Page 13 of The Promise Born
The queen looked me up and down. I could see the disgust on her face. I did not measure up in her opinion. I stood there, a low-level chef in my flour-dusted uniform, the smell of baking bread filling the air. Her disapproval pierced deeper than any argument with my mother had ever done.
I pulled my hand away from Asante as his mother stepped closer.
“We need to talk about this.” She scrunched her nose as she glanced at me. “Alone.”
Taking the not-so-subtle hint, I bowed and ran the hell out of there. As I dashed back to my room. I was sure this was it. The queen would issue an order for the aides to send me away!
Asante had tried to change the game, but his mother still ran the court.
I made it back to my room, cleaned up, and changed into my travel clothing. I’d twisted my long, thick locs, which now reached nearly my waist, into a neat bun and pinned them at the crown of my head when a knock came on the door. The sound echoed through the quiet room.
“It’s me.” Asante’s voice, quieter and less confident than before, called in to me.
“Come in,” I answered, ready to be told the Queen wanted me gone.
When he walked into the room, the joy for my anticipated freedom dissipated and a renewed anger replaced it. Once the door was closed behind him, I marched over to him and slapped him right across the cheek. The sound echoed around us as he grabbed his cheek and cursed under his breath.
“Have you lost your mind?” He looked at me, his own rage in his eyes.
“Never kiss me without my permission.” It was all I could do not to hit him again. “I don’t care who you are or what crown you wear on your head. I’m not a toy to be used when you want to upset your mother.”
“You’re right. I was out of line.” He nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Why would you do that?” I huffed. “Why would you put me in that position?”
“I saw an opportunity to shut my mother up, and I took it.” His callous words did little to calm my nerves.
“Shut her up? You think this is going to shut her up?” I stepped away from him. “How does making me look bad shut her up?”
“In hindsight, probably not.” He adjusted his collar. “You saw how she is. Pushy, overbearing.”
“I can’t say from what I just saw that I would classify her as anything but a mother shocked to see her son kissing—a stranger. Besides, even if that is the case, do you think that means you can just have your way with anyone?”
“I apologized and yet you’re still going on with it.”
“You call that an apology? You know what, you’re right. I shouldn’t continue with the topic. Instead, I’m going to pack my things and leave.”
“What?” He grabbed my arm when I turned from him. My eyes dropped to the point of unapproved contact, and he let me go.
“I’m not staying here, and you can’t force me to.” I boasted.
“Technically,” He started, surely about to throw his weight as prince in my face.
“Technically, maybe. But do you want to explain to your mother why you’re forcing the woman you kissed so freely to stay here?” I challenged him. “Do you think I won’t make a fuss for everyone to hear? I’m sure it will make it back to her. Just like my walk made it back to you.”
“What exactly do you have that’s so good to go back to?” he asked. “I can provide everything you need here.”
“Let’s see, mylife…freedom!” I threw my hands up. “I would thinkyouwould understand that?”
The prince took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. I watched him as he considered how to continue the conversation. What could he possibly say to convince me not to leave?
When he looked back at me, his eyes pleaded for my empathy again. “Please, just stay long enough for the games to be over. Once that is done, I’ll deal with my mother. But as long as you’re here, I think she will stay off my case. If you could just pretend to love me, I will let you go as soon as this is done.”
“You want me to pretend to love you?”
“Yes, it’s called acting. You’ve heard of it, right?” he smirked. “I’ll even make sure you get all the time you want to roam in the fields like you seem to love to do. As long as you make your treats for me. The real ones, not those things you served me today.”
“How long?” I contemplated his offer. Maybe there was a way I could get something out of this arrangement for myself.
