Page 203 of The Jasad Crown

Sefa stared at the scroll, the neat handwriting so at odds with the woman who had penned it.

My palace was built by an Awala who crafted illusions more perfect and persuasive than any reality.

I think knowing what is real is beyond the reach of mortals and Awaleen alike.

The age of illusions was over. Lukub would not spend the rest of its existence staring into a mirror, struggling to understand what was real. No Ruby Hounds and hollow power, no spies and wells.

It would not hide itself behind shrouds.

“I accept.”

Biyad blinked. Jeru’s hand flexed in surprise, but he gave no reaction otherwise.

Sefa raised dry eyes toward Lukub’s council. “I accept the crown of Lukub.”

One week later, on an unremarkable summer day, Sefa became the Sultana of Lukub.

Thousands attended her coronation, eager to witness the marvel of a fugitive and former vagrant ascending to one of the highest seats in the land.

The new Queen of Omal came. An upbeat woman with an impressively square jaw and hands familiar with hard labor had beenselected by the lower villages to sit on Queen Hanan’s empty throne. The Omal council, outnumbered and outmatched, had approved the appointment. She shook Sefa’s hand enthusiastically, chattering about her first childhood visit to Lukub until a servant carrying a tray of talwith tempted her away.

Sorn and his new wife came. Though Sefa had passingly encountered the Orbanian Champion at some point before the third trial, she barely recognized the new Diya of Orban.

It was rumored Sorn would soon ascend to his father’s throne. His marriage to Diya, a lower villager, had won him temporary amnesty from the rebellions across Orban. His new ordinances aimed at curbing the unchecked power of the khawaga and resuming trade with Jasad had quelled the remainder of the unrest. Of all the kingdoms, Orban experienced the least bloody transition of power.

Diya stopped by Sefa’s dais, studying the ruby spires of her crown. “Is it heavy? It looks heavy.”

Sefa startled, touching the rays absently. “No, not really.”

“Hmm,” Diya said. Light brown eyes studied Sefa with disconcerting attentiveness. “I liked her. Sylvia.” She adjusted the axe hanging from her belt. “Orban will not turn its back on Jasad.”

The future Queen of Orban left before Sefa could scrape together a response, the warrior’s firm stride carrying her out of sight.

Malik Lateef could not attend, but he sent Sefa his congratulations and a reminder that Usr Jasad was always open to her.

Supreme Arin of Nizahl did not show.

OMAL

TWO YEARS AFTER THE ENTOMBMENT

Fairel trailed her fingers over the languid surface of Hirun River.

School started tomorrow, and she most decidedly did not want to go. Why did she need to learn about yet another battle between the kingdoms? What did it matter if she knew how to calculate sums off the top of her head? Fairel would much rather help Rory around the shop and spend her breaks shooting arrows from the highest spots she could climb.

A splash caught Fairel’s sleeve as a frog leapt out of Hirun, its little legs blurring in its panic. Another joined it, then four more.

Fairel sat up, the basket of ingredients beside her forgotten. What on earth?

The surface of Hirun bubbled, and Fairel shrieked as hundreds of frogs shot out of the river. Before she could scramble away, streaks of pale blue surged over the water’s surface.

Fairel snatched her hand from the river, but it was too late. The blue coated her hand, sinking into her skin.

Hirun churned again, and Fairel grabbed her cane, raising it toward the river. Why had she left her bow and arrow at the keep?Raya was always chastising her about carrying them around. She was going to feelsoguilty when a swarm of crazed frogs murdered Fairel because she wasn’t allowed to bring her bow and arrows.

What emerged from the river was not a frog.

Four stout legs hefted a reptilian creature out of the water. Its blue-and-white scaled body stretched as long as the trees behind Fairel, glittered as brightly as diamonds cast across the sunlit surface of the river.

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