Page 78 of Children of Virtue and Vengeance

“Skies,” Ojore curses at Mother’s power, shielding his nose. I cover my eyes as the rock explodes, debris clouding up the sky. Up ahead, a tîtán cries out before his body falls limp. He’s dead before he hits the ground.

Mother’s magic has taken everything from him.

I have to end this war.The thought echoes through my mind as I grab the wound in my side. The battles are spinning out of control. If we continue at this rate, the entire kingdom will be destroyed in the process.

I squeeze the bronze piece tight, searching for another way out of this fight.

If Zélie won’t listen to me, I’ll find someone who will.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

AMARI

FOUR LONG DAYSpass before we make it back to the sanctuary. This high above the clouds the haven is at peace, ignorant of the chaos sweeping the lands at the mountain’s feet.

By the time we step onto the first mountain, my legs drag like they’re made of marble. The sanctuary lies in a calm silence, majestic towers painted in dark silhouettes across the indigo sky.

“Yem?ja, ??é o.” Nâo drops to her knees and kisses the wild grass with gratitude. I almost join her, but if I fall now, I won’t be able to rise again. It feels like a sin to enter these hallowed grounds with the blood, dirt, and grime coating our weary bodies. My legs sway and I stumble forward, resting against the obsidian wall of the main tower.

“Need a hand?”

I look up to find Tzain’s smile, and it warms me to my core.

“Were you waiting for me?” I ask, and he shrugs.

“I missed you too much.”

I rest my head against his broad chest, finding refuge inside his arms.

“I missed you, too,” I whisper. “It was strange being out there without you.”

I don’t know the last time I went into battle without Tzain by my side. It used to be the two of us who didn’t have magic at our disposal, yetI always trusted him more than I trusted anyone else. I squeeze him tight, attempting to close the space that’s grown between us since I became a tîtán. I don’t want it to increase now that I know I’m a cênter.

Behind me, Tzain catches Zélie’s eyes as she dismounts Nailah. She waves at him with a smile before turning back to Mâzeli.

“Did you get what you wanted?” Tzain asks.

“In a way.” I look back as the elders start unloading their scrolls, taking them to the council room. “After what we learned at Chândomblé, we have a fighting chance. I might even have enough power to face my mother and force the monarchy to surrender.”

Tzain’s muscles relax at the news, and he pulls me closer to his chest. “Then you can take the throne?”

I smile. “Then I can take the throne.”

But as we stand wrapped up in each other’s arms, his touch erases all thoughts of the war; of cênters; of the throne. Breathing in his sandalwood scent, I realize how much I want him. How much I want more.

“What is it?” Tzain pulls away, sensing my shift. I wrap my arms around his neck.

“What’s it going to take for you to carry me to a bath?”

Tzain purses his lips in false contemplation, scratching his chin. Then without warning, he sweeps me off my feet. I laugh as he carries me across the stone bridge.

“It’s that easy?” I ask.

“Of course.” Tzain grins. “I live to serve, my queen.”

Though he jokes, his words heat my skin. He’s the only one who looks at me like I deserve that title. The one person who believes I can lead.

I raise my hand to his stubbled cheek and my gaze settles on his lips. I imagine what a few hours with him might entail. How his kiss might feel.

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