•°○°• Blood will always be thicker than water •°○°•

My arms held Zithukuthuku, causing him to nestle his head into my neck, it had been three months since I had adopted him and nursed him as my own. I was heading towards the kitchen, searching for Azile who had mentioned something about making lunch.

I found her, carefully stirring the middle sized pot of sadza. “Azile,” I called for her, trying to get her attention to which I was met by her radiant smile as she looked up at me.

“My queen,” she acknowledged as she continued stirring the bubbling sadza before placing the lid over the pot. “How is our youngest warrior, today?” She asked as her fingers gently pinched Zithukuthuku’s cheeks which earned hear a little squeal. His small hands stretched towards her, beckoning her to take him out of my grasp which she did.

I was thankful because being seven months pregnant was beginning to take a toll on my body. I founding it increasingly difficult to do even the smallest task of carrying Zithu or even Kukalela my pet leopard that was nearly the size of a large dog. Makhosi always took Kukalela hunting, which unsurprisingly made it easier for the hunters to spot and catch the prey however he would always complain about having to hunt two animals; one being for the tribe and the other for Kukalela. I found the scenario hilarious because of Makhosi’s sulking faces which always so cute to see especially when he was complaining.

“My queen, I was wondering if you’d still want to have Sadza, chicken and fried okra?” she questioned me as she carried Zithu in her arms.

“Yes, surprisingly I haven’t had a change of heart.”A small bubble of laughter escaped my lips.

“That is very surprising considering you changed your breakfast six times.” She added which caused us to laugh.

“I forgot to ask, how are you and Vikali?” I teasingly asked which caused a shy smile to grace her lips.

“My queen, nothing is – “She had begun trying to avoid the topic which caused me to immediately interrupt her.

“I am sure Vikali would disagree with that, maybe it’s just my opinion but I have seen you two sneaking around during the evenings. Perhaps I could be blind, or just gravely mistaken.” A smirk tugged the corner of my lips which made Azile’s smile widen as she turned her back towards me. I was right, it was them sneaking around.

“My queen, it’s far from that really. I am just helping him with his night terrors, he struggles to sleep and he finds it easier to sleep with me around. “Her sad eyes met mine before she continued, “I fear to pursue him, Asukumi’s family suspects I had something to do with her death and should I make my feelings for him public,” Her eyes fell onto Zithu who was sleeping comfortably on her chest. “I would be judged for a crime committed by nature.”

I couldn’t help but feel pity for her, here she was finally having the chance to pursue the love of her life and yet fate always found a way to keep them apart after nearly giving them the chance to be happy. “Your time together will come, you can’t keep a seed hidden in the soil forever. There shall come a time where your love for him will grow and rise from the depths of where it was hidden, but until then my dearest friend, you can do nothing but wait. Only God can bless a cursed love story and the ancestors can only watch the future unfold.” That’s all I could say to her and yet she rose from her seat beside me with a hopeful smile.

“I can only hope our time will be soon. I tire from having to love him from a distance, let alone from the shadowy existence of the night. But maybe one day our star crossed mess of a love story, all the pain and betrayal  will highlight the ability to go against all the odds, all in the name of uniting two lost souls meant to be one” She confessed as she carefully handed me a sleeping Zithu as she went to tend to the pot.

His small head gently rested against my shoulder as I stood up, I secured his small body which was gently pressed against my chest his small feet slightly above my bulging stomach. I was going to put him to sleep in the cradle that had been hand crafted for him by the lands finest carpenters.

“I am just going to put him to bed Azile, I will be back shortly.” I mentioned before my feet carried me towards the kitchen huts wooden door. It was there to my surprise my eyes laid onto Yariiwa, the tribe’s messenger; I had last seen him when he was brutally wounded by Chirambo, Zithaka’s right hand man. He had recovered very well which I thanked the ancestors for.

“Salutations of the day, my queen.” He greeted, before slightly bowing down to me as a sign of respect.

“It is great to see you, Yariiwa.” I responded before allowing the confusion to etch itself deeply into my face, “What brings you to the royal quarters? Is there a problem that needs to be addressed?”

He began to shuffle his feet before he dropped his gaze, “Well I do have a message for the king.”

“Oh no worries then, I am sure I will be able to pass on the message.” My eyes finally met his as I continued, “What is it that you need to tell him?”

“My queen, I wouldn’t want to task you with my duty as a messenger let alone worry.” He rambled; I could immediately tell he was lying. He was nervously picking at his fingers avoiding any form of eye contact with me which was odd. ‘What was going on?’ I thought to myself before I spoke once more.

“Yariiwa, I am not very fond of repeating myself.” I narrowed my eyes at him; my dormant rage was beginning to stir deeply with me.

“Forgive me, my queen but the king said not to disclose any information. He said if I did he would have my head.” He was hesitant fearful of Makhosi.

“And what do you think, I will do to you?”

“Far worse than he could ever do to me.” He squeaked, his eyes remained glued to the floor.

“If you know that then I suggest you start talking before you end up on the wrong side of me.”

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Don't forget to;
Vote 🌟
Comment 💬
And Share

With love from❤

Maniac_lunatic