Page 47 of Children of Blood and Bone

Tzain stares at the finery of her dress. Even with dirt stains anda few burn marks, its long, elegant cut and lined silk scream of noble origin.

Amari follows Tzain’s eyes and her brows knit. “You cannot be serious.”

“It’ll trade for good coin,” I jump in. “And we’re going to the jungle, for gods’ sakes. You’ll never make it through in that.”

Amari scans my draped pants and cropped dashiki, gripping the fabric of her dress tighter. I’m amazed she thinks she has a choice when I could hold her down and cut it off with ease.

“But what will I wear?”

“Your cloak.” I point to the dingy brown cloth. “We’ll trade the dress for some food and get new clothes on the way.”

Amari steps back and looks at the ground.

“You were willing to evade your father’s guards to save the scroll, but you won’t take off your stupid dress?”

“I didn’t risk everything because of the scroll.” Amari’s voice cracks. For a moment her eyes glimmer with the threat of tears. “My father killed my best friend—”

“Your best friend or your slave?”

“Zél,” Tzain warns.

“What?” I turn to him. “Doyourbest friends press your clothes and make your food without pay?”

Amari’s ears redden. “Bintawaspaid.”

“A mighty wage, I’m sure.”

“I am trying to help you.” Amari clenches the skirt of her dress. “I’ve given upeverythingto help you people—”

“‘You people’?” I fume.

“We can save the divîners—”

“You want to save the divîners, but you won’t even sell your damn dress?”

“Fine!” Amari throws her hands in the air. “Skies, I’ll do it. I never said no.”

“Oh, thank you, gracious princess,saviorof the maji!”

“Cut it out.” Tzain nudges me as Amari walks behind Nailah to change. Her delicate fingers move to the buttons on her back, but she hesitates, glancing over her shoulder. I roll my eyes as Tzain and I look the other way.

Princess.

“You need to lay off,” Tzain mutters as we face the natal mahogany lining the vibrant forests of Sokoto. A small family of blue-butt baboonems swings from the branches, shaking the glossy leaves free when they pass.

“If she can’t handle being around a divîner not enslaved by her father, she’s free to return to her little palace.”

“She hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“She hasn’t done anythingright, either.” I nudge Tzain back. Why is he so insistent on defending her? It’s as if he really thinks she deserves better. Like somehowshe’sthe victim.

“I’m the last person to give a noble a chance, but Zél, look at her. She just lost her closest friend, and instead of grieving she’s risking her life to help maji and divîners.”

“I’m supposed to feel bad because her father killed the one maji servant she liked? Where’s her outrage been all these years? Where was she after the Raid?”

“She was six.” Tzain keeps his tone flat. “A child, just like you.”

“Except she got to kiss her mother that night. We didn’t.”

---