Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Fifty-Eight: Inan
Overview
Inan spirits Zélie from the festival to a secluded spot where grief and fear surface after her earlier loss of control. He reveals Kaea’s death by his magic, and Zélie questions restoring magic’s risks. Their mutual vulnerability turns intimate, deepening their bond and reframing fear into reliance on each other.
Summary
Inan watches Zélie dance at the festival, overwhelmed by her presence and drawn by the sea-salt scent of her spirit. When several admirers approach her, Inan steps in, leads Zélie away from the crowd, and teases a dance in the quiet forest. A careless nickname tied to Zélie’s mother shifts her playfulness to grief and fear.
Zélie collapses into Inan’s arms, terrified by her loss of control earlier that day and the harm she caused Tzain. Inan comforts her and opens his mind, feeling her guilt and seeing the memory. He confesses his own past loss of control—someone he loved, Kaea, died—explaining his fear of magic.
Pressed by doubt, Zélie questions whether restoring magic could empower the wrong maji and endanger innocents. Inan, recalling Zulaikha’s restraint of Kwame’s flames, feels his own fear softening. Their shared vulnerabilities draw them closer.
As Zélie laments knowing Inan’s thoughts while being shut out of his, Inan answers physically, pinning her gently and kissing her neck. Desire crystallizes their resolve. The moment ends with Inan’s conviction that they do not need to fear magic—so long as they have each other.
Who Appears
- InanPrince narrator; leads Zélie away, shares grief over Kaea, questions magic, becomes intimate with Zélie.
- ZélieHaunted by hurting Tzain; grieves her mother; doubts restoring magic; seeks comfort and intimacy with Inan.
- TzainReferenced brother wounded earlier by Zélie’s uncontrolled magic; source of her guilt and fear.
- KaeaInan’s former captain and loved one; died due to his uncontrolled magic, fueling his past fear.
- SalimYoung divîner who danced with Zélie at the festival before Inan led her away.
- DekaFestival admirer who briefly approaches Zélie, highlighting her attention from others.