Page 144 of Children of Blood and Bone

My face burns. Hurt twists with shame. This isn’t Tzain. This isn’t the brother I love.

“He’s the son of the man who murdered Mama, for gods’ sakes. How desperate do you have to be?”

“You pine after Amari!” I scream. “How does that make you any better?”

“Because she’s not a killer!” Tzain yells back. She didn’t burn ourvillageto the ground!”

The air around me hums. My heart pounds against my chest as Tzain’s tirade continues. His words cut deep, sharper than any attack I’ve faced before.

“What would Baba say?”

“Leave Baba out of this—”

“Or Mama?”

“Shut up!” I shout back. The hum in the air rises to a fiery buzz. The darkest part of my rage simmers, though I try to fight it down.

“Gods, if she only knew she died so that you could be the prince’s whore—”

Magic rushes out of me, hot and violent, raging without the direction of an incantation. Like a spear, a shadow twists from my arm, striking with the fury of the dead.

It all happens in a flash. Tzain shouts. I stumble back.

When it’s over, he grabs his shoulder.

Blood leaks from under his grip.

I stare at my trembling hands, at the wispy shadows of death that twist around them. After a moment they fade.

But the damage remains.

“Tzain…” I shake my head; tears spill from my eyes. “I didn’t mean to. I promise. I wasn’t trying to!”

Tzain stares at me like he doesn’t know who I am. Like I’m a betrayal to everything we have.

“Tzain—”

He blows by me, face hard. Unforgiving.

I choke back a sob as I fall to the ground.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

ZÉLIE

ISTAY ON THE OUTSKIRTSof the settlement until sunset falls. I don’t have to face anyone in the trees. I don’t have to face myself.

When I can sit in the dark no longer, I travel back to my tent, disappointing Zu, praying I don’t run into Tzain. But as soon as Amari sees me, she rushes over with a silk kaftan.

“Where have you been?” She grabs my hand and pulls me into her tent, practically stripping me to pull the dress over my head. “It’s almost time for the celebration and we haven’t even done your hair!”

“Amari, please—”

“Don’t bother fighting me.” She slaps my hand away and forces me to sit still. “These people are looking to you, Zélie. You must look the part.”

Tzain didn’t tell her.…

It’s the only explanation. Amari applies carmine to my lips and charcoal around my eyes like an older sister might, then makes me do the same to her. If she knew the truth, she would only be afraid.

---