Page 4 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

Rabin flapped his wings with a crack, dipping with a stomach-lifting swoop as he arched over a range of foothills, once again revealing a sight that stuck in Zarya’s chest.

There, it waited. Andhera.

He flapped again, dragging them towards the dubious future awaiting her as she began to make out the castle’s dark towers and windows.

Andhera.

A few months ago, the name had meant almost nothing to her. It had been a distant place she’d rarely considered except inside her daydreams when she’d longed to travel and see the world. But then her entire life had been blown wide open, and despite so many warnings and reservations about what she would find here, everything kept pointing her north.

She’d sworn she’d never come.

She’d planned to keep her distance and stay as far away as possible.

But a part of her knew that was never true.

She’d only ever had two choices.

To hide—and she would never do that.

Or to run towards him and force the possible consequences out so she could confront her fears and worries.

So that she could get this over with.

Thus, here she was, arriving on his doorstep willingly and into his waiting arms.

Would she be welcomed? Would she find something she’d spent her entire life seeking? After the disappointment of meeting her family in Ishaan, would Andhera offer the belonging she sought?

Rabin had found a home here when he’d arrived all those years ago, and maybe none of that had been by chance. He’d been so sure about his fated connection to Zarya and her father.

Or was this all a trap?

Zarya no longer doubted Rabin’s honesty. He’d bared himself to her, body and soul, and she trusted him implicitly. It had taken some time, but they’d bridged their divides. She believed everything he’d promised. He hadn’t meant to betray her. He hadn’t intended her any harm. But she still wasn’t convinced Rabin saw the king of Andhera as clearly as he should.

She recalled his assurances that Abishek only wanted to know her, and she swallowed a needle of guilt as she thought of Row’s warnings. She had planned to discuss it with him before deciding to meet her father, but there hadn’t been an opportunity thanks to their hasty escape from Ishaan.

No matter what happened, Rabin would protect her with his life.

She peered over her shoulder at Yasen, watching silver strands whip across his reddened cheeks. He studied the barren landscape, his dark grey eyes assessing everything.

“You okay?” she called, and he met her gaze with a tight smile.

“Sure. I can’t feel my balls anymore, but this is first-class travel all the way,” he answered with a thumbs up.

She snorted as her attention fell to Miraan next, his features arranged into his signature stoic expression while he also gauged their surroundings with a wary eye.

Her brother. Half-brother.

Until a few weeks ago, she’d never even spoken with another living soul who’d shared her blood, and now she had a brother and was set to meet the man who had helped make her.

She only hoped he wouldn’t also ruin her.

Rabin soared over the castle, and Zarya leaned in, trying to get a better look. The formidable structure was made entirely of matte black stone that stood in harsh contrast to its white backdrop. Built with durability in mind, the thick walls were almost featureless except for long banks of windows wrapping around each corner.

From there, the practical design gave way to something more fanciful with hundreds of soaring towers connected through narrow bridges. Each column was inset with dozens of arched windows, likely added to welcome in beams of weak winter light.

She shivered, tucking the collar of her jacket tighter at the thought of the icy wind seeping through every crack on the coldest nights. Before they’d left the Saaya, Rabin had insisted on purchasing proper attire for their journey. She’d called him dramatic and overprotective, but as another blast of cold wind tore through her clothing, she realized he’d been right.

As they drew closer, Zarya made out the walled city surrounding the castle where the people of Andhera made their home. Unlike Rahajhan’s other realms, Andhera had no main capital. Most of the region’s population lived within these winding streets and its sturdy houses designed to withstand the bite of winter’s chill.