Page 168 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

Zarya broke down and tripped towards her, falling against Asha as they cried together. Row wrapped her from behind, and they hugged and cried for a long time.

A family—her family. Finally.

Zarya eventually pulled away and stared up at her mother, hardly daring to believe this was real.

“There’s someone else you need to meet,” she said.

She stood and took Rabin’s hand, dragging him towards the divan.

“This is Rabindranath Ravana, my husband,” she said, and Asha’s face fell.

“You’re married?”

Zarya nodded.

“I missed everything,” she said as she looked about the room. “My children grew up, and I missed it all.”

Zarya didn’t know how to respond as Talin, Miraan, and Advika all drew closer.

“Commander Rabindranath Ravana?” Asha asked a moment later.

Zarya held her breath, remembering Abishek’s story about Asha losing favor thanks to Rabin and his armies.

“Yes,” he said with his hands clasped behind his back.

Asha exhaled a laugh. “Fate is a strange thing, isn’t it?”

Rabin dipped his chin and looked back up.

They shared a look before she addressed her other children. “I will make this up to you. And Zarya, I will never be able to express how much I hated sending you away.”

“Mother,” Talin said. “We’re just happy you’ve returned. And we have so many years left.”

Asha pressed her mouth together and nodded.

Then she focused on Rabin again, assessing him from head to toe. He held still as Zarya glanced between them. “Welcome to my family, Commander. I can’t wait to get to know you both.”

SIXTY

Rabin bowed to the queen of Gi’ana as more tears welled in her eyes. When she’d asked if he was Daragaab’s former commander he had no idea how she might react. He’d spent years fighting her armies and claiming their land at his queen’s behest.

But maybe that was all in the past.

Because she’d just welcomed him into her family, and it was everything he could do not to break down. Asha watched her children with such love that he felt his heart twist.

Eventually, she grew tired, and it was time to let her rest. Advika, Talin, and Miraan all hugged her tightly and they promised to have dinner together when she was feeling better. Kabir dropped to a knee and took her hand to kiss the back before pressing his forehead against it.

Rabin remembered Miraan saying Asha and Kabir had never loved one another, but it was obvious something existed between them. They were good friends at least. “We’re all so happy you’re home,” he said.

She ran her hand down the side of his face. “I never thought I’d see any of you again.”

Rabin wrapped an arm around Zarya, and she turned and buried her face in his chest. He didn’t deserve this. He was shocked Zarya was still speaking to him after everything he’d done. He was putting on a front because she didn’t deserve his anger, but inside, he was churning with rage about how much he’d fucked up.

His hand cupped the back of her head, and finally, the healers insisted everyone leave to allow Asha some sleep.

“Stay with me,” Asha said, holding her hand out to Row. “Please.”

They all watched Row as he blinked and inhaled deeply. He looked like an entirely different man already. Rabin couldn’t even begin to imagine what it must feel like to have this second chance.