Page 137 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

Abishek blinked, and Yasen wondered if the barest flash of guilt passed over his expression.

“The mistake I made was not hunting you down and killing you,” Row continued, his voice filled with icy rage. “The mistake I made was allowing you to live; instead, I kept her hidden where she was forced to live a half-life.”

Whatever remorse Yasen saw in Abishek’s face cleared as he snarled and ran for Row, shoving him in the chest until he was backed against the wall. The king’s hand wrapped around Row’s throat.

“You dare speak to me this way?” Abishek hissed. “I am your king!”

“You… are… not…” Row gasped as Abishek squeezed.

The king laughed. “Oh, Row. Noble Row. You’ve made a commendable effort, but you cannot beat me.” He pulled Row from the wall, shaking him like a rag doll, and forced him to his knees, caging him in bands of magic.

Row looked up, his long, dark hair hanging limp in his eyes. Yasen slowly stood as he scanned the room, trying to figure out a plan to get them all the fuck out of here.

“I wish I’d ended your miserable existence,” Row snarled, and the king laughed.

“You’ve lost. First, I will end you, and then Rabindranath and my embarrassment of a child are next.”

It was at that moment that several things happened at once.

Abishek lifted an arm, magic swirling at his fingertips.

Ekaja shouted, “You will not touch him!” and lifted her hand.

Yasen leaped for Row, preparing to throw himself at the king.

But Ekaja’s magic struck Abishek in the chest, knocking him down and releasing his hold on Row.

He might have been nearly beaten, but Row didn’t miss a beat.

It was then that Yasen saw the warrior Row had been centuries before he’d ever been born.

Row crossed the room and stomped on Abishek’s throat with his boot, murder in his eyes. The king gasped and choked, flailing as he fought for air.

“This ends now,” Row hissed. “And you will never touch my daughter again.”

Row blasted out a thick beam of pure fire. Yasen could feel its heat from where he stood. It climbed over Abishek, igniting his hair and clothing as he screamed.

It was an inhuman sound. An unholy wail that echoed into every corner of Taaranas.

Row didn’t blink. He didn’t shake. He didn’t move.

He just fried the fucker to a crisp.

Yasen wanted to cheer, but he held it in, thinking it might be inappropriate.

When Row was done, when nothing of Abishek was left, he dropped his hand and sunk to the floor, his head bowing as his knees landed amongst the ashes of his former king.

FORTY-SEVEN

“Row?” Zarya whispered, her throat aching from screaming.

He looked over, instantly jumping to his feet. Striding across the cavern, he collapsed and drew her into an embrace.

“Gods,” he whispered as she sobbed into his chest. “I thought…”

“I’m fine,” she said. “I’m fine. Rabin saved me.”

Rabin and Yasen hugged her from each side as she was wrapped in the comfort of her husband, father, and best friend.