Page 111 of Children of Blood and Bone

With a lurch, I snap back to reality.

My sword hangs above her chest.

Curse the skies.

My hand shakes. The moment to kill still hangs between us. Yet I can’t bring myself to move.

Not when all I see is the scared and broken girl.

It’s like seeing her for the first time: the human behind the maji. Fear embedded in the pain. Tragedy caused in Father’s name.

Father…

The truth sears, a bitter liquor burning down my throat.

Zélie’s memories don’t hold the villains Father always warned of. Only families he tore apart.

Duty before self.His creed rings through my ears.

My father.

Her king.

The harbinger of all this suffering.

With a cry, I strike down. Zélie flinches at my speed.

The cords binding her fall into the dirt.

Her eyes snap open and she scrambles back, waiting for my attack. But it doesn’t come.

I can’t be another person bearing the seal of Orïsha who causes her pain.

Zélie’s mouth falls open. Questions and confusion hang on the curve of her lips. But then her head snaps to the masked figure in the dirt. Her eyes go wide with the realization.

“Tzain!”

She rushes to her feet, nearly tripping in the process. Her brother’s name echoes through the darkness.

When nothing answers her, she falls to the earth. Against my will, I sink with her.

I finally know the truth.

Yet I don’t know what in skies’ name I’m supposed to do.

CHAPTER FORTY

ZÉLIE

IDON’T KNOWhow long I lie in the dirt.

Ten minutes.

Ten days.

A cold like I’ve never known settles into my bones.

The chill of being alone.

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