Page 59 of Queen of Shadows and Ruin (The Nightfire Quartet #4)
FIFTY-EIGHT
Yasen stood in the throne room of the Madans’ palace. The walls were made of the same sky-blue stone, inset with tall, narrow windows framed with jewels. The floor stretched for what felt like miles, covered in various shades of pale blue and white tiles, reaching towards a single silver throne at the end.
Gi’ana only had one ruler—its queen.
Dishani sat in a chair at the foot of the dais, flanked by two healers. Thanks to Koura’s magic and around-the-clock care, she’d improved considerably. She no longer wore the veil and was moving with ease. Scars still marred her face, and a cloth covered her missing eye, but she was healing. Koura said they’d done all they could; the only thing left was time.
Also in the room were Miraan and about a dozen high-ranking nobles, including Rudra and the others who’d come to the prince’s aid. About two dozen guards, including the queensguard, stood along the perimeter in their pristine white uniforms.
And finally, the royal siblings and king consort also stood facing Dishani.
The room was so quiet that it felt like the very air had solidified. Yasen shifted where he stood near the wall. Technically, Zarya should have been here, but she was still too weak to get out of bed. She’d asked Yasen to report back on everything that happened.
Miraan had been secretly convening with officials and the nobles for the last few days. Yasen had been avoiding him, so it was for the best. They hadn’t talked about Miraan saying “I love you” and they definitely hadn’t talked about how Yasen had run away.
Finally, a man wearing a long robe stepped forward, stopping in the center of the room with all eyes on him. Yasen didn’t know his name but recognized him as the royal council leader. Gi’ana’s queen wasn’t required to submit to their authority, but she often consulted with them on complex matters to ensure a stable outcome.
“After many hours of deliberation, questioning, and testimony from those closest to Princess Dishani, she has been found guilty of war crimes committed against the people of Ishaan, particularly the vanshaj.”
He went on to list her sins, including colluding with Andhera, abusing the vanshaj, and using the Jadugara to do her dirty work. Had Dishani reached her coronation, making these charges stick would have been far more difficult. But despite her best efforts, she was not the sovereign leader and, therefore, was still under the jurisdiction of those who made up Gi’ana’s council and ruling class.
“The Jadugara are also disbanded,” continued the man. “Its members are to be jailed for their lies and deception. Those who’ve escaped will be hunted down and imprisoned without trial.”
Yasen listened with a skeptical ear. It was the very people in this room who had allowed the Jadugara to act with impunity. These people had supported Dishani, and every single one of them had also used vanshaj for their gain.
But Miraan claimed people wanted to be on the right side of history, and with the collars gone, it was obvious everything was about to change.
“Princess Dishani is to be stripped of her crown and is no longer heir to Gi’ana’s sacred throne.” He paused and exchanged a look with Miraan. “It has also been brought to our attention that Queen Asha may yet be alive.”
A chorus of shocked whispers circled around the room. Miraan had already shared the news with his family, who’d all broken down in tears. Now they stood with straight shoulders and stoic expressions, though Yasen sensed they were all on the edge of cracking.
“A delegation has traveled to Andhera, where she was kept prisoner by King Abishek, who is now dead.” More gasps of surprise chorused around the room. “She is still the rightful queen, and we will wait on any further decisions until she returns. Until then, Prince Miraan shall act in her stead as the second eldest of the Madan siblings.”
When the man fell silent, Miraan stepped forward and bowed to the nobles first and then his family. He approached Dishani, who listened to her conviction without expression.
Miraan looked down at her.
“Her necklace,” he said. Dishani blinked with her good eye, her mouth turning down. “I know you still have it.”
She paused and reached into her pocket, pulling out Zarya’s chain. It dangled from her hand, the turquoise jewel flashing in the light. Miraan reached for it, and she released it into his palm before his fingers closed around it.
“The punishment for your crimes is execution,” Miraan said, and Yasen watched everyone in the room shift uncomfortably. “But I will allow you the privilege of living in exile because you are my sister, and I still find it in my heart to love you despite everything. I believe you aren’t the wicked person you became. I believe you let your fear get the best of you. My hope is that you will reflect on the choices you made and try to do better with the rest of your life.”
Dishani exhaled a soft breath as her hands gripped the armrests before slowly turning towards her family. Every time Yasen looked at her, all he saw was what she’d done to Zarya. She didn’t want Dishani dead, but Yasen and Rabin certainly did. Miraan was a better man than either of them because as he stared at his sister, there was only compassion in his eyes.
Dishani’s shoulders slumped, and a tear slipped down her cheek.
“You will be comfortable,” Miraan said, his voice thick. “Provided with anything you need, but you will not be welcome here again.”
Yasen watched the faces of the other Madans. Advika was quietly sobbing while Talin looked like someone had ripped into his chest and stomped on his heart. Kabir’s posture remained straight with his hands behind his back, but a shine reflected in his eyes.
Yet, they did not come to Dishani’s defense, and Yasen wondered if they’d all suffered at her hand.
Finally, Dishani nodded, and the relief in Miraan’s expression was obvious. He had no desire to sentence his sister to death.
“Then say goodbye,” he replied. “This will be the last time you see any of us again.”
Miraan gestured to the queensguard. “Your things have been packed, and a ship is waiting to take you to Salayana,” he said, naming an island a week’s journey away.
Dishani said nothing, her expression neutral as she was helped up from her seat. Slowly, she limped across the floor with a member of the queensguard holding each arm.
As she approached her family, she stopped and watched them as another tear fell.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered before looking back at Miraan. They stared at one another for several long seconds.
Then she turned away and continued out of the room.
No one spoke. No one moved.
It felt like no one even breathed until she reached the door and passed out of sight, never to be seen in Ishaan again.