Page 150 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“What are you smiling about, Spitfire?”

She told him, and he barked out a laugh.

“That door is locked, right?”

“I hope so,” she answered as his head dove between her thighs, and he licked her with a long stroke. She moaned as her head tipped back and her hips arched.

He continued tasting her as his hands slid up her thighs and stomach, cupping her breasts. With the tip of his tongue, he circled her clit as he pinched her nipples. She was somewhat conscious of everyone else in the apartment, so she did her best to muffle her cries, but they might both die tomorrow, and surely everyone would understand.

She felt herself winding tighter, and it didn’t take long before her release exploded as she gripped the bedspread so hard she felt the fibers give. She hadn’t stopped shaking when he crawled up her body and lined himself up with her entrance, slowly easing in.

“Zarya,” he said as he thrust his hips, his voice low and dark. “I love you.”

Then he leaned down to kiss her, and she felt the message he was trying to send. She felt the moments they’d spent together in the depth of that kiss as he made love to her. This was a letter written with their bodies and the hope—the hope—that they’d live through this to see another day.

She held his face in her hands as they stared at one another while he slowly drove into her. Their gazes locked for several minutes as they found strength in each other. She felt him thicken inside her, and they came together, moaning softly.

When it was over, they said nothing as they lay tangled together.

What was left to say?

A tear slipped down her cheek, and she decided it was the last one until this was over. There would be no more crying until this was done.

She would face this head-on. She had vowed to do this. She had been chosen for this. She was duty-bound to fulfill her mother’s prophecy and free the vanshaj.

The collars were broken, and now it was up to Rahajhan to finish what had been started.

She hoped they wouldn’t waste this opportunity for peace.

She hoped for so many things.

Zarya heard Rabin’s breath turn into a steady rhythm as they lay in silence.

She was asking everyone to do the unthinkable.

Zarya might have to take this into her own hands.

Slowly, she extricated herself from Rabin’s arms. She hunted for some clothing while he remained asleep and dressed in the dark bathroom.

Then she tiptoed across the room and eased the door open. She was relieved to find the common area empty. On light steps, she crossed the flat and then headed outside.

She passed homes with the curtains drawn and the windows dark and whispered a prayer that everyone else would survive this, too. Then she stole through the city’s ruined streets, navigating herself to a familiar place.

After about twenty minutes, she knocked on the door she’d been looking for. It was late, and Zarya hoped she would answer. It took a moment before she heard movement on the other side.

The door popped open to reveal Thriti, her expression wary.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, scanning Zarya up and down.

Zarya swallowed the knot in her throat. “I need your help.”

FIFTY-TWO

Zarya, Suvanna, Koura, and Apsara gathered inside a large, deserted plaza as the sun hung over Ishaan the next afternoon. A dark shadow crossed the sky, and they peered up to track Rabin’s path as he swooped overhead before dropping into the plaza. A second later, he dissolved into smoke before shifting into his rakshasa form.

“They’re close,” he said while jogging towards them. “Moving faster than we thought.”

“How long?” Apsara asked.