Page 138 of Storm of Ink and Blood

Yasen took another sip. “Apparently, Rabin can keep a secret better than you.”

Zarya huffed and smacked her mug on the counter. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. He’s my brother!”

“Half-brother,” he answered with an arch of his brow. “And you didn’t tell me about Rabin at first, either.”

He gave her a pointed look, and she huffed.

“Fine. Keep your secrets.”

They fell into silence again as Zarya blew on the top of her coffee, even though it wasn’t very hot, and drank a long sip. Her leg bounced up and down on the rung of her stool as Yasen peered over and let out a sigh.

“Fine. Ask what you want. I can tell you’re about to explode.”

“Ahhhh!” Zarya said, placing down the mug and grabbing him by the arm. “Are you in love? I saw the looks you were giving each other. How did it happen? Is it serious?”

Yasen held up his hand. “Geez. Slow down.”

Zarya leaned forward, resting her elbows on the surface and smiling up at him as he rolled his eyes.

“It’s not serious,” he said. “I don’t do serious. I’m a soldier.”

Her mouth formed into a pout. “You’re not a soldier anymore, technically.”

He shook his head. “It’s the only thing I know how to do.”

“Maybe you just haven’t met the right man yet?”

Yasen pushed out a slow breath. “No. Miraan is nice, but don’t foist your romantic fantasies on me. I’m just here for the hot sex.”

Zarya wrinkled her nose. “Do I want to hear about my brother having sex?”

“Half-brother.”

“He’s more like a friend, though, I suppose.”

Yasen gave her a pointed look. “Zee. Don’t make more of this than it is. We’re just having fun. He’s a prince. It could never work.”

She sat up and did her best to keep her bottom lip in check. “Fine. Do you like him, though?”

Yasen gave her a rueful smile. “Yeah, I like him. Despite the rest of that family, he seems like a good guy.”

Zarya squealed and clapped her hands.

“Zee,” Yasen warned.

She held her hands up in surrender. “I’m not saying anything. I’m just glad you found someone nice to spend time with.”

Yasen rolled his eyes again as he poured himself another coffee.

“What about you and the dragon?” he asked. “You two seem pretty cozy lately. Everything okay since you completed the Bandhan?”

She nodded. “No regrets. We’ve worked through our issues, and I understand why he did what he did. I can trust him. Right?”

He nodded. “I think you can. He made a bad call, but the way he looks at you… that’s all real. Even I can see that.”

She couldn’t help the little flip in her heart at those words. It was real. “Good. Because we’re getting married today.”

Yasen spit out his coffee. “What?”