XLV. ONE

  The hippodrome blurred in and out of focus with the dark sands of the Tuat. Nia dared not look behind her. She could not turn and see…

  Lero. Her brother. Her stupid, brave brother.

  Dead.

  The aker pounded against her chest. ordering release. Nia stumbled over the front of the basket. Her vision clouded. She barely registered as the other riders passed her slowing chariot. Nia clawed back her focus, narrowly directing her wheels in time from the hard limestone of the track barrier. “No, no, no.” Nia cried out as the aker lunged again. Nia struggled to control the spooked horses through the wide curve.

  They Conquered your people.

  They occupied your city.

  They killed your brother.

  The aker’s voice held a fire, a fury, an undeniable thirst for vengeance.Nia matched it as her panic solidified into iron hot rage. Nia answered the aker’s demand. “There is only us.”

  Then we are ONE!

  The sank beneath the surface of her sternum, lingering like the precipice of dusk. Nia’s mind sharpened with razor sharp clarity. Her lungs filled with much needed air, the crowd drowned out to a dull roar, her trembling white hands steadied on the reins. Ready.

  Her chariot thundered through the starting line. Nia glanced at the canopy. Six of the bronzed fish were downcast— there was only one lap remaining. One lap to hunt them down. Nia maneuvered her damaged chariot past the Kai’s. Rage fueled her, her fear all but evaporated. She compelled her horses to cut off the Conqueror’s centori at the first turn, her wheels shrieking against the limestone. Nia willed her horses down the straightaway, right behind the Ashenian royals as they approached the final turn.

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  The prince’s helmet turned. A vicious sneer forming in its shadows. Nia’s hand lifted from the reins. Keeping her gaze on the prince’s ocean blue eyes Nia stuck to fingers inside her cheek and popped them outward.

  His whip cracked the sky. Ka-TCH! Nia leaned out of the way of its tails. Ka-TCH! Ka-TCH! She ducked out of the way of the prince’s next lash, punching him square in the jaw. He stumbled back into the princess. In unison, the royals rammed their chariots metal studded wheels against her spokes. Her shredded wheel balked under the pressure.

  Prince Asho returned the gesture as their horses pulled away.

  Nia’s wheel disconnected from the axil with a horrific crack.

  MOVE! The aker demanded.

  Nia staggered over the front of her capsizing basket. Her foot pushed off the crossbar as she jumped. She suspended in the air momentarily before crashing hard on Ajaxi’s back. Nia clung to her galloping horse with all four limbs, fighting to stay upright. Nia fought her way into a seated position, her hand finding the knife at her side. She hacked at the thick reins that connected her loyal horse to the deadweight of the chariot. “Run Ajaxi!” Nia cried as he was freed.

  Ajaxi bolted towards the Ashenians basket. Helmets turned towards her. Nia threw up her fist as she passed them. The aker’s triumphant roar broke from her lungs as she crossed the finish line.

  The hippodrome imploded. It took Nia a moment to recognize the chant shared by thousands. “Uro! Uro! Uro!” Nia commanded Ajaxi to a trot and away from the finish line. She leaned in close to Ajaxi’s ear. “Thank you, old friend.”

  Ajaxi whinnied tiredly.

  The aging magistrate shuffled towards Nia, his face beat red. “What have you done?” He whispered furiously.

  Nia dismounted and shoved past the flabbergasted man. The other teams slowly pulled through the finish line. Centori rushed to help the Ashenian royals out of their basket. Admrilia removed her helmet— expression murderous. Every eye in De-Asha watched as Nia walked towards the canopy. Her focus zeroed in on the Conqueror as she marched up the limestone steps. Nia’s hands were steady as she unclasped the dust covered purple cape. She held it up into the sunlight before dropping it to her feet.

  The awning froze.

  Titus Crassus Clavo rocketed to his feet. The legate’s bloodshot iris was wide with ire. His cruel mouth twisted. Nia knew her brother’s plan then in all its sheer, poetic simplicity.

  They raped your sister.

  Yes.

  Nia closed the distance between her and Clavo. She knelt. The aker roared as Nia seized Clavo’s trembling fist in her hands. All time stopped as Nia brushed her lips against the legate’s knuckles.