Page 77 of Wrath of the Oracle

“If that were the case, why would I be here?” Ojore asked. “I want Sholei safe. I want her by my side. Always. Whatever challenges come our way, we’ll face them together.”

“Would you give up your power for her?” Musembi suddenly threw the question.

“My position is the only boulder between me and those who wish her harm,” Ojore said. “As much as I love Sholei, I have a responsibility to my people, too. I can’t ignore either.”

“That is a smart way to say that you aren’t ready to give up your power for her,” Musembi mumbled under her breath, and Ojore angled his head and held her gaze. She broke the staring contest first.

Soon after that, he left, but not before she promised to give him an answer. Musembi watched as the horses galloped away and wondered how she’d survived the presence of the physical manifestation of High Lord Keita, Sholei’s ultimate enemy.

Sholei heldthe bowl in her hands close and savored its warmth. She closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of earth after a light rain. The slow movement of water soothed her nerves. Tula loved the rain. Sholei recalled how they played around in the mud when they were young.

“Enjoying the view?” Ojore’s deep voice called.

He leaned against a painted wooden post that supported the gazebo they stood in, arms crossed on his chest. The structure stood beside river Nkiru, which ran through the palace grounds. Black ducks swam on the water and water lilies graced the surface.

“My Prince.” Sholei set the bowl on the table. She hadn’t heard him approach. Ojore’s movements were as silent as a jungle cat. How long had he stood there watching her?

“Easy.” Ojore helped her straighten, his hand lingered on her elbow. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be resting?” Days had passed since the incident in Tula’s home. Sholei didn’t know what would happen if Ojore hadn’t interfered. She hated that she risked Mueni’s life, and was yet to receive answers as to the whereabouts of her best friend. Her trip was futile.

“I’m much better. I wanted to stretch my legs.” The heat of his palm warmed her more than the bowl of soup. His mere nearness dispelled the cold, and his smoky scent swirled around her.

“How are your injuries?” After she came back from the funeral, Ojore ordered Litonde to check on her. Apart from minor cuts and bruises from the objects thrown ather, Sholei didn’t suffer serious injuries. Ojore punished the men who were to guard her and banned her from leaving the palace without his permission.

“I should be asking you the same. You disappeared last evening. I searched for you,” she replied.

“Did you miss me?” he teased her and tugged on her gold hoop earring.

“It was to check on your eyesight.” Sholei felt warmth coil in her stomach when he smiled at her. “Were you in court?” she added.

“Conquering a kingdom is the easy part. Managing such a large court after the transition is different.” Ojore leaned back on the wooden rails and faced the river. “But no, I wasn’t dealing with court matters.”

“Whatever you do, don’t strain yourself. The poison is still in your body,” Sholei added when he wasn’t forthcoming with his activities the previous night. Ojore held secrets, and so did she. She wasn’t going to push him to divulge his.

“I went to visit Musembi.” He held her gaze and folded his arms on his chest. Sholei’s eyes followed the movement of the fabric of his clothes. She wanted to be in his arms.

“You were at the medicine yard?” Sholei’s eyes grew wide when her mind registered what he said. “Why?”

“I invited Musembi to join us. We’ll leave Mukuru after I settle the court and appoint a new ruler,” Ojore explained.

“What did she say?” Sholei turned from him, anxious for his answer.

“She didn’t give me an answer,” Ojore replied.

”Musembi thinks you’re the enemy. She wouldn’t follow you.” Sholei chuckled nervously. Ojore took her hands in his. Warmth coursed through her body at the contact.

After the humiliation at the funeral, Sholei knew she couldn’t stay in the Mukuru capital any longer. The community turned against her and screamed for her blood. She couldn’t run away with Musembi, either. The older physician had put her life on hold to bring Sholei up, and if Musembi continued to be by her side, she would be ostracized, too. The next best solution for her was to leave with Ojore and travel to the Faye Islands, but she grew hesitant.

“I wouldn’t be sure about that. Despite what you think, Musembi holds you close to her heart. Give her time. She will come around,” Ojore encouraged her.

“I’m afraid I can’t be too sure. The Dembe are her enemies. It would be selfish to ask her to drop everything for me.” Musembi wanted to leave everything and run away with Sholei, but where did that land her? In Ojore’s direct path. Wouldn’t it be better if she stayed behind and far from danger?

“The future will be brighter than now, Sholei. Trust me.” Ojore squeezed her wrists and held them close to his face. The bangles on her wrist clicked with the motion. Sholei managed to smile and pull her hand away. She took a step back. A flash of emotion ran through Ojore’s eyes before he reverted to indifference.

”It’s been years since I have been in Dembe, but I understand how you feel,” Ojore said. They both turned to watch the dark, feathered ducks float on the river.

“When did you leave?” Sholei asked. After their night out, they hardly spoke of his background.

“After my initiation ceremony at the age of ten, I left to join the army. I was barely a man. My grandfather had passed away, and my father ordered me back to court. After I joined the army, I visited Dembe whenever I was summoned by the court, but I didn’t spend much time in the city,” Ojore went on in a monotonous voice.

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