Page 12 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

A sharp rap came at his door, and he spun around.

Ekaja didn’t wait for an invitation. She never did. This impatient knock was actually more than she usually bothered with. The door swung open, and she strode in, sauntering towards the window as he turned to face the glass again. She stopped beside him, and together, they stared into the dark, starry night.

“So,” she said.

“So?”

“You brought her here.”

He looked over to meet her gaze. “And?”

Ekaja shrugged. “You’re hiding this from him?”

“I’m not hiding anything,” he said a little too quickly, and she smirked.

“Sure.”

He ran a hand along the back of his neck and exhaled a long breath. He’d already told Ekaja too much about Zarya, but he trusted her to keep his secrets to herself.

Unfortunately, the king was far too versed in sniffing out treachery, and Rabin hoped they could keep their marriage a secret long enough to break the news to the king gently. After his reaction to completing the Bandhan without his consent, Rabin was more worried than ever about defying Abishek’s orders.

“It’s our business alone and has nothing to do with the king.”

Ekaja nodded. “Then I hope you understand what you’re doing. I know he gave you an order.”

“One that was completely unreasonable,” Rabin growled.

She shrugged again before saying, “She’s pretty.”

Rabin blew out a sigh. “I know. I don’t deserve her.”

“Relax,” she responded with a scoff. “It’s obvious she’s in love with you, for whatever reason.”

Rabin’s heart twisted with those words.

“But now I see why she’s had you so moody. Even more so than usual, I mean.”

He snorted a dry laugh as they fell into a comfortable silence.

Another knock came at the door, this one more tentative. Rabin spun on his heel and crossed the room, whipping it open to find Zarya standing on the other side.

“Spitfire,” he breathed, the tightness in his chest suddenly loosening.

“I wanted to say good night,” she said, her gaze moving past him.

Ekaja stood with her arms crossed and her hip cocked regarding them with her usual piercing scrutiny.

“Hi,” Zarya said. “We didn’t get much chance to talk at dinner. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too,” Ekaja replied. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Zarya’s gaze went to Rabin. “That’s… nice?”

Ekaja laughed and then strode over to clap him on the shoulder. “Zarya, Rabin tells me you’re good with a sword.”

Zarya arched a brow and assessed Ekaja from head to toe. “I can hold my own.”

“Care for some sparring after some rest?”