Children of Blood and Bone - Tomi Adeyemi Page 0,128
it away. Whether or not he agrees with me at first, in time he’ll come to understand what’s best. We can unite as one kingdom for the very first time. Amari and I will lead the transition. We can do it if you’re there by our side.”
A flame of hope lights inside me, one I should put out. Inan’s vision begins to crystallize in my mind, the structures Grounders could erect, the techniques Mama Agba could teach all of us. Baba would never have to worry about the taxes again. Tzain could spend the rest of his life playing ag—
Before I can finish the thought, guilt slams into me. The memory of the blood leaking from under my brother’s hands extinguishes any excitement.
“It wouldn’t work,” I whisper. “Magic would still be too dangerous. Innocent people could get hurt.”
“A few days ago I would’ve said the same thing.” Inan pulls back. “But this morning you proved me wrong. With just one lesson, I realized that one day I could actually gain control. If we taught the maji how to do the same in designated colonies, they could reenter Orïsha after they’re trained.”
Inan’s eyes light up and his words begin to rush together.
“Zélie, just imagine what Orïsha could become. Healers like Zu would eradicate sickness. A team of Grounders and Welders could eliminate the need for the stocks. Skies, think of what the army would fight like with your animations leading the charge.”
He presses his forehead against mine, getting far too close for me to think clearly.
“It’ll be a new Orïsha.” He calms down. “Our Orïsha. No battles. No wars. Just peace.”
Peace …
It’s been so long since I’ve known that word. The peace I only get in the dreamscape. The comfort of being wrapped in Inan’s arms.
For a moment, I let myself imagine an end to the maji’s strife. Not with swords and revolution, but with peace.
With Inan.
“You’re serious?”
“I’m more than serious. Zél, I need this. I want to keep every promise I made to you, but I can’t do it alone. You can’t do it with just magic. But together…” A delicious smile spreads across his lips, drawing me in. “We’d be unstoppable. A team Orïsha has never seen.”
I look past him to the dancing divîners, catching sight of the young boy I danced with in the crowd. Salim spins himself in so many circles he tumbles into the grass.
Inan drops his hand from my cheek and interlaces his fingers with mine; his warmth spreads over me like a soft blanket as he pulls me into his arms. “I know we’re meant to work together.” He lowers his voice to a whisper. “I think … we’re meant to be together.”
His words make my head spin. His words or the alcohol. But through the haze I know he’s right. This is the one thing that can keep everyone safe. The one decision that can end this endless fight.
“Okay.”
Inan searches me with his eyes. Hope hums around him like the faint drumbeats in the air.
“Really?”
I nod. “We’ll have to convince Tzain and Amari, but if you’re serious—”
“Zél, I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”
“My family will have to come to Lagos, too.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“And you still have to rebuild Ilorin—”
“It’ll be the first thing the Grounders and Tiders do!”
Before I can make another objection, Inan wraps his arms around me and spins. His smile stretches so wide it’s impossible for me not to smile back. I laugh as he sets me down, though it takes a moment for the world to stop turning.
“We probably shouldn’t decide the fate of Orïsha while spinning around in some forest.”
He mumbles in agreement, slowly sliding his hands up my sides and back up to my face. “We probably shouldn’t do this, either.”
“Inan—”
Before I can explain that we can’t, that Tzain’s ax is freshly sharpened and only a few tents away, Inan presses his lips to mine and everything fades. His kiss is tender yet forceful, gently pushing into me. And his lips … soft.
Softer than I knew lips could be.
They light every cell in my body, sending a warmth down my back. When he finally pulls away, my heart is beating so fast it feels like I’ve just finished a fight. Inan’s slow to open his eyes as a delicious smile spreads across his face.
“Sorry…” He runs his thumb over my bottom lip. “Do you want to go back in?”