Page 104 of Tale of the Heart Queen

Nadir runs his hand down his face. “I don’t know, but I’m guessing we’re in for another problem.”

I slide out of bed and pad over to the window to stare out across the city of Aphelion. The early morning sun is rising, casting the world in golden light. Our room offers a view of the gilded buildings and streets and the ocean beyond.

Another rumble shakes the room, stronger than any before, enough to knock me nearly off-balance. I clutch at the brocade curtains to steady myself, and a moment later, I feel Nadir standing behind me.

“We should go find Gabriel,” I say.

Just as I’m about to turn away from the window, something catches my eye. Another strong rumble shakes the entire room, and now, in the distance, I see it. The city is collapsing before our eyes.

I watch in horror as the edges along the shoreline start to crumble, the buildings falling against each other as they shatter. The glass muffles the roar that vibrates through the floor.

“Nadir,” I whisper. “Is this Zerra?”

He stares out the window, witnessing the destruction, our foundations shaking so hard we cling to the glass before us. The room tips as the chandelier overhead tinkles with crystals knocking together. I jump when a pitcher falls off the nightstand and smashes against the floor, along with a tray full of glasses sitting on the table.

Nadir looks around us. “We should run for cover,” he says.

“Where do we go?” I ask.

Nadir grabs my hand. “Under the bed.”

We huddle underneath, and Nadir wraps his arms around my waist, pressing me against his strong chest as we wait for the rumbling to subside.

After what feels like forever, it finally stops. My ears ring with the weight of the silence.

What caused this? My first thought was Zerra, but does she have this kind of power? My mother said that interacting with the surface drains her for a while, so has she recovered from her earlier attack?

But this feels bigger than only her, and I’m sure this is another manifestation of the world crumbling beneath us. It is Zerra, not because she’s causing it but because she continues to grow weaker and weaker. Whatever it is, we’re running out of time on every side.

We ease out from under the bed and walk back to the window. I cover my mouth and gasp at the sight in the distance. A large chunk of the city has fallen prey to the earthquake, and dozens of buildings have toppled and been crushed beneath the weight of stone.

I shudder to think how many bodies are buried and how many lives were just lost.

“Let’s get dressed,” Nadir says. “We have to look for survivors.”

Just as we are about to turn away, a loud crack draws our attention back to the window because this isn’t over yet. The land splits apart like it’s been shattered through its heart, a large crevice spreading wide. In a sluggish puff of smoke and shadows, dozens of buildings disappear with a roar.

I step back, my hand pressed to my chest, unable to believe what I’m watching. It takes only a few seconds, but it feels like hours before the dust settles again.

“No,” I say, my voice a whisper. The chances of anyone surviving that are nothing.

“Let’s go,” Nadir says, crossing the room and finding a shirt and pants before tugging them on. I blink away the threat of tears and follow him, donning a pair of leggings and a tunic.

We fling open the door to find the palace has become a sight of chaos. The panicking servants must have friends and family living below. They’re running back and forth, shouting orders and crying, many apparently at a loss for what to do.

We push past, knowing there isn’t much we can do for them now, and emerge outside in the courtyard, where we find Gabriel, Mael, and Hylene already doling out orders.

“Look for survivors!” Mael shouts to a line of soldiers.

A row of palace healers wearing long robes with crosses on their chests stand at the ready.

“I can help,” I say, holding up my hand. “With the injured.”

Gabriel turns to scan me from head to toe as if doubting my claim.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I say. “I can help heal the survivors.”

He rolls his eyes. “Well, I guess you can’t inflict any more damage.”