"I shouldn't be a stranger to her," he said."We've met before."
"...In the Igbele?"Chidinma finished, uncertain.
He nodded."I'm a Djinn.The Igwe was gracious enough not to cast me out, but he had no love for me either.After my mother's execution for her infidelity, it was just me.I could leave the palace as I wished so I found respite in the Igbele.Though terrifying to most people, the Igbele felt like home to me.The forest was my mother for a long time."
"So what—you met her and fell in love?"Chidinma's expression curdled.
Borji laughed outright."No.I hated Azul.Deeply.Genuinely.I hated that an abandoned child with nothing dared look down on me.She treated me the same way everyone else did, and it enraged me."He smiled sheepishly."I tried to kill her."
Chidinma considered this."That explains why she was such a savage little thing when my father found her.She was rude and barked out every word like a dog."
"You'd never know it now."
She snorted."You'd think she was born into royalty.Arguably she was the most valuable of his children.She would've sold well, if not for the situation with the Valthorne."
Borji stilled for just a second."After Somadina is dealt with—will you go back to your village?"
Chidinma shook her head, eyes drifting to his onyx horns."No.I'll find Kamsi, and we'll leave Borjigin territory entirely.What about you?If you become Igwe, it will cause considerable upheaval.The Nri won't keep quiet about a Djinn on a human throne."
Borji rested his chin on his palm."I suppose I'll take it one obstacle at a time."
"If it helps—my brothers will be at court.I can't promise their loyalty, but if you find a way to make use of them, it will ease things.Especially once Azul is gone."
The words settled over him, his stomach dropped.
She was right.
Azul would be gone.
He had waited so long, and just like that, she would be gone.
"Will you miss her?"Chidinma asked quietly.
Borji met her eyes.Blue to vivid brown.
"I don't know," he said."I don't know."His voice wavered."I don't know if I care for her, or if I loathe her for forgetting me—"
The blade was at his throat before he finished the sentence.
Borji went completely still.His heart slammed against his ribs.He did not move.
Chidinma's eyes were cold—every trace of amusement gone from her face.
"Where do your loyalties lie?"she asked.
"What—!"
She pressed the blade against his skin.Blood welled.
He stared at her.Then, slowly, something cleared in his chest.His shoulders dropped.He exhaled.
"To Azul," he said.
She held his gaze for a long moment.Then she withdrew the blade.
"There is no room for betrayal," she said."I hope you know that."
Borji forced a smile."How could I betray her?I owe her everything.I owe her my life."
