Page 154 of Storm of Ink and Blood

“Channel spirit into it,” Zarya croaked. Row suspected only Zarya would be able to make the stone speak, but she was hoping someone of her mother’s blood would be enough.

Dishani gave her a skeptical look but did as she asked and wrapped a delicate thread of golden light around the necklace.

When her mother’s voice floated out of the stone, Zarya breathed a sigh of relief.

The words she’d listened to so many times circled around them, making the air shift. She remembered that night on Ranpur Island when she’d first discovered the prophecy, and her entire world had changed. She felt that same change again.

After the stone went silent, Dishani stared at her as her hand lowered to her side.

“The one to free them all,” she said hollowly.

“I’m not here to take your crown,” Zarya whispered. “That was never what I wanted.”

Dishani blinked, her brows furrowing. “No, but you want to free the vanshaj. Destroy this city and this queendom. Perhaps all of Rahajhan. One way or another, you will take my crown.”

Despair collapsed in Zarya’s chest. Even if she didn’t want the crown, she had attempted to upset the order of everything.

“You can’t keep them caged any longer,” Zarya whispered. “Your rule was built on the suffering of others. You never deserved this.”

“How dare you!” Dishani hissed. She took a step, preparing to deliver another blow to Zarya’s stomach when Miraan grabbed her by the arm and tugged her so hard she stumbled.

“Stop this!” he shouted. “Stop tormenting her and listen. Do something better with your power. Leave her alone. Free the vanshaj. Stop this madness!”

“You…” Dishani said, looking Miraan up and down. “I trusted you.”

“I’ve been funding the Rising Phoenix,” he said, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. “For years. I carry tainted dark magic and helped free thousands of them.” He pointed towards the window. “And I would do it again and again.”

Dishani blinked as her face turned pale. She didn’t move for several seconds as she absorbed the enormity of what he’d just confessed.

Then she snapped. “Guards!” she screamed. “Arrest him for treason!”

The queensguard stirred into action, and Miraan was seized by each arm as he was surrounded on every side. They were both lost.

Dishani held the power in this city, and they never stood a chance.

Zarya was never leaving this place.

She would die here at her own sister’s hand.

She sobbed as she thought about the life she’d never get to enjoy with Rabin.

At everything she’d just lost.

Every time she took a step towards her future, someone came in to sweep it all away.

She curled further into herself, tears coating her cheeks.

And that’s when a dark shadow fell over the room.

FIFTY-FIVE

Rabin soared over the city with Yasen clinging to his back, his focus trained on the enchanted blue palace in the distance.

From this vantage, he noted a giant plume of smoke billowing across the sky, realizing it was the ink factory. In spite of everything, Rabin smiled to himself. This had always been his plan B. One he’d shared only with Vikas. They would hit the royal family through a different artery if things went off course.

The palace raid had failed, but everything wasn’t lost.

Circling over the factory, he let out a roar of triumph before turning and aiming for the solarium tower, banking left as he made a wide loop. He could make out soldiers guarding the perimeter, all of them facing inward.