Page 129 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

Yasen followed him a moment later to find Catana starting a fire. The space was tiny, barely large enough to accommodate the three of them.

Once the fire was crackling, Yasen squatted before it, holding out his hands for warmth. Row stood at the doorway, quietly conferring with Catana before the mountain man shook his hand, clapped him on the back, and then disappeared, presumably to return home.

“What now?” Yasen asked. “How much of a lead do they have?”

“A day at most, according to Catana.”

“Why did he help Abishek? I thought the clans didn’t trust him.”

Row shook his head. “Abishek and the mountain clans have never seen eye to eye on much. Riches are buried in these mountains, and it’s always been a sore spot for the king. Many years ago, he sent his army to destroy the clans so that he might have free access to the minerals and jewels. It was a massacre. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t be swayed.

“Eventually, I trekked out to meet with the clans myself. Catana and I talked for hours, and I returned to Abishek with an offer of truce. They’d stay out of each other’s way, and the clans would pay a tax for the use of Abishek’s resources.”

Row stared at the fire as some long-buried memory passed behind his eyes. “I should have left him right then, but I foolishly believed I could keep him in check.” He looked up at Yasen. “Abishek threatened to break the peace of their accord and finish the mountain clans off for good if they wouldn’t lead him to this spot.”

Yasen blew out a long breath as he ran his hand through his hair. “Well, I guess I can’t blame them for that.”

Row shook his head.

“So, what happened when they got here?” Yasen asked.

“Catana remained behind to watch,” Row said before sharing a story about Abishek and his mystic forcing Rabin into his dragon form while telling Zarya she had to find and open the seal as Yasen listened in horror.

Once Row was done speaking, they both fell silent.

“So, we’re crossing a bridge hanging in the middle of nothing to enter some ancient city full of evil magic?”

Row nodded. “So it would seem.”

“Fabulous.”

“I can only presume Abishek followed Zarya and Rabin once he assumed she was close to what he wanted.”

“Fucker,” Yasen grumbled under his breath as Row made a sound of agreement. “So, we’re going in,” he added. “To help Rabin and Zarya and then close up the seal once and for all.”

“I don’t think we have any other choice,” Row answered. “We have to get to Zarya.”

The fire crackled, and the wind howled outside as they stared at the flames, lost in their thoughts.

“You don’t have to come,” Row said a moment later, and Yasen looked up. “I’ll go after her. You can return to Ishaan.”

Yasen shook his head. “Absolutely not. You need my help.”

Row nodded, and Yasen wondered if he caught a hint of respect in the depths of the old warrior’s eyes.

“Very well. Then I don’t think we should waste any time. Eat something, and we’ll get moving.”

Once they were done, they packed up their belongings and headed back into the snow. Row and Yasen stared at the bridge, swinging in the wind.

“Ready?” Row asked, and Yasen nodded.

With a swallow, he approached the bridge and laid a tentative foot on the planks. It felt like it would collapse with a breath, but Zarya had managed it. And he would, too.

He stepped onto the bridge, clinging to the rope as it swung under his weight—another step and then another as he neared the end.

“I’m coming, Zee,” he whispered. “I’m bringing you home.”

And then… the magic swallowed him up.