Legacy of Orïsha, #1
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Inan
Overview
Inan moves to kill Zélie but is overwhelmed by a surge of magic that forces him to relive her traumatic past. Confronted with the atrocities committed under his father’s rule, Inan cannot strike. Instead, he cuts her bonds, leaving both reeling. This marks a turning point in Inan’s loyalties and the conflict.
Summary
Inan approaches the trapped Zélie, intent on killing her to end the perceived threat of her magic and erase knowledge of his own curse. He pins her and raises his sword to strike, believing this act will fulfill his duty to Orïsha.
When Inan’s hand touches Zélie’s chest, his magic erupts, plunging him into Zélie’s memories. He experiences her family’s terror as royal guards invade, her mother’s hanging, and the systemic brutality against maji. The vivid pain shatters his belief that maji are villains and exposes the suffering caused by his father’s rule.
Snapping back, Inan hesitates with his sword poised, now seeing Zélie as a frightened, broken human rather than an enemy. Rejecting further harm, he instead cuts the cords binding her. Zélie rushes to call for Tzain, receives no answer, and collapses in despair.
Inan, shaken by the revelation and his own inaction, recognizes the truth about his father’s legacy yet remains uncertain how to proceed. The moment marks a decisive internal shift: duty to the crown now conflicts with empathy for Zélie and the oppressed maji.
Who Appears
- InanPrince and POV character; attempts to kill Zélie, relives her trauma via magic, frees her, questions his father’s doctrine.
- ZélieCaptured divîner; her traumatic memories overwhelm Inan, prompting him to cut her bonds; desperately calls for Tzain.
- TzainZélie’s brother; absent after being taken by poachers, his silence heightens Zélie’s distress.