Page 74 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“Yes. Since Dishani is still unwilling to hear out the Rising Phoenix, they wonder if they might convince another realm to amend their laws. The hope is that if one goes first, the others might eventually follow. Abishek is warming up to the idea, but I think it’s best we work every angle we can.”

“Why Daragaab?” Rabin asked.

“I think Yasen is hoping Vik will listen to him.”

Rabin considered that. “If there’s anyone he might hear out, it’s Yas.”

“I think so, too. Other news is that Kindle is making strides in Bhaavana with their rebellion, and Apsara is in touch with friends in Vayuu. Koura is working with people in Svaasthy who say their queen may be amenable. It’s happening. Slowly but surely, things are changing. And Daragaab is the largest region in Rahajhan. They’re hoping it would send a message.”

Rabin blew out a sharp breath. “It’s a good point. Maybe it could work.”

“Hopefully, Yasen can make him see the truth. What possible reason could he have for wanting to keep the vanshaj bound? I know we had our issues, but deep down, I have to believe there’s something good in there.”

“Vik has never been malicious.”

“I’m not sure how eager Yasen is to return to Dharati,” she said. “But he’s willing to try.”

“What do you want to do next?” Rabin asked.

“Are you okay to travel?”

“I’m fine, Zarya. We’ll see Thriti to fix this. I’m sure it just didn’t occur to her to ask about the sixth anchor.”

“Maybe,” Zarya said. “But what if the king has a point?”

“He wants us to stay. He told me he likes having us here.”

She nodded and bit the corner of her lip. She didn’t want to disappoint her father. She wanted to know more about him. “If things were less volatile, I’d want to stay, too.”

“If Thriti isn’t able to fix this, we can come back when Kishore returns,” he promised. “For your demonstration, too.”

“Okay,” she replied. “Then let’s go. I just want to check on everyone.”

Rabin ran a hand down his face and through his hair. “We’ll figure this all out. There is light at the end of this.”

Zarya nodded. “I truly hope so.”

A few hours later, they’d sent word to the king of their plans and packed up their things, preparing to leave. Zarya was buttoning up her coat when a knock came at the door. She opened it to find Omar waiting on the other side. He handed her a note, and she unfolded it, immediately recognizing the king’s handwriting thanks to all the hours she’d spent in his library.

Zarya, good news. Kishore has returned early. I hope you’ll consider delaying your trip and come to see me at once.

She frowned. For weeks, Abishek had been promising Kishore would return, and now, just as they were leaving, he suddenly appeared?

“Thank you,” Zarya said to Omar. “Tell him…”

She cut off when she saw Rabin stalking down the hallway with a note also clutched in his hand.

“Tell him we’ll be there in a minute,” he said.

Omar dipped at the waist. “Don’t keep him waiting.” Then he turned and stalked off.

“It’s weird, right?” Rabin asked, holding up the note.

“Or just a lucky coincidence?”

“Maybe.”

She pressed her mouth together and nodded. “Well, since we’re here, should we see what he has to say?”