but tasted more like shredded paper boiled in gutter water.

Their only point of normalcy was the tiny window, which at least gave them a sense of time and the passing days.

As they waited, she couldn’t stop thinking about the prisoners she’d failed to save in her foolishness. Logically, she knew there was nothing she could have really done to stop the execution, but she was still furious with herself. If she ever saw Vikas again, she’d beg his forgiveness and do whatever she could to make it up to him.

The sun had set hours ago, and they sat in a line against the wall with Zarya in the middle. Somehow, Yasen had fallen asleep upright with his head tipped back and his jaw open. Idly she wondered how he’d react if she dropped one of the many mice living down here into his mouth. He’d probably lose his mind and curse her until the end of time. The thought nearly made her smile.

Rabin on the other hand, couldn’t seem to sit still. He was like a caged animal, his gaze darting around their cell and his leg bouncing impatiently. He’d pounded the walls, rattled the bars, and even tried to smash the window to no avail. Not that any of them would have fit through it, anyway.

Zarya sat with her knees up, her skirt draped over her legs, and her arms wrapped around her stomach. She felt disgusting, wearing these clothes for days on end, sleeping on this filthy ground. A bucket sat in the corner covered with a board that did little to suppress the scent of its contents. It was hard not to feel like the very essence of this place wasn’t burrowing into her skin.

Her stomach groaned, and she massaged it, dreaming of piles of fluffy naan, creamy bowls of chicken tikka, and crispy fried pakora. She watched Rabin in the dim light, noting the fluttering reflection of his clenching and unclenching jaw.

Feeling her gaze, he looked over.

“You okay?” he asked.

She shrugged and dropped her head back before rubbing her forehead.

“I’ll get us out of here soon, Spitfire,” he said with a whispered promise. If they remained here much longer, she was sure he’d tear this palace apart brick by brick if he had to.

“I know,” she answered with a soft smile that seemed to ease some of the tension from his frame.

He sat back, and finally, his limbs settled as his shoulder pressed against hers. She peered up at him, noting the crescent of moonlight reflecting in his eyes. A few days ago, he’d told her he loved her. Despite her reckless and impulsive behavior, he’d rushed in to help her. She’d never had someone just believe in her before.

Rubbing her shoulder and her new dragon tattoo, she imagined she could feel the tether binding them like delicate silk ribbons.

“Having second thoughts?” he asked.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Not at all.”

It was the truth. She’d had reservations, but the moment Thriti completed the Bandhan, she knew she’d made the right call. She’d been stumbling through fog for months, but now it had lifted with the certainty of this choice.

He blinked and then dipped his chin, his face nearly expressionless except for the slight brightening of the golden flecks in his eyes. He leaned down and she stretched up to meet his kiss. Their lips pressed softly together before the sound of steady, rapid footsteps drew their attention to the dark corridor outside their cell.

Zarya sat up as they exchanged wary looks. No one had ever come down to see them this late. Rabin crossed an arm over her body as they approached while shadows bounced against the walls, indicating someone was carrying a source of light.

Three figures emerged from the dark a moment later and Zarya had no idea what to make of them. Apsara and Suvanna stood on the other side of their bars, flanking the prince, Miraan, though he was no longer dressed in opulence, having traded his elegant attire for a simple black kurta and pants.

“What do you want?” Zarya asked.

“We’re getting you out,” Miraan answered, and she blinked. That was the last thing she expected. “Your friends have explained who you are and what you’ve been doing.”

Her gaze bounced between Apsara and Suvanna and then back to Miraan. He was devoid of apparent emotion, his expression belying nothing. “And?”

“There will be time to explain later,” Apsara said. “Do you trust us?”

“I trust you,” Zarya replied as she eyed Miraan. He was Dishani’s loyal advisor. Her enforcer. Why was he betraying her?

“Then we’re asking you to trust this situation,” Apsara said. “We only want to help.”

Zarya turned to Rabin, who peered up at their supposed rescue team through a lowered brow.

She elbowed Yasen awake. He snorted as his head snapped up.

“What the—” His protests cut off when he realized they had visitors. “Oh. Hi?”

“They’re getting us out of here,” Zarya said. “Apparently.”