Page 103 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

After a moment, Vikram dipped his chin. “I suppose that would be fine.”

“You’re sure?” Tarin asked, and when Vikram hesitated, Yasen wanted to scream.

“I’m… sure.”

“Excellent.”

Tarin turned to face Amrita, slowly shuffling towards her. He briefly regarded the baby stirring in her mother’s womb before looking up. Then he went still, and Yasen could only presume he was speaking with the queen.

Yasen started pacing. Again.

He stopped and rolled his neck, wishing they could speed this process along. He wanted to return to Ishaan and Miraan but couldn’t leave Vikram. When had he suddenly become responsible for so many lives? He’d always tried to avoid this shit as much as possible.

He huffed and started pacing again as they all stewed in silence.

Finally, after what felt like three days, Tarin turned around to face them. The expression on his face didn’t invite the warm fuzzies.

“What is it?” Row asked as Tarin shook his head.

“It is as we feared, and the darkness is returning as the seal grows weaker than ever. It started here twenty years ago when the Ashvins returned to this plane. The Chiranjivi managed to subdue it for a time, but as you can see, those efforts were only temporary.”

He swept a hand over the room, highlighting the rot creeping through the throne room and the queen.

“What do you mean, the Ashvins returned?” Row asked. “They’re still trapped in their prison.”

Tarin’s gaze shifted as though he was wary to reveal the rest.

“What is it?” Row demanded.

“While their corporeal forms remain locked away, their spirits escaped. They found a vessel to carry them, and as a result, the tether keeping them bound is weakening.”

“The Ashvins,” Row echoed hollowly. “The Ashvins caused the blight.”

Tarin nodded. “In a manner of speaking.”

“I don’t understand,” Yasen said. “What does that mean?”

“Zarya,” Tarin breathed. “It started with her.”

“Zarya? What do you mean?”

Tarin lifted a hand. “I do not fully understand it, but Amrita is now certain the blight that started on the shore began because of the twins and somehow ties to Zarya.”

That news dropped between them with a solid thump.

“I don’t get it,” Row said.

“Nor do I,” Tarin admitted.

“Is she okay?” Yasen demanded.

Tarin shook his head. “I cannot answer that.”

“What do we do?” Yasen asked.

“What else did you learn?” Row asked Tarin. “Is the seal in danger of failing completely?”

Right. Good question.