The Fire Queen (The Hundredth Queen #2)(58)

The layout of her chamber is exactly like mine. Her trident is propped near the door, and a shell necklace hangs over the bedpost. Much of Indah is still a mystery, but after today at the river, being competitors is not all there is between us. We respect each other, and that is a firm enough foundation for trust.

“Thank you for what you did. I have to admit I was surprised.”

Indah crosses her curvy legs. “We aren’t enemies, Kalinda. We’re competitors, but we’re also both sister warriors. In Lestari, women don’t turn their backs on each other.”

“Did you . . . Did you happen to see anything unusual in the river? A light perhaps?”

She drops her head to the side in question. “No. Should I have?”

“No, I, ah . . .” I push aside my memory of Jaya’s spirit. “That isn’t why I’ve come. My people are falling ill in the encampments. One of my friends, a guard, is sick. Can you spare an Aquifier to care for him?”

Indah leans back in her seat. “I’m willing to help, but the datu’s aid isn’t free. You know what he’ll ask for in return.”

“I do, and after seeing all four bhuta powers work together to put out the fire, I believe the Zhaleh will be safer with Virtue Guards. Tell Datu Bulan that once the tournament is over, I’ll go to Lestari with you and bring the book to him myself.”

Indah lays her palm flat on the table, taken aback. “I—I will tell him.”

“Do you know I speak the truth?” I ask, and she nods twice in succession. “Then you know I’ll honor my word. Please, send a healer to Yatin right away.”

“I’ll offer our services, but I cannot guarantee the vizier will accept.”

“I understand and will appreciate any effort you make.”

Indah runs her fingers up and down her water cup and studies me. “Your people in the civilian encampment saw the smoke over the city and asked about the fire. The guards told them you’re a Burner.”

I go still, my chest screwing tight.

“Your people responded . . . unfavorably.” Her voice holds no delight but sympathy. “They threw stones at the rank board to strike down your name.”

Her words wallop me like the stones my people cast. I knew this could happen. Tarek taught them to hate bhutas. Hate me.

But the people loved me. I was their champion.

I was an imposter, a treacherous kindred who murdered their rajah and hid behind the warlord’s insurgence.

I was trying to help. I didn’t mean to hurt them.

The outcome is still the same. They are suffering due to me. Yatin is sick thanks to me. I am fire, razing everything in my path.

I bury my regret and stand to leave. “Please inform me of Yatin’s condition as soon as you hear.”

“You’ve made the right decision.” Indah boosts her assurance with a taut smile. “This is best for all our people.”

I am no longer in the position to determine what is good for anyone. I have been wrong too many times. It would be arrogant of me to assume I can watch over the Zhaleh as well as four Virtue Guards. The book is better off in Lestari, far away from me.



Prince Ashwin is not in his chamber, but Opal rests on the lounge. I dismiss Rohan to finish his supper and settle in to wait for the prince’s return. Books are still scattered about Ashwin’s room, piled on every surface. I scan the religious texts and notice Enlil’s Hundredth Rani among them. A shiver runs down me, as I think of Tarek’s belief that I am Enlil’s rani reincarnated. With the revelation of my powers, I doubt our people believe I am the dead favored queen now.

I turn my attention to Opal. “When will the prince return?”

“I don’t know,” she says, sitting up and stretching from her nap. “He’s gone to request more aid for the encampments, but after today . . .” I grimace and slide my gaze away from her. “Kindred, the dock fire wasn’t your fault.”

The people of Iresh don’t think so.

“Please don’t call me kindred,” I answer softly.

Opal sighs at my back.

Ashwin comes inside and slams the door hard. “Opal, find Brother Shaan and—” He notices me, and his whole body slumps, shedding his anger. “Kalinda, I didn’t know you were here.”

“May I have a word, Your Majesty?”

His chin ticks sideways at my use of his formal title. “Of course. Opal, you’re excused.”

I wait for Opal to leave and close the door before I speak. “Why didn’t you tell me the illness has spread to the military encampment?”

“I heard about it upon our return from the river and went to the sultan straightaway. I waited two hours for a ninety-second meeting with him.” Ashwin runs a frustrated hand through his disheveled hair; he looks as though he has been doing that for hours. “Kuval refuses to increase his aid. All of his help is going to the ailing civilians. He thought that’s what I’d want.”

“Is it?”

“I wish I knew.” Ashwin unbuttons his jacket with swift jerks. “The Galers’ constant wind wards off the mosquitoes, but people are still falling ill. The death toll has risen to fifty. Children are among them.” He removes his tunic jacket, revealing a thin undershirt, and tosses it onto the bed. The jacket slides off and falls to the floor in a heap. Ashwin grips the back of a chair to steady himself. “The sultan told me he closed his border to more refugees. He says our people are safer there, but they’re my responsibility.”