Page 127 of Storm of Ink and Blood

“Some,” Miraan answered. “She wasn’t always discreet about her affairs. Hers was a wild heart that belied taming. She and our father had an agreement. Neither one minded who they took to their beds. They were good friends, and they respected one another but never had romantic feelings.”

Zarya scratched the side of her nose, wondering how to phrase this. “Were any of them… important people?”

Miraan shook his head. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Like a king, perhaps?”

He blinked and it was the most outward display of emotion she’d seen from him yet. “A king?”

Zarya looked to Row again for guidance and strength. Some assurance. He nodded and laid a hand over hers.

“Tell him,” he said softly. “He already knows you exist. The rest must now be revealed.” She didn’t miss the dark look Row shot at Rabin with those words.

“What king?” Miraan asked.

“Abishek,” Zarya said.

The prince exhaled a sharp breath before his expression cleared. “Abishek,” he repeated. “Yes. I remember him coming to Gi’ana frequently before she disappeared. But they weren’t lovers as far as I’m aware.” His gaze once again found Zarya. “How old are you?”

“I’m twenty,” she answered as she watched him put the pieces together.

“Abishek is your father?”

She shrugged. “Apparently.”

Miraan’s eyebrows dipped slightly. It was the barest reaction, but she sensed this was his taciturn way of showing surprise. “But I’ve never heard of a child? Did you grow up in Andhera?”

She shook her head and once again sought Row’s calming strength. “No. I grew up with the man who your mother loved.” She gestured towards Row, and Miraan shook his head, obviously confused.

She then told him everything their mother had believed, including how she’d come to Gi’ana to meet her family.

When she was done, Miraan watched her with a penetrating look.

“And when you arrived, you discovered we are all monsters,” he said, his voice still devoid of emotion.

She gave him a rueful smile. “Well, you didn’t seem all that approachable.”

He pressed his mouth together before he continued. “And so you joined the Rising Phoenix.”

They all stiffened at those words. Suvanna and Apsara had assured them it would be okay to bring Miraan here, but what if they’d revealed everything to one of the only people who had the power to crush them?

Everyone around the table exchanged wary glances, Rabin’s fists curling on the counter, his body vibrating like he was ready to pounce.

“Please,” Miraan said. “I will not turn you in. I…”

“It’s you. You’re our mysterious benefactor,” Ajay breathed a moment later, and Miraan swallowed as every eye turned to him. “Why didn’t I see it? Who else would have those kinds of resources?”

Miraan paused and then dipped his chin. “When I first heard about the Rising Phoenix, I wished to be involved but could not come out publicly for obvious reasons. Other than getting her crown, my sister’s ambitions include stamping out all forms of vanshaj support. She lives in terror of an uprising.”

“You could try standing up to her,” Yasen drawled as Miraan shot him a dark look.

“It is not that simple,” he answered. “There would be little point. She would also toss me into a dungeon, and then I would be of no use to anyone. She trusts me and shares everything. I have used that to my advantage, impeding her actions without drawing attention to myself. When I learned of the resistance, I orchestrated a means to fund the cause.” He looked around the room and towards the hallway. “And I am very pleased to see what that money has been able to do.”

“All this time, a royal was helping us?” Vikas added, shaking with disbelief. He had more reasons to despise this prince than anyone in this room. “You have my family.”

Miraan’s stoic facade finally cracked as he rubbed a hand down his face and through his dark hair. “I’m so incredibly sorry. I’ve spent the last several months trying to stop the raids and delaying the execution for as long as humanly possible. And I won’t stop now. I will do everything I can to get them out unharmed.”

Vikas didn’t reply, only nodded slightly.