Page 18 of Storm of Ink and Blood

She fed in more magic, feeling every individual particle of the ink, manipulating them, and shaping them into patterns that obeyed her silent commands. Slowly, she directed the ribbon back into the bowl, where it dissipated into a pool of ink once again.

She held still for a moment and then puffed out her cheeks before she looked at Yasen, who stood with his hands stuffed into his back pockets.

“Well, that was something,” he said.

“Yeah,” she replied.

Something indeed.

She just wasn’t sure what yet.

SEVEN

Zarya lounged on the divan on the balcony of their apartment a few days later. The city was quiet—it was that peaceful hour between the late-night crowds stumbling home and the early risers stirring for the day. Ever since they’d left Dharati, she’d been having trouble sleeping and often found herself here, waking up with the dawn.

At night, she would toss and turn, craving the release of oblivion, not only to calm the constant churning of her mind and body but because she so badly wanted to connect to the dream forest.

It was ironic that the thing she needed most was the thing her body refused to give her. Did she need to be in a deep dreamlike state for it to work? Maybe she had to be asleep for a specific number of hours first?

Whatever combination of factors had brought Rabin to her previously had failed to manifest again. What if she were involuntarily blocking it in the depths of her hurt and betrayal? She didn’t know why she wanted to see him—she was still furious that he’d lied to her—but she couldn’t deny how much she craved him.

She let out a long sigh and tucked up her feet. The evening was warm, though a fresh breeze blew off the distant mountains. Next to her sat a cooling cup of tea infused with herbs intended to help her sleep, but it hadn’t been much use. It did tingle through her blood, and she allowed herself to sink into the soothing sensation.

Also on the table was a romance book—ever since arriving in Ishaan, she’d been introduced to a shocking variety of novels with storylines and tendencies that were entirely new to her. When she couldn’t sleep, she’d take solace between the covers, definitely not imagining Rabin’s face and body as she learned about all the new ways one could indulge in… pleasure.

She flipped through the pages, skipping ahead to a smutty part, but not even that was working right now. With a sigh, she slapped it shut and took another long sip of tea. Her head tipped back, and she stretched out her neck, wishing she could ease this knot of tension lodged at the top of her spine.

“Couldn’t sleep?” asked a voice, and Zarya looked up to find Apsara standing over her. She’d never seen the winged warrior so at ease in a soft white sleeveless shirt and a pair of shorts that showed off her toned brown legs.

“Couldn’t sleep,” Zarya confirmed.

“Mind if I join you?”

“Of course not.”

Apsara sat down, adjusting her wings so she could get comfortable. She gestured to the pot on the side table.

“Got any more of that?”

Zarya filled up her half-empty mug and then passed it to Apsara. “Help yourself.”

“So, how have you been?” she asked Zarya. “Row misses you. He doesn’t say it, but I can tell from his messages that he wishes you were at home.”

Zarya scrunched her nose. Of late, she’d felt guilty for leaving and refusing his company on her quest to Gi’ana. She was safe here—she hadn’t truly felt threatened, but Row had always had a way of making everything seem solid and stable. In spite of everything that had happened at the cottage, she’d always felt protected.

“I’ll be back soon,” she said, but her words were unconvincing. She had no idea where her future might lead her. She wasn’t sure what she wanted for her life but hoped the right path would eventually reveal itself.

“How about you?” Zarya asked. “How have you been? Why did you show up here with Suvanna?”

Apsara let out a dry huff. “It’s not because we’ve been spending time together,” she said. “If that’s what you’re wondering.”

“I was wondering,” she said. “I hoped.”

“Why?” Apsara said.

Zarya shrugged. “You might say I’ve always been a bit of a romantic.”

“I’ve always liked that about you.”