Page 13 of Craving a King

I smirk. “I will not.” Teasing him about this point of concern has quickly become my favorite pastime.

He turns to face me. He is so close our noses and pelvises touch. “Oh yes, your promise, but you know you broke that promise a few minutes later. Remember?”

I blush. I am in the middle of West Africa, in the arms of a king, blushing! Who am I right now?! “Yes, your majesty, I definitely remember, but I was under the influence of an incredible orgasm.”

He chuckles. “Oh, is that so?” His eyes change from playful to dark storms of lust.

“I will remember that you cannot be trusted to keep your promises when I put you under my spell.” Kofi looks around cautiously to ensure we are alone before he kisses the tip of my nose with a chaste peck. He steps back, turns, and reaches behind for my hand. Once our hands touch, Kofi steals another quick glance and winks. “Come, Ella, let’s go inside.”

Chapter Nine

Progression

Ella

The Manhyia Palace Museum is an old royal residence which has been converted into the Ashanti cultural center.

As we walk hand in hand to the entrance, I spot two marble lions flanking the porch and chuckle to myself, remembering myComing to Americacomments from last week. Kofi has to admit that West Africans use lions to decorate quite a bit. He looks at me curiously, but I decide not to share the source of my glee. He didn’t take the jokes well the first time.

Once inside, Kofi is the ultimate tour guide. I see a menagerie of animals the Asantehenes of the past kept on the grounds, and amazing plants indigenous to the area. Kofi names each plant as well as its medicinal qualities and importance to his people. I am impressed and slightly turned on. His voice has the weight of a Ghanaian king. The British voice coverup from his schooling days disappears when he talks about the Ashanti.

“Do you know that my royal surname is Asante?” He leads me to a bench, and we take a seat. The bench is small and forces our thighs to touch. It’s hard to focus on the cultural lesson.

“No, I did not. Is that where your title stems from?”

He smiles. “The name signifies that I am in the royal lineage. It’s actually a common name for those with any blood connections to the royal line. For example, it is also my mother’s family name. Though our families are connected by members that are like six or seven times removed.” He chuckles. “I thought my title might be easier for you to pronounce now that you know the base word, Asante.”

“Asante-hene,” I say it proudly. “You’re right. Except, it seems most people don’t call you that?”

He nods. “Yes, that’s my ceremonial title. Most call me ‘King’ or ‘Your majesty.’ Other chiefs will often call me chief, because I am essentially their chief and the only one that outranks them. I oftentimes refer to myself that way also.”

“Adom was the one that told me to address you as ‘your majesty’ and not Asantehene. He advised that no one calls you that.”Kofi tenses at the sound of his cousin’s name.

“How did you come to know Adom?”

“Of course you know Adom went to Morehouse, the male historically Black college in Atlanta? Well, I attended the female historically Black college Spelman, across the street. Every year, the two schools hold a brother-sister exchange during the first week of orientation. They line us up and whoever ends up beside you is your brother or sister. I ended up next to Adom.”

Kofi looks puzzled. “So, what does the pairing actually mean?”

“It means that someone cares for you and has your back, without romantic interests, while you’re in college and afterwards. Like a real sibling.”

Kofi lifts his head and gives a skeptical look. “So, you mean these brothers and sisters never end up in bed together?”

I laugh. “Of course they do, but it’s not as common as you think. It’s actually kind of frowned upon. It’s good to just have a platonic friend that will always be there for you.”

Kofi’s demeanor turns suspicious. “Did you and Adom sleep together?”

This conversation is starting to cross a line, but I don’t want him thinking I’ve slept with his cousin. I also don’t want to admit why I care what he thinks at all. “Adom and I slept together one drunken night sophomore year and never tried again.” I laugh at the memory. “I don’t even remember it. It is like it never happened. Plus, he’s always been infatuated with my best friend Maya.”

He cocks his head slightly to the side. “Maya?”

“Yes, Dr. Maya Taylor. Ironically, she’s a professor of African studies. She also prepped me quite a bit for this trip. She’s a true beauty. She modeled in Paris for six seasons. Adom has always thought the sun rises and sets on her. I think she likes him, too. They fight like cats and dogs. Yet, they always want to be around each other. It’s very frustrating.”

“Hmmm…” Kofi weighs my words before speaking. “I asked Adom about you before you came. He seemed very possessive, like you belonged to him. He would not give me much information. Granted, we have not talked much over the past 15 years, but still, it was odd.”

I shrug. “Yeah, he does that with most men that show interest in me. It’s just what he does. He never thinks anyone is good enough.”

“Well, I am the best.” He reaches out and strokes my hair before twirling a curl. “He should be pleased; I am definitely a better choice than him. You must be the reason he insisted on staying in Atlanta for school. Our grandfather wanted him at Oxford with me.”

---