The Jasmine Throne (The Burning Kingdoms, #1)

by Tasha Suri

“Why do you want to know about my magic?” Priya asked. “Why does it matter to you?” “I told you that you interest me,” said Malini. “I told you that I want to know everything about you.” “You said that to make me think—you liked me,” Priya said haltingly. Malini’s dark gray eyes fixed on her own. “I do like you,” said Malini. “Please don’t say that.” “You have helped me. You tried to save me from poison. You comforted me. When reality felt far away, and I didn’t know what was real, you—” “Please,” Priya said, and knew she sounded like she was begging this time. “Don’t.” She didn’t want to be convinced into foolishness again, to let herself like Malini too much. She didn’t want to trust her, or want to be friends. She didn’t want to want her. And it would have been so easy, after all they’d been through together—after she’d seen Malini nearly die and watched the way Malini’s eyes had gone wide and cold with fury when Pramila had held the knife to Priya’s throat. She was teetering on the edge. She did not want to fall.