Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legacy of Orïsha #2)(84)

“Come on!” Nao nudges me from the side, radiant in a long blue dress. “It’s your party, for gods’ sakes. Grab a cup of wine!”

She snaps her fingers and a Welder floats a tin cup into my hands. She knocks our cups together, throwing her arm around my neck.

“To victory!” she shouts.

“To victory,” I repeat. I take a sip, enjoying the way the word tastes on my lips.

“If I decide to let you be queen, you’d better throw more celebrations like this.”

Though she jokes, her words catch me off guard. Up until now, Zélie’s the one they’ve wanted on my throne.

“Na’imah!”

Music draws to a halt as the loud scream echoes through the hall. I jerk forward, ready to fight, when Kenyon barrels his way through the crowd. His locs spill onto his bare chest. He falls to his knees before the stage.

“Na’imah, I love you!”

“For gods’ sakes.” Na’imah hides her face in her hands as the snickers ring through the crowd. “Kenyon, you’re drunk!”

“I know! But it’s still true!”

“Mo fi àwon òrìsà búra—” Na’imah stomps down from the stage as the music resumes. She starts to yell, but then Kenyon pulls a battered bouquet of sunflowers from his belt. Even she can’t help but smile.

Nao throws her head back at the scene, cackling with laughter. “You’ve done good work,” she urges me on. “Have some fun.”

I wait for her to disappear before setting my cup down. Father wouldn’t drink before battle. Neither can I. More memories of him fill my mind as I drift through the crowd. I wonder if he would be proud of what I’ve done. The ruler I’ve become.

“I sense something…”

I stop as I stumble into a group of people gathered around Mama Agba. She sits in a colorful tent while Folake generates twinkling lights behind her head. People smile as Mama Agba lifts her chin, peeking out at the crowd through a poorly hidden squint.

“Why, I sense a great and powerful elder has entered my presence!”

Every eye falls on me and my cheeks heat. I try to move along, but others force me into Mama Agba’s tent.

“Come, Elder Amari.” She takes my hand in both her own. “Let me search what the stars have in mind for you!”

I can’t hide my laughter as Mama Agba shakes and shimmies like the false prophets that fill Lagos’s streets. Her hands arc in broad, sweeping motions, dancing around Folake’s rainbow lights. Though she can’t cast real incantations anymore without putting her health at risk, she gives us the next best thing.

“You have great battles ahead.” Mama Agba nods. “Great victories, too! And, oh my … I’m seeing something else!”

“Tell us, Mama Agba!” a div?ner demands.

“What is it?” I play along.

“I see … great love.”

She winks at me as someone approaches from behind. I glance up and Tzain’s smile steals the air from my lungs. Jeers ring as he takes my hand, leading me away from the crowd. Na’imah’s soulful voice croons over our heads as we move to the dance floor.

“òòrùn mi, ìfé mi, èmí mi—”

Khani harmonizes with the Tamer’s rich tones. Together, they sound like songbirds. Tzain laces his fingers with mine and we sway, getting lost in the song. I place my head against his chest, disappearing into the warmth of his arms.

“I’ve missed this.” Tzain dips his chin and kisses the top of my head. He places his hands along my waist, making my skin tingle when his thumbs brush a sliver of bare skin.

“I have, too,” I whisper, closing my eyes. Dancing with him takes me back to the fields of the div?ner festival, back when it felt like tomorrow was ours.

I look up at him and he stares at me with a tenderness I don’t deserve. It’s then that I realize I don’t want to spend tonight with prophecies and palm wine. Tonight, I want him.

“What’s wrong?”

I lace my fingers through his and pull him toward the door.

“Come on. Let’s get some air.”



* * *



“WHEN YOU SAID AIR…” Tzain laughs as I push open the door to my quarters. I grin and take him by the hand, stepping into the cool breeze that passes over the balcony. We slip our legs through the bars, dangling our feet over the curved ledge. Staring out at the sanctuary makes something deflate in my chest.

“I’m going to miss this place.” It’s strange to admit after all that’s passed inside these walls. Since the day we arrived, I don’t know if there was a moment I didn’t feel ostracized. But for all that went wrong, this place was still home. It kept us safe. It’s where I found my voice. Where I found the path to my throne.

“There’s been so much—” Tzain brings a fist to his mouth and coughs. “I just want to say I’m proud of you. I don’t think you hear that enough.”

My hands move before my mind can catch up. I grab the sides of his face, pulling it to mine.

“Ow!” I groan when his chin collides with the bridge of my nose.

Tzain grabs his belly and falls back with laughter. “Skies, my queen. I never pegged you for such an animal!”