Page 26 of Sands of Atonement

“I like to think so, but there’ll always be someone better than me. I learned that from my master. There will always be someone smarter than me, faster than me, stronger than me. The list goes on. It’s helped me remain humble yet still know I can continue to strive for the best.”

There was a peaceful silence for a minute before her brows lowered. I didn’t know what Norrah was thinking, but I could tell she was digesting what I was saying. I hated to admit it, but it felt nice to finally say that out loud. It was nice to have female company who knew one of my many secrets.

“I wish I could be more like that.” Her eyes met mine. “But I’m a runner, not a fighter.”

Her voice had turned quiet and small, not at all like the Norrah I’d been getting to know.

“Sometimes you need to run for a while before you learn how to fight,” I said, bumping my shoulder against hers.

Norrah’s eyes looked heavy before her lips curved into a smile, watching the streets ahead.

This time, we went to a part of Urnaz I hadn’t yet explored. The streets that wove up high were new and clean, and surprisingly, I couldn’t tell if we were in the upper or lower part of Urnaz with who was here.

“By the look on your face, Mara, I can tell you’ve never been here before?” Norrah asked.

“No.” I looked at both sides of the street to see the light illuminating the musicians on multiple balconies, apart from each other. They played a symphony for all to hear without coordinating anything.

Cheers from the crowd below encouraged them to continue.

“This is a new street in the city,” Ana informed. “It was built to create more unity through the sound of music. Music doesn’t have a language. It sounds different to each one of us. Yet we can all agree on the beauty that is within.”

I smiled. “Yeah, I can see that.”

I looked further up the street and found the palace I’d come to hate over the last eight years. My heart thudded against my ribs. I was so close.

Norrah and Ana veered toward what looked like an indoor lounge with multiple long pipes made from glass to be smoked, I was sure.

“You’re going to love this stuff. There’s nothing like it besides here in Urnaz.” Ana beamed, pulling us both toward the entrance.

“Ah, actually, would you mind if I caught up with you both in a bit?”

Norrah lowered her brows. “Are you sure? Where are you going?”

“There’s so much of the city I haven’t seen yet. If you don’t see me in the next hour, I’ll for sure see you tomorrow morning.”

I squeezed Norrah’s hand, assuring her, though it felt so strange having to explain myself to someone.

Ana and Norrah gave me a smile before heading into the lounge.

I never had a sister, but if I did, I’d like to think she’d be like Norrah.

As planned, I hurried my way to the palace gates as the sun set behind me, highlighting my path. The walls were higher than Zyriah’s palace, and to say they didn’t intimidate me would be a lie. But that was okay, because I lied to myself often and I’d come to like that part of myself. It was demented, and I thrived on it.

By the looks of it, it would take me almost two hours to walk around the palace walls, and time wasn’t something I could afford. On a hunch, I chose the left wall from the closed gates.

I pulled my cape from my bag and wrapped it around my shoulders, lowering the hood over my head. The streets were less bustling where I walked. I noticed a tree with leaves the color of flames leaning near the high walls. Perfect.

When no one was looking and daylight had completely vanished, I placed my sandals into my bag. Barefoot, I made my way up the tree, the bottoms of my feet scraping against the bark, and pulled myself up with my fingers embedded in branches.

One branch at a time, I pulled myself higher. As soon as I reached the last branch capable of bearing my weight, I gauged the distance between me and the top of the wall.

The wall was about two feet wide. I’d practiced plenty of balancing techniques with Garamgai, but training was different from real life.

Aiming to jump a good seven feet to land on top without splattering fifty feet below and balancing myself over those two feet was—I smiled—exhilarating.

Without waiting another moment, I jumped, landing on the edge—barely.

My feet slipped on the edge, and half my body dropped before my arms grappled the top of the wall. I wiggled my legs up the wall, searching for any gaps my toes could grip.