Page 74 of Children of Anguish and Anarchy

Despite Amari’s letter, my head still spins at the vastness of New Gaia. Sitting in Emperor Jörah’s throne room brings me to my knees. Woven tapestries surround us, showing the stories of Mama Gaia and the birth of their great nation.

The ceiling holds a golden crypt of emperors past. A towering statue of Emperor Jörah holding up the sun rises in the back of the room. Light filters through the stained glass windows. Incense smoke fills the air with the sweet scents of jasmine and mandarin.

Emissaries and vassals mill around Jörah’s obsidian glass throne,accented with thick emeralds and golden carvings of their black tigenaires. The tattooed warriors they call the Lâminas stand guard. Outside the palace, the power of the city’s vineweavers stuns.

The marks of the New Gaian’s gifts are everywhere. I marvel at all the strength at their command. Their entire civilization stands together, already prepared to defend themselves against the Skulls.

The thought of what I must protect back home fortifies me. Orïsha has just begun to thrive again. I have to get Emperor Jörah on my side.

I need him to give my nation a fighting chance.

“Inan!” Amari’s voice rings out. She runs, a blur through the gold grandeur. She hooks her arms around my neck with so much force we almost fall to the floor.

“I don’t believe it.” Tears of joy rise to my sister’s eyes. “I thought—I was sure—” She hiccups and I smile.

“You didn’t even cry this much when I left.”

“You don’t understand.” Amari shakes her head. She wipes her eyes on her green-colored kaftan and takes a deep breath. “You made it here. That means we can really go home.”

“We’re going home.” I squeeze her arm. “We just need to break a few Skulls.”

I turn to meet Tzain’s imposing frame. I’m taken aback at the way he’s grown. He’s always been large, but his muscles carry new definition and tone. His arms are covered in scars.

“You’re back,” he says.

“How have you fared?” I ask.

His dark gaze scans the throne room, landing on the Lâminas.

“I never thought I’d say it, but I’m glad you’re here.”

Tzain and Amari sit as I explain everything that occurred after we set sail. The speedy journey home. The cease-fire in the war. The fact that Mother lives.

“She’s on our side?” Amari’s brows crease. “Even after all that’s passed?”

“Everyone is unified.” I nod. “They grow stronger every day. If the Skulls attack, we’ll be ready. But we have a chance to strike first—”

All at once, everyone rises to their feet. I turn toward the door. Their future hierophant enters the room: the stunning girl they call Mae’e.

Tall and lean, her vibrant yellow silks swish around her as she walks. A line of girls in green follow in attendance. Their dress matches Amari’s.

But when Zélie glides in, I go blind. Dressed in shimmering emerald silks, she’s luminescent. The sight of her brings the room to a stop. The silks drape over her head, creating a soft veil around her dark skin.

“Inan…” The way she speaks my name makes my heart stop. I’m surprised when she actually smiles. Zélie starts toward us, but Mae’e redirects her path, motioning for the seat on the emperor’s right. When Mae’e takes the seat on his left, the assembly begins.

Emperor Jörah looks at me for the first time all day. I stiffen under his pale green gaze. He speaks to me in their tongue.

“What have you come to share?” Mae’e translates.

I rise from my seat and bow my head in respect. “Our people have located King Baldyr.”

The life leaves Zélie’s eyes. It’s like a pit opens up inside. Her fingers drift to the medallion as she waits for me to continue.

“They’ve occupied a chain of islands due south of their borders. We expect him to dock tomorrow night.”

I roll out the large map across the floor. It unfurls to show the island nation of New Gaia, the vast lands of Orïsha, and the borders of Baldeírik. I point to the island chain, nearly in the center of our nations’ shared waters.

“They use it as a shipping port,” I explain. “A place for the Skulls to complete inventory for King Baldyr.”

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