Page 138 of The Divine Lies We Weave

Finally, the Viperess turned to the rest of the crew. A harmony of gasps rose in the air. Some people stepped back, fear on their faces. Hema stood at the mast, jaw clicking, and Tanmay held his hand on the hilt of his godsblade.

“It is true. Leela is gone. I, the Viperess, have harnessed her.” The Viperess tilted her head toward the sun. She curled her neck almost like a snake would in the sunlight. “Unless you wish for more of your crew to end up dead, you will abide by my commands and the orders of my people.”

Leela focused on Hema through the crowd and watched as she frowned then turned to the walls encasing the city, which served as backdrop for three sandships gliding across the desert, yellow sand clouding as they advanced.

Oh shit…

A horde of people dressed in black jumped from one ship to the other, a gleam of blue godsblades attached to their hips. Once she saw their leader, she realized who was helping the Viperess.

“What a pleasant surprise to see you, Leela.”

“Ishaan,” the Viperess said.

Ishaan, Leela hissed.

Ishaan gave a dazzling smile of pearly whites. His shadows danced with the Raven, its wings spreading wide and flapping with delight.

“You did what I asked?” the Viperess said.

“Exactly like you asked,” Ishaan said. “Like the horde of drakion I sent your way?”

Leela fell to the ground against the glass, her vision returning. “That was you…?”

Ishaan’s smile faltered. “Was that her?”

“NO!” the Viperess snapped, rearing Leela back into her mind. “No. It is me.”

Ishaan gave the Viperess an apprehensive look but didn’t question it. He cleared his throat. “It was a bitch getting them there, but it turned out the fire was the very thing we needed. That village was nothing compared to having to get to the seed.”

“Excellent,” the Viperess said. “Where is it?”

Ishaan reached behind his back and plucked out a seed the size of his palm. “It was a bit of a rush, but we got it. As you wished, my venomous queen.”

The Viperess snatched the seed out of his palm and cradled it like a baby, assessing it for any damage. All the corners glowed an oscillating blue with each turn, dazzling anyone who stared.

Leela was in awe. It seemed like the seed was made of glass, featuring a murky middle and some jagged edges. No wonder no one had found the wish-fulfilling tree. It wasn’t a tree yet.

How do you plan to grow a tree so fast? Leela snapped.

Quick, aren’t you? Things from the Awakening work differently.

How?

You will see.

“Perfect,” the Viperess said. “Now. Let’s go.”

“As you wish, my venomous queen,” Ishaan said with an exaggerated bow.

The Viperess descended the stairs and onto the deck in an effortless jump. She turned to the crew, now surrounded by rebels. “If you wish to disobey me, you can, but your life will be forfeit. Follow, and you will be rewarded with a wish beyond your wildest dreams.”

Leela glanced at the crew dressed in black. Each of them had firm smiles while wringing their fingers, as if this was what they had been waiting for.

“Follow. Or die,” the Viperess said, voice thick with warning.

Leela understood why no one from the Gilded Thorns opposed. Why wouldn’t people follow the Viperess if it meant they could get a wish? A wish with everything a heart wanted was dangerous.

One person pushed through the crowd and stepped up to the Viperess.