"Because she has no reason to deceive us," Azul said quietly."We have nothing to offer her.She is the Oracle, above all women barring the Ugoeze."
Obiageli nodded; her voice was flat."We were separated at birth since the Oracle of the Udamili had dictated I would be her successor.And you were abandoned in the Igbele before Chukwuemeka found you again.The Oracle made me what I am.And when the old woman died, they put me in her place.But I have no interest in remaining trapped here forever."
Chidinma's hand had not left her armband."If this is true—and I am not saying I believe it—what do you want from us?"
"Want?"Obiageli's eyebrows rose."I want nothing.I am offering something."
"What?"
"An alliance."
Azul and Chidinma exchanged a glance.In that glance, years of shared childhood flickered.They had not spoken a kind word to each other in years.They had distrusted each other for longer.But something passed between them now, quick as breath.They were both raised by the same man, though Azul was merely brought into the family, unlike Chidinma, who is his by blood.
"An alliance for what?"Azul asked.
"Chukwuemeka has offered you to the warlord," she said to Azul."He is working for Somadina, trying to bring him a great victory and solidify his rule as a great king.You will be expected to kill your husband, and surely you can't expect to live long after that?"
Azul's jaw tightened."I know what he plans."If she successfully killed Ragnar, did she believe she would survive another year?If his men wanted vengeance, wouldn't she be the one blamed?Besides, to kill one's husband was a crime punishable by death to the Borjigin; they would never accept her as one of their own.
"Do you know what comes after?"Obiageli looked at Chidinma."Do you really think that your husband—the Okpalaeze—will be Igwe?Do you think it is by mere coincidence we four are all in the palace?"
"Four?"Azul asked.
Obiageli nodded."Kamsi is here too.I haven't found her, but she is here."
"How do you know that?"Chidinma's patience wavered.
Obiageli smirked."Well, a king needs his own Oracle, does he not?"
The three fell silent; their youngest—like Obiageli—was a Shaman, and like Azul, was taken in at a young age.
"Chukwuemeka has been visiting the palace since I can remember; I know he doesn't simply plan to help the Okpalaeze," Obiageli explained.
Understanding struck Azul as she met Chidinma's eyes.It seemed they both had the same use for their father.
"He has been building towards this for twenty years," Obiageli continued."Ally with one, conquer the other, and absorb both into his growing empire.And you, Chidinma, placed in the Okpalaeze’s household as a spy, will have served your purpose.What do you think happens to spies when their masters no longer need them?"
Chidinma's fingers tightened on the viper until the metal bit into her skin."He wouldn't."
"He would.He's our father."Azul said, a smile pulling at her lips, her heart thumping in her ribs.
Obiageli nodded."I have had nineteen years to watch him, to study him, to learn the shape of his ambition.He loves nothing that he cannot use.Not his wives.Not his daughters.Not even himself—he would sacrifice his own body if it brought him closer to power."
The courtyard had grown darker.
Azul looked at Chidinma.Chidinma looked at Azul.
"What kind of alliance?"Azul asked finally, lifting her hands to cover her lips.
Obiageli smiled.
"I'm offering to fight with you.Beside you.We are daughters of the same father.We share an enemy.And we share a destiny, whether you know it yet or not."Obiageli's golden eyes burned."He put us in cages—different cages, but cages all the same.He expected us to sit quietly, to be useful, to die when he no longer needed us.But we are capable of more than he ever imagined."
She held out her hands—one to Azul, one to Chidinma.
"I have one goal and one goal only," Azul spoke up."I wish to destroy all of the Borjigin to the ninth generation."
Chidinma remained unfazed; she tsk'd, rolling her eyes."I simply want to leave this place.I don't care what either of you do."
