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

by Tomi Adeyemi

“Do you think they’ll be better off across the sea?” I ask. “I doubt it,” Roën says. “It hardly matters where you are if you’re weak.”

“You are the elders now. It is not my place to tell you what to do. But you should know that there are weapons so great, they shouldn’t be used.”

As we ride, I savor the break, not knowing when it will come back. I wonder if Roën always feels like this, unshackled from the weight of the world. From all those he’s lost.

“Hökenärīnusaī.” Roën gestures to my bedroom door. He drags behind me, forever-vigilant eyes falling to a soft close. The night’s adventure has more than taken its toll, but despite our hours together, I still don’t want him to go. “What does that mean?” I ask. “Welcome back.” “Höke-närī-nusaī,” I repeat, making his sleepy eyes widen. “Am I messing it up?” He shakes his head. “It’s just been years since anyone sounded like home.”

“You don’t get to judge me,” I whisper. “I didn’t ask for any of this!” “No one ever asks, but you’re here. You’re here when so many people aren’t!”

“Anguish and anarchy are far better than the tyranny we’ve known,” Zélie says. “The future of Orïsha will no longer be corrupted by a crown.”