Page 139 of Storm of Ink and Blood

She shrugged and winced. “We thought we’d make things official. We’re in this weird middle place of being important to one another but having no way to describe the significance of our relationship.”

“So? You don’t get married because of that!”

She knew he was right. It was fast. But sometimes your heart just knew the true course, and she was trusting her instincts. “This mystical, destined purpose already connects us. Is marriage really so illogical? We’re literally bound to one another.”

Yasen placed his mug on the counter with a soft clink. “I… suppose not.”

“I want us to be more than just ‘destined’ partners. He’s more to me than that. And the Bandhan technically makes him my ‘servant,’ and that doesn’t make sense, either. He’s my equal.”

“I suppose I get that,” Yasen said. “You two don’t really have a normal relationship.” He scanned her up and down before searching her face. “And you do seem a lot happier lately. Even with all of this going on, it’s obvious he’s good for you.”

She nodded. “I think so, too.”

He gave a wry shake of his head. “And man, is he different around you.”

“Good, different?”

“Very good,” he answered.

“Thanks, Yas.”

“So, when are we doing this?”

“We thought we’d find a cleric to marry us alone later today. Do you think it would be okay to sneak away for a few hours? I know the others need us⁠—”

Yasen slapped his hand on the counter, interrupting her.

“Yes, you’re entitled to take a few hours off, and absolutely not. There is no way my second-best friend is getting married without me.”

In the end, both Yasen and Miraan insisted on tagging along.

When Vikas found out what was happening, he demanded they all take the night off and enjoy themselves. He’d hold down the operation with Ajay, who warmly hugged Zarya despite his obvious distaste for Rabin. Maybe they’d come around to one another eventually.

Her half-brother insisted she couldn’t get married without at least one blood relation present, and when it was decided that Yasen and Miraan were joining, Zarya knew she couldn’t leave Row out.

She took him aside to explain when he arrived at the manor that morning.

“Zarya,” Row said, his voice low with that chastising parental tone she was so familiar with.

“I know,” she interrupted. “I already know all the things you’ll say. And I know it seems reckless and fast and definitely a bit impulsive, but that’s only because you’re on the outside looking in.

“I believe him when he said he never meant to hurt me, and he loves me, and I love him.”

He clasped his hands. “Yes, all of those things are true, but I feel I should mention Abishek would not support this.”

“What do you mean? How did you know that?”

“I told you once that he felt strongly about Aazheri mating with other magical species due to the nullifying effects of the magic in their offspring. He believes it affects the purity of Aazheri power.”

Zarya recalled the conversation they’d had in Dharati after Row’s return when she’d been asking questions about her father.

“He forbade Rabin from having a romantic relationship with me,” she confessed. “But that was due to the paramadhar bond.”

Row considered that. “Perhaps it was down to both reasons. And you’re choosing to defy him?”

“I owe him nothing. This is my life and all of that is nonsense. Should we ever decide to have children, we’ll deal with that when it comes. As for Rabin, that is his choice to make.”

They talked for a while longer as Row listed all his objections, and Zarya offered her counterarguments. In the end, she simply said, “I guess you don’t have to like it, but I hope you will accept it. But I really would love for you to be there. It wouldn’t feel right to experience such a huge thing in my life without you at my side. You’re the only parent I’ve ever known, and if I don’t say it enough, I love you, Row. I’m so grateful for you.”