Page 67 of Storms of His Wrath

She paused at a junction in the path, uncertainty freezing her steps. What if she was wrong to trust him? What if the technique failed and she led them all to destruction? What if?—

“Princess?” A voice interrupted her spiraling thoughts.

Naya looked up to see one of the younger Omegas approaching with a water jug, her expression curious but respectful. Copper threads gleamed through her dark hair in the shifting light.

“Good morning,” Naya said. “Do you know where Oshrun is?”

“Yes, princess. She and Nnimi have just finished their morning meal, so they’ll probably be in their chambers.”

Relief flooded through her. “Thank you.”

Naya changed direction, her steps quickening as she navigated the familiar path to Oshrun’s private quarters. The burden of her proposal pressed against her chest, but she pushed forward. There was no time for doubt now.

She found the entrance to Oshrun’s chambers and called out softly. “Oshrun? It’s Naya. I need to speak with you urgently.”

Rustling sounds came from within, followed by Oshrun’s voice. “Come in, Naya.”

Naya stepped through the hanging fabric doorway into the warm, lived-in space. Tapestries covered the walls in deep reds and golds, and woven rugs softened the stone floor. Oshrun sat cross-legged on cushions with Nnimi curled against her side, both of them sharing a bowl of honey cakes that gleamed in the filtered light. The little girl’s face lit up when she saw Naya.

“Naya!” Nnimi scrambled to her feet, nearly upsetting the bowl in her excitement.

“Good morning, little Nnimi,” Naya said, but her eyes were on Oshrun, whose expression had already shifted to alert concern.

“What’s happened?” Oshrun asked, rising gracefully.

“I need to call an emergency assembly meeting,” Naya said. “We have a solution to the storm, but it’s...” She glanced at Nnimi, choosing her words carefully. “It’s complicated. And dangerous.”

Oshrun’s amber eyes sharpened, studying Naya’s face. “How dangerous?”

“It could save everyone or kill us all for trying,” Naya said quietly.

The Khesh was silent for a long moment, her gaze flicking to her daughter before returning to Naya. Whatever she saw in Naya’s expression seemed to convince her.

“I’ll send word immediately,” Oshrun said, moving toward a small writing desk. “Will you stay with Nnimi?”

“Of course.”

“Mima, what’s happening?” Nnimi asked, her small voice uncertain as she sensed the tension between the adults.

Oshrun knelt beside her daughter, brushing her cheek with a thumb. “Princess Naya just needs to speak with the assembly.”

Nnimi stared at her, large eyes wide and fearful.

Oshrun hugged her. “There’s nothing to worry about, shku nulri. You remember what we discussed about grown-up conversations? Sometimes they are urgent and important, but all will be well.”

Nnimi nodded solemnly, though her golden-brown eyes remained worried.

After Oshrun left, Naya settled onto the cushions and patted the space beside her. “Would you like to read to me? I never finished the story about the flower.”

The little girl’s face brightened. She grabbed her book and scrambled over to curl up against Naya’s side. The simple comfort of the child’s presence helped ease some of the anxiety coiling in Naya’s chest.

As they waited, Naya found herself thinking about the plan again, but now with Nnimi’s small hand in hers, the stakes transformed into something visceral. This wasn’t just about saving cities or preserving alliances—it was about protecting families like this one, ensuring that little girls could grow up safe and loved.

And yet the thought of Akoro performing the binding custom, standing at the center of a magical storm while she drew every piece of wild magic in the region toward him, made her stomach clench with fear. What if something went wrong? What if she lost control and the magic consumed him?

What if she lost him just when she was beginning to understand how much he meant to her?

Oshrun returned within the hour. “The assembly is ready,” she said, then knelt beside her daughter. “Nnimi, Princess Naya needs to attend to important matters now. Veshna is here and she’s going to take you to the playnest. Will you be good for me?”

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