Page 60 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

Rabin nodded. “The king won’t like it, but I agree. We’ve lingered here long enough.”

He dropped his chin into the curve of her neck before he kissed her.

“Gods, I miss the taste of you,” he rumbled.

“Perhaps we should pay another visit to the hot springs?” she joked. His answer was a feral smile.

“Don’t tempt me. A few more days, and we’ll be on our way.”

“I think we should tell him about us before we leave,” she said carefully, gauging his reaction. “I’m trying to build a relationship with him, and you’re maintaining one. We shouldn’t keep lying about this.”

She watched as Rabin chewed the inside of his cheek and then pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “You’re right. Tomorrow, we’ll tell him.”

“Okay,” she said. “We should probably go. Don’t leave my side, okay? I don’t want to have to fend off Amir.”

Despite Abishek’s assurances, Amir had attended a handful of the king’s parties while continuing to draw Zarya into conversation. He made her skin crawl. She was tempted to tell him to back off in a less polite way, but she didn’t want to embarrass Abishek in front of his nobles.

Rabin growled low in his throat. “If Amir wants to keep his dick attached, he should learn to stay as far away from you as possible.”

Zarya smiled. “I love it when you sweet-talk me.”

Another low growl rumbled in his chest before he took her hand and tugged her towards the door. Opening it, he gestured for her to proceed, and they walked side by side.

Dinner was held in an opulent dining room, which, like all the parts of the castle, was magnificent. It had gleaming black floors and chandeliers made from black crystal. A long table ran the length of the room, with high-backed chairs framing each side. The room’s edges were lined with dozens of small plush booths, where silver trays of pakoras, papadums, and samosas with a variety of chutneys sat on small round tables.

At each end stood a long bar tended by about two dozen colorful fairies. They poured drinks, dressed in scant clothing, showing off their toned bodies and perfect features. Zarya had never seen any outside of Daragaab before.

“You’re here!” came a voice, and she turned to find Abishek walking towards them. He stopped and swept his gaze over her with appreciation. “You wore my gift.”

She looked down at herself and then up. “Another beautiful dress. Thank you.”

“It suits you well. A fitting dress for a princess.”

He smiled so warmly that she felt a twist of guilt for planning to leave. He seemed to love having her here, and she appreciated his attention, but she couldn’t stay here attending parties when Ishaan and the Phoenix needed her.

“Shall we get a drink?” he asked, directing them to the nearest bar, which was entirely made of glass and lined with colorful lights.

“Where did they come from?” Rabin asked. His brow furrowed as he watched the fairies.

“They were a surprise from Amir,” Abishek said. “He had them brought in specially for tonight.”

As if the sound of his name was a summons, the man in question suddenly materialized out of the crowd.

“Zarya,” Amir said, taking her hand and kissing the back. “You are radiant.”

She sensed Rabin behind her, inches from ripping his head off. She cast a glance over her shoulder with a brow raised and a look that she hoped said Don’t kill him.

“Thank you,” she replied. “This is very… grand.” She waved a hand at the bar. She wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about it. Had he pulled these fairies out of their environment and forced them into this harsh climate? Could they survive here?

“Nothing but the best for the king,” he said in a kiss-ass voice that nearly made Zarya roll her eyes. “What are you having?”

“I’m not sure.” Zarya turned to watch a bartender execute several fancy flips, tossing colorful glass bottles of liquor. He crafted a gorgeous cocktail by pouring the contents into a few light blue glasses and then garnished each with a sugar snowflake. When he was done, he slid them over.

“I hope you enjoy it,” he said with a wink.

She accepted a cocktail, as did Abishek and Amir, while Rabin nodded a “no thank you.”

“Rabin,” Abishek said a moment later. “Khadi is here. Ekaja warmed him up the last time he deigned to join us, but he’s still holding out on us and needs a nudge.”