The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa

Author:Kemi Ashing-Giwa
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Saga Press
Published: 2023-07-11T00:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

Menkhet will burn Xiang alive. Or rather, pretend to. Immolation is the most sacred of Vaalbaran sacrifices; even more private than the execution Enitan witnessed, it cannot be monitored or recorded. The ceremony is as follows: the reigning Imperator and the sacrifice walk into the inner sanctum of the palace temple. Hours later, the Imperator walks out, alone and speckled with the ash they themselves are supposed to scatter out a sacred window.

Enitan still can’t bring herself to trust the Imperator completely. Fear trickles into her lungs every time she thinks about the cold, yawning emptiness of the sacrificial chamber. Every time she imagines great flames reflected on those oil-black walls. But it doesn’t matter, because at this moment, the God-Emperor is her only ally. As far as she can tell, the High Consul’s loyalty is to Ominira alone. There’s little doubt that if aiding Enitan and her sibling presents even the possibility of provoking the Empire, the Consul’s oath will evaporate. She can’t blame them for prioritizing their own people.

She paces around Deora’s apartments, her insides a sick tangle of nerves. The countess left for some fundraiser at the museum, leaving Enitan alone with all her fears. What if the Imperator caves to the looming threat of the Council? She doesn’t really need Enitan. All she’s managed to do thus far is come up with a single name, and he’s not even one of the councilors.

News finally comes in the form of Guiyin, who brings her up to the Imperator’s personal infirmary. Apparently, the sacrifice was insufficiently sedated and tried to attack her before they were killed. Now she’d like a cup of tea to calm her nerves. Servants usher Enitan through a series of circular doors, each flanked by a pair of sentinels. The last door is unguarded. She knocks on the smooth, dark screen-surface until the Imperator’s face appears. She looks tired. She says nothing, merely nods once and vanishes as the door slides open. Enitan strides through.

Relief settles over her shoulders when she sees Xiang curled up on the bed, the Imperator seated beside them on a sumptuous black divan. Enitan drops down beside her sibling, who links their arms together.

“I’ve told them everything,” the Imperator says.

After a moment of heavy silence, Xiang sighs. “So. What now?”

The Imperator’s eyes widen. “You can speak Orin too?”

Xiang snorts, jerking a thumb at Enitan. “Of course. After living with this one for fifteen years?”

“Anyway,” Enitan cuts in, “it’s obviously not safe for them on Koriko.”

“If they return home, they’ll doubtlessly be hunted down,” the Imperator agrees.

“But it’s even less safe here,” Enitan says, rubbing at her reddened eyes. She can’t remember the last time she slept more than a few hours.

“For now,” Xiang says quietly.

Enitan blinks at them.

“If we manage to get rid of the Council, we’ll be fine.” They wave a tired hand at the Imperator. “Menkhet’s said I could stay here indefinitely.”

Enitan looks over at her, eyes narrowed.

The Imperator nods. “They need to recover, with lots of rest and certainly therapy too.

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