Page 33 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“Yes, of course! That’s perfect. You’ll spend the night with us.”

Then Dav took Zarya’s hand and squeezed it. “If they’re willing, can we bring others to see you?”

She swallowed hard. Five months ago, she’d arrived in Gi’ana intending to meet her family and had inadvertently stirred up a rebellion tearing apart their home. Was she here, meeting the other half of her lineage, preparing to do the same?

Of course there was no question. Of course she would help. She’d already sworn she’d die trying if that’s what it took.

She looked over her shoulder at Rabin, and she could see the worry in his expression. He’d beg her to be careful, but they had long ago been swept into this tide they couldn’t have stopped even if they’d wanted to.

“Yes,” she said, turning back to Dav. “Bring as many as you can. I will free them all.”

The cabin turned out to be a small, adorable house the couple rented out to visitors. Once Zarya agreed to return to the tavern in two days and free as many vanshaj as they could gather, Dav and Suria escorted them out the back door and along a snowy path lined with flickering lanterns.

They entered through frosted glass doors, finding a small single room with a massive bed covered in a patchwork quilt against one wall and a roaring fire against another.

“We’ll be right back,” Suria said with a sparkle in her eyes before the couple disappeared, leaving Zarya and Rabin alone.

“Do you think anyone will notice if we spend the night?” Zarya asked with a tip of her head.

Rabin walked over and wrapped an arm around her waist. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I stay here occasionally when I need space, so I don’t think anyone will miss us. Seems like a good chance for some alone time.” He leaned down to press his nose into the curve of her throat and rumbled, “Not being able to touch you is driving me mad.”

He tipped her head up to capture her mouth before he pulled away.

“Come and see the view,” Rabin said.

He led her through another set of glass doors on the other side. There, they found a covered balcony overlooking the mountain valley. In the center was a roaring firepit, giving off enough heat to discard the heaviest of their layers.

After dropping her coat on a chair, Zarya walked to the railing, watching the last of the day’s light fade as the valley turned from rivers of gold into puddles of twilight.

“This is magnificent,” she said. “It would be easy to dismiss this landscape as harsh and unforgiving, but you only have to look a little deeper to appreciate its true beauty.”

“Sometimes, I think that’s how you see me, too,” Rabin said softly as he came to stand next to her.

She exhaled a soft breath as she turned towards him. “It is. You’re my secret, and I’m keeping it that way forever.”

He gave her a pleased half-smile before they stood together, silently watching the darkening horizon for several minutes. The gentle breeze tugged at her hair and clothing, nipping at her nose and ears.

When the cabin door opened, they turned to find Suria and Dav laden with trays and baskets. They deposited a veritable feast on the small table, including food, wine, fruit, and sweets.

“We hope you’ll enjoy this,” Suria said. “It’s all our best provisions, shipped in from across Rahajhan.”

“Thank you,” Zarya said. “But this is too much.”

“It’s not nearly enough,” Suria said, her voice thick with emotion. “Call if you need anything.” Then she strode over and threw her arms around Zarya, hugging her tightly and sniffing before she pulled away, wiping her eyes. “Anything at all.”

“This is perfect.”

“Then no one else will disturb you,” Dav promised with a bow and his hands pressed together.

After they were gone, Zarya smiled. “Are they always this generous?”

Rabin laughed. “Yes, but I think they went all out for you.”

She pressed the corner of her lips together. “I’m glad I could help them.”

He walked over and wrapped a hand around the back of her neck.

“I want to help the others, too.”