Page 75 of Storm of Ink and Blood

“Because I am.”

The answer was simple, unvarnished and raw, brimming with the force of his conviction.

“Because of the paramadhar bond?”

He shook his head. “No. That’s not what the bond is about. What you and I have is something else.”

She smiled. She did like the sound of that.

“Just trust me,” he said. “There’s no possibility this thing I feel for you could be anything but destiny, no matter what anyone might say.”

She wondered if she detected a tinge of bitterness in that statement, but that also made no sense.

“I’m trying.”

“I know. And I am grateful for that.”

“Okay,” she whispered, and he pushed himself up as he stared down her length. She could feel that look everywhere. Then he leaned over and brushed his mouth against her ear.

“Every fiber of my soul wants to take you to that bed and fuck you until you can’t walk straight,” he whispered. Her nipples tightened as heat flooded between her thighs at the wild desire in his voice. “But I think we should take things slow. I have things to explain to you first.”

He pulled away, and she tried to quell her disappointment. But he was right. Jumping into bed was the last thing she needed, even if that was what she wanted.

He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “But if you’ll allow it, I’d like to sleep next to you tonight?”

She nodded. “Of course.”

He dipped his chin and then scooped her into his arms before carrying her back inside and falling into the bed.

And for the first time in months, Zarya finally slept.

TWENTY-SEVEN

The next day, Rabin toured Zarya around his house, proudly showing off every room and nook bursting with greenery. His entire home was like an enchanted fairy tale. The only thing it was missing was the princess. It even had the dragon, she mused to herself as they traipsed through a patch of small shrubs where the leaves were all shaped like little hearts.

Soft white petals fell from the trees, settling on their hair and clothing. She spun around, remembering when Rabin had dumped flowers on her head after she’d taunted him.

“Do you like it?” he asked, almost as if he were nervous about her answer.

She nodded. “It’s the most magical place I’ve ever been.”

“This place means so much to me. I’d love for it to mean something to you, too.”

Her heart twisted at his expression, their gazes holding for several long seconds.

Or maybe the princess wasn’t missing after all.

They continued walking the worn paths as butterflies and peri fluttered past. Even the sunlight felt different here, as if they’d stepped into another world where every edge had been smoothed down into something silken and gentle. Zarya inhaled a deep breath of fresh air, noting that even the breeze smelled almost like vanilla and cinnamon.

Rabin walked ahead as she studied his broad back and muscled shoulders. His thick, veined arms were exposed by his sleeveless kurta, and she admired those big hands she had desperately wanted all over her last night. But he’d been right when he said they needed to talk first.

They were currently talking about everything but the discussion they should be having, but she welcomed it. Just being in his presence eased so many disquieting thoughts racing through her mind.

Zarya caught sight of an archway made of greenery and wandered towards it. Beyond, she found a round clearing bordered by thousands of glossy white blossoms. She didn’t recognize what they were, only that they smelled like heaven. She crossed the clearing and reached out to pluck a bloom to tuck into her hair.

As her fingers met the vibrant green leaves, her vision blurred. Flashes burst across her mind. The same ones she’d seen before—fires burning, demons marching, a man’s face reflected in glass—and she stumbled back, gasping as black rot crept over the flowers, leaving a dark patch of dead, smoldering petals.

Frantically, she scanned the clearing as if an explanation might present itself. What was happening? She needed to tell someone, but who? A bead of sweat dripped into her eyelashes, and she blinked it away, inhaling a deep breath to settle her shaky limbs.