Page 8 of Storm of Ink and Blood

Abishek sighed and ran a hand down his face, clearly frustrated by this knowledge.

When Row had shared the story of Zarya and her mother and her father, it had taken all Rabin’s willpower not to jump in and counter Row’s claims, including the absurd notion the king of Andhera would plot to steal his own daughter’s magic. He had more than enough magic of his own.

“I see,” Abishek said after Rabin finished explaining. “After all these years, the prophecy has finally been fulfilled.” He shook his head. “And Row’s infatuation with Asha prejudiced him against me. I cannot blame him for believing the words of the woman he loved, but I also cannot pretend it doesn’t sting after all the years we spent together.”

“It’s a lie, then?” Rabin asked. He felt guilty for the question but also wanted to be sure. He wouldn’t ever willingly put Zarya in danger. He’d meant everything he’d told her, even if it had come too late. Something he’d regret forever.

“Do you believe I’d harm my own child?” Abishek asked. “I’d only wish to know her. I don’t know why her mother believed this of me, but it weighs on my heart.” Abishek folded his hands and peered at Rabin. “I would never hurt her.”

“Yes,” he said. “Sorry. I just…”

“It’s fine.” He waved a hand. “You are right to always question things. Only fools believe whatever they’re told.”

“Right,” Rabin said, his tense shoulders easing.

Abishek reached for his water and took a sip while Rabin allowed him to absorb the heaviness of these secrets.

“Something else weighs on your mind?” Abishek asked a moment later, ever perceptive of everyone and everything around him. “Where is she now?”

Rabin hesitated again, wondering how much to reveal. Should he explain his feelings for Zarya? That they’d quickly turned from fascination to so much more? That from the first moment he’d seen her, he’d felt something that made his entire body sing with the promise of their future? Could he hide this secret, either?

She had been a stranger when he’d first told Abishek about the woman walking in his dreams, but now… he wasn’t sure how to explain what he felt. He doubted a father would want to hear about the nights of passion they’d shared. So Rabin decided to keep that aspect of their relationship to himself for now. Assuming it was possible to keep anything from Abishek for long. At least he would until he could convince Zarya to listen to him. But first, he had to find her and he’d need the king’s help for that.

“I’m not sure,” Rabin said. “We parted ways. I wasn’t entirely forthright about my relationship with you, and when she found out, she believed I meant her harm, too.”

“Because of what Row told her?”

Rabin nodded and rubbed his hands against his thighs in a nervous gesture. “Have you ever heard the term ‘paramadhar’?” he asked, and Abishek’s thick, dark eyebrows drew together.

“I have,” he said. “But they are very rare.” He paused for a split second before adding, “The dreams.”

“Yes,” Rabin said. “She was in possession of a notebook that once belonged to you. It talked about paramadhar, and she believed we might be connected.”

“A notebook of mine?”

“Apparently, Row took it from Rani Aishayadiva, believing it to be hers.”

The groove between Abishek’s eyes deepened. “Did she mention anything else she’d found in it?”

“Only that the Jai Tree was the seal holding in the darkness. That was how we knew Dhawan had double-crossed us.”

Again, Abishek appeared puzzled, but he gestured for Rabin to continue.

“I was wondering if there was some way to control the visions?” Rabin asked. “Could I summon her to the forest?”

Abishek scanned the many shelves filling the room. “I’m sure there’s something that may help.”

“I want to see her again,” Rabin confessed. “I’d like to apologize for deceiving her, and if I can talk to her again, then maybe I can convince her to come to Andhera and meet you.”

Abishek studied Rabin from head to toe, giving him a piercing look that made Rabin wonder if he already suspected the truth about his feelings for Zarya.

“I would like that very much,” he said after a moment.

Rabin’s fist clenched against the table, a twist of guilt burning in the back of his throat for deceiving his mentor.

“So you’ll help me find her?”

“Of course, my son. Anything you need. Let’s bring Zarya home.”