Page 26 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

Ekaja noted their presence as a grin stretched across her face. She stalked over with a confident stride.

“You think you can handle this?” she asked Yasen, who narrowed his eyes.

“Probably not.”

That earned him a laugh as she cocked her head and gestured towards the center. “Can I teach you a few things?”

“Sure, probably how to get my ass handed to me,” he grumbled as he glanced at Rabin. “How often do you come out here?”

Rabin smirked at Yasen, wrapped head to toe in leather and fur, his teeth chattering, and his hands jammed into his armpits for warmth.

“A few times a week,” Rabin said.

Yasen shook his head and shucked off his thick outercoat to reveal his fur-lined fighting leathers while muttering under his breath, “I suppose this is what passes for fun on a frozen wasteland.”

Over the next few days, they all formed an easy friendship as they bantered and fought until the sun set each day.

Miraan spent much of his time in his room writing and exchanging letters with his brother about the state of affairs in Ishaan. It had taken some convincing, but Yasen eventually talked him into joining everyone outside.

Now he sparred with Ekaja, just barely holding his own.

Yasen scanned the horizon, taking in the snowy peaks. “You like living here?” he asked, and Rabin shrugged.

“It has a certain charm. Not a fan?”

Yasen snorted. “It’s positively wretched.”

That almost made Rabin smile as his gaze slid to Yasen. He’d always admired Yasen’s way of moving through the world with that easy disposition, never letting too much ruffle him. Rabin wished he could exude the same effortlessness.

“You get used to it,” Rabin said. “The cold becomes invigorating.”

Yasen stomped his feet and rubbed his hands. “Sure, if you’re not particularly attached to your extremities, I suppose.”

Rabin offered him a wry look, and they watched Ekaja knock Miraan flat on his back before pointing her blade at his throat. She stared him down, arching an eyebrow before Miraan raised his hands in defeat.

“So, what’s her story?” Yasen asked as Ekaja held out her hand and pulled Miraan to his feet.

Rabin shrugged. “Abishek found her when she was a child, abandoned by her parents. She was freezing, almost starved to death. He brought her in and raised her practically like a daughter, teaching her everything he knew and creating the most lethal, skilled, and loyal army commander a king could ask for.”

Yasen nodded. “I guess the king is good at collecting… orphans.”

Rabin snorted a wry laugh. “I suppose he is.”

They watched Miraan and Ekaja circle each other for another round.

“We’ve been friends for years,” Rabin continued. “She’s the only one I’ve been able to confide in during my time away from home.” He paused before adding, “I regret how I left things.”

Yasen didn’t respond for a moment as they watched Ekaja and Miraan start fighting again, their blades flashing in the light. “Vikram is… I don’t want to say he’s angry because that isn’t the right word. Disappointed? Hurt? I don’t think he understood why you left.”

Rabin turned to look at Yasen. “Do you know what my father did?”

Yasen nodded. “Not at first, but the truth eventually came out.”

“So, you understand why I had to leave.”

“I do. I don’t blame you, just so we’re clear. I know better than almost anyone what a complete fucking asshole your father is.”

Rabin turned to Yasen, noting the hardness in his eyes.