Chapter Seven: Zélie

Fleeing Lagos, Zélie, Tzain, and Amari stop in the forest, where Tzain explodes in fear and anger over the danger Zélie has invited. Zélie argues she earned enough silver to help their family, but Tzain insists money cannot save them from the guards now hunting them.

Pressed, the cloaked girl reveals herself as Princess Amari, wearing the royal snow leopanaire headdress. Zélie, enraged by the crown’s cruelty, attacks Amari before Tzain pulls her off. Amari produces a mysterious scroll, claiming it can restore magic and that she fled because King Saran would kill her for possessing it.

Amari recounts how Binta touched the scroll, became a maji, and was executed by Saran. When Zélie touches the scroll, a potent, familiar sensation—like ashê—thrums through her, igniting hope and fear. She imagines how magic might have saved their mother during the Raid, sharpening her resolve.

Recognizing the lethal attention the scroll attracts, Tzain urges Amari to leave, but Zélie decides they must return to Ilorin to warn Baba and escape while they can, taking the scroll with them. For safety—so Amari cannot lead soldiers to them—they grudgingly bring the princess along and mount Nailah to depart.