Page 144 of Storm of Ink and Blood

“Really?” she asked. “That’s what’s bothering you?”

“A little,” he admitted. He didn’t have much to offer her. It was only now that they’d passed the excitement of the proposal and the wedding that he realized it.

She shook her head. “I am not a princess. I’m a girl who grew up living in a simple cottage by the sea, and I will always be that girl, no matter what secrets drag me into the light.”

He raised a skeptical eyebrow. She could keep denying it, but she had royal blood, and when Abishek met her, he would no doubt name her his heir. Zarya couldn’t turn away from this part of her destiny, either. The marriage also meant Rabin was now fated to become king consort of Andhera, something he’d truly never imagined for himself.

“Our wedding was perfect,” she said with such sincerity that he nearly believed it. “All the most important people in my life were there, and the only thing I really needed was you.”

She popped a piece of mango into her mouth and then added, “But really if I’m a princess, shouldn’t I have married a prince?”

It took him a moment to realize she was joking.

“Maybe I planned all along to trap you before some stuffy royal could get his hands on you.”

She laughed at that. “You know how I adore stuffy royals.”

Then she leaned over and lay a hand against his cheek.

“I’m so happy right now,” she said, and despite everything in him warring not to believe her, he did. “I never imagined that I could be this happy. That I could meet someone like you to love. I didn’t need a fancy wedding. I promise.”

She kissed him and then pulled away, looking around the room with a forlorn expression. “Though I do wish we could stay here all day, we should get back to the house. We have work to do.”

He grabbed her hand, returning her gaze to him. “When this is all over, I’m making up that shoddy excuse of a wedding to you,” he said, and she smiled.

“That isn’t necessary, but I’d never say no to presents. Maybe something diamond-shaped?” She pressed a finger to her lips with a curious expression.

Rabin took her hand and kissed her palm. “I’ll buy you the biggest fucking diamond I can find. Even if I have to kill someone.”

That won him a laugh. “I don’t doubt you would.”

Then she dragged herself out of bed, giving him an eyeful of her lush curves as she made her way to the bathroom. He groaned, also wishing they could spend the next three months in this bed.

She blew him a kiss and then gently closed the bathroom door.

Rabin rubbed his chest and let out a sigh, feeling strangely at peace.

Reluctantly, Zarya and Rabin dragged themselves out of bed and made their way back to the manor. Their magical bubble had to burst because too many people were relying on them.

With scarves covering their heads, they wound through the streets, nearly running straight into a group of Jadugara accosting a group of citizens. Ducking into an alley, Zarya stopped, peering around the corner to watch.

The Jadugara were questioning the people they had surrounded. Zarya could just make out their demands: they were asking who their parents were and where and when they’d been born. She narrowed her eyes as she watched a Jadugara take the wrist of a young man and grip it tightly. He then filtered out a thread of spirit magic, circling it around the younger man.

“What’s he doing?” Rabin asked. He stood behind her, a hand on her hip and his body pressed to her back.

“I think he’s testing for magic,” Zarya said.

They both watched for another moment. “They’re trying to catch anyone who might have escaped the collar?” he asked a moment later.

She nodded. “That would be my guess.”

“We should go,” Rabin said. “It’s not safe for you out here.”

Zarya nodded and watched for another moment before the Jadugara began harassing another group of passersby. They looked scared and worried and were behaving erratically, confirming the Rising Phoenix had wormed under their skin. It was a sign of the royals’ increasing frustration. She hoped it was a positive omen.

When they returned to the house, it was already buzzing with the day’s activity. Vikas was ordering Aazheri about as a new group of vanshaj entered for their procedure. Out in the courtyard, Yasen and Row were busy training soldiers.

From the window, Zarya and Rabin watched as Yasen corrected someone’s handhold on their weapon. Zarya remembered watching him for the first time at Ambar Fort. He’d been such a patient and giving teacher, and it was obvious how much this role suited him.