A long horn sounded, making Kamari flinch, before a familiar voice flooded the arena. “In the name of Celestria,” the High Priestess called, “a joyous Naming Day is bestowed upon us once again. See our sacrifice, Celestria, and in return fill our reservoirs.”
“See our sacrifice,” the crowd echoed.
“Bring water to your people who honor you in humble servitude.”
Disgust filled Kamari like days old food, rotten and vile, making her stomach dip with unease. She didn’t know the whole truth, but if Desmond was correct,astrawas no gift from the goddess. Her fingers tightened around the scroll from Aesira.
Kam,
It’s been awhile since my last letter, but we found it. We found the place we were looking for. We also found something else, Kam. Something that will change everything. We did notfind Desmond and I’m so sorry. We’ll come home and form a new plan. We’ll keep looking. We will find him. Make sure Nev is with you at all times.
Trust no one.
We’re coming home. I’m sorry about Desmond. I love you.
~Aesira
It had to beastrathat Aesira was referring to. What else could she have found that would change the world? Especially when those very words were written in Desmond’s journal about his theory. It had to be true and she didn’t know whether to be relieved or terrified.
The stadium roared with cries and laughs and prayer, as the anticipation grew for the Naming sacrifice to be chosen.
Three bells chimed from the harbor and the pit in Kamari’s stomach unclenched.
Three bells.
A ship was docking.
She turned to Nev whose smile told her she had the same idea. Aesira and Nora were home. “Meet them at the shipyard,” Kamari said. “I’ll come right after.”
The excitement on Nev’s face was wiped away with a hardened scowl. “I’m not leaving you again.”
Kamari’s eyes landed on Nev’s knuckles, still pink and puckered from whatever punishment she’d received from the last kidnapping attempt. “I’ll go,” Rahashi said from Nev’s side. “I’ll tell them to join you.” Nev nodded, dismissing her knight and then she and Kamari shared a small smile. Aesira and Nora were home and even though Desmond wasn’t with them, she could at least be glad for her sister'sreturn.
Another three bells chimed, drowning the noise from the stadium.
Hanna squealed next to her, leaned close so she could whisper. “Nev won’t admit it,” she said, “but she’s been anticipating their return. And the king’s as well.” Kamari’s smile faltered. Hanna’s smile was so bright, she bit her tongue and kept the truth to herself.
The High Priestess was still prattling on about Celestria, listing all the ways they owed their lives to the goddess. Kamari fought the urge to roll her eyes. If the goddess truly cared about them, she wouldn’t force them to kill one of her own every year just so the rest of her people wouldn’t die of thirst or heat.
A sudden silence fell over the stadium like a fistful of sand dousing a fire. It was calm. Quiet. It made Kamari’s stomach roll.
“This year’s Sacrifice—” The High Priestess went quiet, nothing but her breathing sounded over the crowd. She took a large breath, then: “Kamari Orathka.”
All eyes burned into the balcony where Kamari sat. She gripped the edge of her seat, sweat dripping down her brow. “Your Majesty,” Hanna whispered from her side. “Your Majesty, it can’t be.”
Two sentries clad in metal armor stepped in front of Kamari. “Stand.”
“She’ll do no such thing.” Nev’s tall frame blocked the sentries from Kamari’s view, as if hiding her away would somehow change her fate. Her heart raced. Head spun. She gripped the note in her pocket harder, using the only piece of her sister she had to tether her in place.
Three more bells chimed in the harbor.
Hanna’s hand flew to Kamari’s shoulder. “Surely there’s been a mistake.” Hanna, sweet Hanna, spoke with such assertiveness even Kamari flinched.
The guards and Nev argued. She could hear them, demanding she stand again, but her mind had slipped away. Back to the first day she’d met Desmond. His dark hair and nervous smile. The markings on his arms glistening in the sun. The way he kept his distance but she always caught him staring and he always blushed like he’d done something wrong. How was that life so far away? How had she gottenhere?
“We said,stand.” The sentry’s gruff voice snapped her back to the present. To her new reality.
When they reached for her she was ready to fight back. Ready to claw her way out of their arms. Only, they never touched her. Someone mumbled something from behind them and they stepped aside, forcing Nev to step aside too. Relief pulsed through Kamari’s veins as Raffe stepped forward in the guard's place.
