Page 39 of Storm of Ink and Blood

Zarya clutched her necklace and inhaled a fortifying breath. “There’s another thing I have to share that might provide some assurance that this is the right path.”

“What?” Rania asked, her dark eyes flashing.

“You know of my mother’s prophecy, but there was more to it than anyone understands.”

Zarya released the necklace and channeled a thread of spirit into the stone before her mother’s voice floated into the air.

If you’re hearing this, then you’ve found a way to unlock your magic. I knew one day it would happen, but I tried to protect you for as long as I could.

Your father will come for you. Whether it’s soon or many years from now, he will find you. The day the oracle foretold your coming was a death sentence for both of us.

I don’t have much time, but no one else knows everything the prophecy said. The oracle chose it for my ears alone. Only I know it in its entirety, and now you will, too.

To the queen of the west, an heir shall rise.

Gifted of fire to tame the night skies.

For the people caged by the stars after the fall,

She will be the one to free them all.

Zarya. Know that I loved you. That I always will. That I had no choice.

When her mother’s voice fell silent, she looked around the room, taking in the depth of everyone’s renewed shock.

“She will be the one who frees them all?” Farida asked in a quiet voice, looking at Zarya with an entirely new expression on her face. “You will be the one to free the people caged by the stars?”

Zarya shook her head. “I’ve listened to it a thousand times trying to understand its meaning, but what else could it be?”

Farida opened her mouth and then closed it, her eyes filling with unshed tears.

“How do we know this is the truth?” Rania asked. “How do we know you aren’t lying to us? This necklace could be enchanted to tell us anything.”

“You saw my magic,” Zarya said. “Why would I be lying about this?”

“Rania,” Ajay chastised, but she waved him off.

“I need proof.”

“I don’t have anything but this,” she said. “The stories my guardian told me. He was the queen’s lover and helped protect me from my father.”

“Who is your father?” Ajay asked.

The way he asked the question told Zarya he already had surmised it wasn’t Kabir, the king consort.

“My father is… Raja Abishek.”

Rania hissed. “No. These are lies.”

“Zarya,” Ajay said. “Please explain.”

She then went on to tell them everything, and when she was done, she was met with more stunned silence.

“You can’t do this,” Rania said a moment later. “It’s too dangerous.”

“Rania,” Farida said, laying her hand on her arm. “Please, let me think.”

“You can’t possibly be considering this!”