Chapter One
“I want a child.”
The tension that ensued after those words was so thick that one could cut it with a knife. Agu dropped the red coral bead in his hands on the bed. Unhurriedly, he turned from his bed to fix his wife Oma with a cool stare he’d come to master when it came to her. His heart rocked against his chest as it always did when he looked at her. Her fiery beauty never ceased to take his breath away. How many times had they hunted his dreams, tormented him until he was near mad with need? A need he knew would never be satisfied.
Now, here she was, barging into his room, looking so distractingly alluring. Making demands she didn’t know had consequences. Despite the need that rocked at him as she licked her lips — in that very way she did when something troubled her, he said,” No” The words echoed and bounced around the clay wall of his hut.
A frown appeared on her lovely oval face. “No? What do you mean by No?” How he longed to kiss away the frown. His lips were hot on the velvet of her skin, then down to her delicate jawline, then —
He coughed and sat on his bed. Looking at the clayed floor. Anywhere but her“No, you do not want a child?” He said coolly despite the pleasurable ache he felt as an image of her stomach swollen with his seed flashed through his eyes. He was a fool rejecting her. Every part of him screamed for her touch.
“Agu I —“ Agu’s eyes widen as Oma captures his hands in her little hands. So this was how soft her hands were. He almost lost his control when she stared at him with a longing that felt more like desire.
But he knew the longing in her midnight eyes was one based on desperation, not desire. If he took her now on this bed for him, it would be because he desired her. But for her, it would be, duty.
“What madness has descended upon you, woman?” He roared. Breaking away from her, Agu realises his error as he is assaulted by the delectable swell of her breast in the green wrapper she had wrapped around her. Her white coral beads that usually adorned her slim neck and waist were nowhere in sight.
He felt the break of sweat as the room suddenly felt warmer than usual “You should leave. We’ll talk tomorrow when we’re properly dressed.”
She eyed him confusedly.“No, tonight” He saw the spark in her eyes as she folded her hands together. No, they couldn’t talk now, not with her request and his body’s response to it.
But she’s your wife, a tiny voice whispered. Agu rubbed his hands over his face. “Go to your room, woman”, he barked.
“I want a child. The kingdom needs an heir—”
“Since when did you care about the kingdom, Oma. Last I remember, you couldn’t even bear to be in the same room with me, and now you disrupt my peace with your demands”. He snared.
“Please hear me out–” she approached him.
He pointed at the door. “I’ve heard all I need to know.”
“Then give me a child” His control snapped, and he yanked her slight form to him. “What do you take me for, Oma? A fire lamp you can put off and on when you want? You told me to keep my attention to myself, remember.”
He appreciated her bravery as she stared him straight in the eyes. “But that was before?”
“Before what? Before you heard the chiefs pushing for a second wife to bear me children?” Agu felt his blood rise through him as she saw the guilty expression on her pretty face. He released her lest he did something he’d regret. He picks up the keg of palm wine by his bed and gulps it.
Oma lips thinned.“I don’t mind you getting another wife. I just want my own child,” Oma said unashamedly. “The Chiefs are wrong to have suggested a second wife… my child ought to be the heir, given our arrangement.”
Agu laughed sardonically.”Our arrangement. Many moons now, and that’s what you still call our union an arrangement…and you stand before making demands like I owe you” Flings the keg on the floor, sending it scattering into several pieces and the content creating wet paths on the solid clay ground.
“What did you do that for?”He enjoyed the horror in her voice. Let her be scared. He wanted her scared and out of his room
“Leave my hut, Oma or by the gods; I’ll have the maids tie you to a tree and have you flogged to your senses.”
She pulled at her wrapper, giving him an assaulting view of her wide hips. “You wouldn’t dare” she yelled
“Try me” He glared.
She stood her ground, glaring at him, then hissed and stormed out of his room.
Chapter Two
Oma sat up on her and glared briefly at the peering sun morning. Her mind eye sees someone in place of the sun. She had slept till the break of day, and all this was Agu’s fault.
Since the day she’d gone to his room to inform him of her need for a child, he had taken to avoiding her at every turn. Even going as far as having his guards return her to her room whenever she showed up at his private hut.
The plan had been simple. Go to him, get a child and be done with it. It hadn’t involved him saying No. No, she hadn’t foreseen that. Or that his refusal to see her every time she went to the chambers would…hurt.
Their marriage was not the regular kind. It wasn’t even what she’d wanted or planned. She’d wanted a marriage based on love not a cold arranged marriage like her parents had. She wanted Obi.
Obi who had been the first to ever say those word love to her. Before he had professed his love for her she’d never known such a word or emotion exist.
“Good morning, My Queen” Oma turned to see a robust middle aged woman holding a food tray.
Despite her mood she couldn’t help but return the smile of her maid since she was a little girl. “I’ve told you countless times to let the maids handle my maids. You’re here as my companion not as a maid. Your serving days –.”
Nneka intercepted her “– are over. I know, I know My Queen because you’ve said countless.But I –”
“– Love serving me” Oma rolled her eyes returning the favor. Nneka grinned, giving ger a knowing look.
The reassuring face and familiar features of Nneka’s round face made Oma she suddenly homesick but she knew a trip to her kingdom – rather her father’s kingdom now, was not one her parents or husband would approve of. Especially given the tension between the two kingdoms as rumours of her being barren continuously spread between the two communities.
She was fruitful and by the gods she’ll prove it. “Help me get ready, Nneka. I need to—”
“Surely, my Queen, you don’t mean to resume at the King’s quarters this early” Oma snatched the food tray from Nneka and placed it on the bed.
The aroma of fish filled her nostrils. Opening the covering, she took some fish and moaned delightfully, “This is delicious”. At Nneka’s exasperated look, she covered the food and replied ”No” At Nneka’s sigh of relife she added innocently “The king will not be at his quaters by now. I’m thinking of interupting his meeting with the elders’
Nneka gasped.She rushed to Oma and and pulled them down to sit on the bed. “Omaaaa” Oma smiled at Nneka’s emphasis on her name.“But you know you shouldn’t force the King’s hands like you been doing for a fortnight now.”
“Thank gods you noticed. A fortnight. A fornight and that stubborn husband of mine has been avoiding me. How then can I speak with him if –” Seeing the grin on Nneka’s lips she frowned “What?”
“You just called him The King your husband”
Oma’s frowned deepened as she tries to understand Oma’s point “ But he is my husband not so”
Nneka’s grin broke into a wide smile “Most definately he is. But you’ve always refered to him by his name, title or gender. Never by what he is to you and that a husband.”
“Oh” Oma said coolly. She had realise that she’d never refered to him as her husband before now. The thought suddenly made her feel uncomfoertabe. Did the palace servants also noticed her cold relationship with the king? Was that why he avoided her now because had finally given in to her rejection and stopped seeing her as a wife?
“How,,How I wish it were possible to get this child on my own..” Oma graoned, but for what she didn’t
“And how do you plan on doing that?” Nneka giggled and set the calabash of yam and fish sauce on the bed.
“The gods are cruel”, Oma chuckled and returned to the bed. She’d heard whispers from the maids about the act of making babies so she was no novice. But if she were honest she was scared. Scared of if she’ll be able to go on with it should Agu suddenly gave in to her demand. Scared her child would grow up to resent their union just as she had resented the loveless marriage her parents had.
“Eat up, my Queen. Then you’ll wash up. While I dress you up, we can discuss a better way of approaching the king on this matter.”
Chapter 3
“What’s she up to now?” King Agu whispers to his mother as they sighted Oma talking to some village women in the palace grounds.
She looked so regal in the red wrapper she wore. It was fastened around her esbody in a way that drew the eyes to every pleasurable mould of her curves. Her face softened and sensually packed on the crown of her head with white coral beads scantily attached around it.
Yes from a distance that’s how he preferred seeing her. Not the way she’d invaded his space – breaking his control, making him want things he knew she could never give. And he couldn’t blamee her because it was all his fault.
As though sensing his appraisal, she turned in their direction. On seeing them, she and the women with her rose and bent slightly in respect.
He grimaces as her face glows, revealing a white set of teeth as she greeted his mother. She never smiled at him. Agu gripped the horse tail he held tightly and nodded stiffly, continuing his stroll.
“I hear the Queen has stopped her daily disturbance of your peace” He glared at his mother, who looked away suddenly, waving at the working maids who greeted them as they passed.
“I didn’t notice,” he scowled, looking away from his mother’s knowing look. He’d noticed. Way more than anyone could imagine. It had hurt that she’d stop coming. Just when he was about to listen to give in to the temption she offered – despite his desire that she loved him before he took her.
“By the gods, Son, Just tell her how you feel”, she advised exasperatedly.
He opened his mouth to voice an immediate denial, but she thwarted him.
“Don’t even try denying it. I am your mother, and I know you better than anyone else. Even than, you know yourself” He looked away to avoid her stare, but his eyes unconsciously fell on the object of his torment. As she laughed at something, one of the women said. He stood captivated, watching her laugh. The happy ring of her laghter making his heart ache. It hurt that she could be this close to him yet still so far.
He felt the hands of his mother on his shoulder. And he turned to face her—his torment on the sleeve of his eyes. “You should, son”. She said softly, fixing a wise pair of black eyes on him. “You both can’t keep circling around each other like you’ve been doing since you got married.”
Aug felt suffocated as the memory of the earlier days of their marriage plagued him. They had quarrelled every time they found themselves in the same space. She had cried herself to sleep every night. “I don’t think I can bear it if I lay myself bare before her and —” He broke off as though scared to say the word. “The fact that she still loves him even after all these moons makes me wonder if I shouldn’t have just let her be” He finished wretchedly.
His mother gave him a sad smile and nodded in Oma’s direction. “The woman over there. The one who has actively immersed herself in her duties as Queen since she got here. The one who now, from word getting to me, is tirelessly chasing after you, asking that you make her a mother. Does she strike you as someone who still secretly pines for a man in her past?”
Agu felt his heart rise shyly in hope. Could his mother be right? Was there really hope for them?
As though his mother could hear his inner thoughts, she nodded. “Son. You can take a second wife as the chiefs advised, or you can go after what you really want.”
Chapter Three
That night, Oma couldn’t find any sleep. After several tosses on the bed, she reached for the Keg of wine below the bed and poured herself a drink in the calabash that covered the keg.
Breathing in the fresh aroma of the palm before taking a sip. She wondered what Agu would say if he knew that she could finish a keg of palm wine on her own. He’d call her a drunk. She giggled at the thought.His roguish lips would probably disappearing from view in displeasure.
With a sigh, she picked up the keg of wine and began walking round her hut. Lately, she had taken to thinking about what he would say about what she did now and then. Because she was close to getting drunk, she’ll admit to also thinking of him… a little. Oma didn’t know when it had started, but she knew he was annoyingly creeping into her thoughts each day more distractingly than the other.
Oma tried to conjure up the pain and horror that had been her companion and shield in the early days of their marriage, but it eluded her—had her mother really been right when she said time healed all wounds — and would heal whatever wound she had endured as a result of her marriage to Agu.
She took a gulp of wine directly from the keg. In marrying Agu, she had honoured her parents and protected her people., But she had also been heartbroken and had also broken a heart. “Odili’s Heart .
She remembered the anguish in his eyes during their last meeting. He had stormed her father’s palace when she hadn’t shown up as planned to elope with him. Arriving at the palace, he had witnessed her marriage to Agu, who had suddenly appeared that morning— looking every bit like a money lender impatient to collect what he was owed — in this case, she was the goods to be collected. He suddenly, demanded that they be married immediatel much to her dismay.
Every fight she had in her died when he threatened to return with his warriors to raid her kingdom if she refused him. She couldn’t let her parents and her people bear the consequences of her actions. So she had married Agu and turned a deaf ear to Odili’s pleas.
Oma picked her red Royal bead and wore it on her neck. It felt warm against her cold skin. She turned to the window, and Nneka was right; she sacrificed so much for another to come in to reap. She would make Agu listen.
A light tap on her door brought her back to the present.”Come in” She wondered who the intruder might be, but she wasn’t an afraid despite the odd hour because she trusted the guards that kept watch outside her room. Nri warriors were not easily defeated and would protect her with their lives.
The intruder came in. “Agu” One hand on her mouth and the other on her chest.
She must have fallen asleep while drinking.
***
At her gaps, Agu wondered if he had made a mistake coming to her room. He had been restless and able to sleep.
Actually, he hadn’t been able to find sleep since some fortnight ago when this woman who stood before him dressed in nothing other than her blue and yellow wrapper tied loosely around her invaded his spaces with her wrecking demands. “I’m sorry, I should go.”
“Stop right there, you annoying man. What are you doing in my dream?” He catches her instinctively as she wobbles, almost falling, trying to catch him. His body immediately responding to the warmth of her body.
“You’re real” She giggled as she poked his chest, unaware of what her innocent touch did to him.
“Yes, I am, and you’re drunk”, he laughed heartily as the smell of palm wine filled his nostrils. He had expected every terrible thing but not a drunk wife. He scooped her into his arms and headed towards her bed. He knew she could walk if guided, but he couldn’t resist the urge to hold her.
“I’m not drunk, you rude man” She scowled and struggled in his arms.
“You make a very enchanting drunk,” Agu chuckled as she stiffened herself. Head high like the Queen she was His Queen.—his Queen.
Gently, he lowered her down the bed. Their faces so close enough. How easy it would be to steal a kiss.
“What?” he asked at her silent appraisal. His voice sounded hoarse to his hearing. He suppressed a groan as she bit her lip. Wondering what it would feel like to throw caution to the wind and take advantage of the desire he saw in her eyes., Even though he knew it was only there because she was drunk.
“Why are you here?” She finally said, breaking the spell. She covered herself with a large wrapper as if shielding herself from him. Why? He wondered. He moved to put some distance between them to regain his sanity, but he froze when suddenlyly held him back.her hand held his wrist.
Every sense in him came alive as her brown skin touched his ebony skin.
The wrapper slid down as she sat up, revealing her bare shoulder with just the royal bead he had given rested. He couldn’t resist the urge, so he touched the bead. “You didn’t want to wear the bead when I gave it to you at first.”
“I didn’t like you then,” she said, avoiding his eyes.
He picked her jaw gently, turning her to face him. “And now?” Looking into her eyes.
Oma licked her lips again. “I still don’t like you… you’ve beeavoiding me,” she said, casually changing the subject.
“What if I say I’m here to take you up on your offer” Agu allowed her see the raging desire within him and was glad when she shivered in response. ,
He grinned at the fear on her face as he began undressing. “What do you think you’re doing?” she stuttered, covering herself protectively with the wrapper as she backed away from him.
Agu knew he shouldn’t tease her, but he couldn’t help it. He approached her, finally undressed, save for the wrapper tied on his waist. “But you said you wanted a child” He smiled as saw her swallow, her eyes eating him up. She desired him too. How had he not realise that until now.
His mother was right he could actually have a chance.
,
“I…I,” she struggled. “I’m drunk”, she said, tearing her eyes from his face. That’s a good sign . She didn’t say she’d changed her mind..
He sits on the bed .”I know, I said so before, remember?” He chuckled as she glared at him.
“Stop doing that.”
“What,” he asked confused
“That”, she pointed to the curve of his mouth, referring to his smileuckle. “It makes you look… nice”, she muttered
“And you don’t think I’m nice?” She shot him a dubious look.
“To show you how nice I am” He got on the bed and pulled her down to him “Why don’t we just sleep for tonight.”
“There’ll be no baby-making tonight”, he quickly added when she tried to break free from his embrace.
At first, she held herself stiffened against him, then like oil on heat, she melted into his arm. “Agu—”
He was happy his eyes were shut, and he couldn’t see her because just the sensual way she’d said his name had him burning all over. “Sleep, Oma, or else I might just break that promise.”
Chapter Four
Oma woke up with a smile. She had had the strangest dream, but for some reason, she didn’t feel like analysing the it. Aug had been in her bed, and they had slept in each other’s arms. She stretched and sat up on her bed.
“I hope I’m the reason for that Sun Bright smile on your face” Oma’s eyes widened as she turned to see a bare-chested Agu standing by the little window of her hut — looking like a war god.
“You”, she pointed. “You… It wasn’t a dream?” The sound of his chuckle as he approached her made her insides leap.
Oma swallowed as her eyes feasted and his muscles swelled on his chest and arm. She remembered touching them last night. They had felt hard and warm. Was this how roguishly handsome and young he looked without the crown — she mostly always saw him on.
“I’m glad you thought of my visit as a beautiful dream”, He said, kissing her on her forehead.
She hiccuped. “I didn’t say that” Her hands reached to touch her forehead. The kiss had been unexpected but felt —
“Your smile says it all” Oma felt like disappearing in shame as he winked at her. She hadn’t realised she’d been smiling.
She heard a tap on her door, but before she could turn the person away, the annoying man — Agu, moved to the door and answered it like he owned her room.
“Yes, Nneka came in” Oma watched in horror as Nneka swam in with a beehive of maidens. With what she could only describe as a feast.
“Good Morning, My King. Good Morning, My Queen,” They greeted as though it was the most normal thing to see the king bare-chested in her room.
She groaned silently as Nneka sent her a quick wink before directing the maiden to set their meals of Abacha, roasted fish, roasted rabbit, fruits of banana, orange, mangoes, etc., on a beautiful blue coloured mat with dots of white and black around it.
“Now they’ll all think something happened between us last night”, she whispered. Agu chuckled again. He seemed to be doing that lately, and… she could explain it, but she loved the sound.
What was happening to her? Why was everything about this man suddenly calling to her and occupying her thoughts?
“Something like…” he whispered innocently. She suddenly felt self-conscious as he leaned intimately towards her. His lips deliciously caressed her ears. Has he always looked so attractive and youthful all these years?
“My Queen,” he said, breaking the spell. She realised, to her horror, that they were alone. “You distracted me on purpose” She swatted his arm, but he caught her hand and felt the strange sensation rise again as their skin touched. For some inexplicable reason, she couldn’t seem to tear her eyes from him.
“Come” He smiled as he led her out of the bed to the mat where their food sat. She nodded, unable to bring herself to speak. What was wrong with her?
***
Aug couldn’t stop himself from smiling at everything. As he sat in the open space of the throne room consulting with eight of his chiefs. The chiefs were dressed in traditional white wrappers tied to their shoulders. He remembers how amazed he was as a youthful prince when he had been told by his personal guard Ofor that the red and black lines on the wrapper each respectively stood for blood and earth.
He nodded at something Chief Madaku, a chief with a belly that showed his love for wine, said. He’s been nodding a lot since the meeting started, but he couldn’t help it. That little soldier he’d married kept creeping into his thoughts.
“Igwe…My King” He smiled at Chief Okafor, a little grey-haired man with a mole on his nose.
“Yes, Ichie,” he said, responding to him
He couldn’t help but suppress a smile at the worried look on Okafor’s face. “My King, you seem distracted. Why don’t we adjourn and continue some other time?”
The rest of the chiefs nodded, their red hat shaking in uniformity as their faces mirrored Chief Okafor’s worries. “No, that won’t be necessary” He needed the distraction while he waited for Oma to return from her visit with the market women.
Agu suppressed a chuckle as he remembered with pride her robust offence when he had suggested his mother handled the meeting. She had threatened to have him flogged by his own guards. He wondered what she would have said if he had told her the real reason was because he wanted to spend time with her. Would she stutter like she had this morning when he’d almost kissed her?
“You see, even the king finds it amusing,” Okafor said, drawing him out of his thoughts. “No one can stop the King from getting a second wife.”
“What, second wife?” Agu asked, confused.
“My King, Ikenga here”, Okafar nodded— for it was rude to point at a titled man, to a skinny man with eyes the size of a large palm fruit. “…was just saying that some market women approached and informed him of their intention to protest should you decide to take a second wife” The chiefs all burst into laughter. “Women”, Okafor shook his head and took his seat.
This woman has also bewitched the village women. Just as she had him from the very first day, he’d gazed upon her. Now, the women of his kingdom plan to go against their king to protect her. For some reason, the protest didn’t upset him as they should.
“Tell the women to cease from protesting. I shall not be taking a second wife.”
“But —” Agu raised a hand, silencing the protest of Ichie Okafor.
The Chiefs stood up in respect as Agu rose from the throne. “Better still, I’ll go tell them myself,” He signalled to the guard standing by his left. “Ready the men and get gifts from the Royal store. We’ll be joining my wife at the market.”
Chapter 5
“What is this rumour making the round Agu?” Agu signalled the guard inside his hurt to leave as Oma barged into his hut.
When they were finally alone, he hurled her at him
“You will not use my given name or speak to me in that manner before my subjects,” he barked at her.
“And you will not speak to me like some subject of yours. You are my husband” His stupid heart leapt at her reference to him as her husband. She lifted her chin at him, giving him a succulent view of those very distracting sensual lips of hers. It was a mistake touching her.
It was a mistake listening to his mother and risking his heart. Now, he was almost crazy with the misery he felt.
“Leave” Agu gestured to the door as he unhands her. “Before I do something we’ll both regret” He walked back to his bed. Even now, he still wanted her. But this was more than wants. He needed her heart, all of her— yearning and beating…only for him.
He turned to see the little witch glaring at him, folded hands on her breast. Provocatively drawing his gaze to her generous bosom. “Not until you confirm that the rumour of you getting a second wife before the next fortnight is a lie.”
Agu would have been deceived into believing she was jealous if he hadn’t witnessed what he had at the market. He picked up his coral beads and began wearing them. “I don’t think I owe you any explanation,” he said coldly.
“Yes, you do. I am your wife,” she cried
“Only because I forced you into it!” Everywhere was perfect still after those words vibrated around his room. Her mouth opened as though to speak, and then she shut it back. “We both know who you wanted and who you still want. Don’t we?” He fixed her with a cold stare and crossed his hands over his chest. Protecting himself from the knowledge that she still loved another.
“What’s going on, Agu? The other day, you were so sweet and caring and now…“ He still his heart as it twisted over the pain he saw on her face. No, he was just imagining it. She wasn’t hurting. “You’ve been cold and distant from me ever since—”
He smiled. “There’s no need for the melodrama Oma. You rightly said that I could get a second wife. I can’t ignore my people’s needs because you show to hold on to your childish fantasies.”
“Childish?” she scoffed. Angrily approaching him. “You,” She said between gritted teeth as she got close. “You have been acting like a child, not me. Ever since you saw I and Odili—”
“Don’t ever mention that name in my presence,” Agu said barked.
Oma backed away. It almost tore him when he saw the tears slip from her eyes. She angrily brushed the tears away.“I didn’t know he would be at the market that day. Odili—”
He dragged her against him.”I said not to mention his name ever again. Not here. Not when you’re alone. Not even in your thoughts, prayers or dreams. I want every trace of him gone,” With Me replacing, he said silently.
His control almost slipped as Oma looked into his eyes. He was about to break the penetrating look lest his eyes betray his feelings. When unexpectedly, Oma tiptoed and wrapped his neck with her hand, bringing their lips almost to a kiss. “Why?” Instinctively, he pulled her closer. His body instantly answered to the call of her body. He should release her, shield his heart from further damage, but he knew he couldn’t, didn’t want to. “Why do you want every trace of him gone?” His eyes shut at the pleasurable sound of her melodious voice.
Just risk it all, a little voice said.
He stiffened and opened his eyes. Tentatively meeting her prompting and teasing gaze,” Me” The words came out hoarse. “I want only me filling you every moment. On your lips. In your thoughts. Prayers and Dreams. Inside of you” He takes her lips in his. At first, gently, teasing and prepping. Then, with a passion that testified of his withheld passion and surrender.
Epilogue
“I love you”, Oma whispered into the ears of her sleeping husband. He looked so handsome and peaceful as he slept on her bed. She silently chuckled, recalling overhearing some servants discussing the King’s abandonment of his room for hers.
She looked over to the wooden rod which used to house her clothes but now included his. She had thought she’d die from embarrassment the day he had brought his things over. He hadn’t cared that Nneka was in the room but had asked for her help in transferring some of her clothes to his room while he made space for his things in hers.
Oma didn’t know she was capable of such happiness as she had felt for a while now, especially with the way they had started out. After meeting Odili at the market, she knew beyond a doubt that she would have regretted eloping with him. She hadn’t really loved him; what she’d loved was her decision to choose who she wanted to be with. And the idea of having something different from what her parents had. But this very adoring, annoying husband of hers showed her that love was about accepting destiny and not defiling it.
“What has my Queen in such deep thought?” The intense and groggy voice of her husband filled the room. He pulled her back in his arms.” I said only me in your thought,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
She giggled. “I swear I only thought of him twice” At her words, he stiffened. She felt cold without his warmth as he sat on the bed.
“Agu —” Her heart broke at the pain in his eyes. Odili was in her past; she didn’t want him ever to doubt that. “Agu, look at me”, she cooed, her hands cupping his face, gently stroking the growing beards on his face. He had kept it because she said she liked it. “Promise to listen to me till the end” She saw the hesitation in his eye, but he nodded. “I only thought of him” ” she continued when true to his words, he didn’t stop her “, because I was thinking of how much I would have regretted eloping with him. I never really liked loved him.”
“You don’t have to say that because you think it’s what I want to hear,” he smiled, looking forlorn. “I’m sorry I broke the both of you apart. I had just lost my father, and… the sudden expectations of everyone… It was a lot… The intention was not to actually break off the engagement, but then I saw you—”
She felt the sweet shivers spread through her as he stroked her face. His eyes told her the words his lips didn’t say, and then he continued, “—You should have stayed inside that day, you, my stubborn warrior” Despite his words, she saw the beam of pride in his eyes.
“If I had?” She lifted her chin in a defiant pose she knew he loved.
He caught her jaw with the tip of two of his fingers. “Then you would have been saved from me. Because I took one look and knew that if I hadn’t taken you home that day, I’d be mourning not just my father but my heart.”
“I wouldn’t have pegged you to be such a romantic with the threats you threw around that day” ” she whispered teasingly. She would never have imagined that that day she’d thought a horrible day would become such a beloved memory. One she couldn’t wait to tell to their children.
“I was too much of a coward to risk you choosing him. I won’t have returned to raid your village. I would never hurt you that way, I swear it.” He said earnestly. “I told your father that much before we left that day, and he took one long look at me and knew.”
She took one long look at him and, just like her father, knew. “We love you too,” she said, placing his hands on her stomach.
