Page 144 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“Find my mother,” she said. “If she’s still alive…”

Ekaja nodded. “Of course. I’ll take care of her until you return. Anything you need.”

“Be careful,” Zarya said.

“You, too.”

Then Zarya, Row, and Yasen climbed onto Rabin’s back. He flapped his wings and took a few steps before launching into the sky. He watched the demons marching in every direction, thankful for the long, arduous journey ahead of them.

With any luck, it would slow them down.

Rabin looped around Andhera, lifting his head and roaring before he turned east and towards Gi’ana.

With any luck, they’d arrive in time.

FORTY-NINE

Rabin coasted over the miles as they watched nairatta snaking down the mountains. He flew as hard as he could, pulling ahead until they finally disappeared from view.

After several long days and nights, Ishaan appeared in the distance. He looped over the city to witness the destruction of the past few weeks.

The sky-blue palace stood pale against the smoky sky where a red sun bled across the horizon. His nostrils flared at the acrid scent of smoke curling in the air. He dipped, sailing over the buildings and the palace, where he spotted the courtyard filled with hundreds of soldiers wearing black.

Andhera’s army. Abishek had betrayed everyone.

Rabin dropped into an empty square, waited for the others to scramble off, and then quickly transformed into his rakshasa form.

“Did you see them?” Yasen asked. “That shithead king was planning to release an army of demons, and he just left his people defenseless?”

Rabin was already stalking in the direction of the palace.

They all stopped when they reached the gates and stared at the army arranged into neat lines.

“Should we be standing here?” Yasen asked. “This feels a little dangerous.”

“We have to warn them about the nairatta,” Zarya said, though there wasn’t much confidence in her statement.

Rabin nodded and once again focused on the front of the plaza, where he recognized a few of Andhera’s generals. Gods, how could he ever forgive Ekaja for any of this?

Several people stood on the royal balcony, including a woman wearing a veil over her head; Kabir, the king consort; and the younger of the two Madan siblings. Someone was speaking—a man dressed in the silver-white uniform of the queensguard.

“Gi’ana thanks you for your assistance!” he shouted. “The rebels have ruled this nation for too long, and it is time to bring order to our land!”

He bent down to confer with the veiled woman, who Rabin assumed was Princess Dishani, before addressing the crowd again. “The queen is in your debt! Head into the forest and root them out! Let no one be spared. Man, woman, or child—deal with these rebels without mercy!”

His words rang against the stones as hundreds of soldiers pressed their fists to their chests.

“Queen,” Zarya whispered. “She is no queen. She is a tyrant.”

An Andheran general began shouting orders before the soldiers turned in unison.

“No!” Zarya screamed. “They can’t do this. We have to stop them!”

“Ready!” came the call. “March!”

They stomped on the spot for several beats before moving towards the gates.

“No!” Zarya screamed. “Stop this!”