Women Of Steel | ✔

XVIII

The false bravado fades, tears run down Sade's plump cheeks now, it hits me with the bang of a shotgun, Sade thinks she is going to die. She thinks the king has brought her here to die. My own chest beats harder as I struggle not to show my own emotions, still I feel my mask slip. I wonder what my husband can see, I wonder what the guards can see, I wonder what the prince can see.

Do I look like a woman caught red handed?

He knows, the king knows.

"You look like you swallowed kola nut," Tadenikawo says sourly, he sniffs, looking almost disappointed. The prince looks at me with narrowed eyes, he must suspect something.

"Tani obirin yi?" I ask, pointing a shaking finger in Sade's direction.

Something like realization dawns on the king's face and my knees feel like they could give up on me any moment from now. I almost close my eyes, to await the cold grip of the guards and the metal cuffs.

My rebellion is over before it started.

"Wait, you think I will kill this young woman?" He sounds incredulous.

Relief blooms in my chest, and I relax instantly, the obvious sigh of relief is my mistake, my husband does not notice, but the prince does. His eyes narrow even more. The last thing I need is another cunning man poking his nose in my business.

I stumble to the cold wall, leaning against it. The thought of Tadenikawo finding out about my plans before they bloom has taken ten years from my lifespan.

"You won't?" I ask, infusing false confidence in my voice. "You are a monster after all."

My statement seems to rub away all the sunshine and goodwill in his eyes, his gold eyes darken in anger. He turns to his guards and only a flash of his eyes and they stumble out, leaving the four of us in my chambers, Sade, the prince, my husband and I.

"Count yourself lucky today," He snaps. I watch him with fists clenched as he walks to a kneeling, chained Sade and pulls her up roughly. A whimper escapes her lips as his nails dig into her flesh. Again, I catch a glimpse of claws.

Fear douses my fire like cold water.

"You are hurting her." I warn lowly, unable to keep the protectiveness out of my voice.

He seems to realize his fault as he drops his hand swiftly. Tadenikawo breathes heavily, in anger? I cannot tell. Sade hunches slightly as if expecting his harsh slap.

I realize I have taught women how to fear the king, I told them of tales of his wickedness, I did not tell them how to fight a king. Any of them would collapse at the feet of the king.

"Kabiyesi, what we planned to discuss." The prince, Tobi says softly to the king. I doubt his ability to raise his voice in anger, he seems to speak carefully, as if raising his voice could cause him to spill secrets. Voices like his are the most deadly, this prince continues to give me more reasons to distrust him or maybe I am just so broken that trust is a luxury I cannot afford.

"I am not a monster." Tadenikawo says to me. The usual anger is absent, only a flatness.

Sade blanches visibly.

"Why is this woman here?" I ask.

"She will accompany you as your handmaid to the forest king's village. Along with prince Oloruntobiloba who will be a common slave in disguise." I sneak a glance at the prince to see him already staring at me, I glare until he shifts his gaze away, not before I catch the smile tugging at his lips.