Page 166 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

Yasen watched the faces of the other Madans. Advika was quietly sobbing while Talin looked like someone had ripped into his chest and stomped on his heart. Kabir’s posture remained straight with his hands behind his back, but a shine reflected in his eyes.

Yet, they did not come to Dishani’s defense, and Yasen wondered if they’d all suffered at her hand.

Finally, Dishani nodded, and the relief in Miraan’s expression was obvious. He had no desire to sentence his sister to death.

“Then say goodbye,” he replied. “This will be the last time you see any of us again.”

Miraan gestured to the queensguard. “Your things have been packed, and a ship is waiting to take you to Salayana,” he said, naming an island a week’s journey away.

Dishani said nothing, her expression neutral as she was helped up from her seat. Slowly, she limped across the floor with a member of the queensguard holding each arm.

As she approached her family, she stopped and watched them as another tear fell.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered before looking back at Miraan. They stared at one another for several long seconds.

Then she turned away and continued out of the room.

No one spoke. No one moved.

It felt like no one even breathed until she reached the door and passed out of sight, never to be seen in Ishaan again.

FIFTY-NINE

Zarya and Rabin were feeling more themselves a few days later. They’d heard about Dishani’s banishment, as well as the arrests of the Jadugara. Miraan was busy drawing up new laws that would see the vanshaj freed for good.

She was trying to reconcile how she hadn’t been able to confront her half-sister, but perhaps it was for the best. Zarya didn’t need a reminder of the cruelty she’d suffered thanks to Dishani. It was time to forget her, and Zarya truly hoped the former princess would find happiness despite everything.

They were eating lunch in their room while Row paced back and forth, muttering to himself. Several members of the queensguard had secretly traveled to Andhera days ago to retrieve Asha—assuming she was still alive.

Zarya wrapped her hand around the stone hanging from her neck. Yasen had returned it after Miraan recovered it from Dishani. She’d sobbed uncontrollably as Rabin had clasped it around her neck, and now she couldn’t stop touching it.

Zarya wished she could have joined the mission to retrieve Asha, but she couldn’t travel yet. Row had been split between staying with Zarya and finding the love of his life. Zarya had insisted he go, but in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to leave her side.

Now he anxiously waited, knowing the queensguard was due back at any minute.

“Come and have lunch,” Zarya insisted. He’d barely eaten in days. While she’d been touched that he’d wanted to take care of her, he was also driving her a little nuts.

A knock came at the door twenty minutes later, and Yasen entered. Row stopped in his tracks with a sharp breath.

“They’re back,” Yasen said before he turned to Rabin. “You should know that Ekaja came, too. She insisted.”

Rabin grunted and then nodded before pushing his chair back from the table. He hadn’t said much about her betrayal, but Zarya could tell it was eating at him.

Zarya also stood as Row turned, and their gazes held.

This was it—the moment when they’d all finally be reunited. Ambition and fear had torn them apart, but soon they’d be together again.

Never in her wildest dreams did Zarya ever imagine this might happen.

Never did she imagine that she’d find both a father and a mother at the end of this.

She crossed the room and held out her hand. He took it and inhaled a deep breath.

“She isn’t how you remember her,” Zarya warned. “Don’t expect the woman you knew.”

He nodded. “I’m sure she’s in there somewhere.”

They all followed Yasen through the palace and into the queen’s wing. All of Dishani’s things had been removed, and Zarya’s heart beat faster, knowing they’d placed her in here. But it made sense.