Page 40 of Wrath of the Oracle

From the moment she met Ojore, their fates intertwined. Litonde told her she was recruited for her talent. Ojore called her a war prisoner, but she was given free rein in the camp albeit the close scrutiny by his guards. When they shared breakfast, he offered to let her attend the Academy and brought her to Princess Ngele’s wedding. Was that how war prisoners were treated? Did he have feelings for her?

She dreamed of home, but would they accept her after her months-long stay at the Dembe camp? It wasn’t as if they had treated her better previously. If she returned to Mukuru, Gane might not want to work with her after the rumors of her being Ojore’s concubine, his enemy. Sholei closed her eyes in frustration. How did her life turn messy?

The offer of attending the Academy in the Faye Islands offered her a way out. Hadn’t she dreamed of working for the affluent in the capital? Dembe was the most advanced city in the north and if Litonde was right, most physicians dreamed of working there. The pay was good and the physicians received a lot of benefits for their close association with the nobles. If the respect and admiration she had received in the war camp were anything, her best bet was to study and work for Dembe City. But at what cost?

Sholei excused herself from her hosts and stalked outside the room, away from the noise and merry making. Back home, she had witnessed the wedding celebrations from afar. She and Tula would join the crowd on the streets after the bride’s wedding convoy, but she didn’t enter the venues for fear of rejection.

The feeling of participating in a royal wedding overwhelmed her. Sholei took in the sights, scents, and merriment to her fill. She didn’t know when she would attend such a glamorous event again.

A small girl with flowers tucked in her hair stopped before her as she neared the wide doors and held out a bouquet of wildflowersto Sholei.

“This is for you.” The little girl stretched the blossoms to Sholei and revealed a toothy grin. Her hair bounced on her head. Sholei bent as she took the fresh-scented bunch.

“Thank you.” Sholei inhaled the fragrant scent.

“The prince asked me to deliver them.” The young girl turned to the door, her wooly hair swaying with the effort. She dashed past Sholei to join her friends, who beckoned her. Sholei smiled at the innocence of youth and walked outside the room past milling people laughing and dancing.

“Join us.” A young woman pulled her toward a group of inebriated youngsters. They danced to the music with drinks in their hands and their faces lit with glee.

“You will have to wait for your turn.” Ojore appeared by her side and hooked her arm to his elbow. Sholei hadn’t heard him approach. He moved silently, like a wild cat.

“Pardon, Prince Ojore, we didn’t know…” the woman fumbled for words. Her friends behind her nodded in agreement.

“Maybe I will join you later,” Sholei chuckled at their apprehension. Until recently, she had feared Ojore too, but she had learned he was more man than beast.

Ojore tugged her closer, and the muscle under her fingers flexed. Sholei tried to ignore his scent as he led her down a narrow street lit with warm lanterns.

“Thank you for the flowers.” She didn’t know what else to say as they strolled away from the wedding hall.

“Do you like them?” His eyes searched her face. Under the warm lights, his features softened. It was easy to forget about his deadly persona when he put away his war armor.

“They are beautiful. It’s a pity they will wither and die after tonight.” Sholei inhaled their scents again, and the soft petals brushed against her skin.

“Even though flowers are delicate, they can last long with good care.” Ojore reached down and plucked one stalk from the bunch. He stopped her and placed the stem behind her right ear. Sholei held her breath as his callused finger brushed against the soft skin behind her ear when he adjusted her headscarf.

“I’m afraid nothing lasts that long.” Her voice came out strained, his gentle demeanor taking her by surprise.

“You can’t be certain without trying.” He held her gaze for a few moments before he linked their fingers together.

“Did you enjoy the wedding?” He continued to walk like nothing happened. To a passerby, they painted a picture of lovers taking a stroll.

“Your sister is beautiful,” Sholei recalled Princess Ngele’s ear-to-ear smile throughout the ceremony. Earlier, she and the now-titled Lord Odende left the wedding hall to retire for the night.

“Why didn’t you tell me I’d be attending a royal wedding? I didn’t bring any gifts,” she asked him.

“Living with men of war can be a different experience. I brought you out to have a change of environment,” he explained. “Besides, the amount of assets I gave Ngele will cover for that indiscretion.”

“I’m sure the princess appreciates your presence more than any gift you could present her.” When a woman got married, her family accompanied her with different gifts, the best of which were assets in terms of precious metalssuch as gold. To have Ojore present such a gift to his sister portrayed how much he valued her. Sholei sighed with subtle jealousy. How nice would it be to have a brother? Tula’s face popped in her head, and Sholei sniffed back tears.

“After this war settles and I report back to the court, I’ll accompany you to the Faye Islands.” Ojore held her gaze. She peeked under her eyelashes at him and found his gaze on her.

“Can I choose where to work after I complete my studies?” she asked. Maybe he’d let her go back to Mukuru. Back to Musembi and Tula.

“The condition before I let you go to the Academy was to work for Dembe capital.” He narrowed his gaze at her. “There is nothing for you back in Mukuru.” Ojore’s back tensed before he faced her. “Soon it will fall under Dembe.”

“When that happens, what will happen to my family and friends?” Sholei tried to keep the desperation out of her voice. She missed Musembi, Tula, and her life in the medicine yard.

“You’re more concerned about something else?” Ojore’s voice tensed.

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