Page 164 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

It must have been days later when she awoke to a dark room and, for the first time, felt like she could move. The tiniest spark flickered in her chest, and she closed her eyes, pressing her hand to her heart.

Eventually, she turned her head to meet a pair of dark irises flecked with gold.

“Rabin,” she whispered.

“Spitfire.” His voice was raw, but the way he said it filtered through her blood and filled her back up.

“Can you move?” she asked.

“Not really. You?”

“A little,” she said. “I miss you.”

At that, he simply lifted his arm with a wince, pulling up the corner of his blanket. She sat up slowly and placed her feet on the floor. It took a moment to heave herself up, and then she stole across the space and climbed in beside him.

He wrapped his arms around her, and she pressed her face into his chest, inhaling his familiar scent. They lay together for a long time, saying nothing while Zarya listened to the beat of his heart and the soft sounds of his breath.

He rubbed a hand down the back of her head and kissed her temple. “How are you?” he whispered into her hair.

“So glad you’re alive,” she said.

She looked up to meet his pensive gaze.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked.

He shook his head and blew out a sigh. “I’m sorry, Zarya. I’ll never forgive myself for what he did to you.”

“It wasn’t your fault. He tricked us both.”

“I brought you there. I should have hidden you. I should have protected you.” He slid his hand up the back of her shirt to run his fingers across the scars he’d inflicted. “But I hurt you.” His voice deepened, and his eyes turned black.

“Please don’t blame yourself for this,” she said. “I want to put this behind us.”

“I’m not sure I can do that.”

“Please?”

He exhaled a soft breath. “I can try.”

She pressed her mouth together, knowing that he’d probably have to work through this himself no matter what she said or what assurances she offered.

He blinked and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

“Are you ready for the next part?” he asked. “This fight is over. We were married in the middle of a hurricane and never had a chance to build a life.”

She gave him a watery smile. “I always want to be surrounded by people.”

He grimaced, and she laughed.

“All right, how about sometimes?”

“You still want to remain in Ishaan?” he asked.

“I do, but what about your home? Do you want to return to Dharati?”

He shook his head. “Maybe, but I’d have to mend bridges with Vik first. And I don’t know if I’m ready to be near my father again.”

“Do you think they’re okay?”