The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - By N. K. Jemisin Page 0,131

cool majesty. His eyes glowed blue-black with a million mysteries, terrifying and exquisite. When he smiled, all the world shivered, and I was not immune.

Yet this shook me on an entirely different level, because suddenly memory surged through me. They were pallid, these memories, as of something half-forgottenbut they pushed at me, demanding acknowledgment, until I made a sound and shook my head and batted at the air in protest. They were part of me, and though I understood now that names were as ephemeral as form for my kind, those memories insisted upon giving the dark creature a name: Nahadoth.

And the bright one: Itempas.

And me

I frowned in confusion. My hands rose in front of my face, and I stared at them as if I had never seen them. In a way, I had not. Within me was the gray light I had so hated before, transformed now into all the colors that had been stolen from existence. Through my skin I could see those colors dancing along my veins and nerves, no less powerful for being hidden. Not my power. But it was my flesh, wasnt it? Who was I?

Yeine, said Nahadoth in a tone of wonder.

A shudder passed through me, the same feeling of balance Id had a moment before. Suddenly I understood. It was my flesh, and my power, too. I was what mortal life had made me, what Enefa had made me, but all that was in the past. From henceforth I could be whomever I wanted.

Yes, I said, and smiled at him. That is my name.

* * *

Other changes were necessary.

Nahadoth and I turned to face Itempas, who watched us with eyes as hard as topaz.

Well, Naha, he said, though the hate in his eyes was all for me. I must congratulate you; this is a fine coup. I thought killing the girl would be sufficient. Now I see I should have obliterated her entirely.

That would have taken more power than you possess, I said. A frown flickered across Itempass face. He was so easy to read; did he realize that? He still thought of me as a mortal, and mortals were insignificant to him.

You arent Enefa, he snapped.

No, Im not. I could not help smiling. Do you know why Enefas soul lingered all these years? It wasnt because of the Stone.

His frown deepened with annoyance. What a prickly creature he was. What did Naha see in him? No, that was jealousy speaking. Dangerous. I would not repeat the past.

The cycle of life and death flows from me and through me, I said, touching my breast. Within it, somethingnot quite a heartbeat strong and even. Even Enefa never truly understood this about herself. Perhaps she was always meant to die at some point; and now, perhaps I am the only one of us who will never be truly immortal. But by the same token, neither can I truly die. Destroy me and some part will always linger. My soul, my flesh, perhaps only my memorybut it will be enough to bring me back.

Then I simply wasnt thorough enough, Itempas said, and his tone promised dire things. Ill be sure to rectify that next time.

Nahadoth stepped forward. The dark nimbus that surrounded him made a faint crackling sound as he moved, and white flecksmoisture frozen out of the airdrifted to the floor in his wake.

There will be no next time, Tempa, he said with frightening gentleness. The Stone is gone and I am free. I will tear you apart, as I have planned for all the long nights of my imprisonment.

Itempass aura blazed like white flames; his eyes glowed like twin suns. I threw you broken to the earth once before, Brother, and I can do it again

Enough, I said.

Nahadoths answer was a hiss. He crouched, his hands suddenly monstrous claws at his sides. There was a blur of movement and suddenly Sieh was beside him, a feline shadow. Kurue moved as if to join Itempas, but instantly Zhakkarns pike was at her throat.

None of them paid any attention to me. I sighed.

The knowledge of my power was within me, as instinctive as how to think and how to breathe. I closed my eyes and reached for it, and felt it uncurl and stretch within me, ready. Eager.

This was going to be fun.

The first blast of power that I sent through the palace was violent enough to stagger everyone, even my quarrelsome brothers, who fell silent in surprise. I ignored them and closed my eyes, tapping