Chapter 42
FORTY-TWO
The trouble was there appeared to be no way out of this damn cell. The walls were thick stone, the bars made of enchanted iron. Several days passed with no signs of Dishani, Miraan, or anyone from the royal family. And the longer they waited, the more Zarya’s nerves knotted with apprehension. She knew it couldn’t be because the princess had forgotten about them.
She had to be planning something.
Their only visitors were the occasional guards who dropped off what was probably food, but tasted more like shredded paper boiled in gutter water.
Their only point of normalcy was the tiny window, which at least gave them a sense of time and the passing days.
As they waited, she couldn’t stop thinking about the prisoners she’d failed to save in her foolishness. Logically, she knew there was nothing she could have really done to stop the execution, but she was still furious with herself. If she ever saw Vikas again, she’d beg his forgiveness and do whatever she could to make it up to him.
The sun had set hours ago, and they sat in a line against the wall with Zarya in the middle. Somehow, Yasen had fallen asleep upright with his head tipped back and his jaw open. Idly she wondered how he’d react if she dropped one of the many mice living down here into his mouth. He’d probably lose his mind and curse her until the end of time. The thought nearly made her smile.
Rabin on the other hand, couldn’t seem to sit still. He was like a caged animal, his gaze darting around their cell and his leg bouncing impatiently. He’d pounded the walls, rattled the bars, and even tried to smash the window to no avail. Not that any of them would have fit through it, anyway.
Zarya sat with her knees up, her skirt draped over her legs, and her arms wrapped around her stomach. She felt disgusting, wearing these clothes for days on end, sleeping on this filthy ground. A bucket sat in the corner covered with a board that did little to suppress the scent of its contents. It was hard not to feel like the very essence of this place wasn’t burrowing into her skin.
Her stomach groaned, and she massaged it, dreaming of piles of fluffy naan, creamy bowls of chicken tikka, and crispy fried pakora. She watched Rabin in the dim light, noting the fluttering reflection of his clenching and unclenching jaw.
Feeling her gaze, he looked over.
“You okay?” he asked.
She shrugged and dropped her head back before rubbing her forehead.
“I’ll get us out of here soon, Spitfire,” he said with a whispered promise. If they remained here much longer, she was sure he’d tear this palace apart brick by brick if he had to.
“I know,” she answered with a soft smile that seemed to ease some of the tension from his frame.
He sat back, and finally, his limbs settled as his shoulder pressed against hers. She peered up at him, noting the crescent of moonlight reflecting in his eyes. A few days ago, he’d told her he loved her. Despite her reckless and impulsive behavior, he’d rushed in to help her. She’d never had someone just believe in her before.
Rubbing her shoulder and her new dragon tattoo, she imagined she could feel the tether binding them like delicate silk ribbons.
“Having second thoughts?” he asked.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Not at all.”
It was the truth. She’d had reservations, but the moment Thriti completed the Bandhan, she knew she’d made the right call. She’d been stumbling through fog for months, but now it had lifted with the certainty of this choice.
He blinked and then dipped his chin, his face nearly expressionless except for the slight brightening of the golden flecks in his eyes. He leaned down and she stretched up to meet his kiss. Their lips pressed softly together before the sound of steady, rapid footsteps drew their attention to the dark corridor outside their cell.
Zarya sat up as they exchanged wary looks. No one had ever come down to see them this late. Rabin crossed an arm over her body as they approached while shadows bounced against the walls, indicating someone was carrying a source of light.
Three figures emerged from the dark a moment later and Zarya had no idea what to make of them. Apsara and Suvanna stood on the other side of their bars, flanking the prince, Miraan, though he was no longer dressed in opulence, having traded his elegant attire for a simple black kurta and pants.
“What do you want?” Zarya asked.
“We’re getting you out,” Miraan answered, and she blinked. That was the last thing she expected. “Your friends have explained who you are and what you’ve been doing.”
Her gaze bounced between Apsara and Suvanna and then back to Miraan. He was devoid of apparent emotion, his expression belying nothing. “And?”
“There will be time to explain later,” Apsara said. “Do you trust us?”
“I trust you ,” Zarya replied as she eyed Miraan. He was Dishani’s loyal advisor. Her enforcer. Why was he betraying her?
“Then we’re asking you to trust this situation,” Apsara said. “We only want to help.”
Zarya turned to Rabin, who peered up at their supposed rescue team through a lowered brow.
She elbowed Yasen awake. He snorted as his head snapped up.
“What the—” His protests cut off when he realized they had visitors. “Oh. Hi?”
“They’re getting us out of here,” Zarya said. “Apparently.”
Yasen yawned and ran a hand through his silver hair. “Well, that’s very nice of them. Why?”
“They haven’t shared that yet.”
Yasen narrowed his eyes, already alert despite his nap.
“Come on,” Apsara ordered. “We’ll explain everything once we’re safe.”
“What about him?” Yasen asked, pointing to Miraan. “Isn’t he the bad guy?”
Miraan glowered at Yasen, who lifted his hands in surrender. “Hey, you’re the one who threw us in here.”
“ I did not,” Miraan bit out as though the accusation deeply offended him.
“Whatever you say,” Yasen grumbled as he heaved himself up.
“Please come,” Apsara said. “I understand how this looks, but Miraan is on our side, and we will explain everything once we see you to safety.”
Zarya shook her head. “He is?”
She also pushed herself up as Rabin did the same.
“What do you think?” Zarya asked Rabin. “You’re the one with the instincts.”
“I’m not sure,” he answered, assessing Miraan from head to toe. “Seems plausible, and it’s definitely better than rotting in this shithole any longer.”
“Okay then,” Zarya said, clapping her hands. “I guess we’re letting you help us escape.”
“Oh, thank you so much,” Apsara said. “We’re very grateful.”
Miraan produced a key and opened the door before Apsara turned and waved for them to follow. Zarya went first, eyeing her brother as she passed, followed by Yasen and Rabin. Suvanna and the prince brought up the rear.
“Left,” Miraan called to Apsara as they skulked through the dungeons and came upon a branching tunnel. Miraan used a ball of light to illuminate the shadows, and everyone held silent as they wound through a maze of dark pathways with the hush of his soft commands guiding their way.
As they walked for what felt like ages, Zarya had time to wonder what on earth was happening. She kept checking over her shoulder, catching glimpses of the prince. Why was he helping them, and how did Apsara and Suvanna get involved with him? Zarya traded a look with Yasen, and he must have read the questions on her face because he shrugged and shook his head.
Sure, the prince could have been leading them into some kind of trap, but what would be the point when they already had them locked up?
Zarya heard a rush of water in the distance as they continued snaking through the bowels of the castle.
“We’re almost there,” came Miraan’s whisper through the dark. “Just past that corner.”
They twisted around another bend, and sure enough, Zarya caught a distant sliver of moonlight through a narrow opening. They emerged into a dense forest, and Zarya scanned her surroundings, reasoning they must be somewhere on the outskirts of Ishaan.
Six horses stood tethered to some nearby trees.
“You guys really planned this out,” Yasen said, his tone filled with confusion.
“If my sister learns of my deception, there will be no escaping her wrath,” Miraan answered. Again, his expression remained neutral, but Zarya thought she caught a tremble of fear in his voice.
“Yeah. She seemed friendly. You must be very close.”
Miraan stared at Yasen for a beat before he shook his head. “Gods. You have no idea.”
Yasen grinned before they made their way to the horses.
“Where are we going?” Zarya asked Apsara.
“Back to the city.”
“Didn’t we just break out of there?”
“Yes, but Operation Starbreak needs you, and we’re entering through another route.”
“We’re not taking him there?” she said, pointing to Miraan. “You told him about the manor?”
“Zarya, please,” Apsara said. “We shouldn’t discuss this here. I swear to you he can be trusted.”
Zarya gave her half-brother another skeptical look before she offered a curt, “Fine. But if you’re wrong, then it’s on your heads.”
They made a wide loop around Ishaan, arriving on the far side of the palace. They’d have to navigate the network of back alleys to reach their hideout. When Miraan gave the signal, they hopped off their horses, concealing them in a thick patch of bushes.
“What will happen to them?” Zarya asked.
“Someone will retrieve them in the morning,” Miraan said.
She still didn’t understand what was happening but was relieved to be free of that dungeon. It didn’t seem like they were being led into a trap, but she kept a close eye on Miraan regardless. After exchanging a look with Rabin, he nodded. She couldn’t hear him—the paramadhar mind connection required deeper concentration than she could manage right now—but somehow, she knew exactly what he was thinking.
Be on your guard. Be ready to run. What the fuck is going on?
Miraan then led them to a gate hidden by a tangle of vines and leaves. He used a tendril of fire magic inside the keyhole. It flared brightly for a moment before the gate swung open on silent hinges. Zarya would have to ask him about that trick later. Provided she didn’t have to kill him first.
He pulled up his hood as they entered the city, quickly making their way down quiet paths. It didn’t take long before she spied the familiar fence surrounding the manor house.
A light burned in the kitchen as they approached. Zarya knocked in their secret pattern, hoping someone was awake. When no one came, she tried again, louder this time. It took another minute before the door popped open to a sleepy-eyed Vikas.
“What’s…” He shook his head. “Zarya? Yasen? You’re here!”
He gestured towards them. “Come in. Come in. We thought you were goners.”
“Well, thank you for your faith in us,” Yasen said. “We were perfectly fine.”
Zarya rushed up and threw her arms around Vikas. “I’m so sorry.”
He pulled away. “For what?”
“I tried to help them, but…” Tears filled her eyes as she clung to his shirt.
For a moment he gave her a confused look. “No, Zarya—you did stop it. They called off the execution. They’re still in the palace, but we have every reason to think they’re still alive.”
“Really?” she asked, hardly daring to believe it.
“Really. I owe you my thank you.”
She exhaled a long breath. “You owe me nothing. I’m so relieved.”
They hugged again before Vikas called up the stairs.
“Ajay! They’re here!”
Thumps came from above, and a moment later, Ajay descended, looking rumpled and dragged from sleep. A moment later, Row also followed him down.
“What are you doing here?” Ajay asked. “We’ve been trying to find out what happened to you.” He strode over and threw his arms around Zarya, wrapping her in a tight hug.
“We’re okay,” she said. “At least we are now.”
Ajay pulled away and then hugged Yasen, who tolerated it for only a second.
“Get off me,” he said, and Ajay smiled.
“I missed you, too.”
Row embraced Zarya tightly, then shook hands with Apsara and Suvanna.
Everyone had yet to notice the last person hovering at the edges.
It was then Ajay and Vikas fell silent, peering at the hooded stranger.
“Who’s that?” Vikas asked.
That was when Miraan stepped forward and pulled off his hood.
“You might call me an interested party.”