Page 22 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“Of what?”

“This is why I wanted Kishore to examine your bond.”

“Why?”

“You carry the sixth anchor.”

Zarya tipped her head. “Yes? And?”

“Did you mention this to the mystic who performed the Bandhan?”

“No, of course not.”

Abishek leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “After Rabindranath left to find you, I spoke with Kishore and he mentioned that if an Aazheri with a sixth anchor completes the Bandhan, the bond can be affected in adverse ways.”

“Where is he?” Rabin interjected, finally ending his silence.

Abishek’s assessing gaze raked over Rabin. “He’s in the mountains dealing with an important errand. Had I known your Bandhan was already deteriorating, I would never have allowed him to leave.”

“What do you mean, deteriorating?” Zarya asked.

Abishek circled a hand. “Apparently, the magic can, for lack of a better term, go off.”

Her breath hitched. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“Magic is often an inconstant thing. In most cases, the Bandhan will bind the paramadhar to his masatara, but done incorrectly, the sixth anchor can sometimes corrupt the bond, making it toxic—mostly for the paramadhar.”

Both their gazes fell on Rabin.

“What do you mean?” Zarya asked, panic already swelling in her gut. “How does it affect him?”

“Rabin may begin to feel ill, and given enough time, you as well. This corruption can cause the bond to weaken over time and eventually break.” Abishek pressed his mouth together in a grim line, letting them fill in the blanks. If the bond broke, Rabin would die. This was the risk they’d taken in completing the Bandhan.

“Had you waited until you arrived, we might have avoided this. As it stands, I suspect the problem you experienced in the mind plane is only the first sign of trouble.”

Rabin’s jaw hardened at the reproach in the king’s voice, and Zarya couldn’t believe he was lecturing them after what he’d just revealed.

“Is there anything we can do?” Zarya asked, gripping the arms of her chair, her voice shaking. They’d completed the Bandhan in a rush. She knew it had been a rash decision, but the Rising Phoenix had needed them.

“Perhaps,” Abishek said. “May I examine the markings?”

She looked to Rabin for confirmation, and he nodded. His expressionless face gave her no hint about how he was reacting to this news.

“If it will help,” he said.

“I would prefer for Kishore to take a look, but I will do my best.”

The king stood, and Zarya and Rabin did the same.

“What did you choose for the image?” he asked.

Rabin pulled off his kurta while Zarya tugged down her shoulder, exposing their matching dragons. Something akin to satisfaction lit up Abishek’s eyes.

“Ah,” he said. “Well done.”

He moved closer and held out a hand. “May I?” he asked, and Zarya nodded.

He touched the iridescent black lines, his fingers warm as he traced the edges. His eyes fluttered closed, and she watched his lips move like he was talking to himself.