Children of Blood and Bone - Tomi Adeyemi Page 0,25

sounds to fill the vast throne room. Then the door slams shut.

Father and I are alone.

“Do you know the fugitive’s identity?”

I hesitate—a white lie could save me from a brutal beating. But Father sniffs out lies like hyenaires on the hunt.

A lie will only make it worse.

“No,” I answer. “But we’ll get a lead by sunset. When we do, I’ll take my team—”

“Call off your men.”

I tense. He won’t even give me a chance.

Father doesn’t think I can do it. He’s going to take me off the guard.

“Father,” I say slowly. “Please. I didn’t anticipate the fugitive’s resources before, but I’m prepared now. Grant me a chance to make this right.”

Father rises from his throne. Slow and deliberate. Though his face is calm, I’ve seen firsthand the rage that can hide behind his empty gaze.

I drop my eyes to the floor as he approaches. I can already hear the coming shouts. Duty before self.

Orïsha before me.

I failed him today. Him, and my kingdom. I let a divîner wreak havoc on all of Lagos. Of course he’s going to punish me.

I lower my head and hold my breath. I wonder how badly this will hurt. If Father doesn’t ask me to remove my armor, he’ll go for my face.

More bruises for the world to see.

He raises his hand and I shut my eyes. I brace for the blow. But instead of his fist against my cheek, I feel his palm grip my shoulder.

“I know you can do this, Inan. But it can only be you.”

I blink in confusion. Father’s never looked at me this way before.

“It’s not just any fugitive,” he says through his teeth. “It’s Amari.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

ZÉLIE

WE’RE HALFWAY TO ILORIN before Tzain feels safe enough to pull on Nailah’s reins. When we come to a stop, he doesn’t move. I must’ve sparked a new level of rage.

As the crickets chirp in the towering trees, I slide off the saddle and hug Nailah’s gigantic face, massaging the special spot between her horns and her ears. “Thank you,” I whisper into her fur. “You’re getting the biggest treat when we get home.”

Nailah purrs and nuzzles her snout against my nose like I’m the cub she’s been tasked to protect. It’s enough to bring a smile to my face, but when Tzain drops to the ground and stalks toward me, I know even Nailah can’t protect me from this.

“Tzain—”

“What’s wrong with you?” he shouts with such fury that a family of blue-whisked bee-eaters flees from the trees overhead.

“I didn’t have a choice!” I rush out. “They were going to kill her—”

“What in gods’ names do you think they’re going to do to you?” Tzain slams his fist into a tree with so much force the bark splits. “Why don’t you ever think, Zél? Why don’t you just do what you’re supposed to do?”

“I did!” I reach into my bag and throw a velvet purse at Tzain. Silver pieces spill across the ground. “I got five hundred for the sailfish!”

“All the money in Orïsha won’t save us now.” Tzain palms his eyes, smearing tears on his cheeks. “They’re going to kill us. They’re going to kill you, Zél!”

“Please,” the girl squeaks, drawing our attention. She possesses an uncanny ability to shrink; I forgot she was even here.

“I…” Her face blanches. Under her long hood, I can barely make out her stark amber eyes. “This is my fault. All of it.”

“Thank you.” I roll my eyes, ignoring Tzain’s glare. Without her, Tzain would be nothing but smiles. Our family would finally be safe.

“What did you do?” I ask. “Why were the king’s men chasing you?”

“Don’t tell us.” He shakes his head and jabs his finger toward Lagos. “Go back. Turn yourself in. It’s the only chance we have to—”

She removes her cloak, silencing us both. Tzain can’t look away from her regal face. I can’t stop staring at the golden headdress fastened into her braid. It dips onto her forehead, all swooping chains and glittering leaves. In the center, a diamond-crusted seal shines. An adorned snow leopanaire, which only one family is allowed to wear.

“Oh my gods,” I breathe.

The princess.

Amari.

I kidnapped Orïsha’s princess.

“I can explain,” Amari says quickly. Now I hear the royal affect that makes my teeth grind. “I know what you must be thinking, but my life was in danger.”

“Your life,” I whisper. “Your life?”

Red flashes behind my eyes. The princess cries out when I slam her against a tree. She chokes, eyes wide with fear as I wrap my hands around her