He raised a suggestive eyebrow. “Then we’ll have to fall in love rather quickly, Idajo.”

My face heated, but I didn’t break his gaze. “If you succeed in dismantling the Djbanti monarchy . . . what next? You won’t have the resources of a king anymore. Will you travel? Learn a trade?” I smiled ruefully. “Between playing the fop for your warlords and razing markets as the Crocodile, I can’t imagine you’ve had time for fun since . . . well. Ever, really.”

To my surprise, Zuri’s self-assured features grew uncertain. “Haven’t thought much about it,” he said after a pause, face going carefully blank. “Don’t need to. That’s the price of ibaje magic. Once these stones have done their work . . . well. Let’s just say I won’t be in a state for touring the empire.”

I looked with horror at the cuff on his bicep, noticing the raised, sickly veins that had begun to spider across his dark skin. “It’s killing you,” I whispered.

“Maybe,” he muttered. “Maybe not. You never know with Pale Arts. It could be changing me into something else—perhaps one of those ghastly Underworld creatures you see scrawled in temple murals. I’d have to hide then, I suppose.” He nudged my side. “Maybe I’ll retire to where you grew up—if I can find it. Spend the rest of my days haunting the mango-scented orchards of Bhekina House.”

I started. “How do you know about Bhekina House? Did Woo In tell you?”

He paused, gave a maddening shrug, and then smoothly changed the subject. “If you don’t convince my warlords to stand down at this Pinnacle, I won’t be retiring anywhere. Have you practiced wielding your Ray against any more bluebloods?”

I frowned. “I told you. I’m not touching the warlords’ okanoba. I’m not an ehru-master, Zuri—we’ve had enough of those in my family.”

His full lips pressed together. “You should be ready to use it. What if there’s an emergency and you have to protect—Adukeh?”

“Don’t use my akorin to manipulate me,” I shot back, but the bait had worked. Adukeh was only a girl and we were headed for a coalition of nobles who might still want me dead. Was I putting her in danger?

“Practice on me,” Zuri pressed. “Right now, while we’re alone.”

“We aren’t alone.” I shot a nervous glance at the drummer boys and bosun. “They’ll see us. It’ll look . . . well, unnatural. What if they start a rumor that I’m a witch?”

“You’re a woman who rules equally with a man,” he said dryly. “They’ll always call you a witch. And if you beat me up, the sailors will be too frightened to gossip.” He spread his chiseled arms, bearing his chest. “It’ll be easy, Idajo. My father was king of Djbanti. My mother was a Nyamban princess. I’m brimming with okanoba. Command me, my great obabirin.”

“A handstand,” I bleated, hoping the indignity would make him resent me. But when the mask flashed beneath my wrapper, he grinned, immediately teetering upside down.