Page 41 of Last of Her Name

“Then a pair of scientists on Alexandrine, the sisters Danica and Zorica Leonova, discovered Prisms,” I rush in, trying to bring the story to a close. Taysie shifts on my lap to look up at me, her braids tickling my chin. “The Leonova sisters used them to develop warp ships, found the other eight tribes, and formed the Belt of Jewels. That was a thousand years ago, so why does it matter now?”

Zhar smiles at the children, taking the hands of the ones on either side of her. “From the beginning, it was House Leonov of Alexandrine who brought peace and unity to the galaxy. They paved the way for the exchange of goods, languages, genes, cultures, between all the people of the Belt. We needyou, Anya Leonova, last of your name, so that we can restore the unity and vision of Alexandrine and bring down the self-serving Committee for good.”

My blood rises. “You speak of peace and unity, but you’re a monster. Youshotmy friend!”

My shout frightens Taysie, who scrambles away. I lock eyes with the commander. Zhar’s motherly facade begins to fracture, revealing the adamantine woman beneath. “Adi, children, go on to lunch now.”

“But, Aunt—”

“Now.”

He sighs and storms out, throwing me a dirty look. The others follow, holding hands. Once the doors hiss shut behind them, Zhar stalks toward me. She is all steely commandant now, cold and relentless as a comet churning through space.

“Is Pol alive?” I whisper.

“Princess—”

“Is he?”My voice cracks with desperation.

Zhar purses her lips, her gaze falling away. “I sent his body to the crematorium hours ago. They’ll have deposited the ashes in space by now. It is an honorable end.”

My heart shatters, a star gone supernova.

I can’t speak. Can’t look at her. Can’tbreathe.

I imagine Pol, dust among stars. He’d have hated that.Hatedit. The aeyla bury their dead. It’s their most important tradition, that reunion with their beloved Amethyne. I owed Pol my life. I couldn’t even give him a proper death.

With a roar, I lunge at her, tackling her to the floor and reaching for her throat. It’s like an animal has awoken inside me, hungry and clawed.

My hold doesn’t last but a moment. She manages to throw me off, and then I’m the one pinned to the ground, facedown, arms wrenched behind me. Zhar is breathing a bit harder, but it’s clear I’m no match for her. I snarl, my face pressing into the cold stone floor, but can’t do anything to free myself. I peer up at her with one eye, anger like a hot rash on my skin.

“You love your people, Anya,” she hisses. “Just as I love mine. I grew up in the Leonov court, and I was honored to serve your family. But I saw them fall. And later, I saw Adi’s father hanged for smuggling refugees off Alexandrine. My sister was assassinated for speaking out against the Committee. A ruthless enemy requires ruthless resistance. They may call you a monster, as you call me one. But I become the monster so that years from now, the ones I love—thosechildren—don’t have to.”

She releases me then. Several locks of her hair have come loose, and they hang over her forehead like icicles. Slightly undone, she seems younger than I first thought.

I turn onto my back, feeling the last of my fury fade away until I’m as limp as a slinke leaf, without the will to even lift my head.

“Shooting Pol waswrong,” I say hoarsely.

She looks at me, eyes weary. “I know it hurts, but it was necessary. He disobeyed a direct order, and I have to know that I can trust my people. One weak link on this rock could lead to our destruction. Our families are here. Our children, Anya.”

How dare she speak of her loved ones when mine are torn from me, one by one?

“So why let Riyan live? Why poison him? It’s torture.”

Zhar sighs. “The tensors betrayed the Leonovs when they needed their aid most. They could have turned the tide during the rebellion, but they refused our call and hid on their cold moon. That boy is not one of us, and he never will be. Even the Committee has the sense to outlaw his kind, for the tensors’ power is volatile and unnatural.” Her eyes narrow. “You’ve seen it, haven’t you? You know what they’re capable of.”

I shake my head, jaw tight, but think of Riyan nearly crushing Pol’s skull.

But hehadn’t. He’d stopped himself. And now he could die for that mercy.

“He doesn’t deserve this,” I whisper.

Zhar pulls something from her pocket and tosses it to me. It’s a vial, fragile and no bigger than my pinkie. Inside is a clear liquid.

“That is the antidote for the tensor,” says Zhar. “You’re lucky it didn’t crack when you attacked me. It’s the only supply we have. Cooperate with me, and you may give it to him soon. I know you think us harsh, but we have to be.”

I cradle the vial, feeling how delicate it is. This is Riyan’s life, literally in the palm of my hand. And he’s not the only one waiting for me.