I swayed on Shazeera’s back at her blunt words.
“Your gift from the Earth Mother gives us an advantage we never had. We could fight back. Make them afraid ofusfor once. It will even give us bargaining power.”
With shaky fingers, I stroked Shazeera’s mane, wishing I could hear her thoughts on what the general was saying.Gift from the Earth Mother.Mariyah thought the same thing. Could they both be right?
General Isa reached over and took my hand. “There isn’t a single one of us who wouldn’t understand how soul-crushing it would be to have our bond with our horse broken. But you must also know that I would lay down my life to save our people. As queen, your mother would do the same. Sometimes we are asked to make a sacrifice that will destroy us, but we must do it. For the good of our people.” When I still didn’t say anything, General Isa asked, “First Daughter, do you love your people?”
“Of course,” I said firmly.
“And you want to save them?”
“I have always wanted to save us from this war. I hate that I can’t help Ama.”
“And now…?”
My hand tightened on Shazeera’s mane. “I’ll do what I have to, even if it costs me everything.”
General Isa nodded with approval and more than a little relief. “You will make a superior queen one day.”
When she rode on ahead, I laid my head on the back of Shazeera’s neck and cried.
General Isa, Mariyah,and I rode down a winding trail into an enormous cave that had been carved deep into the Nazeeran Canyon by Queen Jazela’s power. Her purple pavilion had been erected just inside, and she met us at the entrance, dragging Mariyah in for an embrace.
“Are you unharmed?” she asked, her gaze searching her daughter.
“Yes,” Mariyah said, returning her hug. “Citrine was injured, but Dani healed her.”
“Everything happened too fast,” Queen Jazela said. “When General Isa rode to bring you both back, I made sure Queen Rana was safe. But before I could lend all of you aid, you had already defeated the Eagle Riders.” She studied each of us in turn, her expression heavy with unspoken questions.
“There are things we must discuss,” General Isa said, and with a glance at the interested looks of the many daughters and sons who had taken refuge in the canyon, she added, “in private.”
Queen Jazela nodded before turning her attention to me. “Your mother waits inside.”
My stomach dropped at the thought of the upcoming discussion, and I placed my hand on Shazeera’s strong neck for comfort. Mariyah and Citrine followed Queen Jazela into the pavilion, and we walked into its cool and cavernous space. Like the one I shared with Ama, there were two rooms that led off the entrance, but we continued into the main living area, where we found Ama sitting on a plush rug, propped up by satin pillows. Ama looked pale and drawn, and the moment she saw me, she got heavily to her feet. She hugged me close.
“You’re all right?” she asked, pulling back to examine my face. “You look pale.” She narrowed her eyes in concentration as she watched my chest rise and fall shallowly. “And are you struggling to breathe?”
“I’m all right,” I said, my gaze darting briefly to General Isa. “I just need to sit down.”
Ama watched me closely as I flopped ungracefully onto one of the pillows. After a moment, she sat next to me. “Should I call a healer?” she asked, her expression tense, and I knew it pained her to have to ask that. I had never been healed by anyone but her.
“I think we need to talk first,” I said, glancing again at General Isa.
“Fine, but as soon as we are done, we’ll call Dani to see you.” Ama looked up at General Isa. “Any casualties?”
“We lost eleven guards and their horses.”
Ama nodded somberly. “They will be given a hero’s funeral. It was reported that there were fifteen Eagle Riders, so I have to say, I’m shocked that the losses weren’t greater and that the battle concluded so fast.”
“Majesty,” General Isa said with a brief glance my way, “that’s what we wanted to discuss with you. First Daughter Zara has revealed an incredible power from the Earth Mother. One that could completely change the war in our favor.”
Queen Jazela and Ama stared at her with rapt attention.
“When the Eagle Riders attacked,” General Isa said, “they quickly overwhelmed us. First Daughter Mariyah’s life was threatened. That’s when Zara seemed to control the wind itself; she summoned a cyclone so powerful that it blew the riders out of the sky into a broken heap on the ground.”
Mariyah beamed at me, pride clear on her face. I couldn’t help but feel my heart swell just a bit; despite the terrible effect mypower had on my bond, ithadallowed me to save my cousin and the others. For the first time in my life, I felt useful.
I was so busy congratulating myself that I almost missed the shared look of concern Ama and Aunt Jazela gave each other.
