Page 99 of Storm of Ink and Blood

“Argh!” Zarya let out a sound of frustration as Rabin dragged her through the gate and towards the dangling vine. She stuffed her notebook back into her pocket with another glance over her shoulder, wishing they had more time.

“We can’t linger here, Spitfire.” He pushed her in front of the vine. “Climb.”

Zarya grabbed the rope, her gaze finding the book she desperately longed to take. They already knew someone had broken in, what difference would it make to steal it now?

“Open it again!” she begged, slipping past Rabin. “Let me grab it.”

“Zarya! Leave it!” he said as she backed up towards the gate.

“Stop! I command you to stop!” came another voice Zarya knew all too well. She halted in her tracks, turning to face Vikram. Armed to the teeth and wearing a royal blue kurta, he stood at the end of the hall with a dozen soldiers flanking him. The air around them stilled as Zarya sucked in a breath.

Vikram took a step towards them, his posture stiff and his jaw hard, freezing Zarya and Rabin in place like a pair of cornered rabbits.

“What in the name of the gods are you both doing here?” he snarled.

Rabin stared at his brother, his rib cage tightening against his lungs. This was the last thing he’d wanted. Getting caught here like a couple of criminals inside Vik’s palace. This would hardly be a step in mending their crumbled bridges.

He watched as Vikram’s furious gaze skipped between him and Zarya. Vikram assumed several things in that look, some of which were definitely true and caused his mouth to harden into a straight line.

Zarya’s worried glance fell on Rabin before it pinged around the room, searching for a way out. Rabin stood right beneath the vine and their rope to safety, but Zarya was too far away. He was about to lunge for her and shove her up when Vikram took another step.

“Don’t bother,” he said. “Every exit is guarded, and you will not escape. Did you think you could sneak into Dharati without my noticing? I have eyes and ears everywhere. And you didn’t even make your entrance subtle. Did you take me for a fool?”

Rabin rolled his neck. It was obvious his little brother had learned a thing or two in the years since he’d been gone.

“What are you doing here with him?” Vikram asked Zarya. Rabin didn’t miss the wounded flicker that passed over his expression. “Didn’t he lie to you? Didn’t you tell him to leave you alone? How can you trust him after what he’s done?”

Zarya gave Rabin an uncertain look that pinched the space behind his heart. She didn’t fully trust him. She was desperately attempting to keep him at arm’s length, and maybe a better man would accept that and let her walk away. But Rabin had never pretended to be anything other than entirely focused on what he wanted. He’d broken her trust but was trying to do everything to earn it back. He would never give up.

“I…” Zarya said before her mouth snapped shut.

“What are you stealing from the queen’s library?” Vikram demanded.

She shook her head. “Nothing. We just…”

“The truth or you’ll both be thrown into my dungeons.”

Zarya’s worried gaze again met Rabin’s while he considered their options. He had to get her out of this. He didn’t care for his own safety, but hers was his only priority. Even if she fought against it, that was his job until he drew his final breath.

“What is the meaning of this?” came another voice as Row burst through the line of soldiers. “Zarya? What are you doing in Dharati?”

Rabin tensed, wondering if Row had double-crossed them. But Row’s gaze flicked to Rabin with the slightest hint of acknowledgment. His shoulders eased as he realized Row was only playing along. After the way he’d threatened Rabin earlier, he was sure that even if Row wasn’t on his side, he would always be on Zarya’s.

“We just wanted to check things out,” Zarya said. “No one would ever allow me in here.”

She widened her eyes, playing the fool, and Rabin nearly exhaled a snort. How did she manage to constantly break through the tight hold he’d always kept on himself?

He resumed assessing their possible exits. He could transform into his dragon, but the space was tight, and he worried about hurting Zarya and even Row, as she did seem rather fond of him.

“With him?” Vikram asked, gesturing abruptly at Rabin, and Zarya rolled her eyes.

“He won’t leave me alone, will he? So, I thought I’d use him to help get me in. He knows this place really well.”

Vikram’s angry gaze moved to Rabin. “And, of course, you’d jump at the first chance to betray me again. I told you to stay away from her.”

“Excuse me?” Zarya asked. “You did what?”

Rabin pressed his mouth together as his gaze met Row’s. They had to get out of this library now. Then he could shift and fly Zarya to safety.