Page 28

“ P rince Ojore, I want to congratulate you on your success in conquering the Mukuru Kingdom.” An elderly man from the Dembe court bowed down before Ojore. Ojore held court in the great hall of Mukuru Palace. Bright morning light filtered through the expansive windows. A month ago, the throne belonged to King Gusiwaju, but now Ojore occupied it.

“How is Father faring?” Ojore signaled for the man to rise. He disliked holding court, but he was in charge since they were yet to appoint a new ruler. Behind his throne, the statue of Lord Keita towered and cast the throne in its shadow.

“The king is doing well. He acknowledges your victory and wishes for your swift transition,” the elder reported .

“I’m glad to hear that.” Ojore stood up from the gold throne, his tunic swishing at his feet. The golden seams twinkled in the light. He was dressed officially for court. The dark colors of the outer coat blended well with the golden overdress. He chose to forgo the cowrie crown for a simple golden cap set a top his knotted locks.

“Elders, I’m a man of war. I don’t know much about governing a kingdom.” Ojore placed his fisted hands on his back and descended the stairs to where his congregants stood.

The men before him were elders from the old court who chose to submit to the new ruler. They listened and exchanged glances with each other. As was Dembe tradition, they were forced to discard their regular official attire and dress in Dembe colors, black robes with gold lining. Other elders from the Dembe capital were present to oversee the transition.

“We have managed to take over Mukuru Kingdom and are transitioning it into a vessel state. The late King Gusiwaju wasn’t keen on joining us and met his death. We need somebody whose values go hand in hand with those of Dembe.”

Ojore made sure his words and stance were directed at the former members of King Gusiwaju’s court. In the beginning of Dembe’s quest for domination, once a kingdom was conquered, the court members were annihilated and a new governing body was installed. Ojore changed his father’s ways and chose new leaders from the previous courts to govern the vessel states. Rebellions were fewer, as people preferred to be ruled by one of their own, even though the strings were pulled from Dembe .

“My Prince, if I may.” One elder, a former member of Gusiwaju’s court, stepped forward. His feet shuffled across the heavily carpeted floor.

“Before that, I have something to say.” An elder from Dembe stepped forward and cut off the man from Mukuru. “My Prince, I have received reports claiming Prince Gane isn’t dead. Can you clarify that?”

Murmurs ran throughout the room, and the elders from Mukuru seemed excited by the news. Ojore threw a scathing glare at the elder, noting he was one of Queen Nnandi’s supporters in Dembe. Trouble.

“Prince Gane is no longer a threat.” Ojore raised his hand and silence returned. “I stabbed him. Do you doubt my words?” The temperature in the room dropped with his tone, and some elders visibly shook and avoided his eyes.

“No one has seen his body. We can’t confirm whether he is dead or alive,” the elder continued, his tone haughty.

“Have you ever been on a battlefield?” Ojore approached him. “The scent of fresh blood, the sounds of bones breaking, and grown men begging for quick death are all you hear and smell. It’s not easy to identify one man in a field of bloodied, gored, and dismembered bodies.”

The elder stepped back, eyes downcast, and wiped his sweaty brow.

“Prince Gane has never posed a threat, nor will he rise from the dead. And if he does, I shall kill him again,” Ojore said. The elder was there to cause trouble for him in the true fashion of Queen Nnandi. His victory must have turned the court of Dembe in his favor if she sent her minion to discredit him .

“Thank you for your clarification.” The elder bowed and stumbled to his feet, eager to get away from Ojore.

“I must remind you, elders, I will not tolerate any rebellions from Mukuru. I will annihilate everyone who goes against Dembe,” he passed on the stern warning, his voice vibrating against the walls of the great hall.

“Now, let’s get back to discussing the state’s new leadership.” He returned to the throne and said, “But before that, I want to officially welcome you to the great Dembe Kingdom, the greatest kingdom under the sun.”

“The queen has increased the number of spies around you,” Akima whispered to Ojore as soon as he dismissed the court. They walked along the narrow hallways toward Ojore’s private quarters.

“She’s getting bolder.” Ojore tapped the golden cane he was walking with, another accessory to his court attire. The elder who had challenged him earlier came from the Queen’s clan. If he could come out like that, Ojore couldn’t imagine how many were in the shadows.

“With your victory, she’s getting more anxious.” Akima nodded his head.

“It’s unfortunate that the assassins sent after me either died or escaped. We were close to apprehending her.”

“The ones that followed you from Princess Ngele’s wedding?” Akima asked. Ojore shared his encounter with the infamous Sokwe Society with his second in command.

“And the attempted assassination when I had gone to inspect the Keseve Market.” Ojore nodded .

“It was during that period when you met Sholei,” Akima nodded.

”Increase the number of guards around her. I don’t like the way the spies swarm around me. She might be targeted.” Ojore instructed his second in command.

“That’s not the only danger threatening Sholei.” Akima raised an eyebrow.

“I’m aware,” Ojore agreed. “The whole of Mukuru has turned its back on her.”

“It would be best if she follows you back home. She will be hailed as a hero.”

Sholei was to be rewarded by the king for healing the soldiers at the military camp. Ojore had ensured her name was among those rewarded for their contribution to the battles of Keseve.

“I’m afraid she’s not keen on following me.” Ojore pressed the bridge of his nose with his fingers in frustration. He remembered their conversation at the riverside.

“You can make her follow you. She doesn’t have to agree.” Akima shrugged his broad shoulders.

“I want her to follow me of her own will.” He read the resolution in Sholei’s eyes. She was determined to leave him, which scared him more than he thought possible.

“After the disaster at the funeral, she should know she’s not safe in Mukuru.”

“Sholei wants to cut ties after her admission to the academy.” Ojore released a rushed breath.

“You can always get her back,” Akima encouraged, and scratched the back of his head, Ojore laughed. If there was anyone who knew nothing about relationships, it was Akima. The man lived and breathed the army. He didn’t spend time in the pleasure houses like other soldiers whenever they had breaks.

“At what expense? The more force I use to pursue her, the further she draws away.” Ojore couldn’t claim innocence. He had done a lot of things to get her back. The thought of her running away set off an impulse in him, an urge to track her down. Hunt her down like prey .

“What are you going to do?” Akima asked.

“For once, I’m at the end of my wits,” Ojore admitted, and Akima chuckled. “Have I said anything funny?” Ojore raised his eyebrows at him.

“No, my lord. I think you have met your match.”

“I have spoken to my men, and we are ready to break camp at any time.” Leikun shook his head to dispel the rainwater as he entered Gane’s tent. A month and a half had passed, and Gane barely recovered from his injuries, but he was strong enough to move around.

Gane dismissed the men around him and they left the room, but not before they glowered at Leikun. After their previous confrontation, the soldiers and raiders came to a tacit agreement. Tension and small misunderstandings broke out throughout the camp, but they never culminated in big fights.

Gane winced as he settled back in his seat. “We’ll leave only after we’ve buried our fallen comrades and seen to their funeral rites,” he replied, his voice firm. Some of the men Leikun rescued from Keseve didn’t survive their injuries .

“We will travel north. My associates out in the desert will offer shelter from Ojore’s reach.” Leikun took a drink from the leather flask on his waist. Far north, past the Dembe Mountains, were the desert tribes. They lived off the dry, unforgiving land. A perfect place to hide from the Dembe.

”You have other associates apart from me?” Gane raised an eyebrow at Leikun. His eyes strayed to the curly, red wet hair pasted against Leikun’s forehead.

“I have made valuable contacts across the land. They can offer protection when Ojore decides to come after us,” Leikun said, wiping and pulling his hair back. Gane offered him a band, with which he secured his hair in a bun on his head.

Ojore would be on their trail once he learned that Gane was alive. It was but a matter of time. The remnants of the alliance bid their time in the steep gorge. They received news that Ojore declared the alliance rebels would be dealt with heavily.

”I’m not afraid of him.” Gane curled his hand into a fist on the table.

“Really? Do you know how I found you in Keseve? You were battered and bleeding everywhere. I thought you were dead.” Leikun ground his teeth. “Even with the alliance’s force behind you, it was impossible to take him down.”

“And yet I almost incapacitated his army.” Gane countered.

“You used Tula to infiltrate his camp. I didn’t know you would involve women in your fight.” Gane hated the accusation in Leikun’s tone. Leikun had developed a soft spot for the female spy. For some reason, the thought didn’t sit well with Gane.

”Tula volunteered to go, and I approved. She has proven herself to be a worthy soldier.” Gane shifted in his seat.

“How did she survive and get away? It must have been hard.” Leikun removed his wet cloak. Gane’s eyes followed the motion.

“Sholei poisoned Ojore to save her friend.” Gane averted his gaze from Leikun’s exposed chest and passed Leikun a bowl of water.

“The physician working under Musembi in the capital?” The bandit took the bowl and emptied the drink in one gulp. With his head tipped back, the gold earring shone from the oil lamp on the table.

“You know Sholei?” Gane raised his eyebrows.

“She’s skilled. I have sent people to get her tonics from time to time, though I heard she rarely socializes. How did you two meet?” Leikun leaned his arms on the table. The gold bracelet on his arm shone.

“She’s the physician who tended to my wounds after the stabbing incident. During that time, we got to know each other.” Gane chuckled at Leikun’s inquisitiveness. Sholei was nervous around him while she treated his wounds. Sholei figured out the source of his wound, Gane’s weapon, but she never questioned him. Her ability to grasp the situation and not divulge any information made him curious about her.

“You like her?” Leikun’s eyes narrowed, and Gane leaned closer to him .

“Are you jealous?” Gane asked and Leikun leaned back after a long pause.

“She sacrificed her life to save mine in the Vipingo Gorge, the first time I encountered Ojore. If not for her intervention, I would have died before the first battle of Keseve.” He recalled her bravery, how she threw herself before Ojore’s sword. Her sacrifice bought him enough time before his backup arrived.

“You like her because she risked her life for you?” Leikun arched his eyebrow at Gane and leaned on his seat.

“Before that, we were growing close.” Gane leaned his cheek against his hand.

“How close?” Leikun asked. He didn’t think Gane’s reason was enough to show that he was in love with the miraculous healer.

“You have never shown this much interest in my life.” Gane narrowed his gaze at Leikun.

“You are a prince. Your marriage can’t be to anybody. No matter how much you are attracted to them,” Leikun answered, as he averted his gaze and focused on the wall behind Gane. A few heavy seconds passed as Gane searched Leikun’s face, and he tried to figure out the reason behind his curiosity.

Leikun had never been interested in Gane’s private life. It wasn’t as if they ever talked about love and relationships before. Their interactions were cordial and business-like until the Keseve war. Gane gained his accomplishments, and Leikun got his cattle. When they were younger, before tragedy befell Leikun’s wealthy family, Gane was his best friend, but Gane was too young to act. For years Gane swore to gain power and restore Leikun to the capital, but his friend disappeared. It wasn’t until later that they met by coincidence. Leikun turned out to be the ferocious bandit Gane was assigned to bring down, and after several close calls, they decided to work together towards a common goal.

“Don’t be jealous,” Gane smirked, “there is nothing between Sholei and me. But I can’t say the same with Ojore. He keeps her close and is overly protective. I think he’s in love with her.”

“Is she that charming to have two princes pursuing her?” Leikun scoffed, and his eyes drifted back to Gane’s.

“She’s a beautiful woman. It’s only natural for her to attract attention, and her skills make her stand out among the rest.” She might have failed in killing Ojore and countered his plans to take down the Dembe army, but Gane wasn’t going to downplay her skills. No one knew of her location ever since Ojore took over. Information was difficult to come by.

Tula was worried sick about her friend. Losing her brothers and then her only friend had taken a toll on her. She kept to herself and didn’t venture far from her tent.

“With Ojore’s nature, do you think he would have let go of Sholei that easily?” Leikun challenged Gane.

“What are you trying to say?” Gane leaned forward again, his eyes narrowing.

”If the information Tula gave you is right and Ojore is attracted to Sholei, did Ojore let her escape the camp? Sholei left, taking Tula, the condemned spy, away. In a military camp full of battle-hardened soldiers, nobody saw them leave? ”

“How convenient.” Gane marveled at Leikun’s deductions.

“I think Ojore took a gamble with Sholei. He let her go, saving her friend and appeasing his highly demoralized army. If he killed Tula, Sholei wouldn’t have forgiven him, and if he let Tula go without punishment, he would face the wrath of his men.”

“Do you think Sholei knew about this plan?” Gane narrowed his eyes in concentration.

“I’m not sure, but Ojore took advantage of Sholei’s desperation to save Tula.”

“He might know where Sholei is, and how to get her back,” Gane exclaimed, excitement in his voice. “If Sholei is alive and close to him, we still can take Ojore down.”

“We don’t know if Sholei will be on our side,” Leikun reminded Gane, and the prince nodded. Her time with Ojore might have changed her attitude toward Gane. She could reciprocate Ojore’s feelings.

“So long as we have Tula, Sholei will choose her.” Gane remained optimistic.

”Are you planning to use Tula again?” Leikun raised an eyebrow. “It’s cruel to use their friendship as a bargaining chip.”

“Do you think Ojore will leave anything to chance in this fight?” Gane turned to Leikun. “Tula will always choose to save her friend. Sholei is a chance for us to get close to Ojore, and I won’t miss it.”

Leikun’s expression grew somber. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. ”

“We have lost everything to the Dembe. I will use every opportunity to regain my kingdom.” Gane leaned back on his seat and crossed his arms.

“Without a care of who you use?” Leikun asked, his voice defeated.

“You think I am cruel to use Tula’s friendship with Sholei as a pawn?” Gane held Leikun’s gaze.

“Tula has lost everything. She deserves a break.” Leikun must have observed her in the camp, and her lifelessness was visible.

”Haven’t we all?” Gane’s eyes turned cold as he answered.

Later, Gane watched as Leikun left the tent. They agreed to break camp in several days and ride out to the desert tribes to seek shelter and bide their time before making a comeback.

Gane walked toward the window and stared out as cold air blew in. He closed his eyes as the breeze touched his face. The rains stopped, and apart from the watchmen who took turns to guard the camp, everyone turned in for the night. The sky was clear, and a bright moon glowed in the night. Gane knew he would miss his home when he left, but leaving was paramount to his unstoppable comeback.

Sholei woke with a start. Mueni was at her bedside and shook her shoulders.

“My Lady, wake up,” Mueni whispered, her tone urgent .

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Sholei pushed her warm blankets away. The room was dimly lit, the air chilly. It was the dead of night.

“Akima is here for you.” Mueni placed a warm shawl on her shoulders and turned to light a lantern on the wall.

“The general needs you right now,” Akima’s voice beckoned. He was outside the door. Sholei rose from her bed, and Mueni helped right her clothes.

“What happened?” Sholei asked as she fastened the belt on her waist.

“You should come with me and see for yourself,” Akima replied.

Sholei had visited Ojore’s chambers earlier that evening, but she had been informed he held a meeting with some of his generals as they prepared for the burial rites of the Dembe soldiers who had died in the Keseve war. Ever since their discussion by the riverside, they didn’t spend much time together. When they met, Sholei administered his medication and left, avoiding him in between.

“Go and get Litonde. We might need him,” Sholei instructed Mueni as they stepped outside.

“Ojore collapsed when he got back to his chambers. I couldn’t wake him up.” Akima commented as he led Sholei to Ojore’s quarters.

“I warned him not to strain himself so much. It will only accelerate the effects of the poison.” Sholei drew her fur shawl closer to her shoulders. Ojore held meetings throughout the day, even though his meals.

They walked in the quiet night to the general’s chambers. No one was in sight except guards who watched over the palace. They stopped and bowed whenever they spotted her.

“No one can find out about Ojore’s illness,” Akima warned her.

“I won’t breathe a word,” Sholei promised as she pushed the heavy doors open.

Ojore lay on his bed, not making a move. Sholei rushed to his side and sat beside his bed.

”Did you move his body?” She felt his temperature. He was burning up.

“I placed him on the bed and came to find you right away,” Akima replied. “We’re receiving more officials from Dembe court tomorrow. Will he be okay before then?” Akima paused after the question, worry tinted his voice.

“I will do my best to get him up by morning.” She set to work, and with the help of Akima, they managed to turn Ojore on his side. They put him in a recovery position.

“I anticipated this would happen. I didn’t expect it would be this soon.” Sholei touched Ojore’s brow. Guilt ate her up. She was the one who had caused him to end up like that. Maybe the Oracle was right, and she would be the end of Ojore. Sholei closed her eyes in frustration.

“What I said by Lake Alokove is wrong. I shouldn’t have treated you so badly.” Akima lowered his head in an apology. They hadn’t spoken again after he brought her from Lake Alokove, and Sholei was okay with it. An angry Akima wasn’t someone Sholei wanted to cross.

“There’s no need to apologize.” Sholei rose from her bedside and walked to her medicine basket, which was placed by the fire .

“It is true I poisoned Ojore and betrayed his trust.” She picked up the herb she had been searching for. “Just as I was looking out for Tula, you were concerned about Ojore.”

“I should have tried to understand your situation better. I shouldn’t have threatened you.” Akima scratched the back of his head.

She thought of Tula for a moment and shook her head. “I need to work alone. Wait outside.”

Akima looked like he wanted to add something but held back. With a final glance at Ojore, he left the room.

Sholei turned toward her patient and started to work. It didn’t take long for more symptoms to show. With a violent heave, Ojore thrashed on the bed and knocked over the covers. He didn’t respond to Sholei calling out his name in his delirious state. She tried to restrain him, but he pushed her aside.

“Sholei.” Litonde arrived in time.

“The poison is spreading fast.” She breathed as she held on to Ojore’s strong shoulders. “I’m sorry for waking you.”

“Physicians are always prepared for emergencies like this.” Litonde approached Ojore’s side and held onto his arms. “He’s burning up. We should lower his temperature.”

“I have already prepared the herbs.” Sholei pointed to a secluded room that housed a bathing pool.

“I need…help moving him.” She cleared her throat. Ojore was to be completely naked and soaked in the herbs to lower his temperature and slow down the poison .

“What?” Litonde held her gaze, his eyes danced with silent laughter. “Don’t tell me you are getting shy now.”

“How can I be shy?” she chuckled nervously. “I have been doing it for a long time. He’s too heavy for me to move him without help.” Litonde shook his head but said nothing.

Sholei couldn’t believe that she was shy about undressing Ojore. After all, she tended to him before while he was incapacitated. At the moment, heat crawled on her skin whenever she thought of him.

After their kiss, they hadn’t had much time to talk. He was swamped with court sessions by the new administration, and she busied herself with concocting medicine for him. Their talk by River Nkiru hadn’t ended well and widened the wall between them. Ojore was stubborn and refused to let her go. Sholei focused on perfecting his medicines and gave him time to accept her demands.

Sholei and Litonde eased Ojore into the huge pool. The water contained herbs and tree bark residue that had been boiled to the highest temperatures before being mixed with special medicinal pastes to turn the water into a white milky liquid filled with fragrant scents. Ojore was to soak in the water for several hours for the medicine to take effect.

“You have to keep watch he doesn’t slide in the pool,” Litonde advised as he straightened.

“I can take it from here,” Sholei placed Ojore’s head under a pillow at the pool’s edge. “You don’t have to stay.”

“I should stay and help.” Litonde held her gaze with his light eyes. “General Ojore is my leader in the army. It’s my duty, after all. ”

“I will watch over him,” Sholei assured him. “You have other patients to attend to.” Litonde had duties at the new camp right outside the capital. The injured men from the war were still recuperating and needed his constant attention.

”Don’t be too hard on yourself. You did what you had to do. I’m sure Prince Ojore doesn’t fault you for that,” Litonde said. Sholei felt guilty about what she did, and she expected Litonde to be mad at her, but he wasn’t.

“Isn’t it funny?” Sholei chuckled. “I betrayed him to return home, and for my efforts, my kingdom turned against me.”

“Things become hard before they get easier.” Litonde placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “This storm shall pass.”

“The winds are too strong. I am afraid I will be swept away,” Sholei whispered to herself.

“Have this.” Litonde released the pendant on his neck and shoved it into Sholei’s hands. “I don’t know what you’re planning, but with this, you can get through the administration in the Faye Islands.”

“I can’t take your pendant.” Sholei made to return the white insignia of the Imperial Physician. “This is yours.”

“You’re the first apprentice I have ever had. I should help you accomplish your dreams.” Litonde smiled at her and left the room. Sholei stared at his retreating form as she held the pendant. Words stuck in her throat.

Sholei tucked the pendant into her robes, turned to work, and tried to forget her misery. She ensured Ojore was submerged inside the pool, from his neck downwards. With a clean cloth, she wiped his face and tied his hair back with a band. He turned and slid down the pool. Sholei was to hold his head and stop him from sliding under the water.

After several attempts to keep him upright, she discarded her outer robes and joined him in the pool. The scent of fresh herbs swirled to her nose as she sat beside him. She placed his head against her shoulder and waited.

The warmth of the herbs drew her to sleep, and when she awoke, her head was against Ojore’s shoulder. He was awake and gazed down at her.

“You have dark circles around your eyes.” Ojore’s low voice washed over Sholei. “You must have spent the whole night taking care of me.” Sholei didn’t know when she fell asleep, and she fumbled on the pool floor to sit upright.

“How are you feeling?” Sholei asked and touched his forehead. “You fainted. I came to you as soon as Akima called.”

“I must have caused you to worry.” He moved closer to her and took her hand in his. Water ran from his strong shoulders in rivulets down his chest. Only his torso was visible, the rest of his body submerged in the now cool water. He leaned in front of her and pierced her with his gaze. With the dim light, he was all sharp angles, something dark, moving in the shadows. Sholei was hypnotized by him. She couldn’t move a muscle, and words dried up in her throat.

“I want to give you the world, Sholei,” he whispered in the dark. His wet hand cradled her cheek, and she melted into him.

“What if I don’t accept it?” she found her voice .

“What is it that you fear? With me, nothing can ever touch you,” he whispered.

“It’s not you that I am afraid of.” She palmed his hand with hers. “I am afraid of what I might do in the future.”

“You would never do anything to harm me.” Ojore opened his eyes again, and the amber burned fierce. Sholei moaned when he leaned in and placed an open, wet kiss on her neck. She brought her hands around his bunched shoulders. A strong hand wrapped around her waist, and she found herself pinned against the pool’s edges.

“I might not have a choice in the matter.” Sholei breathed as fire spread in her blood. Something in Ojore’s eyes made it hard for her to form a coherent statement. She pulled Ojore closer, and he groaned before kissing her hard until she moaned into his mouth.

Keita , something whimpered in the back of her head, sounding like her voice but different at the same time. In the haze of her mind, he carried her out of the pool and laid her across the soft, thick carpet beside it.

He held her eyes with hunger as he ripped the loose, wet shirt from her body. His caresses became bolder, like never before, and Sholei panted underneath him as she sank deeper into the warm carpet. Her hands moved across his broad back. His lips left hers and roamed down her neck. His warm breath made her core tighten. Sholei bucked when his lips found her nipple and tugged the sensitive mound into his warm mouth. His hand found her other breast and squeezed hard, making her whimper.

“I want you. All of you,” Ojore grunted and lavished her other breast with the same attention as the first. Sholei’s knees parted. She lay naked underneath him, and his body was heavy above hers, but his touch was hot, combustible. Sholei tangled her hands into his hair and dragged his lips back to hers. She whimpered when he kissed her. A hand spanned her ribcage, and the muscles beneath those strong fingers contracted and added to the fluttering in her stomach. His hand felt large and heavy, and his touch was masterful as it trailed down her stomach toward her thighs.

Her entire body tingled, and between her legs, she throbbed.

Sholei’s hand tightened in his hair as she moaned in his mouth. Her body writhed underneath him as his tongue traced her lips and then dipped into her mouth, the kiss passionate, all-consuming. All the while, his hand inched downward, settling brazenly between her thighs. Sholei’s eyes flew open, meeting the scorching intensity of his burning gaze. Her breath came out labored as his fingers continued to move and slipped unhindered through her slick entrance. Sholei couldn’t believe he touched her so intimately, so boldly, but she couldn’t stop him.

It just felt so good.

She breathed his name, and Ojore growled at her, holding her gaze. His eyes filled with a burning desire that threatened to engulf them both. His finger moved within her in a leisurely, steady rhythm, winding her tension tighter with each pull. Her hips moved, chasing the promise of a much-needed release. Then a powerful rush of heat overtook her, and she gave a loud cry. Ojore bit down on the side of her neck, and the tension between her legs snapped into a shower of stars .

“I want to be with you. Will you let me?” Ojore asked. His smoky voice cut through her high. Sholei opened her eyes to see the same finger that had been inside her moment ago disappear into his mouth.

“Let me please you,” he whispered again, and Sholei nodded. She would agree with anything to make him never stop looking at her like that. She felt his bulge straining against her thigh and longing stirred, mingling with the last ripple of her release.

“I want you,” Sholei whispered. Her gaze returned to his. Whether she was looking at Ojore or Keita, Sholei had gotten to a point of no return.

Ojore scooped her in his arms. Sholei was grateful she didn’t have to walk or her legs might have given way. She held onto his shoulders as he walked to the outer room where his bed was.

Ojore’s body covered hers once more, his hips nestling perfectly into the cradle of her thighs. His mouth seized hers in a dizzying kiss that left her panting with desire as their passionate cries echoed throughout the room.

He positioned his rigid shaft against her slippery opening, and Sholei held her breath. Taking his time, he pushed forward, gliding inside her. She opened to him, her arms held onto his toned shoulders, and her eyes stared into his blazing ones. The ardent look he directed at her took her breath away. Her hands lifted to push the dark locks from his sweaty forehead. As he pressed on, his breath became erratic, and his arms trembled around her. His invasion was a little uncomfortable as her body stretched to accommodate him. His mouth lowered to hers and drugged her with fervent kisses as he filled her. Sholei drew a sudden breath, and the sharp pinch brought tears to her eyes. Buried deep inside her, he whispered foreign words to her ears, his tone gentle and soothing.

Sholei became aware of a pleasant fullness as the pain receded, and her body tingled deliciously. Slowly, he began to move, and her world shifted. Lifting an arm, he ran his hand down the outside of her thigh and cupped her calf before draping it across his back. Tension started to build inside her, as pleasurable as before but more intense. Her hips rose to meet his, and Ojore’s grunt of approval boosted her confidence. Before long, she forgot her reserve and met his thrusts full-on, her body pulling him deeper. Their collective sighs of pleasure permeated throughout the dimly lit cocoon they were in.

As she writhed in ecstasy and welcomed the weight of his body as it sank into hers, Sholei clung to Ojore. Without warning, the sensual tension that built inside her snapped, and she lost control and spiraled into a mysterious abyss of pleasure so intense it robbed her of breath. She held onto Ojore as her body splintered into pieces, her mind incapable of forming a single thought. Somewhere above her, she heard him groan, and he shuddered against her. Slowly, Sholei floated back to earth. He lifted his weight from her and moved to her side as he pulled her backside to his front and wrapped his arms around her.

For a while, everything was quiet except for the crackling of the wood on the fire, and their tempered breathing returned to normal. Sholei felt warm and languid in Ojore’s arms. She couldn’t believe how light and satiated she became .

“Did I hurt you?” Ojore’s deep voice reached to her ears. She turned, and the look of intense gratification in his eyes caused her belly to flop. His eyes turned to a warm color, the fire behind them gone.

“It was wonderful.” She shook her head, and heat crept to her neck at her candid statement. Ojore smiled at her, his long finger lifted her chin.

“You should sleep.” His face lowered, and he bumped his nose against hers. Sholei sighed at the tender display of affection.

“I’m not tired,” she protested, her eyes lingered on the seductive curve of his mouth. Ojore planted a soft kiss on her swollen lips. Sholei raised her head to deepen the kiss. Ojore groaned and pulled back.

“You should rest,” he urged again, his words lacking conviction, and his eyes glazed with desire. Sholei cupped the back of his head and pulled him down to her. Ojore moaned. His lips captured hers in a searing kiss as he pushed her back into the warm covers.