Page 51 of Children of Virtue and Vengeance

Ojore stops in his path as a wall of fire appears out of thin air. It builds in strength, flames lighting the horror on his face.

“Ojore!” I scream as time comes to a stop. The maji swings her hands back to attack. My mind goes blank.

Magic swells inside me, a surge beyond my control.

I raise my hand and my magic explodes with such force I hear the bones shatter in my arm.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

INAN

AFULL HOURpasses before the monarchy’s forces find us. Soldiers hold me down as the medic bandages my arm. Others erect a canvas tent over my head, blocking out the celebration at the destroyedIyikacamp.

I grit my teeth to cage my screams. The pain is so great, I can hardly breathe. My arm aches as if every single bone has been smashed to pieces with a hammer.

“Inan, keep still!” Mother rushes in, an array of colorful glass vials in her hand. She picks up one filled with a dark blue liquid and forces the bitter sedative down my throat. “We’re still scanning their ranks for Healers, but this should help.”

I grab on to her as she props me up, keeping my bandaged arm still. The sedative hits like a wall. I exhale as it clouds my mind and numbs the pain.

I sink into the cot, rough fabric soaked with my own sweat. I still don’t understand what happened. My magic’s never caused me so much pain.

I didn’t even know what I was doing when I raised my hand. I just wanted it all to stop.

I didn’t think I could stun everyIyikaat once.

“Give the king space.” Mother ushers everyone out before kneeling atmy side. She shakes her head as she runs her fingers through my sweat-soaked curls. “I could kill you.”

“I’m sorry,” I croak. “We weren’t supposed to get caught.”

“You’re theking, for gods’ sakes! If you have a plan, you fight with soldiers. You fight withme!”

She presses our foreheads together, squeezing me tight. Her hands tremble at the base of my neck. She stiffens as she holds back her tears.

“Please, next time, let me be involved,” Mother whispers. “I just got you back. I can’t afford to lose you again.”

I nod and close my eyes; my mind still burning with the memory of the flames lighting Ojore’s face. But as it drifts, it takes me to the first time I discovered my power, stunning Admiral Kaea back in Chândomblé.

“Have you done that before?” Mother asks.

“Yes. But never that many people at once.”

“Well, don’t use it again,” she says. “Let your subjects bear this pain.”

“Your Majesty!” General Jokôye enters our tent; something resembling a smile on her face. She pushes her spectacles up her nose and bows. “I am relieved that you’re alright.”

Ojore follows after her, bandages over his new burns.

“I owe you one.” He smacks my foot.

“You keep saving my ass. It’s about time I saved yours.”

“I had my doubts,” Jokôye says. “But I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong. You’ve done an incredible job of subduing these rebels. With the liberation of Lagos, we can turn the tide in this war!”

I pull back the tented walls and peek outside. Our soldiers shout with celebration, pulling generous swigs from their flask.

In the center of it all, the capturedIyikakneel in the dirt. Each rebel is bound in majacite chains, heads covered with bags.

Staring at them, I want to feel my victory, yet something hollowsinks in my chest. Last time I saw maji with bags over their heads, it was Father leading the charge.

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