Page 91 of Storm of Ink and Blood

They followed him into the kitchen while Row hunted through the cupboards.

“I have a feeling I’m going to need a drink.”

“Ha,” Zarya said as she pulled up a chair and dropped into a seat. Though she’d only lived here a few months, this place felt like returning to a warm hug.

Row produced a few glasses along with a bottle of something dark and strong. He set it on the table and then sat down. He and Zarya looked over at Rabin, who hovered in the doorway.

“Come on,” Zarya said, kicking a chair out. “Don’t be shy.”

That earned her a glare as he stalked forward and settled into a seat.

“Before we get into why you want to break into the library, I have to ask,” Row said, clasping his hands together. “What are you two doing together? He lied to you, Zarya.”

“Remember when we suspected he was my paramadhar?”

“Of course.”

“He figured out how to enter our mind plane.” She thumbed at Rabin. “And now he won’t leave me alone.”

“Zarya,” Row said, his eyes darkening on Rabin. “If you need help⁠—”

“It’s fine,” she said. “I agreed to meet with him in person, and he’s explained some things.”

Row’s eyebrows drew together. “But the king⁠—”

“Doesn’t want anything from her,” Rabin said, cutting him off. “I know what you believe, but none of it is true.”

Row stared at Rabin for several long seconds before he said, “I’ll need more than that.”

Rabin went on to tell Row everything he’d revealed to Zarya, and when he was done, he fell quiet.

“I see,” Row said before he turned to Zarya. “You believe all of this?”

Zarya’s eyes darted to Rabin, her shoulders tightening.

“I want to,” she whispered as doubt crossed Row’s face, rattling the fragile certainty she’d been building loose from its moorings.

“I understand that,” he said. “But—” He shook his head and ran a hand down his face before reaching for the bottle between them and pouring out three stiff shots.

“We can talk more about this later. Tell me what you’re doing here, then.”

Zarya nodded and drew in a deep breath, sharing the entire harrowing tale with Row.

When she was done, he stared at her as if he was seeing her for the very first time.

“Six anchors. You have six anchors and you broke the collars?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I was afraid.”

“Six,” Row breathed again before he picked up his glass and took a long, slow pull. “And the vanshaj, too.”

“It was actually a relief to find out I wasn’t the only one,” she said softly.

Row huffed out a breath, his shoulders dropping. “It creates your nightfire, too?”

“Not entirely, but I do think they’re connected. I can create the magic without it, but using my sixth anchor makes it stronger. Much stronger.” She paused as she spun the glass in her hand, idly staring at the wet ring it left on the table. “That day the blight tried to consume the city, I used it. I wouldn’t have been able to stop it otherwise.”

She looked at Rabin. “And you held my hand, and that helped, too. I think that must have been our bond.”