Page 154 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“If you survive,” Miraan added, “I want you to be happy. Allow yourself that. I want you to understand that you deserve everything.”

Miraan searched his face while Yasen stood there like a stunned ass, unable to form a single sentence. The prince looked away and raised his sword over his head.

“Soldiers of Gi’ana and Andhera! Taara Aazheri who are now free! This is your land and your country, and today, you will defend it until your very last breath! Don’t let the efforts of the resistance have been in vain! I want you to live!”

They shouted in response, raising their fists as their cries rose into the sky with a thread of hope.

Yasen had faced many foes in his life, but this was the first time he’d ever truly worried about dying. Maybe it was due to the strength of the enemy they faced, or maybe it was because he finally had something to lose.

And even… something to live for.

Then Miraan gave the signal.

Together, they charged, finally united.

Working as one.

They picked up speed, racing across the plains.

Yasen lifted his sword, calling out a battle cry as he crashed into the line of nairatta and hoped he’d see the sun rise again tomorrow.

FIFTY-FOUR

“Zarya!” Rabin shouted, running towards her and catching her in his arms as she collapsed and her body went limp. The vial tumbled from her hand, rolling along the stones with an ominous clink.

Row snatched it up and sniffed the contents. “Poison,” he said. “She…”

“Killed herself,” Kindle said.

Rabin couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think. He lay Zarya on the ground, her skin already turning cold. He leaned down to press his ear to her chest. Nothing.

“Zarya!” he roared. “Come back to me!”

“Rabin!” Row said. “You have to save her!”

Rabin nodded. His vision tipped and went blurry. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, and it came away wet. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d cried.

He’d never done this before. She’d only been near death when he’d saved her, not actually dead.

But this was the one that counted most.

He reached for her hand when suddenly, she began to glow. Silver starlight burst around her in a flash, curving her body off the earth. They all watched a silver shadow slowly emerge, peeling out of her skin.

Rabin’s chest constricted so tight he thought he might pass out as he watched the silver swirls morph into the shapes of two men.

The Ashvins.

After a stunned moment of disbelief, everyone burst into action.

“Stop them!” Suvanna cried, and together, five Chiranjivi called on their unique powers to surround the Ashvins. Bands of golden and fiery magic, twisting with fluid ribbons of water and air, wrapped around the twins, trapping them where they hovered.

“Zarya,” Rabin said, falling to the ground and stretching over her like he’d done in that swamp in Dharati when he’d saved her from the brink. Like he’d done only days ago when her own father had tried to murder her.

Dimly, he registered the struggle around him, but all he could focus on was Zarya, her ashen cheeks, and cooling skin. He took her hand and wrapped it with his. She felt so small and delicate. He’d have only minutes before he’d also start to drift away.

The Bandhan pulsed at his side like a second heartbeat. It ached, and it burned, searing against his skin. Almost like it felt her death, too. Rabin closed his eyes and entered the mind plane, seeking her out. He had to find her. Not only was everything resting on his shoulders, he had to save her.

He didn’t care about himself. He had never cared about himself, but she needed to live.