Page 34 of Wrath of the Oracle

He leaned toward her neck. Sholei panicked and tried to take a step back but stilled herself. She wouldn’t run away. She tried not to take in his scent, but his proximity made it impossible. The fragrance of scented smoke and something unique to him assaulted her nose, and the heady scent suited him.

The tip of his nose touched the sensitive skin of her neck, and Sholei gasped at the contact. She leaned back as shock registered on her face.

“Much better.” He winked at her and stood straight. “I wouldn’t want to face you again when you are drunk. You turn even more feisty than normal,” he said, and heatcrept up her neck. She wasn’t dreaming. He had visited her the night before.

Did he come for her the moment he got back to the camp? Why?

“It was my first time drinking. I suppose it won’t be happening again.” She cleared her throat.

“That would be better. I wouldn’t want my soldiers distracted during their training.”

”It was a gift. Don’t fault Agala for indulging me.” Sholei panicked.

“Agala.” His eyes narrowed into slits. “You must be getting comfortable with my men.”

Behind them, Akima chuckled, and Ojore sent him a scathing look.

“He was being appreciative of my skills, unlike someone else.” The last sentence came out haughty. Ojore had kidnapped and imprisoned her inside his war camp, Sholei thought, even after she saved his life. Her payment was being held as a prisoner of war.

“Fair warning, witch. Apart from me, you’re not allowed to cast spells on any other man inside or outside this camp,” Ojore warned, and Sholei couldn’t tell if he was serious or joking with her.

As if. Why would he joke around with you?

“I don’t cast spells…” She started to warn him against calling her a witch but thought it best not to. “I believe you called me here for breakfast.” She decided to get over with the meeting as soon as possible. Maybe Litonde had spoken to him earlier and he had agreed to his request.

“Before that, what do you think about my new robes?” He spread his arms and looked at her expectantly.

Why would he ask her that?

”I hope next time I visit your dreams, I will be more approachable and not a beast.” He leaned in and whispered.

For the second time in such a short period, Sholei was at a loss for words. She stared at him with her mouth open. Everything that had happened the previous night crashed back into her. In horror, she recalled telling him how only monsters visited her dreams.

“I …” she started to explain, but words died in her throat. Her dreams were her worst secrets, and she never revealed them to anyone, aside from Musembi and Tula. Ojore finding out about them didn’t sit well with her.

“You have lost a considerable amount of weight.” He went on in his normal speech like he hadn’t revealed one of her gloomiest secrets. “You will take your meals with me from today on anytime I am in the camp and can spare time,” he declared.

”When did you decide this?” Sholei gaped.

“In this camp, my decisions are final.” He took her arm and led her to the table where a small banquet was set. The warmth of his hand scorched through the heavy material of her coat. He helped her to a seat opposite him. Grilled fish, roasted goat ribs, and thick broth-filled meats were placed in platters beside flasks with warm milk and roasted nuts. On the side was a platter full of different fruits cut in a decorative fashion. Mueni’s signature.

Ojore pushed a cup of warm milk into Sholei’s hands. “Have this. It will warm you up in no time.” Sholei accepted and hoped it would settle her stomach.

“After breakfast, we’ll leave the camp. You had better fill your stomach.” He held her gaze above the steaming cup.

“Where are we going?” Sholei lowered the cup.

“You’ll see.” He gave a half smile. In the morning light, Ojore’s eyes brightened his eyes as he placed slices of meat on her plate.

”Your praises traveled throughout the plain and reached the battlefield. You are quite talented in medicine.” He leaned his elbows on the table. The small action drew Sholei’s eyes to his sinewy bicep, which flexed with the smallest movement. She took a drink to water her throat and forced her eyes back to his face.

“I try my best.” She didn’t know how to react to his praise and chose to shove food into her mouth. Her stomach quivered. The right time to ask about her release had come.

“Your talents will be better recognized back home. Your achievements have been reported to the king, and your reward awaits you in the capital,” Ojore went on. “Litonde would like to recommend you to the Academy of Imperial Physicians. What do you think?”

“Are you going to release me?” Sholei faced him, food forgotten.

“I don’t suppose you would want to live your whole life in the war camp.” Ojore wiped his mouth with a small towel Akima handed him.

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