Page 88 of Wrath of the Oracle

“Tula taught me,” Sholei managed to say despite the heaviness in her throat.

“She was a good friend.” Ojore’s face darkened. The possible death of Tula hung above them like a dark cloud.

“Why are you avoiding me?” She searched his gaze. “Did I do something wrong?” She hated how small her voice sounded.

“You could never do wrong in my eyes. When I woke up that morning with you beside me, I wanted to propose marriage.” He gave her a half smile and Sholei’s heart skipped a beat. Marriage? Ojore as her husband. How would it feel to celebrate their relationship before, man, ancestors, and gods?

“You have ambitions Sholei, great ambitions I will always support. As someone in charge of thousands of men who look up to me as a leader, am used to being in control. You told me you wanted to cut off communication once you were in the Faye Islands, and it’s been a challenge for me to accept that. I want to be with you and make you my wife, but the life of a royal might stifle your dreams.”

“Ojore…” Sholei started, but he held up his hand to stop her.

“I don’t want to let you go, Sholei. Despite how you challenge my authority at every turn, you also bring light to my world.” Her heart melted at his confession. “I thought maybe if I delay my treatment and the return to Dembe, you’ll stick around. Am I selfish to want to maintain this state of bliss I found in you?”

“We promised to leave for Dembe together once you complete your duties to the new court.” Sholei turned to him. The pavilion was empty, apart from Mueni and Akima, who stood out of earshot.

”I fear the more I demand from you, the more you’ll feel constricted by me.” Ojore released a deep sigh. “I shouldn’t have ignored you.” He took her hand in his, and she squeezed it in support.

“You’re not the only one overwhelmed by these feelings.” Sholei tugged her hand from Ojore’s and sat on the nearby bench. In the far west, the sun began its descent, casting its warm glow on her face. “Over the past few days, I have come to several realizations. I have no place in Mukuru Kingdom, but I have a chance to become an Imperial Physician. In the past, I never dreamed of falling in love and being happy in a relationship, but here you are considering marriage with me?”

“So you’re admitting your feelings for me?” Ojore took the seat next to her and turned to the setting sun.

“After that night, there is no point in denying I am in love with you.” Sholei chuckled. “But if what the Oracle said is true, no matter how much we feel for each other,it will be for naught. Musembi insists I will find answers about my tattoos on the Faye Islands.”

Ojore said, “I will help you tackle this puzzle. You’re no longer alone. I might not understand why Lord Keita is inhabiting my body, but we’ll work it out together.” He took her hand in his.

“It might be dangerous.” Sholei shook her head as she recalled the Oracle’s revelations. Tula’s dismembered body. Sholei closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She hoped the journey to the Faye Islands would bring answers before the vision came to pass.

“No obstacle is too great for a determined mind,” Ojore said, and Sholei turned to face him. “Don’t lose hope.” He smiled at her, and Sholei reciprocated, glad they had cleared the air. She decided to trust him and look toward the future.

It was better than nothing.

Later that night,Sholei prepared for the selective blood-draining procedure to release the poison. Ojore approached her from behind. He wrapped his hands around her waist and leaned his head on her shoulder.

Sholei sighed. Since he confessed his insecurities earlier that day, she was touched by his vulnerability. Just like her, he was overwhelmed by the feelings they shared.

“I regret keeping away from you,” he whispered and kissed the back of her ear.

“Ojore,” she breathed when his hold tightened. Heat coiled in her lower stomach. The pestle in her hands dropped on the soft carpet by their feet.

“I like it when you call my name.” He turned her around, and Sholei’s heart missed a beat at his ardent gaze. She didn’t trust herself to speak and only hoped her eyes communicated what she couldn’t utter. The dimmed lights added to the charged tension between them. He proceeded to kiss her on the lips, and need hit her at the intimate contact. With a touch of his tongue, Sholei pulled back and gasped for air. Her skin burned hot from head to toe.

“Ojore,” she whispered in the velvety darkness. He molded her into his firm body.

The passion in his gaze almost knocked her off her feet. He leaned down again, the touch of his lips soft. The kiss expressed everything he couldn’t say—his worries, fears, and desires. His gentleness moved her so much, a tear dropped from her eyes. If only time could stand still and she could live in the oblivious cocoon of his arms.

“My Lady, everything is ready. Litonde is waiting outside.” Mueni broke the tender moment between them.

”It will not be easy to break away from the spell you have put on me, witch.” Ojore touched their foreheads together, his breathing ragged.

“When I wake up, will you be here?” he asked, and she nodded.

“Remember, if you leave, I’ll hunt you down.” He chuckled, and Sholei swore no one was going to tear her from Ojore’s side.

Later, with Litonde’s help, she placed him into a deep sleep. They worked in relative silence as Sholei focused her concentration to drain the poisoned blood. The slight cuts on his chest, arms, and other selective parts of thebody enabled her to draw out the coagulated blood that harbored the poison in his body. The process was long and tiresome, and it took them half the night to complete. After, they rubbed medicine on his wounds and bandaged them up.

“With more elders coming in from Dembe court to take over the transition period, Ojore will be free of his duties soon and travel back home,” Litonde started as they washed up. “I look forward to hearing from you when you get to the Faye Islands.”

“Will you be going back to the Dembe capital too?” Sholei asked as she wiped her hands.

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