Page 96 of Storm of Ink and Blood

Row flattened his hands against the table, his shoulders spreading wide. “I hope that you’re right.”

“I am,” Rabin replied with confidence.

“And she says you are her paramadhar.”

“Yes.”

“You intend to fulfill this role?”

Rabin dipped his chin. “Absolutely.”

“You will be sworn to protect her at all costs, then,” Row said, a challenge in his tone. “You understand that.”

Rabin kept his posture loose as he sat back in his chair. “I am aware of what this means, and I am prepared for all of it.”

Row’s jaw ticked. “You know that a physical relationship between you and your masatara is frowned upon.”

Rabin shrugged. “I am aware.” He was more than aware at this point, but he still couldn’t find it in himself to care.

He stared at Row unblinking, refusing to back down or be made to feel this was wrong. Abishek would get over it, and as long as Zarya was willing, there was no reason for them to stay apart. Zarya was still on her guard, but he sensed she was softening.

Row dipped his chin slightly. “Do you know where to find a mystic to administer the Bandhan?”

“I was actually hoping you’d know someone,” Rabin answered as Row’s eyebrows drew together. If Zarya wouldn’t travel to Andhera until she was ready, then Abishek’s mystic was currently out of the question. “I don’t know of any mystics in Daragaab.”

“No,” Row said. “But there is one in Ishaan.”

“Perfect,” Rabin answered. “I know Zarya is eager to return to her work there.”

“And you’ll be going with her? Not returning to Andhera?”

Rabin nodded. Eventually, he would return to Andhera with Zarya—once he could convince her to come—but for now, he would follow where she went.

Row watched Rabin, his dark gaze assessing him from head to toe.

“She may not be my daughter by blood, but I love her like one. Understand that I let it go last time, but I see that you are intertwined in more important ways than my distaste for you allows,” Row said, leaning forward. “But if you hurt her again, I will kill you.”

Rabin acknowledged the absolute conviction in his eyes. He placed his fist across his chest in a show of respect for Zarya and the man who’d raised her, no matter their feelings for one another.

“Understood.”

THIRTY-THREE

A few hours later, Zarya and Rabin found themselves on the roof of the Jai Palace, keeping as low as possible. They’d dressed in dark clothing with hoods covering their heads, leaving only their eyes visible.

The city was still awake, music and the sounds of chatter drifting up from the plazas surrounding the building. Zarya hadn’t realized how much she’d been missing Dharati since she’d left.

Their current vantage point offered a view of the boulevard stretching away from the palace. Zarya thought of the rift that once ran through it and, of course, the moment Rabin came along to fix it in his arrogant way. The memory made her smile. Sure, she’d been frustrated at the time, but it had also been a part of a delicious push and pull that made being around him all the more thrilling. He kept her on her toes, and she suspected that would always be the case.

Nothing about him was predictable and Zarya had always craved a more unpredictable life.

“Come on,” he whispered. “This way.”

He turned and began climbing over the roof like he’d been born inside these nooks and crannies. She followed behind as he expertly maneuvered the towers and edges, leaping across the gaps with the grace of an acrobat and then waiting for her to catch up. She had to admit it was helpful having Daragaab’s former army commander on her side. He knew this place like the back of his hand.

Along with their deep hoods, they had weapons strapped to their backs and hips should they encounter trouble. Zarya prayed they could get in and out without being noticed. She wasn’t sure what to expect if Vikram got wind of their presence, but it seemed unlikely he’d just let her walk out of there with a book from the super-secret section of the library.

The interior of the palace formed a giant square with gardens and fountains in the center. They could see into the ballroom on the far side through the tall, wide windows. Music drifted on the night, loud enough to help disguise their movements. Guards were stationed at various points around the garden, several of them obscured by the trees and shrubs.