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“So have we!” I cut her off. “For decades. We strike them. They strike us. The cycle never ends!”
“Because someone stabbed me in the back,” I say. “If I see him, I want to return the gift.”
“That’s an order, General. Not a suggestion.”
My hands fly to my ears as the cyclones meet the flames.
to my knowledge, it has only been done once before. It is the very reason Orïsha has majacite at all.”
Every time someone masters another incantation, I half expect them to “slip” and throw it in my direction.
“You know me.” Inan’s voice drops to a whisper. “You know this is real. I want to keep every promise I made to you, Zél. I want to build a kingdom where you laugh every day. A land where you feel safe!”
Tears stream down my face as I throw his shaking body to the ground. The ashê of other tîtáns rumbles within me as I lift my hands. When the first soldiers attack, my heartbreak strikes them in an endless blue wave.
His hands go to his chest and I feel his heart seize beneath my own ribs. “Mâzeli!” I reach out for him when he falls. But the moment his body collapses, my own legs crumble.
His waning lifeforce pulls on my own, an anchor dragging me under the surface. But despite the growing pressure in my chest, I won’t give in. I don’t care about the blood I cough up. I don’t care how much it hurts.
The connection that’s killing me is the only thing keeping him alive.
“They’re safe.” I fight the knife in my throat. “Because of you, everyone is.”
“She’ll welcome her bravest soldier home with open arms.”
“Don’t…” His eyes fall closed. “Be sad.”
“He couldn’t be saved!” Tears well in Mama Agba’s eyes. “You would’ve died—” “Then I die!” Zélie yells back. “I should’ve died!”
Duty before self. I squeeze the bronze coin. Duty before self. The next time we meet, there will be no reconciliation. Only complete annihilation.
“You have done all you can to prepare. The rest lies in the gods’ hands. Tomorrow you fight.” Mama Agba tips her glass. “Tonight, you live.”
“If my lips are on yours, can you try not to think about my sister?”
Tzain shakes his head, staring at the lines in my palm. “I don’t want you doing this just because you’re scared.”
“I should’ve died that day,” I say. “Just pretend that I did.”
“The throne had to be protected, Inan. No matter the cost.”
It could’ve worked. It would’ve worked. There was a chance for a better path. But Mother destroyed that chance herself. She’s the reason we’re still fighting now.
“Your mistake wasn’t falling for a monster, Zïtsōl. It was falling for the wrong one.”
“What’s going on?” Roën’s brows crease. “Talk to me. We don’t have to do anything. Zïtsōl, that’s not why I care about you—”
“I’m not going to let my brother kill himself just so you can sit on your precious throne.”
I pull a dagger from my belt, throwing it at his thigh. But with a wave of his hand, the dagger halts in midair. Dark green ashê surrounds Ojore’s fingers as the dagger hangs between us.
You’re not a victim, Zélie. You’re a survivor! Stop running away!”
I choke as I leave every scar they carved onto my heart behind and break through the water’s surface. Live. I want to live.
I look back, not recognizing the monster that wears Ojore’s face. We did this to him. We poisoned him with all our hate.
“Zïtsōl.” He forces the word out through his final gasp. He grips me with the last strength he has. “Home.”
The fragile beating of his heart. Now connected to mine.
It’s like ripping my own heart in half to wield my magic against the boy I love. Tzain grunts as the cobalt blaze strikes him in the back. With a lurch, he tumbles to the cave floor. His legs are frozen stiff. He’ll never forgive me for this. I shall never forgive myself.
but the command to live still breathes within me; a fire burning brighter than it ever has.
My hands shake beyond my control. I can’t believe all the lives I took.
I finally see my truth. I wanted to be the king my father couldn’t be. All I did was finish his work.
With this kind of magic, we can raise the dead.
Magic has never been the kingdom’s problem. The monarchy has.
I need to sacrifice someone I love.
But if I catch so much as a whiff of you going against my orders, I’ll hang you by your own intestines.”
“Zïtsōl, you are my home. You don’t get to leave me behind.”
I’m the very monster I hunt.
“It is not your time, my child. Take me instead.”
“We shall live in every breath you take. Every incantation you speak.”
“You are not your mistakes.”
“Do not let one moment define or destroy you.
This throne corrupts even the purest of hearts. As long as it exists, people will continue to tear this kingdom apart.”
But should our paths collide again, I will not raise my sword. I am ready to end my life at your hand.
When I raise my hand, every tîtán freezes in place. They seize as I close my fist, ripping their spirits from their flesh. A smile spreads across my lips as they fall into the dirt.
