Page 110 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“Taaranas?” Rabin echoed, his voice hollow and full of dread. “But it was razed to the ground a thousand years ago.”

Zarya remembered the name. It was the same city she’d seen in her visions. The one depicted in the tapestries lining Abishek’s castle. The place where the Ashvins had once lived and ruled.

“Yes and no,” Abishek said. “When the seven original rulers sealed the twins and the darkness away, they sequestered the brothers and the city in another plane. There was no one left alive in Taaranas by then. Then they planted the Jai Tree to seal them off. The roots grow for thousands of miles throughout Rahajhan, creating a wall between our worlds.”

Zarya blinked, trying to absorb the scale of this information.

“A city? In another dimension?” Rabin asked.

Abishek sat straighter and accepted another mug of chai from Catana. He sipped it and stared into it before he finally looked up. “We are heading for a bridge that marks the entry point into Taaranas. There, we will send you inside to seek out a fortress. Beyond its gates, you will find the trigger to open the seal. Only nightfire can accomplish this, and once you do, you will free the Ashvins, their darkness, and the nairatta again.”

He fell silent as his words echoed around the cavern, and Zarya’s blood ran icy cold.

“That’s what you needed my nightfire for,” Zarya said as so many things fell into place.

Abishek tipped his head. “Row wasn’t entirely wrong, you see? While magic can be taken, unfortunately, my research suggests that nightfire is the exception to this rule. So, I had to go about it another way. Besides, what I’m asking you to do accomplishes so much more than simply gaining new power for myself. This will change the world.”

“We’re not doing that,” Zarya said. “You can’t make us do that.”

Abishek turned to her with a cold smile. “No, you’re doing it. It’s your magic I need.”

His gaze flicked to Rabin as if he wasn’t quite finished yet.

“And Rabin? Why is he coming with me? And what did any of this have to do with our Bandhan?” she asked.

At that, the corner of Abishek’s mouth twisted into a cold smile.

“He’s my insurance that once you’re out of my sight, you will be motivated to cooperate.”

THIRTY-FOUR

The city was quiet when Yasen, Row, and Koura returned to Ishaan. They prowled through darkened streets, passing burned-out buildings and piles of rubble, exchanging wary looks.

“Why is it so quiet?” Yasen asked.

Row shook his head. “Let’s head to the manor to ensure everything is fine.”

“I want to see Miraan first,” Yasen said, and Row and Koura nodded. “Then I’ll join you.”

“And I must return to the palace to check on the princess,” Koura said.

“Do you, though?” Yasen asked, earning him a raised eyebrow.

“I don’t think I’ll dignify that with a response,” Koura responded before he bowed. “I’ll see you soon.”

Once he was gone, Row turned to Yasen. “Meet me in the forest when you’re done. I’ll head there now to explain what we’ve learned.”

They parted ways, and Yasen turned down a side street that would take him past Rudra’s manor.

He knocked on the door and was admitted into the salon by a servant.

“Yas!” Miraan said as soon as he entered. “You’re back!”

He scanned the room, finding Rudra and Miraan’s other friends.

“How did it go in Dharati?” Miraan crossed the floor, throwing his arms around Yasen. “I was worried about you.”

“I’m fine,” Yasen said, returning his embrace before they pulled apart. “Things are bad, though.”