He let me go. “There’s only one way to make sure. There are lots of tests, but only one really matters.” He dimpled. “If you pass, you have to stay with me.”
I frowned. “Do not.”
“Do too.”
“Do not—”
“All right,” he admitted. “You don’t. But you’ll want to; I just know it. When there’s twelve of us, they send us to Yorua Keep, a castle far away by the ocean. We’ll live there all by ourselves, and train to rule Aritsar, and go on adventures. I’ll see you every day. Forever, until we’re dead.”
“But won’t our parents miss us?” I frowned at the carpet. “Why do they always send us away?”
“They don’t,” Dayo laughed. “Not normal parents. But Father’s the emperor. He’s preparing me to rule.”
For what future, I wondered, was The Lady preparing me?
“Won’t your mother miss you?” I asked.
“Oh …” He looked uncomfortable. “I don’t have one. I mean—I know who she is.” I noticed then that his chin strongly resembled Nawusi’s. “But I’m not supposed to show favoritism to any of Father’s council members. I call them all ‘uncle’ or ‘auntie’—even my mother. It’s best for diplomacy. There are lots of rules here,” he admitted, “but don’t worry. If you pass the test, we’ll make our own rules. Far away, at Yorua.”
My stomach fluttered in spite of my crossed arms. A castle full of friends who never left? A chance to see the world? To see the sea?
“Well?” I said. “What’s the test?”
The answer was a jarring bolt ripping through my body, hurling me to the ground. Spots of light swirled painfully in my vision, and I could barely sense Dayo’s anxious voice as he knelt beside me, shaking my shoulders.
“Tarisai? I’m so sorry; I shouldn’t have tried it. I shouldn’t—”
“What happened?” I moaned, shoving him away.
“I tried to unite your mind with mine,” he said. “It’s what emperors do with their councils. But it only works if you love me.”
“I sure don’t love you now,” I said, rubbing my throbbing temples.
The hidden door burst open and Mbali swept in, making tut sounds. Dayo flew at her, blubbering, “It wasn’t her fault, Auntie Mbali, I swear it wasn’t; don’t take her away …”
“Dayo,” Mbali said, extracting herself from his grip and helping me up. “You administered the test. She failed. I’ve warned you about trying the Ray too early.”
Dayo sob-hiccupped. “I—I just wanted her to stay.”
“You know the rules. Candidates have only one chance to succeed.”
“But—”
“Say goodbye, children.” She took my hand firmly in hers and walked me toward the door.
I had wanted to get away from Dayo. To keep us both safe. But now my heart was torn. I’d never had a friend in my life, and—I liked him. How could I let him vanish like The Lady, and Melu, and Woo In, and Kathleen?
Why did everyone always leave me?
The memory of the screaming Nontish boy, wrestled away by guards, still lay fresh in my mind. I knew I couldn’t fight Mbali. Heart racing, my mind shifted solutions like puzzle pieces. Invisible tutors breathed down my neck, and Woo In’s words echoed.
You have been prepared for this.
I crossed my arms and told Mbali, “I take orders from the prince, not you.”
She fixed her large dark eyes on mine. “Say that again, child.”
I swallowed hard. “I don’t take orders from you. ‘Nothing is more important than loyalty.’ You said that earlier. So I’m not going anywhere …” I pointed a finger at Dayo. “… unless he wants me to.”
Mbali gave a slow, cunning smile. “Congratulations, Dayo. Your friend has passed a test that no candidate has before her.”
Dayo gaped. “That was a test?” Mbali nodded, and Dayo’s features grew puzzled. “So all the candidates you took away before … None of them had to go?”
“None of them understood directions as well as Tarisai.”
Directions. I shuddered, wondering how many hidden commands and tests I had already missed. I swallowed hard. “So?” I asked Dayo. “Do you want me to leave?”
He wagged his head. “Never! Can she really stay, Auntie Mbali?” When the priestess nodded, Dayo cried out and tackled me in a hug. “Do you love me now, Tarisai of Swana?”
“Of course not. Stop it.” I snorted, pushing him off. But both of us giggled, breathless with our newfound power. If a member of the Emperor’s Council couldn’t command us, who could?
“Her mind must still connect with your Ray,” Mbali reminded Dayo. “You may not offer Tarisai your hand in councilhood until it does. But give