Jabari's Pride

Chapter 10: Strange Symptoms and Possibilities

Chapter 10:

€¥€ Strange Symptoms and Possibilities €¥€

• Princess Maha's P.O.V •

I smiled at her witty mouth and her lively personality. "Well, aren't you an adorable little girl. Now your sister, Myza, referred me over here when I asked for a place to buy exotic flowers. She personally told me that she grew it herself. I have an idea of what I want but could you tell me what you offer?"

I woke up in my moon-lit bedroom screaming, panting and drenched in my own sweat. My maids sleeping in the other room didn't even stir. They were already used to my frequent outburst. I wrapped one of the scattered blankets on the bed around my body to cover my light night-wear before getting up and walking to the balcony. The sun hadn't woken up yet and neither had the people. I sat down on the rocking cushioned chair and felt the refreshing early morning air on my sweaty cocoa skin.

From here I could see the grand and wide organized structure of the kingdom and beyond that laid the thick wild jungle. The jungle that was said to hold many ancient secret and balance both evil and good. The jungle that I had miraculously explored many miles of during the hunt in a matter of a few hours that would've taken a 5 days journey for the best warriors.

I remember reading that the jungle had protected an entire wild civilization from getting wiped out. Knowing the way around the jungle could someday save your life. When I had asked Kwane, my mentor, about it, he replied; "There are certain sacred things that the people of the jungle know and those things help them survive it's harsh environment. It's only when we became a selfish and uncaring people that we lost our connection with nature and the ancient ways."

Looking at the fading moon, I sighed from all the burden I've been holding in. Lately it seemed as though everything was falling apart. Today was the day before my birthday and my father was to arrive when the sun was at it's highest. I had told my brother about Omari and his schemes but I knew there wasn't anything he could do about it because I didn't stay long enough to hear their full plan.

"Besides," Prince Taharqa had said. "Nowaka is father's favorite advisor and an excellent trader. There's no way father would believe he's trying to overthrow him, if that's even possible, and he'll question why you even left the palace. We have no other favorable options but to be watchful."

However, that was the least of my worries. I was slowly becoming aware of strange signs and ability appearing on my body and in my dreams. Strange as in; my maids discovered small white hairs growing on my body, I was able to control the growth and length of my nails and teeth, my temper grew worse and I would have these intense dreams of a heart-broken man. A man that urgently called out to me... a man that I strangely yearned to love and hold in my arms. To erase the sorrow and bitterness that strained his voice, to caress his handsome face and listen to his angelic voice that had possessively claimed me as his.

My heart, soul and body ached for him and it was a battle between my emotions and accepting the truth. I was falling for a dangerous man that couldn't possilbly exist. An amazing figment of my imagination. But I couldn't get him out of my mind, his desperate call to me was too real and agonizing to ignore.

'Snap yourself out of it. What is wrong with you?' A sensible voice in my head says. I sighed heavily. If only I could find him and gain my parents approval to marry him; the man of my dreams. But I knew it was just wishful thinking.

"Princess... Would you like to come in now? Your breakfast has been prepared." Riza's voice said snapping me back to reality. The sun was rising and the land was beginning to wake up. Every one was no doubt preparing for my birthday.