She’d had sons. She’d loved them, even though they were violent and mad. She had to understand.

“And so you brought me here, into this tomb, and called me back into existence with your tears, weeping by my corpse like some weakling?”

That was my aunt for you.

“To do what?” Erra stalked in front of me, back and forth. “To kill my brother?”

I didn’t answer. It didn’t seem safe.

“Where is he now?”

“He built a castle on the edge of Atlanta, near my territory.”

“Your territory?” Erra barked a short laugh.

“I claimed Atlanta.”

She stopped and looked at me. “Claimed it how?”

“He tried to make it his, and I stopped him and made it mine.”

“How? Describe it, you imbecile.”

Screw you. “He made a giant magic spear and tried to stab me with it. I blocked it, then I levitated, and released a big pulse of magic.” I waved my arms. “Poof.”

“Poof?” Erra turned to my grandmother. “Ama, are you listening to this?”

Semiramis smiled.

“So you are Sharratum now? A queen?”

“I’m not a queen.” I had to keep reminding myself.

“And he let you do this?”

“He didn’t have a choice.”

“What are the terms? There must’ve been terms.”

“He promised me peace for a hundred years and then he built a castle on the edge of my territory. He’s taunting me, kidnapping my people, meddling, wanting to control every aspect of my life, getting offended over my wedding reception, sending assassins to . . .”

Erra raised her hand.

I shut up.

“How long?”

“How long what?”

“How long has this been going on?”

“About six months.”

“He’s been sitting by your territory for six months and hasn’t moved against you?”

“Yes.”

“You’re lying.”

“Why the hell would I lie?”

My aunt pondered and flicked her hand. An invisible magic hammer crashed into me. This time I curled before hitting the wall. Bonus points.

“You say you claimed this city. Prove it.”

I rolled to my feet.

“My land. My city,” Erra mocked. “Little baby princess. Pretender. Weakling.”

“Stop mocking me or you’ll regret it.”

The magic swept me off my feet. I rolled across the chamber. “You own nothing. You possess nothing.”

I got up to my feet.

“Liar.” She was getting ready for round three. I felt the magic shift. “Imposter. You bring shame to our name.”

“Enough!” I let my own power tear out of me and smash into my aunt’s. “I’ve fought and bled for that city. It’s mine and I have nothing to prove to you. You and my father brought enough shame to the family name. People cringe when they hear it. If you hit me one more time, I’ll throw your bones in the deepest sewer I can find.”

Erra’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll take your land and rule it as it was meant to be ruled.”