Children of Blood and Bone - Tomi Adeyemi Page 0,77
it’s working.
“Really?” I force out. I try to ignore the curves of her body under the rippling water.
She looks up and narrows her eyes, as if remembering I exist. “Forgive me, little prince. This is the most water I’ve seen since you burned down my home.”
The crying villagers of Ilorin creep back into my mind. I squash the guilt like a bug. Lies. It’s her fault.
She helped Amari steal the scroll.
“You’re mad.” I cross my arms. Look away. I keep staring.
“If your water cost a gold piece per cup, you’d be doing the same exact thing.”
A gold piece a cup? I ruminate as she dives below the surface. Even for the monarchy, coin like that is a stretch. No one could sustain those prices. Not even in—
Ibeji.
My eyes widen. I’ve heard of the crooked guards who run that desert settlement. They’re crooked enough to overcharge, especially when water is scarce. It takes everything to keep a smile off my face. I’ve got her. And she doesn’t even know it.
I close my eyes to leave the dreamscape, but the memory of Amari’s smile makes me pause.
“My sister,” I call above the roaring water. “Is she alright?”
The girl stares at me for a long moment. I don’t expect an answer, but something indecipherable burns in her eyes.
“She’s scared,” she finally responds. “And she shouldn’t be the only one. You’re a maggot now, little prince.” Her eyes darken. “You should be scared, too.”
* * *
THICK AIR INVADES my lungs.
Dense and heavy and hot.
I open my eyes to find Orí’s painted image above my head. I’m back.
“Finally.” Despite myself, I smile. This will all be over soon. When I catch her and that scroll, the threat of magic will die for good.
Sweat drips down my back as my mind runs through the next steps. How close is the bridge to completion? How fast can we ride to Ibeji?
I spring to my feet and grab my torch. I must find Kaea. It’s only when I whip around that I realize she’s already here.
Sword outstretched. Pointed right at my heart.
“Kaea?”
Her hazel eyes are wide. The slightest tremble in her hand rocks her blade. She shifts, steadying its aim on my chest. “What was that?”
“What was what?”
“Don’t.” She speaks through her teeth. “You were muttering. Y-your head … it was surrounded by light!”
The girl’s words echo through my ears.
You’re a maggot now, little prince. You should be scared, too.
“Kaea, put the sword down.”
She hesitates. Her eyes go to my hair. The streak …
It must be showing again.
“It’s not what you think.”
“I know what I saw!” Sweat drips from her forehead, pooling on her upper lip. She steps closer with her blade. I’m forced to back into the wall.
“Kaea, it’s me. Inan. I would never hurt you.”
“How long?” she breathes. “How long have you been a maji?” She hisses the word like it’s a curse. Like I’m the spitting image of Lekan. Not the boy she’s known since birth. The soldier she’s trained for years.
“The girl infected me. It’s not permanent.”
“You’re lying.” Her lips peel back in disgust. “Are you … are you working with her?”
“No! I was looking for clues!” I step forward. “I know where she is—”
“Stay back!” Kaea screams. I freeze, hands in the air. There’s no recognition in her eyes.
Only unbridled fear.
“I’m on your side,” I whisper. “I have been this entire time. In Ilorin, I felt her going south. In Sokoto, I sensed she’d been to that merchant.” I swallow hard, pulse rising when Kaea takes another step forward. “I’m not your enemy, Kaea. I’m the only way to track her down!”
Kaea stares at me. The tremble of her blade grows.
“It’s me,” I plead. “Inan. The crown prince of Orïsha. Heir to Saran’s throne.”
At the mention of Father, Kaea falters. Her sword finally drops to the ground. Thank the skies. My legs wobble as I collapse against the wall.
Kaea holds her head in her hands for a few minutes before looking at me. “This is why you’ve been acting so strange all week?”
I nod, heart still slamming against my chest. “I wanted to tell you, but I had a feeling you would react like this.”
“I’m sorry.” She leans against the wall. “But after what that maggot did to me, I had to make sure. If you were one of them…” Her eyes return to the streak in my hair. “I had to ensure you were on our side.”
“Always.” I grip Father’s pawn. “I’ve never wavered. I want magic to die. I need to