Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legacy of Orïsha, #2)

by Tomi Adeyemi

I ignore every voice that screams at me to stop as I sprint after Zélie’s sea-salt soul.

“It’s that easy?” I ask. “Of course.” Tzain grins. “I live to serve, my queen.”

No! I shout to myself. How many times has he pulled me out from under? Dragged me back to the surface when I thrashed through water? I won’t let him drown. It’s my turn to rescue him.

“Zïtsōl.” He forces the word out through his final gasp. He grips me with the last strength he has. “Home.”

Home … That’s what it’s meant this entire time.

“We’re the children of the gods.” I lift my chin. “If someone’s running away, it’s not going to be us.”

“They’ve taken our magic. Our homes. Those we love most. No more!” I swipe my hand across my chest. “They are Orïsha’s past. We are Orïsha’s future!

“I couldn’t run it even if I wanted to.” His eyes close when he exhales. “Compromised myself and my men the moment I fell in love with you.”

He looks up at me and I see the heart he pretends not to have. I can’t hold myself back. Every objection quiets when I bring my lips to his.

“Does it hurt?” I ask. “Only when I breathe.” “Always with the jokes.” I shake my head. “If you wanted the jokes to end, you should’ve let me drown.” I smile at him again, kissing his pink lips. “Next time I’ll think twice before saving your life.”

“I’m going.” His metal fingers twitch, still out of line with his intent. “Zïtsōl, you are my home. You don’t get to leave me behind.”

If you had known I was alive in the village, would you still have launched that attack?” she asks. I shrink into myself. The truth carves out the last pieces of dignity I have. “To win this war?” I close my eyes. “Yes.”

Mama Agba?” The Seer looks between the two of us, sadness radiating from her heart. “It is not your time, my child. Take me instead.”

“Look at me.” She lays her wrinkled hand on my cheek. “Zélie, look at me. You are my heart. There is nothing you could do in this world that I would not forgive.

“You are the children of the gods. You shall never be alone.”

My elder,” Mama Agba addresses him, wiping the tears that streak his russet-toned skin. “You are the dream of our people. Never doubt what you can achieve. Trust the things you see.”

All this time I thought I was choosing my kingdom over my heart. I was naïve. Too blind to realize that you were both …

I will work till my dying breath to protect this kingdom, to be the man I thought I could be when I was with you. But should our paths collide again, I will not raise my sword. I am ready to end my life at your hand.

im dead

“You two.” He shakes his head. “Even when you crash, you intertwine.

“Next time let’s fall for a pair of siblings that don’t come with a crown.”