Women Of Steel | ✔

XX

We made it to chapter twenty. This is the last chapter in part two, the next part has this novella set into full motion, the forest king arrives in a chapter or two 😉. There will be no updates for the next two weeks or so because of my exams. Enjoy the chapter and don't forget to leave a vote or comment.

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My eyes flutter open, then lazily glance around. Quickly, I sit up with a mixture of fear and awe, the emotions are strange and cause an unpleasant tightening in my chest. The first thing I notice is my clothes, I am now wearing a flimsy white garment with thin straps. I feel empowered yet vulnerable.

With a wry, bitter smile, I realize that if my husband saw me in this, he would most likely lock me up for the rest of my miserable life so nobody would ever see me. Then I would retaliate by sneaking men into my chambers, Tadenikawo would then strangle me and paint his walls with my blood. I would have gladly died than be locked away in his fortress.

My fingers caress the smooth material as I scan the environment with a warrior's gaze, I'm still in front of the river but I am alone. A traitorous gasp escapes my lips.

The river is cleaner and clearer than it looked before and the glittering stars above make it appear transparent and ethereal.

It stretches far and far, seeing the end of the river is impossible, even as I squint my eyes. The river is a world of it's own, there is nothing but it, no trees, no plants, no living soul.

It is the world and everything must worship it, including the sky, it's stars, the moon and me.

I am well aware that I am not conscious and that I am safe in the arms of the priest but the sheer beauty of the river Esimirin makes me want to sink to my knees and worship it.

I take a frightened step back, feet sinking into the plush cold sand.

My eyes flutter shut in a bid to draw in internal strength and when I open it, a startled shriek escapes my mouth.

Slowly, a woman emerges right from the water, perhaps the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, her beauty strikes a deep and strange jealousy in me. Her luminous white hair cascades down her brown skin and her dress is carved out of glaring diamonds of different colours. Cold lips curve into a smile, and her startling blue eyes glitter with something malevolent.

She floats right above the water, arms spread wide as she lets out the shrillest whistle. I stumble backwards, half shaking in terror.

Fear wraps me thick like a blanket, it seems to choke me and the woman revels in it.

"Esimirin." I choke out, will I live, now that I have a seen a deity in the flesh.

She smiles catlike and sharp. Ifatunji's words come back to ring in my head, the river spirit is a trickster spirit.

To trick the trickster, you have to be the trickster.

"Daughter of fire." She says, voice like a crow. Her voice is not beautiful like her.

Esimirin tilts her head to the left, the water ripples and stills. The wind is absent in this unusual realm and I shiver, feigning bravado is easier said than done.

"What is it that you seek?" She hums a laugh. "Most people do not seek me because of my charming company."

"I seek your protection." I grit the words out like they are being torn from my slender throat. Fear or not, my pride still stands strong. The spirit knows this too and her smile becomes sharper.

"Yet you would rather get help from anywhere else." She shrugs an elegant shoulder.

"Tell me, daughter of fire, do I scare you?"