Women Of Steel | ✔

XXVIII: TADENIKAWO

Double update because you guys fucking deserve it!

***

Kabiyesi Tadenikawo is tethering on his own weight.

The once mighty king is on the sharp end of a cliff, a single move or push will send him toppling to his end. Tadenikawo cannot recall the last time he hoped, the last time he felt the fresh air of hope.

Life continues to shock him, the woman standing before him is a carbon copy of the witch who cursed his father, the daughter of the woman who cursed him and doomed his kingdom.

He shakes his head, half present and his mind deep down the rabbit hole of memory. The stories his father told him when he was barely an adult.

Remilekun was his father's first wife, the only person Kabiyesi Gbadamosi ever loved. The late king would have torn the world in two for his beloved, she was his first and only love, the woman who held sway over his decisions.

Gbadamosi worshipped her, and he despised her. One thing Tadenikawo remembers about his father was his loathing and obsession with control, love only took that control away, so as much as he loved Remilekun, he also hated her.
Evil men are never content with what they have until they ruin it and that was what Gbadamosi did, he rebelled against his wife, he raped and got a servant woman pregnant, Tadenikawo's own mother.

The queen was heartbroken for she could not have a child of her own. Although, it was forbidden for royalty to marry commoners, Gbadamosi was forced to marry Tadenikawo's mother; Ibukun by his cabinet especially because of the child she was pregnant with.

The child that the queen would never have. Gentle, and peace loving Ibukun was thrust into a life she never wanted, hated for her commoner status by the whole kingdom and also hated by the king and his queen.

Remilekun and Gbadamosi were never the same again, they clashed, all love erased like a bad memory. The queen disobeyed the king and had numerous lovers behind his back and for every lover the king found out, he had a finger cut off from her hands.

It still did not stop the queen.

Ibukun was caught in the crossfire. Nothing changed, the queen whored, the king ruled, not until Tadenikawo was born.

The birth of the then prince took Remilekun's jealously to the skies. Remilekun was said to have possessed special skills gifted to her by the gods.

She was an enchantress and with her power, she cursed the kingdom and it's king.

A king who could not love, and a woman who would destroy the kingdom with her fury.

The cycle began with Gbadamosi, and continues with Tadenikawo. After she cursed the kingdom, Remilekun was never seen again, but Tadenikawo has seen her, the night his own father died.

The curse is why Tadenikawo refuses to touch his wife, Demilade, for the fear of the curse being transferred to whatever children they might have. There is a twisted riddle attached to the curse too, a riddle that can solve it but not even the wisest men have been able to understand it's words.

The woman destined to destroy the kingdom is it's saviour too.

For years, Tadenikawo has thought the curse will be broken if Demilade falls in love with him, but that is a universe that will never come to reality. Demilade cannot love him, just as he cannot love her.

But now, seeing Remilekun's offspring before him, he wonders if she can undo the curse.

"You knew my mother." The woman, Tara states.

Tadenikawo glances at her again, while he did not know Remilekun apart from the stories he was told, he is certain that her daughter is like her in looks and mannerisms.

"That is not important, what is important is what I called you here for." Tadenikawo dismisses her words.

Defiance flashes in her eyes but she remains quiet, Tadenikawo sighs, he is tired of defiant women who question his words at every beck and call. Even Omolara his sister, who used to look up to him for answers and direction now talks back at him.

His defiant sister does not know the extents he goes to protect her from the evil world, but she does not understand and chooses to give him the cold shoulder. Tadenikawo has not seen her since yesterday.

"As you wish your Majesty," She says quietly and Tadenikawo cannot help but compare her with Demilade. His wife is all barks and shouts, Tara is a brutally soft woman, she is the kind that whispers well wishes into your ears as she stabs you in the back.

Tadenikawo shifts his gaze to Babatunde, a silent command as he collapses back on his throne, stretching out his legs in reckless abandon.

Babatunde clears his throat before speaking.

"The king wants to thank you for your help, but it is still unsafe to leave the palace, out there, you will be murdered in cold blood by angry villagers." Babatunde says. "Your supposed trial will be delayed until we find a solution to these plagues."

Tara nods, Tadenikawo watches several emotions flash in her face before she settles for indifference.

"As you wish, Your Highness." She states. "I must warn you, there is no cure for this plague. More evils are to come."

Kosoko -- stupid as usual -- the king thinks, laughs. "What do you know, witch."

Tadenikawo shakes his head subtly. Most times, the king questions why Kosoko remains his right hand man. The only reason Kosoko still holds that position is because he is the only one willing to do the dirty jobs that the king's cabinet refuses to do.

Kosoko finds glee in wicked things.

Babatunde, no matter how fierce, maintains a code of honor, despite his glaring hate for disobedient women.

Ifatunji is too pure, too good to partake in dirty jobs.

"I know you did not kill your husband, I know you have strange powers that you cannot explain, why else do you think I have kept you around for days Tara. Your abilities suit my agenda." The king drawls, feeling the first spark of power in days as fear lights up her expression.

For days, he has had his wife taken from him, his kingdom half gone and for three days, he was missing from the palace, only to return with little memory and claws for fingers and blood dried on his clothes. His self esteem and control is in shambles and he wonders when Gbadamosi's next bastard will show up.

"You are dismissed, when I have uses for you, then you will be summoned." He waves a stiff hand.

For a moment, the woman does nothing but stares at him creepily but as she makes a move to stride away, her body begins to jerk uncontrollably. Kosoko lets out a low expletive of fear as Ifatunji quickly darts to her, saving her from falling to the ground.

Tadenikawo rises quick, in dismay.

Tara's eyes squeeze shut then open, now a strange milky white. A shiver runs down his spine as those eyes lock with his golden gaze.

Her mouth opens wide to speak.

"They are coming,"