Page 114 of Children of Virtue and Vengeance

The waves rip around us like a tsunami. I squeeze Roën tight as we thrash through the water. It feels like minutes before the ocean returns to its gentle tug.

As the water settles, I spot our boat floating half a kilometer away.

I rip off my mask with shaking hands, gasping for breath. A laugh escapes my throat and I grab my chest, kicking my legs in a circle to stay at the surface. The sea shines with the dying light of the whale’s glow. I stare down until it vanishes, leaving us in the black water.

“That was incredible!” I scream. “The most amazing thing I’ve ever seen!”

Roën smiles as I yell. “That’s usually what my lovers say about me.”

I splash water at him and he laughs, true joy crinkling his nose. It catches me off guard. He almost looks like someone else.

“Why’d you do that?” I ask.

His smile softens and he drifts closer to me, touching my cheek.

“That.” His fingers rest along the corners of my lip. “It’s been far too long since I’ve seen that.”

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

INAN

ISTARE ATthe maps and battle plans scattered across our table as reality sinks in. They’re only parchment and black ink, yet they outline our road to victory. Our troops are stationed outside Lagos. Mother and I are out of harm’s way. Every trap has been put in place.

This time we’re going to win.

“Is everyone clear on their marching orders?” Mother takes charge in my silence. Her low voice echoes through the pyramid ahéréoutside Ibadan’s village center, clay padding insulating the stone from the cool mountain air. I stare at the fire burning in the back of the hut as the military officers nod.

“That’s all for now.” I wave my hand. “Send me updates when you make progress.”

As they salute and exit the room, I walk to the fireplace. The heat of the flames warms my skin as I wait to feel a sense of satisfaction, a flicker of relief. But no matter how much time passes, I only feel numb. It’s hard to believe that this really is the end.

“I shouldn’t be here.” Ojore comes to my side when the last officer walks out the door. “Send me back to Lagos. Let me be your boots on the ground.”

“I already have boots on the ground,” I say. “I need you here.”

“Inan, it’s not your job to keep me safe!”

“It is after what happened to Jokôye!” I whip around and get in his face, nostrils flared. “Orïsha will need you when this is all over. I will, too.”

Mother puts a hand on Ojore’s shoulder, breaking the tension between us. “There’s still work to be done. Coordinate with the perimeter guards to make sure everything’s in order.”

Ojore blows out his cheeks, but manages to nod before marching into the night. I wish I shared his burning desire to fight.

I can’t look at our battle plans without picturing Zélie and Amari on the other end. I don’t want to beat them like this. Who knows if they’ll even survive?

“That boy.” Mother shakes her head and smiles to herself. She hands me a cup filled with red wine before lifting her own in a toast. “To protecting the throne.”

We clink our glasses together and Mother takes a long sip. She exhales as she brings the cup to her chest.

“You’re doing the right thing,” she says.

I sigh and turn back to the crackling flames. “It doesn’t feel like it.”

“No cost is too great if it means finally ending this fight.”

To that, I take a drink, savoring the rich liquid. “It feels like this war’s been going on for years.”

“In a way, it has.”

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