Page 76 of Children of Virtue and Vengeance

I swing my staff at his neck, yet he only brings his sword up to defend himself. I can’t tell if he’s too injured to fight, or if he can’t attack because it’s me.

Despite his hesitation, I hold on to my rage, stoking the fire in my core. He has to pay for what he did. If it weren’t for him, tîtáns and cênters wouldn’t exist at all.

I shift my weight, twisting Inan’s sword from his hands. Before he can react, I extend my blades. My spear slices through his side.

Inan cries out, pitching into the wall. Crimson blood leaks from between his fingers, dripping onto the floor.

Now’s my chance!

My nostrils flare as I drive my knee into his gut. He wheezes and falls to the ground. Pressure builds in my chest as I straddle him.

“Zélie, please…”

Magic nips at my skin, but I ignore it to position the blade in my staff above his heart. I don’t want my powers for this. I want to feel him take his last breath.

“I’m sorry,” he chokes out the words. His warm blood seeps onto my skin. A lump forms in my throat. Moons ago it was Baba’s blood on my hands instead of his.

“I’m not.” I speak the words, needing them to be true. Because when Inan’s gone, my scars won’t hurt. Baba’s death will be avenged.

When he’s dead, I’ll be able to breathe again.

I’ll finally be free—

“Jagunjagun!”

Mâzeli’s voice stops time.

I whip around, praying he’s farther away than he sounds. Mâzeli speeds down the stairs, lips trembling as he lifts his shaking hands.

It’s only then that I hear the footsteps behind me. I turn to see an admiral charging forward, his sword poised to cut me down.

“Ojore, no!” Inan throws me off of him, reaching for his blade. I prepare to defend myself, but Inan uses his sword to block his admiral’s attack.

“What’re you doing?” Ojore yells. I wonder the same thing. But with Mâzeli in danger, I don’t have time to think.

“Come on!” I grab my Second’s arm, pulling him down the hall. I glance back to see Inan collapse, unable to stand with the wound in his side.

“I need a medic!” The admiral’s shouts echo as we run up the stairs.

I squeeze Mâzeli’s hand as I struggle to hide my tears.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

INAN

IWINCE ASOJOREties the last bandage around my abdomen. With the help of another soldier, he moves me onto a canvas stretcher. The two grunt as they lift me up.

I pretend to keep my eyes closed with pain as we move through the sacred halls. Without the threat of theIyika, the only sounds around us are the moans of the wounded and the voices of medics who move to help them.

What were you thinking?

My heart thunders in my chest as I glance up at Ojore. He hasn’t said a word since my sword met his, but I know it’s only a matter of time.If he tells Mother what I did…

I squeeze the bronze piece, banishing the thought. I’m the king.

It’s his word against mine.

“Inan!” Mother rises when we exit the temple grounds. She pushes off the Healer tending to her half-treated burns.

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