Page 27 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“I’m sorry that he hurt you, too,” Rabin said. “One day, I will kill him with a smile on my face.”

Yasen shook his head. “As long as you let me help.”

“With pleasure.”

Yasen met his gaze as a shared understanding passed between them.

“I wish Vik would see it the same way,” Rabin said as they turned to scan the horizon.

Yasen ran a hand down his face. “Your father has brainwashed Vik. He still looks up to him despite everything he’s done. He lost so much when he was forced to become Amrita’s steward. I think he’s still mourning a different life, but he’s a good man in his heart, and I think he’ll eventually realize what he gave up.”

Rabin inhaled a deep breath of fresh air. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

Ekaja knocked Miraan down again before the prince scrambled to his feet. “I don’t think I can take any more,” he said with his hands on his knees as his breath sawed from his chest. “Someone save me.”

Ekaja barked out a wicked laugh and flipped her blade. With a hand planted on her hip, she cocked her head at Rabin. “Let’s do this, Ravana. It’s been ages since I’ve kicked your ass.”

Rabin’s face stretched into a grin as he withdrew his sword.

Amidst all the uncertainty of the past few weeks, this was one place where he still felt like himself.

Without missing a beat, he sprinted towards her, their blades ringing against the echo of the mountains and the endless northern sky.

NINE

While the others spent their time at the Cradle, Zarya spent hers combing through Abishek’s library, searching for something to explain her visions. The king would often join her, sitting next to her while he queried with more probing questions.

He wasn’t only interested in her visions. He asked endless questions about her, too. He wanted to know everything. He was even fascinated by her love of romance novels and declared that he’d have to acquire a collection for the castle.

He welcomed her into his life, and though he could be quick to anger and a little bossy, she sensed his heart was in the right place. He’d become a father overnight, and they were both navigating the possibilities and pitfalls of this new relationship.

As she continued to peruse his numerous books, she grew increasingly frustrated when she couldn’t find the answers she sought. Abishek didn’t seem concerned, confident they’d figure it out, but she’d rested so many hopes on his knowledge.

Maybe she’d convinced herself that her choice to come here was justified if he could help. But they also needed safety. They couldn’t return to Dharati, and Dishani wanted her dead. She was using Abishek for his protection as well.

“Tell me again about the visions,” Abishek asked as he sat across from her that afternoon. He leaned forward, folding his hands together. “Is there anything else you haven’t shared yet? Something you forgot to mention.”

“I don’t think so. It’s like I said—demon armies and ruin. A landscape bent and shattered. Smoke and ashes. I hear the man’s voice in a language I don’t know. I thought I heard two voices at some point, but it’s hard to be sure anymore. I saw him when I looked in the mirror.” She rubbed her face with her hands. “Or maybe it’s nothing, and I’ve been imagining things all along.”

She couldn’t help adding the caveat. What if she were simply losing her mind?

“Do you really believe that’s what it is?” Abishek asked.

She bit the corner of her lip and rallied her courage for the next thing she hadn’t shared yet.

“When I killed Dhawan, he said something to me,” she started.

Abishek sat forward at the mention of the old Aazheri’s name. “Yes?”

“He said that I caused the blight.”

Abishek tipped his head, curiosity spreading over his features.

“And sometimes I wonder if he was right,” she continued. “It started on the shoreline where I lived. The demons always responded to my starlight even when it existed in its inert form, and after I left, it sometimes felt like they were calling to me.”

She paused and took a long sip of water before she continued.

“And when it happened again in Ishaan…” She recalled the moment in the forest when something had moved in her peripheral vision. Something not of this plane. “I’m starting to worry about remaining in one place for too long.”