Chapter 37
Zara
We flew to the Nazeeran Canyon, where I knew we’d find Ama. She wouldn’t have left Queen Jazela, and with our people supposedly at peace, there shouldn’t have been a reason for Ama to hide anymore. My mind continually tormented me with the look on Talon’s face when we abandoned him to his fate.
Flew to safety, Tempest corrected.
Did exactly as he asked us to do, Shazeera said at the same time.
They had both tried their best to comfort me during the flight, but I couldn’t stop crying. I clutched my abdomen and sobbed until I couldn’t breathe.
He’ll kill him, I kept telling them. The Devourer had completely taken Altair over, and he’ll want revenge on Talon for letting me go.
I thought of all the times Talon had been there for me when I had been attacked, and now no one would be there for him.
Your power in the hands of that creature would have sentenced this entire continent to death, Shazeera reminded me—repeatedly.
That’s the only thing that’s keeping me from begging Tempest to fly me back as soon as I get you to safety, I told her.
That’s not happening, Tempest said firmly.
I could still feel Talon’s lips on mine, his hands on my back and in my hair. We hadn’t even had time to explore our feelings for each other. But I knew without a doubt I was falling for him.
And I had left him behind to his fate.
Amidst a bright orange setting sun, the sky a dazzling array of pinks and purples, we made our descent over the Nazeeran Canyon.
In my desperation to return to my people and grief over leaving Talon and Neo, I hadn’t thought about the potential reaction to a giant eagle swooping down in the middle of the encampment.
We were greeted with shouts and screams, as Tempest’s wings buffeted the tents and pavilions.
Should I take off again? Tempest asked, his concern pressing at my mind. These people seem hostile.
They’re my people. They won’t attack.
A line of archers marched to the forefront of the crowd, drawing their bows.
“Don’t shoot!” I shouted as Tempest lowered Shazeera carefully to the ground. I leaped down from Tempest’s back and spread my arms wide in front of him, Shazeera by my side.
There was a terrible moment where we stared each other down, and Tempest kept sending me images of him scooping me up and flying me to safety, but at last, a voice cried out.
“It’s First Daughter Zara, you fools!” Mariyah said, shoving herself to the front of the crowd. She didn’t even blink at the giant eagle behind me but instead strode directly to me and threw her arms around me.
And then we were both crying and laughing, while the archers slowly lowered their bows with bewildered looks on their faces. It only made me laugh harder, in that slightly unhinged way of someone who is exhausted and relieved and just really glad to be home.
“What did you do? Steal one of their eagles and escape?” Mariyah asked when we’d had enough crying and hugging.
I glanced back at Tempest, who still eyed the archers threateningly. “It’s a really long story.”
“Will you have the time to tell it?” she asked, her tone turning serious.
I knew what she meant. Was I back for good? “Yes,” I said. “Well, until war breaks out.”
Her face paled. “I never agreed with you sacrificing yourself for a peace treaty. There has to be another way—even if it means war again.”
“Although I admire your loyalty, I wasn’t the one who breached the peace treaty, and it’s another war I’m talking about. But let’s find Ama and hopefully General Isa, and I’ll explain everything.”
“I won’t have to wait long then,” she said with a nod toward the crowd. “Here they come”
Ama rode Nafalla beside Queen Jazela and her mare with General Isa following on Kamil. The crowd parted without resistance, their gaze darting from their queen to Tempest.
“My daughter has returned bearing important news,” Ama announced to the murmuring crowd, and I recognized her strategy.
She wanted to quickly assure them that my coming wasn’t a shirking of my duty to the peace treaty, but rather something that was necessary and possibly even sanctioned by the Zephyrians. “Prepare a feast to celebrate.”
The effect was instantaneous, changing the overall mood from one of suspicion to one of joyful anticipation. Everyone loved a chance to dance and feast. They dispersed quickly after that, rushing off to make preparations.
Ama swung down from Nafalla’s back, and I hurried to meet her. When she embraced me, I was enveloped by her familiar smell of cloves and sage. “Oh, Zara,” she whispered into my hair. “I don’t know why you’ve returned, but I am so happy to see you.”
“I missed you so much,” I said, my voice thick. “You have no idea. There’s a lot to tell—a lot that happened after I arrived at the palace.”
Ama looked over my head at Tempest. “I can see that. Come, we’ll go to the pavilion and talk.” Her gaze shifted to Mariyah, who waited behind me. “You’re welcome to come, too, Mariyah.”
“I would have hung around outside the pavilion and listened in if you hadn’t invited me,” she said, and Ama grinned.
“I know. That’s why I’m telling you to come along.”
I started to follow Ama, but then I remembered that I would have to tell Tempest where he could go. I was used to Shazeera knowing her way around the camp; she had already gone to graze with Citrine.
I’m with my family now, I told Tempest. I’ll be safe, but I want to be sure you are, too. The Twin Plateaus aren’t far from here, and there are trees where you can roost.
I doubt that the emperor will give in so easily, he said. I will fly perimeter checks. I’d rather stay nearby—close enough to hear if you need me.
Relief filled me so swiftly, I realized I had been afraid to be separated from him. How quickly the bond had brought us together.
Be safe, I said as he took flight.
I returned to the others who had waited for me before proceeding to Ama’s pavilion. Mariyah leaned in close. “That’s the biggest eagle I’ve ever seen. I peed myself a little when I saw it looming behind you, even though I knew logically that it must have brought you and Shazeera here.”
“He would never hurt me, so you needn’t worry, but you’re right.
He’s enormous. Talon said—” I felt my face flush even as a deep pain struck me in the chest. Talon.
I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat again.
Mariyah took hold of my arm, concern clear in her eyes.
I shook my head and forced my lungs to draw breath.
“He said Tempest is so large because he’s a wild eagle. ”
Whatever Mariyah was going to say about Talon must have left her mind the moment I said Tempest was a wild eagle, her eyes widening. “What in the world happened while you were gone?”
“Come tell us, Zara,” Ama said, beckoning me into her pavilion with Queen Jazela beside her.
I took a step inside, and I had to close my eyes for a breath.
It was nothing like the palace, all vibrant colors and soft light and plush furnishings, and it made me want to curl up in the bed I knew was still in the other room waiting for me.
Instead, I moved into the throne room, where Ama and the others waited.
I walked over and sat down beside Ama.
“Before I tell you what happened at the palace with the emperor, there’s something we need to discuss,” I told Ama, holding her gaze.
The welcoming smile she had on her face slipped away, and after a moment, she nodded somberly. The others sensed the shift in mood and silently watched us.
Everything I had learned about myself galloped through my mind then.
I thought of the Devourer’s attacks and how it was after my power, the talks with the wind spirit, my failed attempt to destroy Ozul, and finally, bonding with a wild eagle.
But even though I had learned so much, there was still a critical piece of information missing.
I took a deep, steadying breath and took Ama’s hand. “I think it’s finally time you told me the truth about my father.”