The Cursed Queen

Broken Ties and New Plans

Part of me was lost, life here with my mother was better than I could ever imagine. Still, I felt unsettled, the prophecy, my potential death or destruction of the world, and the burden of my power skipped around my mind like a constant reminder. I still couldn't get over my parentage. The man that instilled fear into generations, and had killed women and children alike– was my father. To make matters worse I was related to Zayn of all people.

Though I had hated her, my mother was a needed addition to my life. It had been two weeks since the incident with Queen Varlene and we had bonded. We spent nights together crying, and consoling one another. We shared our hopes and dreams- it felt like a movie. While I was excited I held back- I knew dreams always ended, and their departure always brought nightmares.

"Yemisi" My grandmother calls

I fix my hair and open the door, she squeezes my shoulder and leads me to the dining table. One of my favorite rooms in the Palace. The lights shine on the ceiling and illuminate the room. The orange hue makes the room feel warmer- it was one of the first times I had sat with a family.

I take a seat near my mother and she holds my hand softly.

"How are you, did you rest well"

I nod quietly and give her a small smile, there were a few dishes on the table and I turned to everyone at the table and noticed how many were around there. My grandmother, grandfather, uncle, and aunt-in-law were all sitting at the table.

"Yemisi, are you comfortable with learning more about your powers?" My grandmother questions.

I paused dripping my fork slowly, what was the repercussion of me not tapping into magic.?Since I could wield light and darkness would one be stronger than the other? Would I be able to protect myself from the warriors of Nyx? I would be able to protect everyone, Tunji, Themis, and so many people were involved with me their lives were at stake as well.

"I am I think it would be good for me to rely on a multitude of things, not just hand-to-hand combat"

At this, my Uncle Adebanjo perks up and grins in my direction.

"Are you any good"

I grin. I wasn't one to shrink away from my accomplishments anymore , so when my uncle asked me that question I answered full of confidence.

"Good.... Wouldn't be the right word to describe my skills."

Uncle Adebanjo chuckles at my statement and picks at his steak

"I used to spar back in my day, I would say I was good at it. I could even call it a talent of mine"

His wife Laide smiles and rubs his shoulders.

"Banjo here was a natural there wasn't a kid in our secondary school who could beat him"

I nod and try to erase the image of my 40-year-old uncle in awkward tight wrestling gear. I turn to my mother and watch as she barely adds any to what is said around the table. I knew my mother still held a grudge against her family, and in all honesty, I should have too. But something in me had changed these past few weeks.

It sounds so cliché but I was happier here somewhere I felt like I belonged. Life here was a pleasant change from being spit on and treated like trash because of the color of my skin. While I was still awkward about my new life here, I was still grateful after all this was what I wanted since I was child. I was happy, wasn't I ?

"Yemi join me in my quarters after dinner"My mother commands

I nod quietly and watch as my mother sashays off to her room or her quarters as she fondly dubbed them. I look at my family members and give them an awkward smile, while we weren't close enough for me to excuse my mother's behavior. I felt like I needed to, this situation obviously needed some sort of intervention.