"Heir" by Sabaa Tahir, Chapters 18-26

A welter of confusion and joy and anger churned inside her.

Sirsha was what had been foisted upon her.

J’yan, with his curly hair and lean build, was still beautiful as a jinn, but with the stern mien of a Raan-Ruku.

“We hunt a Karjad. So do you. Thus, you have flouted that law. As a Raan-Ruku, I have the right to mete out punishment in the name of our Raanis. Your punishment is death.”

“I require the release of this woman. In accordance with the Treaty of Nur, signed by Empress Helene Aquilla and representatives of the Jaduna Raanis in the first year after the Battle of Sher Jinaat, any citizen of the Empire found to have broken the law of a participating nation will be extradited to the Empire to face judgment.”

While riding, she had concocted the story she would tell.

Beside Aiz, Laia tucked in with gusto as the other members of the Tribe settled nearby to eat.

Aiz crooned to the wind in her mind.

But poorly designed for a quick exit, unless Kade wanted to defenestrate himself.

Out of pique, she used her magic to eavesdrop on them, but they were merely discussing one of Arelia’s inventions, and Sirsha felt ridiculous for spying.

Ancient magic, the Jaduna term for those who carried latent powers in their blood.

They’d be as frustrated at her earlier duplicity as he was.

“Are you sure there are bandits in the woods?” Sufiyan said, regarding the docile travelers passing them, the neatly cleared squares of grazing land, the bucolic village a quarter mile ahead.

She felt discombobulated by Quil’s return.

“No one living knows where it’s mined. And it’s sentient, according to Elias. He might still have his mask. I’m sure he’d show it to you if you asked. I’m guessing Ankana doesn’t have anything like them?”