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CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

AMARI

T HE TRIP BACK TO New Gaīa feels like it lasts a lifetime. My body still shakes from the horde of Skulls we escaped. Zélie stays unconscious.

There’s no life behind her silver eyes.

Tzain cradles his sister to his chest. The blood of every Skull he battled coats his dark skin. Everything in me yearns to comfort him, but I don’t know what to say.

I’ve never seen him act that way.

The only conversation passes between Jorah and Mae’e. Though I’m starting to understand the New Gaīans’ tongue, they yell almost too quickly for me to follow.

“ You endanger our people— ” Jorah starts.

“ I followed the Sight! ” Mae’e interrupts.

“You endanger yourself—”

“We saved your life!”

The emperor berates Mae’e for leaving the safety of her temple, but Mae’e doesn’t back down. I’m left staring at the flickers of blue light around my hands.

It’s been so long since I felt the full burn of my magic, all the power at my command. After being imprisoned by the Skulls, I forgot what it was like to bring my enemies to their knees, to connect to their minds, to see what they’ve seen.…

The ground rumbles with the heavy paws of their armor-plated bears. The bronze Skulls create a sea over their barren plains. One cry fills the black night.

“Fyrir Foeur Stormanna!”

The chant rings from coast to coast as all six tribes descend on the capital city of Iarlaith. The warriors wait in long lines before their galdrasmiear . With waves of their hands, the fur-clad magicworkers carve new runes into the Skulls’ chests, preparing them for the Blood Moon in ten days.

This whole time, I’ve feared what would happen if we were recaptured.

I’ve felt the threat of being placed back into their chains.

Yet in their minds, I felt their resolve, their unwavering worship of their king.

Their animalistic rage, primed to rip through every civilization in their way.

There’s no denying it now. The Skulls are ready to invade.

I have to keep Zélie and Mae’e safe.

When we finally reach the island again, its dense foliage opens up like fans.

Our videira zips down the hidden rivers, zooming past the floating lily pads.

We travel into the lush forest, greeted once more by its floral symphony and the faint smell of ash.

We pass through the woven walls surrounding the city, and the lake air kisses my face.

The videira sails down the empty canals, racing for Mount Gaīa.

“ Chame Yéva! ” Mae’e calls. She’s the first to disembark. Her skirts fly as she runs across Mount Gaīa’s base.

When I leave the videira, I drop to my knees on Mount Gaīa’s black stone. I press my hands together and pray.

“Please,” I whisper to Mama Gaīa’s spirit. “Please save her!”

The Green Maidens rush out of the temple. Yéva lumbers after them. Six girls take Emperor Jorah and Koa away on woven stretchers. The last two aid Mae’e.

Vines remove Zélie’s body from Tzain’s bloody arms. Yéva waves her hands, and a tunnel opens in the base of the mountain, revealing a stairwell of pure obsidian glass. Yéva leads the attendants down, and they disappear underground with Zélie’s body. Tzain moves to follow, but Mae’e holds him back.

“Men are not permitted beneath Mount Gaīa.”

Tzain exhales a heavy breath. I fear he will resist. But he drops his axe and stumbles to his knees.

“Will she be alright?” he asks.

Mae’e stays silent. She is not willing to lie. Tzain turns to me, tears in his mahogany eyes.

“Amari, will you go?”

Mae’e takes my hand and we run. I follow her down the spiral steps. Sweat gathers at my brow. The world beneath Mount Gaīa’s surface grows warmer the farther we descend.

Rushing waters flow. Steam fills the air, creating thick walls of white. We reach the bottom and step into a natural spring. The water glistens with emeralds the size of mangoes. Mae’e joins Yéva as they guide Zélie’s cot into the pool.

Please. I brace myself. I wait behind the Green Maidens, clutching my chest as the New Gaīans work. Mae’e undoes the braids in Zélie’s hair. Her long, textured coils flow free.

Yéva holds out shaking arms. They rise like she lifts the very earth. The stone beneath us begins to hum. The emeralds at their feet light up.

“ Mam?e Gaīa, nós vamos até você. ” Their voices echo around Mount Gaīa’s walls. The force lifts the hair on the nape of my neck. The emerald waters grow turbulent, and the air starts to thin. The sacred chant of the New Gaīans fills my ears.

“Ouca-nos agora.

Nós exigimos seus fogos de cura.

Suas águas sagradas precisam de você agora—”

Veins bulge against Yéva’s and Mae’e’s skin as they chant. The diamond sparkle in their eyes transforms, taking on a new and powerful glow. Yéva’s body starts to seize. The mystic falls to her knees.

“Restaure nossas terras.

Traga novos caminhos.

Os antigos reviveram.

Permita que seu Espírito reine.”

The mystics shake the walls of the mountain. The rumble travels far above. I barricade myself in a corner as the reverberations pass through my bones. The entire city of New Gaīa quakes at the power the women call forth.

The water glows so bright, I have to look away.

Then a gasp fills the air.

Zélie’s silver eyes fly open as Yéva collapses for good.