ו○Our lives begin at dawn, like the sun rising into the sky but we always seem to forget that it too must set and end at dusk.○•×

“A very good morning to my beautiful wife,” Makhosi’s deep baritone voice greeted me, disrupting my peaceful slumber.

“It is too early for it to be a good morning.” I mumbled back in response before burying my face deeper into the soft pillow which caused deep chuckles to escape him. ” And your beautiful wife tires from the heavy duty of carrying your son.”

“You mean our son and every morning you open your beautiful eyes will always be a good morning because I get to spend it with you.” I could imagine his breathtaking smile curling onto his plump lips which caused butterflies to flutter in my stomach.

“Please do not burden my ears with your sweet words; it is far too early for that and also I believe that the rooster has not even crowed yet.” The words were muffled but still audible, as I could feel the space beside me dip with his weight.

“I’ll burden your ears every chance I get my queen, that is a promise.” He paused settling down the tray of breakfast which caused the cutlery to clatter against each other. “Plus it’s just before noon, I asked Azile not to wake you.”

“Before noon?”

My body jolted up causing the harsh rays of the high sun to pierce my eyes. ’Why had he allowed me to sleep in that late into the day?’ I could do nothing but wonder until he spoke once more.

“You looked very exhausted this morning when I awoke. I assumed you would want to rest especially since the Karanga tribe is departing today.” He began to stir the peanut butter flavoured mealie meal porridge, before taking a spoonful and carefully raising it to mouth, prompting me to open which I did.

I couldn’t shake the humorous idea that Makhosi, the fierce king of two tribes would be found feeding his wife breakfast every morning, it sounded like a dream rather than a reality, to be served by a king. I guess besides his loving nature I could do nothing but fall for his sweet personality; he was king by nature and not nurture.

“I know you can’t stand the smell of fried eggs, so today I made quail eggs along with thin strips of beef and loaf of bread. I hope you will like it.” I couldn’t ignore the concern and sincerity laced into his tone as worry pooled into his mud brown orbs which resembled a small child seeking approval.

”My king, did you put yourself through all this trouble to make me breakfast?” I asked him, which resulted in a shy smile crossing his beautiful features before he nodded. It came as a small surprise since Makhosi had begun making it his number one priority to take care of me especially after the ceremony.

I hadn’t realised Makhosi had uncovered the large plate of food until the mouth watering scent wafted into my nose. My eyes shifted between the overflowing plate of food and Makhosi, ‘How was I meant to finish that?’

“Do you not like it?” He asked worriedly.

“No, it’s just a bit too much for me alone, would you mind sharing with me?”

A smile began tugging at the corner of his mouth,” Of course not, my queen. Sharing a meal with you is nothing else but an honour.”

The morning’s events continued to replay in my head like an endless loop causing the familiar sensation of fluttering butterflies combined with the heat rushing up my cheeks as well as an involuntary smile that curled onto my lips. I tried to remain focused; my hands carefully began ironing out the creases of the short cotton dress Makhosi had gifted me from the traders, I could remember his words echoing throughout the walls of my ears as the memory surfaced. The large wooden trunk was filled with various clothes all a different type of fabric. “The love of my life, the beautiful woman carrying my child deserves nothing less but the best all the land has to offer.” He had announced before making me try on every outfit in the trunk as well as the jewellery present.

“My queen,” Azile’s soft voice immediately drew me out of my thoughts.

“Yes Azile?”

“The king requests that you join him, that is unless you feel weary then he’d allow for you to rest. He does strongly suggest you stay indoors out of the reach of the blistering rays of the sun.” Her smile grew as she continued, “The king would prefer that you rest.”

“The king is almost as worried if not worse than a wife with a wandering husband.” A small laugh escaped my lips, “I’ll be joining the king, and hopefully you two have not joined alliances like powerful armies ready to drown me in luxury.”

“My queen, your state is very delicate.”

I carefully rose to my feet before heading towards the door, my shoulder gently brushing against Azile. “I am a pregnant woman not a fragile piece of glass.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Azile called after me which cause a smile to etch into my face as the scorching heat to slither round my skin. It wasn’t just hot, it felt like the furnace of hell had made its home here, but I expected nothing less from the southern lands; old wives proclaimed the land was cursed to drink the blood of its enemies in order to quench its thirst. I never believed it because the southern lands were naturally hot, but the visions from the ancestors had begun to make me think otherwise.

After the ceremony, sleep hadn’t come easy maybe because I began to fear my dreams, to lose myself in the horrific visions brought to me by the ancestors. Blood smeared across my face and dripping from my hands as clouds of smouldering smoke rose up into the dark sky. People piled up like maize plants after harvest ready to be burned so they replenish the soil. The visions were always different the idea was still the same; pain, suffering and blood. However I didn’t understand why I feared the guilt that consumed me than I feared the flaming fire around me, perhaps guilt is a greater monster than pain.

I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt, it felt like maggots feasting on my conscience and no amount of distraction could save me. The beauty of the lush green trees, the birds singing in the forest even Kukalela my pet leopard could do nothing but sense my distress and tryto calm me by rubbing his small head against me. I couldn’t ignore the guilt, but I couldn’t understand why, perhaps all that pain the bloodshed was because of me. Maybe I was going to be the monster my mother had always said I’d be.  The thought caused fear to crawl up my spine, what if I’d become their worst nightmare; death in the flesh.

“Nohereka?”

Makhosi’s voice drowned my ears pulling me out of the dark evils of my mind. I found it difficult to focus on his words as the visions kept flashing before my very eyes. His arms carefully wrapped themselves against my waist and it felt like my world was spinning.

“Nohereka?” His voice called out to me the fear could’ve been mistaken for urgency.

Seemed like moments had gone by and I had finally regained consciousness, my eyes adjusted to the high sun along with its searing heat. Worry was etched into the beautiful features of Makhosi’s face as his eyes bore deeply into mine searching for something.

“What happened?” His voice was thick, deeper than usual perhaps because of the emotions swirling in his eyes like a river during fishing season.

“It’s nothing.” It was a quiet response, small and almost inaudible.

His gaze firmly held onto mine and by the look of it this conversation was far from over and only a miracle could save me.

“King Makhosi?” King Chatunga called to him.

Thank the ancestors for this miracle.

“It has honestly been a pleasurable stay and I honestly could never find the words thank you and queen Nohereka for hosting us and for giving us back our home. I hope to repay the favour one day even though it seems our tribe will forever be indebted to you.” He spoke to us sincerity and gratitude powdering his words.

“No need to thank us King Chatunga we are blood and family will always protect family.”Makhosi responded as a smile plaster his plump lips as the four wives stepped forward.

“Thank you for hosting us my queen, we truly indebted to you. We wish you well in your journey of motherhood and a safe delivery.” The three wives said in unison, you could feel their fear shaking through the cracks of their practiced speech and the weight of the eyes against the dusty floor felt like an elephant’s foot.

“It was a pleasure to host you all.” I responded before a smile crossed my lips, at least they had learnt respect.
Runako trailed behind them, surprising me with a hug that felt like a pythons hold. “My queen I shall miss you very dearly, I’d grown accustomed to your company along with Azile.” I could hear the sobs choking her words which cause a sad smile to cross my lips.

“You’re always welcome to visit.”

“I really want to be present during the birth of your son, my queen.”

“I’ll send a messenger when I am almost due.”

Runako pulled back revealing her tear stained face and a small smile,”I won’t miss it.“

I could do nothing but watch as their tribe headed back towards their land. All the doubt and anxiety I had felt about trusting them was all gone and all that would remain is a lifetime bond of family. I began to dread having to walk back to the royal quarters with Makhosi demanding an explanation for the weird occurrence earlier but once again I was saved by a miracle although this time is wasn’t as comforting as the last. A small boy had been running towards us seeming to almost trip on his feet, my stomach dropped when I saw the look on his face.

“My king, Asukumi has just passed away during childbirth.”

It took my mind longer to register what he had just said then it hit me like a ton of granite bricks. Asukumi was Vikali’s pregnant wife.

♡♡♡♡♡♡

Hello my sugar honey muffins🥰

It is me, your author back and ready to get cracking with more chapters for all of you. First thank you for your support it means so much to me😪. Secondly I'll be updating more regularly, I hope. Hope you're all well.

I also want to shout out my friend @JoshVombo Author of Black and Love, please if you have the time please check it out. It would mean the most to me. ❤

That's it from me...

With lots of Love

Maniac_lunatic

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