Page 151 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“Another hour or two at most. I’ve already alerted them on the front line.”

They all shared a grim look as two familiar figures appeared in the square.

Row stood with Kindle, their hands clasped, and they all rushed over to greet them.

“Kindle,” Zarya said as she hugged him tightly. “Thank you for coming.”

They pulled apart, and Kindle looked around the circle. “Row filled me in on everything, but are you sure about this?”

“I’m sure,” Zarya said before anyone could interrupt.

“Zarya,” Row said, his tone full of pain.

She willed herself not to cry. She’d promised herself no more tears until this was over. “Please don’t make this any harder,” she whispered.

Row rubbed a hand over his face and then nodded. “I’m sorry… I just…”

“I know.” She turned to face the others. “It’s up to you to ensure the Ashvins don’t escape before Rabin can revive me.”

Everyone fell silent as they considered the question no one could bring themselves to ask. But Zarya had to give voice to it. She couldn’t just pretend this wasn’t the end.

“And if he can’t, it will be up to you to save everyone. Somehow.”

More worried looks passed around the circle.

She stood surrounded by friends, by her father—her true father—and the man she loved. By a group of people who she now called friends. There was no choice but to face it and hope she was coming back.

Row strode over, throwing his arms around her in a tight hug. They clung to one another as she buried her face in the curve of his shoulder.

“Thank you for everything,” she said. “I want you to know I always wanted you as my family.”

He pulled away and gave her a bemused look.

“You said that to Abishek when you were fighting. That I didn’t want you, but that isn’t true.”

He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, his eyes filling with tears, and shook his head. “Thank you, Zarya. For coming into my life. For giving me a purpose I didn’t even know I wanted.”

Zarya swallowed. “Promise me you’ll look for my mother,” she said. “I hope you get another chance.”

Row wasn’t her father by blood, but in a way, her parents had been in love just as she’d always imagined.

“She was calling for you,” Zarya said. “She…”

“Needed me,” he answered, his voice hollow.

And then, a single tear slipped down his cheek. She’d never seen him cry before.

“It wasn’t your fault. I’m so sorry.”

Row inhaled a deep breath. “When you survive this, we will find her together.”

Zarya nodded and pressed her mouth together, shoving back the tears she refused to shed. If she survived this.

“I love you,” she said, hugging him one more time.

“I love you, too.” They held on for another moment and then pulled away.

Zarya looked at the others. The brave and kind Apsara. The fierce Suvanna. The gentle Koura. And Kindle, who’d been a father when Row had gone missing.