Page 8 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin

“Because of Row,” the king said. “And Asha, I suppose. Yes. I understand. Rabindranath told me everything.”

She looked at Rabin, who dipped his chin.

“He took good care of you?” Abishek asked next.

She couldn’t make out the tone of that question, either. “He did. He is my father in everything but blood.”

She didn’t know why she said it, but the subtext didn’t go unnoticed, as demonstrated by a tightening around the king’s mouth.

Maybe she was testing him already, wanting to understand how far she could push. He hadn’t willingly abandoned her, but he had bridges to cross to earn her trust. She must remain on her guard despite her desire to build a family connected through blood.

Rabin trusted him, and she trusted that he believed no harm would come to her, but she couldn’t be naive. Row and her mother had believed those terrible things for a reason, and she’d be a fool to disregard them entirely. But she couldn’t deny the liquid pit in her heart that desperately wanted to know her only living parent. Anyone would feel the same.

“I’m grateful to him, then. And I’m… very glad you’re here,” Abishek said.

Zarya didn’t miss the raw emotion in his voice. Was he happy to see her? Did he feel this longing ache in his chest, too?

“Please tell me you’re staying. I would like to get to know you better very much.”

Zarya exchanged a look with Rabin.

“Yes, but for a short time only,” she answered. “I am needed back in Ishaan very soon. For now, though, it’s best we keep our distance from Gi’ana.”

Abishek finally turned his attention to the rest of their motley entourage, his dark gaze already calculating and assessing the situation.

“I hear reports of unrest,” the king said. “Whispers of rebellion.”

“That and so much more,” she answered. “Please meet Prince Miraan Madan of the Gi’ana royal family. And my half-brother.”

She stepped back as Miraan bowed and pressed his hands together before his heart.

“Your Majesty,” he said. “We thank you for sheltering us in our time of need.”

Abishek’s brows pinched together in a gesture she could only interpret as unease before Zarya gestured to Yasen.

“And this is Lieutenant Yasen Varghese. Former Commander of Daragaab’s army and my friend.”

Abishek studied Yasen and then nodded before bowing to him with his hands pressed together. “Any friend of my daughter’s is welcome in Andhera.”

Daughter.

It felt strange to hear him say it so casually, like it was something they’d been to one another from the very start.

Yasen bowed. “Thank you.”

Abishek turned and gestured to the woman waiting on the dais. “And allow me to introduce Commander Ekaja Bhari, chief of my armies.”

Somehow, Zarya wasn’t the least bit surprised to hear this fierce woman was Abishek’s commander. Ekaja sauntered down the steps with a hand wrapped around the hilt of the sword belted at her hip and stopped, regarding Zarya with an arched eyebrow.

Her midnight hair was pulled into a high, braided ponytail. Her dark eyes were ringed in black kohl, and she wore fitted black leather that showed off just how many hours she’d spent in the training ring. Those sharp angles and high cheekbones would turn heads in any room she entered.

“So, you’re the one he’s been so moody about,” Ekaja said with a smirk as she thumbed in Rabin’s direction.

Zarya caught Rabin’s scowl as she opened her mouth and then closed it. “I suppose?”

Ekaja barked out a laugh full of wicked mirth at Rabin’s expense, and Zarya decided she liked this woman already.

“Well, it’s nice to finally meet you in person,” she said before deferring to her king again.