Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legacy of Orïsha #2)(3)

“Here.” I hand Tzain the cup.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m too nervous to eat,” I say. “I’ll probably just throw it all up.”

It’s only been a half moon since I sent word to Mother back in Lagos, but it feels like I’ve been waiting an eternity for her to respond. With her support, I can ascend to Or?sha’s throne. I can finally right my Father’s wrongs. Together we can create a land where the maji don’t have to live in fear. We can unite this kingdom and erase the divisions that have plagued Or?sha for centuries.

“Don’t worry.” Tzain squeezes my shoulder. “No matter what she says, we’ll figure it out.”

He moves to check on Zélie and my chest tightens; I hate the part of me that hates what they still have. Only three weeks have passed since Father’s blade tore through my brother’s gut, and I’m already starting to forget the growl in Inan’s voice. Every time it happens, I have to grind my teeth to keep the heartache in. Perhaps when Mother and I are reunited, the gaping hole in my heart might actually start to heal.

“Incoming.” Zélie points to the silhouette moving in the warship’s dark halls. I tense as the tarnished door groans open, revealing our messenger. Ro?n shakes the rain from his black hair, the silky strands clumping together in waves that fall along his square jaw. With skin like desert sand and eyes like teardrops, the mercenary always looks out of place in a room full of Or?shans.

“Nailah?”

The lionaire’s ears perk up as Ro?n kneels, removing a thick parcel from his pack. Nailah nearly knocks Ro?n over when he unties the binds, revealing a glistening array of fish. I’m surprised when a small smile finds its way to Zélie’s lips.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

Ro?n nods, holding her gaze. I have to clear my throat before he rises to face me.

“Let’s hear it,” I sigh. “What did she say?”

Ro?n pushes his tongue into his cheek and drops his gaze to the ground. “There was an attack. No word’s gotten in or out of the capital.”

“An attack?” My chest clenches as I think of Mother holed up in the palace. “How?” I rise to my feet. “When? Why?”

“They’re calling themselves the Iyika,” Ro?n explains. “The ‘revolution.’ The maji stormed Lagos when their powers came back. Word is their attack made it all the way to the palace.”

I brace myself against the wall, sliding down to the grated floor. Ro?n’s lips keep moving, but I can’t make out the words. I can’t hear anything at all.

“The queen,” I struggle to speak. “Did they … is she…”

“No one’s heard from her since.” Ro?n looks away. “With you hiding out here, people think the royal line’s dead.”

Tzain rises to his feet, but I put up a hand, forcing him to stay back. If he so much as breathes near me, I’ll unravel. I’ll be less than the hollow shell I already am. Every plan I made, every hope I had—in seconds, they’re all gone. If Mother’s dead …

Skies.

I really am all alone.

“What’re the Iyika after?” Tzain asks.

“It’s hard to pin down,” Ro?n says. “Their forces are small, but lethal. They’ve carried out noble assassinations all over Or?sha.”

“So, they’re out for royal blood?” Zélie’s brows knit and we lock eyes. We’ve barely spoken since the ritual went awry. It’s nice to see she still cares about me.

“It seems that way.” Ro?n shrugs. “But because of the Iyika, the military’s hunting maji like dogs. Entire villages are being cleared out. The new admiral’s all but declared war.”

I close my eyes and run my hands through the new waves in my hair. The last time Or?sha was at war, Burners nearly wiped out the royal bloodline. Years later, Father struck back with the Raid. If war breaks out again, no one will be safe. The kingdom shall tear itself apart.

Or?sha waits for no one, Amari.

The ghost of Father’s voice rings through my head. I drove my sword into his chest to free Or?sha from his tyranny, but now the kingdom’s in chaos. There’s no time to grieve. No time to wipe my tears. I vowed to be a better queen.

If Mother is no longer here, fulfilling that vow now falls on me.

“I’ll address the public,” I decide. “Take control of the kingdom. Bring back stability and end this war.” I get back on my feet, pushing my plans above my grief. “Ro?n, I know I’m in the red with you, but if I could just ask for a little more of your help—”

“I hope you’re joking.” All compassion disappears from the mercenary’s tone. “You realize that no contact with your mother means you still owe me my weight in gold?”

“I gave you this ship!” I shout.

“The ship you’re still squatting on?” Ro?n arches his brow. “The ship my men and I stole? I have families waiting to escape across the sea. This ship isn’t payment. It’s driving up what you owe me!”

“When I claim the throne, I’ll get access to the royal treasuries,” I say. “Help me set up a rally, and I’ll pay you double what I owe. Just a few more days, and the gold is yours!”