My pulse speeds up when a figure appears. But the excitement is short-lived. It’s just three monks dressed in long white robes with wide sleeves, holding an onyx bowl.
Gods, if I’m too late and Jax has already left Jaakii to go hunt down the Talbots…
I can’t lose him, too.
The monks approach Noire and they exchange a few words. At least I have my Taaslord, someone I can lean on and trust, as I navigate the future.
Once Noire is done talking, the monks shuffle to take their places in front of the crowd that has gathered here. The one with the onyx bowls stands in front of me. I nod at him in acknowledgment.
I’m cold deep inside. To the very marrow of my bones. The hollow pit of darkness inside my chest has only widened over the years. There seems to be no end to my grief.
“We’re here today to honor the great master Oka Oya,” one of the monks says. “She has served as an honorable Ezkai to many powerful Ezkai Generals, defended the people of Ekios fearlessly, and abided by Ezkai laws with honor until her retirement. Even after, she hasn’t forgotten her oath to Ekios, and has spent the last years of her life serving our Ezkai General as her honorable mentor. She’ll be remembered. Her servitude will not be forgotten. But now, it’s time to let her soul rest together with the spirits of the gods. She has earned it. We can only hope that one day, all of us will, too.”
I thought I had no more tears left to cry. That I shed them all that evening by Kazh’s side. And yet, the backs of my eyes burn. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop them from falling.
Here, today, in front of the people of Ekios, I’m not a girl who lost a mentor, a close friend.
I’m the Ezkai General.
The monk with the bowl takes a step toward me and holds it out. Inside is the ash from Kazh’s burned memorabilia from her time serving in the Order. She’s got no family left. So the honor is all mine.
I swallow the lump lodged in my throat and dip two fingers inside the ash. It’s light as it clings to my fingers when I bring them to the very top of my forehead and draw a line over my face, all the way to my chin.
The monk murmurs, “May her soul find peace with the spirits of the gods.”
And then he moves on to the next person.
From the corner of my eye, I catch a flash of movement. My head whips to the side, heart picking up its pace.
When I see Jax’s face appear in the narrow passage, my shoulders sag.
Oh, thank the spirits of the gods.
I’m not too late.
His eyes scan the beach restlessly. The moment our eyes meet, his gaze softens.
Hesitantly, I remove the bolts from the door between us and open it. Our bond flourishes, the connection flowing freely.
I’m almost overwhelmed with his worry when it hits me. It’s so intense, it tickles the back of my throat.
Behind him are Bloom and Fern. All three of them approach the crowd. Jax stops a few feet away from me. But despite the distance, his eyes never leave me.
Back in the mountains I had it all wrong.
I thought I needed nobody, nothing but power. But the dragon showed me the truth. Power without control leads to destruction. I must learn to wield my power better. To be in control of it, rather than allowing it to rule me.
And for that, I need Jax. I need Noire. I need Vera.
If I want to prevent the destruction I’m capable of bringing, I need their help, and guidance.
Once all the attendants are marked, the monks bring out a bronze bowl and set it at the foot of Kazh’s boat. I need no encouragement.
I approach and slide my bow off my back. Carefully, I select an arrow from my quiver and dip it into the thick purple liquid—a mixture of bloodroot for luck, and firemirth for finding the way.
I hold out the dipped arrow for the monk, who sets it aflame. The purple-and-blue flame flickers to life.
The monk who leads the ceremony raises his arms above his head, palms open to the sky. “Spirits of the gods, welcome our honored Ezkai into your world. We’ll meet her on the other side when our time comes.”
