Page 5 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

Zarya had read enough about Andhera to know that a few mountain clans inhabited the caverns and passes at the Pathara Vala’s higher altitudes. They were a hearty bunch who practiced their own customs and worshiped their own gods. They rarely came down to mingle with Andhera’s citizens unless necessity forced them out.

Dozens of guards stood on the castle’s ramparts, their faces tipped up to monitor their approach. They traced Rabin’s movements as he turned another loop.

He shook his head, his giant wings snapping before he lost altitude. His trajectory curved downwards in a wide circle as he aimed for the surface of a large flat tower where someone had painted a massive black dragon with its wings spread out.

Zarya’s heart twisted at the sight.

This really was his home. This really was where he belonged.

And perhaps… it was where she belonged, too. The thought eased a trickle of nervousness from the tense set of her shoulders as they continued their descent.

After another moment, Rabin landed softly with a thump, his wings beating steadily before they collapsed at his sides. Zarya and the others scrambled off before Rabin dissolved into a puff of smoke and appeared again in his rakshasa form.

Something about witnessing him standing on this tower overlooking the mountain valley made her chest ache. His dark hair tossed in the breeze, and his black armor offered a stark contrast to the blanket of white, almost like he’d been placed here by a divine hand from the sky.

As if sensing her distress, he strode over and caught her in the protection of his arms. He brushed a hand down her face.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She started to nod and then stopped before shaking her head. “I’m not sure. I don’t know if I’m ready for this. For… him.”

Rabin pressed his nose to her temple and inhaled deeply. “I swear everything will be fine.” He pulled away. “You’re sure you’re okay with… everything?”

Zarya pressed her mouth together and nodded.

Before leaving the Saaya, they agreed to keep their marriage a secret from Abishek until they could find the right moment to break the news. Rabin was worried about the king’s reaction, given he’d defied his orders to break off all romantic ties with Zarya. She’d been reluctant but also didn’t want to ruin her first meeting with the king. They’d tell him when the time was right.

Yasen and Miraan had agreed to go along with their deception if that’s what they wanted. Zarya didn’t want to lie to anyone, but it was for the best, and this was only temporary.

“We’ll tell him soon,” Rabin assured her, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

“Then you should probably let go of me,” she whispered.

He paused with his hand mid-air, his eyes flashing, before nodding and pulling away. The cold hit her then, and his absence left a hollow emptiness that did nothing to ease the tension vibrating through her frame.

He stepped back and gestured. “It will be a challenge not to touch you.”

“We’ll always have the mind plane,” she promised, and he nodded, the softness in his eyes opposing the tense set of his jaw.

Rabin then turned to Yasen and Miraan. “You’re both still with us?” he asked.

Yasen raised his hands. “Whatever you need. I’m not sure I understand, but you know what you’re doing.”

“Thank you,” Rabin said, pressing a palm to his chest and dipping his chin.

Then he returned his attention to Zarya again. “Are you ready?”

“Please,” Yasen said. “My cock is about to freeze off.”

They smiled as he made a show of adjusting his crotch before crossing the roof. The wind howled across the mountains, almost sounding like ghosts. Zarya looked up, studying the pale sky. She squinted up at the castle and its high towers, noting the light reflecting off the windows with tiny flashes of silver.

She couldn’t see the city from where they stood, but the sounds of people going about their day floated up from below. The wind gusted, tearing at her long wool coat, screaming in her ears, almost as if it were trying to deliver a message. Or maybe a warning.

She shook off the sensation. She was just nervous.

A pair of sentries guarded the entrance. They bent at the waist, aiming their welcome at Rabin before turning to Zarya and the others.

“Welcome home, Lord Ravana,” one said as they stepped aside and opened the door.