Page 73 of Storm of Ink and Blood

She nodded as he entered a room off the side before she heard the rush of water.

“It’s all ready for you,” he said after he returned, bending down and placing a finger under her chin. “I’m so glad you’re here. You have no idea how many times I’ve dreamed of this moment, Spitfire.”

Her voice stuck in her throat as she nodded. She hadn’t been prepared for how emotional she’d feel being in his presence again. He stirred up so many conflicting thoughts and desires. He’d given her both the highest highs and lowest lows of her life.

He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Take your time,” he said, his voice rough. Then he stood, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he left the room.

Zarya waited a few seconds before she pushed herself up. She was exhausted but wanted to rid herself of these muddy, wet clothes. Making her way towards the bathroom, she stripped down and then stepped into the shower, luxuriating in the heat of the water.

The tiles were made of the same moonstone material, and everything shimmered softly like it had been sprinkled with stardust.

The air felt soft and light, like a soothing caress. Was that magic? Or something else?

She cleaned up before wrapping herself in a large fluffy towel and padding into the bedroom to find a long satin nightgown lying on the bed, also in the same soft grey. After she dressed she found the food left on the table on the far side of the room.

She should be hungry—she couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten—but she also couldn’t keep her eyes open.

She took a small nibble of bread and then went to lie down, feeling her eyelids grow heavy before she curled up and drifted off to sleep.

When her eyes opened again, she had no idea how long she’d been out, but it had grown darker outside, suggesting at least a few hours had passed. She sat up and looked across the room to the balcony at the far end before noticing a folded piece of paper on the nightstand. She picked it up and opened it.

Zarya. I came to see you but wanted to let you sleep.

I’ll return when you awake.

-R

She stared at his neat scribbles as her heart fluttered like an overwhelmed butterfly before shaking her head. Why was she being such an idiot about a piece of paper?

But then she pressed her mouth to it, imagining she could inhale his scent, proving she really was a complete fool. New food had been delivered, including some sliced fruit and yogurt. She fixed herself a plate and chewed a few bites before wandering outside to investigate her surroundings.

As she approached the balcony, her eyes widened. She was inside an open-air greenhouse enclosed by the walls of the house. A glowing pool sat in the middle of the space, flourishing with a ring of greenery. Flowers and bushes and trees grew everywhere, and amongst them were hundreds of flying peri, their translucent wings shimmering gently against the dark night.

It offered such a stark contrast to the serious man she knew, but this felt like witnessing a secret glimpse into a whimsical layer of his heart.

Propping her elbows on the railing, she leaned forward to take it all in, inhaling the scent of blossoms and savoring a warm breeze that gently caressed her bare skin. She could have stood there for hours.

After several minutes, she became aware of a presence in the room, and she stiffened, knowing it could only be one person. She’d been wanting to see him for months, and she’d been the one to summon him, but now, she was overcome by… everything.

Rabin came up beside her, and once again, she forgot how to breathe in his presence. He wore a pair of soft pants in moonstone grey, his top half bare. Her memories had done a good job of recalling his sheer perfection, but standing next to him in the flesh, she was nearly knocked sideways.

“How are you feeling?” he asked softly, and she nodded.

“Much better.”

He tipped his chin and also leaned on the railing, staring out into the forest.

“This is unbelievable,” Zarya said. “You made all this, too?”

“I did.” He paused and then, a moment later, added, “It brings me peace.”

He said those last words with such rawness in his voice that it felt like he’d just offered up a tender slice of his soul.

“I missed you,” she said, not sure why she was admitting that, but something about his openness made her want to be honest. His head dropped as he blew out a long breath.

“Zarya, you have no idea what it’s been like without you. I thought you hated me, and I thought I might never see you again.”