CHAPTER TWO: AMARI

Amari reflects on her father’s ruthlessness and his death as the group leaves Baba’s burning casket and returns to the stolen warship that has been their refuge. Guilt gnaws at Amari as she watches refugees flee Orïsha and resolves to claim the throne to fix what her father broke.

In the captain’s quarters, Amari anxiously awaits word from her mother. Roën arrives with fish for Nailah and brings dire news: the Iyika stormed Lagos when magic returned, and the queen has not been heard from. With the capital cut off, many believe the royal line is dead. Meanwhile, the military responds by hunting maji, clearing villages as the new admiral escalates toward war.

Shocked but resolute, Amari decides to publicly address the kingdom, assert her claim, and end the conflict. She asks Roën for help organizing a rally, promising payment from royal treasuries once she is queen. Roën rejects her plea, reminding her of unpaid debts and giving them one night before he sails the ship away with fleeing families.

Cornered, Amari turns to Tzain and Zélie. With no money and little credibility, she begs Zélie to persuade Roën one more time. Though burdened by grief and unwilling to carry her people’s plight alone, Zélie relents when Amari invokes Baba’s sacrifice, agreeing—without promises—to try.