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He reaches down and grazes a cut on my chin.
With what hand is he able to do that with while carrying her?
I would’ve stabbed that masked divîner to death just to get answers.
And how would you do that if you stabbed him to death. Unless you commanded his spirit to lead you there.
He’d be facedown in the dirt instead of lying on a cot, being treated as he awaits Zu’s healing.
He probably should have gotten it first! He’s been like that, bleeding out for days now.
I lock eyes with Amari and Tzain, and they nod in agreement.
I wonder what Amari thinks about her brother’s new hair style…
I knew this moment was coming. I just hoped we’d have more time.
Where was this time going to come from with y’all all in the same tent?
“He’s seen things, felt things I could never explain to anyone else.” “How am I supposed to believe that?” Tzain crosses his arms. “Because…” I look back at Inan. “He’s a maji.”
Lord have mercy… They didn’t notice? Thought he died his hair white in the forest with bird poop to infiltrate the camp?
“A better Orïsha. A kingdom where maji like your sister don’t have to live in constant fear.
Like your sister. Smdh. You’re still not ready, hun.
“Forget it.” He rises with a wince and heads for the tent exit, fighting through the pain in his leg. “You’re always screwing everything up. Why stop now?”
Oohhh! Burn.
I clutch the headdress to my chest and stare at him, a wave of gratitude rushing through me. But the gratitude only makes our reality worse.
Not even thinking about the man he had to get it from…
Inan eyes me, face difficult to read as he looks me up and down. “Is that a threat?” “It’s a promise. If I suspect any treachery, it’ll be my sword you’ll have to face.” It wouldn’t be the first time our swords clashed. It certainly won’t be like the last.
Um… the last time you were a little girl and he slashed your back so…
But when his hands wrap around my back, all I can think of are how his fingers are resting just above my scars.
Maybe Zu can heal that too.
“Apologies.” He smiles. “My feet have a nasty habit of following my heart.”
OMG! That pick up line! 🤣🤣🤣
He has to be a merchant, some trader from another land. Finally.
Finally?
Questions fill my mind, but then I realize his hand is still on the small of my back.
Is he stealing something? She didn’t wear anything else though. No pouch or pack was mentioned.
The gray-eyed stranger glances at me; with a sheepish shrug he removes a compacted staff from the pocket of his draped pants.
Oh! Well yeah, she would have that. Damn, they even got pickpockets in the place. Smdh.
With that he saunters off, walking over to Kwame in the distance. They grasp each other’s fists in a familiar greeting, exchanging words I can’t hear. Kwame eyes me for a second before the two disappear into a tent.
Figures it’s Kwame with a crook. Nope, he can’t go. He’s untrustworthy by association.
“If I knew all it took to distract you was a charming smile, I would’ve tried that ages ago.”
🤣🤣🤣
I don’t know how to help Inan. I’m still trying to figure Reaper magic out myself.
So why did you say you could?
I think back to the last time we were there, wondering what I must’ve said. Did I give something away?
Of course you did. You’re cocky and arrogant most times.
She jumps up and floats on her back, passing between the drifting reeds and floating lilies.
So her tits are showing? He said bare skin earlier.
I thought she was in denial. But did she see the parts of him I couldn’t?
Well duh, it’s her brother. She’s known him all her life.
He’s seen the worst parts of me. Parts I never thought I could share.
But you knew and figures that. You’re cocky even said as much to Tzain.
I force myself to swim through the waterfall until my back rests against the cliff’s edge.
Oh, now there’s the perfect extra private place to swim to for sex while trying to act shy and bashful… 🙄🙄
I hope the pounding water will keep Inan on the other side,
No you don’t, that’s why you went in there.
“Stay away from my sister!” “I should leave.” Inan looks at me for a moment before backing away into the trees.
Did that need to be said?
“He doesn’t care about you, Zél. He just wants to get in between your legs!”
Oh my! That was… sudden. He went from not trusting him not to try and kill his sister to him thinking Inan is just after the cookies… that’s a major jump.
“He’s the son of the man who murdered Mama, for gods’ sakes.
And Amari is the daughter of the man that killed Mama… hasn’t stopped you from flirting.
“You pine after Amari!” I scream. “How does that make you any better?”
Exactly
“Gods, if she only knew she died so that you could be the prince’s whore—”
Oh, now that’s going to far, Tzain!
Tzain stares at me like he doesn’t know who I am. Like I’m a betrayal to everything we have.
I wouldn’t feel bad at all. It’s his fault. He knows you have magic that is new to you and that you can’t fully control yet her decides to push you and insult you to no end. Well, you brought an end to it.
I STAY ON THE OUTSKIRTS of the settlement until sunset falls. I don’t have to face anyone in the trees. I don’t have to face myself.
Did she forget about the party?
Tzain didn’t tell her.…
Why would he? It has nothing to do with her.
“This morning you couldn’t wait. Now Zu tells me you don’t want to share the scroll?”
Oh wow. Really? She actually told her.
All these people looking to me to lead them, yet I can’t even keep my own magic in check.
So doing the ritual and bringing back magic has no point then because it’s still going to be a bunch of people that don’t know how to control it.
The memory of Kwame’s inferno rages so hot, my skin prickles at the imagined heat.
And I believe Kwame may steal the artifacts and try to take power. Him and his pickpocket friend.
want you to be happy, Zél. More than you realize. But I know my brother.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” Amari pauses, pinning another coil back. “Either he’s about to betray us or something else is taking place.”
Aw shit. Amari too! Maybe he is playing her then.
And when the time came for him to grab the scroll and run, he stayed. He tried to save me.”
And you’ve been off in the forest all day so you wouldn’t know if anyone still the scroll or the other artifacts.
Not without rules. Leaders. Plans.
And that’s what you should be setting up instead of doing nothing all day. You have three days.
My face turns so red I’m positive it clashes with the golden hues of my dress.
But she’s dark skinned…
“Come back to Lagos with me.”
Wow. This was the perfect time to say that…
“If my father could see this … see you…”
He would kill them all. Stupid.
We can unite as one kingdom for the very first time.
Wasn’t it one kingdom before Saran came into power?
“I know we’re meant to work together.” He lowers his voice to a whisper. “I think … we’re meant to be together.”
I think that too. I think it was always like that, but no one has spoken of it so…
He bypasses Nailah and Zélie’s pack to grip the handle of his ax—
OMG.
My screams fall on deaf ears as he shoves the ax into his pack. Along with his cloak, his food … the rest of his belongings?
Oh.
Though the movement starts out small, in seconds waves of people split. They clear a path, allowing one person to walk through. Her small body steps forward. Her white mane dances. “Zu…,” I breathe, fighting the urge to run and pull her back into the crowd.
Figures your cowardly ass would let the child step forward.
She strains, limbs shaking, somehow taking a step forward. Not back where we can protect her. Forward, so she can protect us.
While you stand there and do nothing…
But as he tries to steer me away, one thought fills my mind. Oh gods. Tzain.
I really don’t like her…
He has no magic. No weapon. No way to fight. The guard doesn’t care. His sword slashes down.
But you DO have a way to fight and are doing absolutely nothing. Sad sack of shit.
It’s like the world slows to a stop, stretching the seconds between this moment and the last Kwame will ever have.
So he’s going to die from using blood magic, but you didn’t? Make that make sense.
