Yassen darted forward, grabbing Jangir’s arm as Varun shrieked. Jangir tried to twist away, but Yassen only pulled him back, pressing the mouth of his pulse gun into Jangir’s lower back.
“I suggest,” Elena said coolly as guards rushed in, “that you come quietly. I don’t think your gold caps will take your betrayal lightly.”
Leelat looked at Jangir, aghast. Varun stood with his back against the wall, mouth open in disbelief.
“This is a mistake,” Jangir said. “A hoax! He is trying to frame me. Please, Your Highness, this isn’t true.”
Yassen pushed him forward as he bawled, begged, and she followed, sword in hand as they left the arena. The crowd had already spilled out. Some men cried out, begging for an explanation as Jangir twisted in Yassen’s grasp, trying to pull free. Others hurled curses. One tried to push past the guards, screaming.
“Traitor! Fucking Jantari traitor!”
The guards shoved him back as silver police cars pulled up to the museum.
“Please, Your Highness, it was not me,” Jangir pleaded.
“We shall see,” Elena said. She glanced up at the statue glimmering in the distance. The gold cap perched on her head. “I am not kind to ruthless men.”
Yassen guided Jangir into the car, slammed the door. He turned to her as she watched the crowd warily. She did not spot Samson in the sea of gold caps. They pressed up against the police barricade, shoving and pushing. Someone threw their shoe, missing the cars by several feet. The air grew thicker, angrier, and she felt the mob’s fury rise over her, violent and unstable.
“We need more guards and officers on the streets tonight,” she said.
Yassen grabbed her arm. “Yes, but let’s get you out of here.”
She nodded, and Yassen led her to a car and carefully tucked her in. They pulled away from the museum, leaving the angry crowd of gold caps calling for blood.
CHAPTER 24
LEO
“Peace,” the land rumbled.
“Change,” the sky whispered.
“Destiny,” the fire hissed.
—fromThe Legends and Myths of Sayon
Back in his study, Leo tapped the concrete table before him, the bitter taste of sand still in his mouth. After learning of Saayna’s deceit, he had wanted to rush back to the temple. Arish had advised against it, arguing that killing the priests and the high priestess before the coronation would only bring trouble.
“Even if the public won’t be there for the Ashanta ceremony, Jangir will. He doesn’t know details of the proceedings or know whether Elena must hold or simplysitin the flames. He believes in you, Your Majesty, but his belief can only stretch so far. We need the remaining priests. We need Saayna, or else Jangir will question the legitimacy of Elena’s reign if she is not properly inducted by the order,” the Astra had said.
Grudgingly, Leo had found himself in agreement. The order was a crucial part of the coronation. The high priestess bestowed the blessings of the Eternal Fire onto the next monarch, who then promised to sustain Alabore’s vision and lead Ravence into another glorious generation. A divine ruler was nothing without her god.
Everywhere he turned, the Phoenix lay in wait. Her fiery grasp reached every part of his kingdom, his history. He despised Her, yet he could not rule his kingdom without Her.
The coronation was just over a week away, and the Prophet was still free. As he sat at his desk, studying the runes, Leo no longer felt rage. Instead, a cold resolve had hardened in its place, like sand turning to glass.
Arish arrived carrying a tray, and Leo watched him pour tea into gem-encrusted cups. The surrounding fire crackled softly.
“To Ravence and her dream,” Arish said, offering a cup to Leo.
“To Ravence,” Leo returned.
The tea scalded his tongue, but he swallowed it without complaint. Arish sighed and sank back in his seat. His eyebrows drooped past the corners of his eyes, giving him a sleepy look.
“I suppose there is only one thing left to do,” he said, his voice heavy.
Leo nodded. He enlarged the holos of the runes. The burning symbol left by the Arohassin glared at him. Spreading his hands, Leo brought up a topographical map of Ravence with all her dunes and canyons. He looked at Arish over the peaks of the Agnee Range.
