Page 18 of Possessing the Prince

My body tenses. “Death threats?!” I shriek. “No! What the…someone threatened to kill him?”

“Yes, Abena. And whenever he goes into villages, some of the people don't even come out to greet him. They jeer him when he speaks. He doesn’t know how to connect with people who are initially hostile with him. He has to gain the public’s trust without Kofi’s influence so they will look at his Ewe background and appreciate it. You can help him do that.”

I shift in my seat. “Maya, kidnappings and death threats are not usual activities in my life. What the hell is happening? I only wanted to dodge the vise grip of an old husband my father was trying to force upon me.” I throw my head back against the seat and blow a breath toward the interior hood of the car. “I also wanted the freedom to take my dream job.”

Maya arches her eyebrows. “What dream job?”

I tell her about the royal contract and she hugs me tightly. “Congratulations, Abena! I’m so proud of you. What an honor!”

“Yeah, right. Senya will never let me go to Australia after this year of marriage. Maya. I may as well kiss this job goodbye.”

“Hmmm…I don’t know about that. It sounds like you’re not sure if you will still want to leave in a year. Senya would never hold you here against your wishes.”

I huff. “No! But I can’t be his consort thousands of miles away!”

Maya smiles. “Oh! Sonowyou’re thinking about being his consort? See what I’m saying? You’re scared that you may want to be Senya’s wife more than the Duchess of Kent’s photographer.”

I place my head in my hands and moan. “Oh God, Maya! What am I going to do?” I look up for answers.

Maya shrugs. “Life is a surprise, Abena. If you knew what was going to happen, you would have no reason to live and see what will happen next. The surprise gives us hope for a better day, every day. Now, as far as what you're going to do…you’re going to stay away from any and all alcohol. You’re going to pray and meditate, just as you taught me. And when Senya comes to you, to touch you—because you know he will—you are going to yield to the pleasure he gives. Because you deserve to feel good and forget your troubles. Don’t push him away, Abena. Jump in!”

I throw Maya an impervious look before turning to face her. She grabs my hands to give me one more piece of advice before we exit the car and head into my new home.

“Abena, do yourself a favor: Don’t think about forever. That will take care of itself. Think about today. With Senya, right now is all that counts. Don’t throw away happiness because of fear or career plans that are a full year away.”

I slowly produce a smile. “You think I can really help him be a good prince?”

“I know you can. He needs you just like you need him. When he comes home tonight, he is going to need you even more. Who knows what your father is telling him about the situation with the Apeagyeis? Whatever he tells Senya, he will carry it until he fixes it. That’s just how he is. But you are the only woman who can ease that burden for him.”

“You’re right, Maya. I still think it sucks, but you’re right. My father is probably lying through his teeth as we speak. But I will be here to help Senya suss out the truth from lies when he returns. It will take both of us to untangle the web of deceit my father has spun.”

In solidarity, Maya gives me a quick hug and I open the car door. I step out and lean inside, holding my hand to Maya with a smile.

“Come on, Maya. I’ll pour us a glass of sparkling juice and find us something sweet to eat. Then I’m taking a much-needed nap!”

Maya climbs out the car and walks side by side with me as I enter my new home for the first time. I pray that whatever Senya finds out from my father is enough to set my life right-side up again.

* * *

I waketo Senya’s deep voice calling my name in the dark. I don't know how long it’s been since Adom and Maya left me to rest, or how long I've been in bed. But when I laid down it was day, and now it is night. I cried until there were no more tears left. Maya held and rocked me until I was physically exhausted. I’m glad Adom insisted we stop to pick her up. She is like the sister I never had. She knows all about the high expectations and pressure we put on ourselves. She understands the nagging pull of addiction. She urged my tears. When they finally stopped, I was drained by the physical release and drifted off to sleep.

Why did my father treat me so badly? He has always been larger than life. Growing up, while others saw him as harsh, I always saw the best in him. Up until I was a teenager, in my eyes he was a father and chief with great responsibility, trying to do the best he could for the people he loved the most. But once my mother died, there were times I found him frightening in the midst of his anger. Not until recently did I ever think he would lay his hands on me, though. Thank God I was able to stop Senya from slicing my father with that blade. The look in my husband’s eyes mirrored a lion’s ready to destroy his prey. My father assaulted me, and in Senya’s mind, it was time for him to die. I’d had to snap him out of it and bring him back to me. I feel powerful knowing I have that effect on him. I know it is because he loves me.He deserves better.

My father’s slap screamed of desperation, and anger. He had been strict and unrelenting when I was a child, but never out of control. When my mother died unexpectedly, though, my father withdrew for an entire year and left servants to look after Thomas and me. I thought he would lose his mind.

He returned as an obstinate, domineering control freak, but not in a purposely malicious way. Most of the time, my father was quite the opposite. He likes food, fun, and laughter, but what I saw tonight was not the father I’ve known in any form. I don't know who that man is. I grieve the image of him I used to hold. I don't know when the grieving will stop, but I know healing starts with me answering Senya as he calls my name.

“Yes, Senya, I'm here,” I call out in the dark. As I stir, the fabric moving on my skin reminds me that I am dressed in black silk pajamas. I faintly remember Maya helping me change into the camisole and shorts earlier. “Are Maya and Adom still here?” I sit up and try to focus. I can barely make out his long body leaned against the door.

“They left when I arrived. The two of them were cuddled up on a couch downstairs. I must remember to thank them tomorrow. How are you feeling?”

I shift and pull the covers back. “I’m fine, but are my father and brother still alive? I am only half joking.” He responds with a sexy chuckle.

“Abena, they are safe. Your father and brother are just as healthy as they were when you left them. But I do not want you thinking about them. I only wanted to come in and tell you good night. Do not worry about anything. I am going to take care of you no matter what.”

I can’t shake the feeling he is hiding something from me. Why is he so distant? Senya has never been in the same room with me and not wanted to get close. Yet there he is, standing at the door. I do not believe for a second that he only came in here to tell me good night.

“Senya, why do I feel like there's something you're not telling me? Whre have you been all afternoon and evening? What did my father and brother have to say? Turn on the light and tell me what was discussed.”

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