THE CROWN - EPISODE 39

It was shallows of death and the almost end of my existence.

I had stood on the line that bridged our world to that of the dead.

For a selfless act and to my duty calls.

To the rivers of tears in the eyes of my mother.

To the chattered soul of my father and to my husband’s broken heart.

The loving touch of their skin on my almost lifeless body and the heavy beats of their hearts. I could hear my Father’s silent praises

Ọmọde pẹlu ade

Iwọ lagbara ju eyi lọ

Ọmọbinrin awọn oriṣa

o ngun lodi si gbogbo awọn aidọgba

I know I needed them as much as they did, the path I was headed was too lonely

Even the sky was not as bright as my mother’s smile.

The sounds I heard were not as charming as my father’s words.

It was too cold and I know I needed to go back to my husband’s warmth.

I took a turn and ran, the dry leaves cracked at every step and the wind got warm from the heat of my eager soul.

“Erm, urhm” I whined.

My eyelids opened slowly,

I looked around and my eyes met with my husband’s anticipating eyes.

He smiled and tears rolled out his eyes.

My hand was in his, he kissed it

“Thank you!” He muttered.

I forced a smile from my tight lips.

I was too weak to even move but I missed him. I opened my palm and touched his face.

He reached for my forehead and caressed it. my mouth opened to speak but

“Shhh.. it’s fine. Save your strength” he said.

I was worried, my parents? How are they doing. I could hear their voices in my sleep but I can’t see them now.

The light from outside suddenly covered,

I saw shadows and the person walking in. My heart lightened, she ran to my left side

“The gods has given you back to me” she cried just like I expected. Her hands were all over me

“It feels like the day I brought you into this world, my child”

If only I remember how I felt on that day. The Joy and excitement that followed.

After a while, the room was a full one now.

My parents, the entire Royal family, the herbalist, Mmesoma and even my personal maids.

Mother sat to feed me while Mmesoma caressed my hand from the other side. I was slowly starting to get my strength. I ate and took the herbs

“You should get some rest now” Ikenna said. I nodded gently.

“Th..the gi..the daughter of that…” I coughed

Mother made me drink water

“Dear, please rest now” she sounded worried. I nodded again and smiled

“I’m fine mother”

I turned back to everyon

“the daughter of tha..that woman, how is she?” I asked

She was raped brutally, so the midwife said. Whoever did that is going to pay dearly

“She is getting better just as you are” the herbalist replied. I nodded my head

“And the rapist?” I asked again

“The girl is still in shock and has not been able to say anything to that regards but don’t you worry, we are working on it” Ikenna said

“In all my years as the King of this kingdom, this is the first rape case and I will make it’s the last. Please my daughter, don’t stress over that…we need you to recover quickly” the king padded and I smiled.

My eyes closed weakly, I groaned

“What is it? Are you okay?”

My whole body was hurting so much but my leg especially. It felt heavy and straining

Tears rolled down to my ears from my right eye.

“I feel so much pain and weakness” I told them.

“It’s the effect of the herbs, that’s why you have to rest now, your highness”

I gulped down saliva and gritted my teath, more tears streamed down. I slowly started to drift away

“Ngozi” I called quickly

“My princess”

“Whatever plans I had scheduled should go on please, Mmesoma will guide the process” I said before drifting off to sleep.

The voices in my head and all the worries.

I had too much going on all at once.

Back then I only had to worry about being a Yoruba girl in an igboland even though I was partly Igbo too.

Now I have to worry about things more than I should,

I even risked putting my parents in everlasting grief if I had died.

I have seen death so nothing will stop me now, I will achieve anything and everything I want.

Even the gods will have no choice, they’ve chosen me so they’ll do right by me.

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WRITER’S POV

FEW DAYS

AT THE UMUAGWO STREAM

“I heard that Chioma now lives in the palace” Amaka said. One of the many maidens who were present said.

Another clapped her hands in disbelief

“Who would have thought that with all the affection the prince showers on the princess, he will take Chioma as a second wife”

Few laughed in mockery, their lips twitched.

“Tahhh… Second wife my foot”

“What do you mean? How come she now lives in the palace?”

Chidinma questioned confused, she dropped her heavy pot of water and placed her hand on her waist for balance, perhaps.

“Who knows? She might actually be working as a maid there”

“If not a maid to the princess who has picked over her”

They laughed in unison. It is always said that wherever two or more women are gathered is a talk squad. The laugh died down

“I heard that she is…” She stopped to look around

“That she is with the Prince’s child”

“Ahh! Chineke!” They exclaimed

Some dropped whatever they were doing to join the circle

“I also heard that the crowned princess welcomed her and is also the one overseeing the wellbeing of Chioma and the unborn baby”

Hands on the waist and above the heads. Lips upside down and the confusion in their heads yet the awe in their eyes

“I never would have imagined what great a princess Adenike would be, she almost lost her life trying to save that maiden who was raped”

Adanne awed

“She is still going on with her parade even after being threatened with execution”

“She is the first royal to distribute food items by herself, wrappers, jeweleries…”

Amaka added

“Name it… It’s so sad that she’ll be executed soon”

They sighed sadly.

ONUWU’S COMPOUND

They sat in trios, deliberating on how to go see the King regarding the Ezemmuo’s soon return. Kola nuts were cracked and drinks gulped down

“The princess has been stubborn otherwise we won’t have to worry about her” maxi kechukwu said.

Another sighed and cracked the nuts in his finger

“We can’t do anything about it, all we have to do now is prepare for the execution of the crowned Princess”

“ÀRU, from the stories my forefathers, it’s been five generations since such as happened. I’m saddened at the fact”

It was late noon and a cloudy day, the peace of the land almost being snatched. The fast moving clouds

The Onuwu coughed and cleared his throat from likely mucus.

“The princess will have to be executed, when a woman refuses to listen and get herself involved in the affairs of men, she’ll get punished”

He stated

“Onuwu, we all know very well that the prince will not be able to take another wife if anything should happen to the princess and we need an heir to the throne”

“And who said? If the princess is executed, the prince will only not be able to have a Queen but he can have as many concubines as he wants who will bear him children. Besides we already have an heir from the prince”

“If you’re talking about your daughter Chioma then I need not remind you that a mad woman can not bear an heir to the throne” Maxi Agu said.

“What do you mean by that? Maxi Agu do not forget who you’re talking to so be becareful or else?….” He flamed. His voice read anger and the sudden venom in his eyes.

“Onuwu, there’s no need to be paranoid. We all know he is saying the truth. Only a mad person sweeps the market and your daughter has done so”

The tension has blaring and rising emotions here and there.

“Let’s just focus on what the problem is now”

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Ikenna (POV)

I stood beside Adenike and mother while we watched Chioma being checked by the midwife.

She had spottings earlier and we needed to be sure she was fine.

I glanced at Adenike as I slipped my fingers into hers

The midwife finished and walked to us, she bowed

“Your highness, she has been stressed too much. I will administer some herbs but I’d advise that she stays out of stressful activities”

The midwife said

“Tell that to your crowned Princess” Mother blasted.

“Thanks, you can leave now” Adenike said. She bowed again and left.

We both walked closer to Chioma, she looked like she was in pains but I honestly cared less.

My mind was far off, every breathe I took reminded me that the Ezemmuo will return soon. The execution, my wife!

I don’t even know how I was able to survive days ago when she was almost as good as dead.

That’s why I did everything in power to make sure that the rapist was found for putting us in such a dilemma.

I can barely think straight or move my eyelids freely

I’m scared to my bones because I realize how much I love her and how much I won’t be able to do without her in my life.

Even on her sick bed, her parade didn’t stop and I’m very convinced of how much she can do for what she thinks is right.

This is the woman I married, she risked her life for someone else and I know she’s ready to do it again.

She is my destiny, if anything happens to her I won’t be able to function.

She has unknowingly become the hope of many families today. She has become ogidi nke ndụ m.

I watched mother scold Adenike unnecessarily. Chioma had a smirk on, just how she is.

“My princes, I’m in so much pains” she faked whines

Adenike…Her parents need her, my family needs her, the villagers need her and even my unborn child will grow properly in the care of a mother like her. I need my wife!

I turned to stare at her. Her side view is just as beautiful, her cheekbones and jawlines becomes more visible. She’s beautiful!

“My Queen I have a request, I think my hut is too far. I want a hut in the Royal Chamber so I will be easier to monitor for the sake of my baby” Chioma said

“That’s true, I will make sure of it” I heard mother’s assuring voice.

“That won’t happen without my permission” her lips moved in rhythm to my heartbeats.

I yearn for her, I desire too much to control myself. I gulped down an amount of saliva in my mouth

My fingers pinched her and she glanced at me

I bent over to her ears “let’s go” I whispered.

She nodded

She took one last glance before we left hand in hand.

Different thoughts running through me and the desires of the man within me.

It was evening and night was slowly starting to fall.

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Adenike (POV)

He pulled me heading for the chamber, I watched him from behind. His emotions were obvious and from afar I could hear the beats of his heart.

We bent our head over into the hut

He stopped and sighed loudly. Our fingers still twined.

I walked to his front and raised his jaw, he smiled. There were tears gathered in his eyes

I placed my hand on his cheek

“Is there something you want to tell me?”

I questioned searching his eyes. He dragged his nostrils and smiled

“Is there something you want to hear?”

He questioned back. I giggled, it brought me back to our first kiss

He lent forward, his eyes looked like they were pleading. We kissed

He held my face up while my fingers roamed his back.

I heard him groaning in my mouth, the sweetness of his saliva and the beats of his heart against my full bosom.

He pulled back slowly, he rubbed his thumb on my wet lips

“Take a bath, we’ll have dinner soon” he placed a kiss on my nose, I smiled.

I turned over and walked into the bathroom. I exhaled slowly taking off my wrapper

He isn’t doing so well in hiding his emotions, I know he is scared and I can see it in his eyes.

I’m scared too, I’m scared of leaving them all behind because I know how much pain they’d feel.

I pulled the last piece of wrapper off myself and hanged it on the holder.

My fingers tickled my arms leisurely.

My strength was undoubtedly starting to fail me but I was strong willed to get what I want nevertheless.

I poured water over the top of my head, the heavy weight of it on my eyelashes and the shiver of my lips.

A pair of muscular arms abruptly wrapped around my waist from behind. I blenched

“Shhh, it’s me” he hushed,

his tongue rolled behind my ear.

My eyes reflexly shut and my nerves relaxed.

It felt too safe to think about anything else other than the feeling of his hard groin dangling over my lower waist.

His head lowered to my shoulders as he patted his lips on my bare skin.

A hand moved up my belly swiftly,

he held my bosom and squeezed.

The sweetness ran through me, my head went totally blank of everything around me.

He held me and turned me over to the desires and urge in his eyes.

I stared away from his eyes and field with my eyes with his body.

His lips were still wet from the kiss earlier, his Adam’s apple moved up and down like he was holding his guts.

The tattoos on his broad open chest and how his erect nipples made me feel.

His biceps and finely built abs, I realized just how much details I’ve been missing for so long.

I stopped and closed my eyes, going further would send me off immediately.

He held my right hand “open your eyes” he muttered loud enough

I swallowed nothing down my throat but obliged, he pulled my hand forward to himself and made me touch him.

My eyes followed obediently, it was hard on with the finest thin lines I’ve ever seen.

It made me feel new but I loved the feeling.

He raised my jaw and pecked my lips gazing deeply. I leaned forward and kissed him,

he found my tongue and sucked on it.

I moved my hand on his manhood, he groaned in my lips and gently bite me.

He brought his fingers and slided in gently under my fold, my head threw back.

I felt the wetness under me with every move his fingers made.

“Urhm, ah”

I arched impatiently against his hand.

His fingers clapped me like he was gathering my wetness.

I was losing my mind at the intensity, he stopped and took my lips.

My hands were all over his head holding tightly because I was too scared to let go.

He suddenly carried me up and against the wall,

I wrapped my legs around his back.

grinding myself on him, I moaned loudly forgetting all decency.

His hard manhood pricked my thighs, he groaned as I rocked harder.

He kissed me and took my bosom in his mouth..

my head thudded against the wall, heat pulsing through my blood.

I knew I wanted him there, I knew I had lost myself fully in him

What if I get killed without being able to make love to my husband? What if I don’t get this chance again?

His moans sounds like music to my ears and the sweet smell and taste of him on me.

He pushed his chest to press mine, he held me with one hand and caressed my face with the other as he ran wild with raw emotions.

I was gone and deep into the moment that I thought of nothing else. I’ve never felt like that, completely and insanely lost of control.

He stopped… Why’d he stop? I want him. I searched his eyes

“Why’d you stop? I’m ready now” I managed to squeeze words out my pitched breathe.

He smiled and pecked my lips, he nodded

“You deserve better” he replied.

What does he mean? I might get killed tomorrow, the day after or god knows when.

I gulped down and gathered guts to agree with him. I nodded with a smile

“Can I bath you?” He kissed my lips

I giggled. It won’t be the last! It won’t be the last! I tried to remind myself.

I will have many more time with my husband.

Maybe I delayed this, should I have been ready sooner? This fear, it brings out all the eagerness within

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Ikenna (POV)

I washed her, dabbed her and helped her get dressed. Different things were on my mind.

She wasn’t ready to give herself to be, she wanted to out of fear of it being our last moment.

There was too much eagerness in her actions and I could see the fear in her eyes.

I want her, I want her curled under my powerful thrust but not like this.

I’m scared too, I’m scared that I might not get the chance again but I’m relying on my faith not to rush things now after waiting for so long.

“You’re lost in thoughts again” she snapped me

She smiled and patted my cheeks

“I know you’re scared, I can see it in your eyes”

I held her hand on my face,

“let’s go have dinner, I’m starving” I forced a smile. She nodded and we left.

The atmosphere was cold and mute, everyone said nothing.

Just Chioma ordering the maids around and eating like the pregnant woman she is,

I wonder why Adenike let her have dinner with us.

I picked on my food, they served yam and vegetable sauce

Mine had gone cold on the plate, I turned my gaze to my right side and there she was.

My woman, we have forever to make many more beautiful memories.

We have a lifetime to make love and be each other’s strength and weaknesses.

A lifetime to make you feel like a beautiful woman just like you are.

She turned to me and smiled, I smiled too.

She went back to her food but I couldn’t stop staring.

I see her smiles, they’re full of pretense and her eyes? I see fear.

I looked at Father, he was quiet and slowly eating his food.

Emenike looked like a child being forced to eat… He stole glances at her, I know how much he cares about her. We all do.

Another day has come and everyone including the villagers anticipated in worry, the arrival of the Ezemmuo.

But not Adenike,

she went on with her parade and reached out to more people,

even daughters and sons who schooled, worked or lived outside the village. Her strength surprises me, her resilience awes me.

I walked into the room and met her packing some wrappers off her shelve with her maid assisting her.

“Greetings your highness” the maiden bowed, I nodded

“Greetings my prince” Adenike had a smile, busy with her work.

I held my hands back

“Greetings my princess” I responded. I looked at the stuffs she was arranging

“Are you ordering for new sets of wrappers and jewelries?” I questioned to clear my curiosity.

“No your highness, I want this to be given out just incase I am no more”

“Be quiet!” I blasted at her insensitivity.

“Ngozi, please excuse us” she said.

I brushed my hand over my head

“What is wrong with you? Adenike, I’m suffering here don’t you see it? I watch you everyday doing what you want because I want to be a supportive husband even at the cost of losing you and you stand there and do what you want, say what you want without considering the people that love you” I was losing my mind

She dropped whatever she was holding and started walking towards me.

“I am doing this because it is right, I’m risking my life because I won’t be able to live with myself knowing that innocent young girls are being killed when I can do something to stop it… I…” She stopped and sighed

“You think this isn’t hard for me? It’s my life we’re talking about here, it…is..my life that is about to be cut short just because I stand by the truth. Ikenna you’re my husband and it is your duty to support me”

“It is my duty to watch you walk into the hands of death? I’m mad at myself, I should’ve stopped you from the very start then all these wouldn’t have happened”

“You regret this? Well guess what? It’s too late for all this. I’m just going to continue with whatever it is I’ve started and prepare myself for the worst. I think you should do the same, it won’t be so difficult for you after all. You have a child and a mistress already”

She wiped her tears and turned to walk away. I grabbed her from behind

“I don’t want to lose you please. Do I have to say the words? Don’t you feel just how much you mean to me?” I curled up on her shoulder. I felt her anger melt

Tears fell on my hand gradually

“I’m sorry” she muttered under her breathe

I squeezed her tightly,

She turned to face me, she looked at my lips and then my eyes

“Make love to me please” she said between cries. That tone would make any man vulnerable.

She reached for my lips and kissed me slowly.

The stimulant taste of her lips, she rubbed her hands on my chest. I pulled away from her

“I’m not ready” I chuckled

I stroked her hair

“We’ll have a lot of time together for that, a lifetime” I added the last part with a smile and placed a kiss on her forehead.

She nodded left-right and hugged me.

“Believe me, we will”