THE CROWN - EPISODE 40

AUTHOR’S

Drums rolled, flutes whistled. The cringe sounds of the shells around his neck.

The heavy staff with bones dung holes into the red soil.

The aides labelled with white chalks and the palm leaves in-between their sealed lips.

The tree in which they arrived moved in rhythm to the heavy wind.

He moved in circles, drawing all sort of signs on the floor.

He groaned non-stop, the fierceness was in his eyes and a squeeze in his cheeks.

He made incantations in the midst of the small crowd of villagers right at the village square where the execution was to be held.

Some folded their hands in pity, some felt whatever was going to happen to the crowned Princess will be justified.

He threw his head back and spat out the dry gin he had earlier took.

*The Princess is here*

*See how shameful she is walking majestically*

*So the whole Royal family came to witness this abomination?*

*It’s such a pity, the princess is a good person*

She walked in honour, her right hand held by her husband while in the other she had her horsetail.

She was still adorned in her royal beads and on her skin, Uli drawn beautifully.

Beside and behind her was the entire Royal family.

People gave way for them, they walked into the scene. People bowed their heads

“Wise one, eye of the gods. Can this not be stopped?”

The King asked in a weary tone, he moved forward and stopped

“Hmmm, when a child commits an offense even after several warnings from the Father, that child gets punished” the chief priest replied.

“The Father doesn’t kill the child, please give her other punishments and I assure you that she’ll do it diligently” Igwe said again.

It was obvious how much he cared, how worried he was and how he wasn’t ready to lose a child.

“Your majesty please step back, we’ve come too far for word bantering” he said and began singing incantations loudly.

Ikenna pressed hard on her hand, his heartbeats could be heard by people a kilometer away.

His nails broke in the tight hold of his fist.

The Queen stood still, flipping her horsetail at the back of her shoulders.

Her expressions were plainless and difficult to read.

Adenike on the other hand had nothing up her sleeves anymore,

she was ready to die for speaking the truth. She was hurt no doubt and her heart was breaking into thousand pieces.

Thoughts of leaving everyone that loves her behind, her parents, her husband, her family and friends.

The families that have suddenly being dependent on her.

The maidens that she’s fighting for, the women who are being unfairly treated.

There was so much at stake but she was giving it all.

Two of the Chief priest aides walked to her, they took her horsetail from her and started taking off the beads on her wrist.

“Stop, don’t you dare lay a finger on her” Ikenna yelled. There was anger mixed with other emotions.

“Prince Ikenna what has to be done has to be done” the priest said

“What? This is the same woman you and the gods forced me to get married to just because she’s the chosen one and being the next Queen of Umuagwo is her destiny and now?… Now you want to kill this same woman with your hands?”

The villagers mumbled.

They was truth in what he said.

What will happen to the prince if the princess dies? Who will rule beside him when he comes king? She was destined to be the Queen.

“You’re not saying anything!” He added after a long while of silence.

“Silence your highness! Silence! We’re here for action not talks. Princess Adenike step forward now!!” He yelled the last sentence.

Tension drove harder, rising and reaching for everything it desires.

She struggled to get her hand off Ikenna’s tight grip.

“What are you doing?” He asked turning to face her

She raised her head to his blood shot eyes, she softened

“Please let me go”

she looked away quickly to avoid emotions getting the best of her.

She dragged her hand forcefully and sighed.

She took one step after the other, the wind got stronger and more tensions rising.

Her feets were heavy but she was willing. She was ready yet unprepared.

The aides surrounded her and started taking the Royal beads off her.

“Stop! Stop!” Ikenna ran to them, he pushed them off her

“Don’t touch her!!” He yelled. Thunderstormed

“My prince step back now or I will not be responsible for whatever happens to you” the chief priest said

Ikenna picked the beads and wore them on her,

tears streamed down her eyes when she saw the tears that gathered in his eyes How restless he and confused he was.

She saw the weakness when everybody else saw strength.

She saw him breaking down in wails while everyone saw a firm fighting man.

“Your highness!!!” The Ezemmuo screamed. He paid no attention, thunder struck

“Ahhh!” He fell down on one knee screaming in pains

“Ikenna? Ikenna!” The Queen rushed to her son after being silent all this time.

“What did you do to my son?” She yelled. That was a mother but not a mother to Adenike.

“Ezemmuo, what is this? He is the crowned prince”

one of the plenty elders chipped in.

Adenike looked around her, she nodded her head disappointed

This people can talk? They’ve been quiet concerning me all this while.

This people! Why are they few? She questioned herself. Realizing the low populated crowd of villagers.

“The gods have been disrespected several times for too long, we’ll not tolerate it anymore” the chief priest bantered with the elders.

Tears streamed down her already wet cheeks,

she was close to breaking down in tears but she decided against it.

The aides took off the beads for the third time.

Ikenna continued to groan and struggle off the hold on him.

He screamed and yelled but it was almost useless.

She couldn’t help the tears that streamed down, his cries made her weep.

The priest walked to her on the floor, he held a pot of water.

He walked round her three times and poured water from the the tip of her hair.

Slowly it streamed down to her face, the weight on her already heavy eyes. He soaked her with water,

“anyị achịkọtala dịka ọchịchọ gị siri dị, Ọ bụ gị na naanị gị…”

Incantations after incantations he sang walking around her.

She was sour and sat weakly on the floor in a pool of water.

Her fingers tapped the floor, her legs arched and her lips shivered.

“Daughter of Royalty, do you regret your actions?”

He stopped and asked her. His staff made noises to her ears

“Adenike please say yes, Rịọ mgbaghara ma nọnyere m. Please” Ikenna pleaded.

His eyes were filled with pain and anguish. Frustration aged him in seconds.

“Please Adenike” Emenike added.

He too was scared of the idea of losing her, it was too much for everyone.

Too much a lose out of something they thought vain.

Her head faced down, her eyes were close and how much she wanted to avoid hearing their wails.

“I do not regret everything I’ve done and I’m not sorry for it…”

Ikenna’s head fell but it wasn’t much a surprise, this was the woman he married and she was no ordinary right from the very day he set his eyes on her.

The villagers mumbled, some cursed her for her pride and foolishness

O ma se o! The Yorubas would say.

The King stood there, he said nothing but stared. The Queen was more concerned about her hurting son.

And yes, Adenike’s parents were absent.

She realized and raised her head, she looked around but she couldn’t find them

“Baami Ma binu.. mother Ọ dị m nwute”

She bowed her head and tears fell on the floor.

Ikenna groaned loudly while finding his strength, he got up and staggered to her.

“Your highness stop right there!!” The priest yelled.

“Ahh”

her eyes widened as he sweeped her off the floor carrying her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes fixed on him.

Where did he get the strength? She wondered.

“Stop there!” He stretched his staff forward. Emenike ran in between the chief priest and his brother. He brought out his sword

“Don’t you dare harm my brother”

“Urhm, ahh” Ikenna fell on his knees with Adenike in his arm.

He looked up “please end this” he muttered

She couldn’t get her eyes off him, she became oblivious for a while.

Heavy footsteps could be heard, it got louder and louder that it drew everyone’s attention. Chants followed, everyone turned to see what was coming for them.

Women, men, children in large crowds trooped out from different directions. The came in more and more.

Some dragged with them goats, rams and even Cocks.

“What is happening?” The King questioned no one.

Adenike’s parents ran to her in Ikenna’s arms

“My child! My child!” Her mother cried

“I’m disappointed in myself for arriving here late or doing this now rather than sooner” Mmesoma yelled. In her Left hand was a white cock held by it’s feet.

“We’ve been quiet and scared for too long but we’ll not tolerate injustice in this land anymore especially the human sacrifices. Here with me and many others are animals and henceforth you’ll do right by us. Let Princess Adenike go!”

“Let Princess Adenike go!”

“Princess Adenike abụghị nsogbu ahụ, ọ bụ ihe ngwọta ya”

“We’re not sacrificial lambs but maidens of this land and we’ll not be killed”

“Ọkụkọ anaghị eri ụmụ ya, Let princess Adenike go and many other innocent maidens”

Adenike smiled out more tears.

They each stepped forward and left the animals with the Ezemmuo aides.

“You need seven pure maidens but we’ve brought you hundreds of our domestic animals, birds, cattles, ram and goats”

“We appreciate you, She was chosen for a purpose”

It was silent for a while. Only Adenike’s tiny sobs would be heard. Her heart was joyful and she felt ready for whatever comes next.

“Long live Princess Adenike!” Emenike shouted and they villagers followed happily

She chuckled and giggled sweetly.

AT THE PALACE

Ikenna dismissed the guards at his chamber

“Take the night off” he told them. They bowed and left. He sighed, looked up and smiled at the full moon before going in.

He met her seated on the bed at the other end. She felt his presence and stood up, she turned and smiled.

She walked to him and trailed her fingers on his face, they gazed at each other. They could feel the intensity boiling but either was reluctant on making the first move.

“I’m so glad that you are….”

She smashed her lips on him cutting him off, he responded to the kiss like he waited ages to have that one kiss.

Her hand found it’s way to his back pulling him closer into her.

They stopped to catch their breathe, panting hard and gazing into his heated eyes.

He couldn’t wait any longer, he kissed her.

Tongues coiled, the fire between them burning into a thousand degree.

He kissed her jaw and soft nips to her neck and collar bones.

She held him tightly, releasing soft gasps into his ears. She wanted more, arching impatiently in my coils of his hold.

She pulled back away from him, took several steps backwards.

He gazed at her confused, his eyes penetrating through her.

She held her wrapper and loosened it. It was a one piece and it fell to the ground willingly like it has been begging for freedom.

Her bosom bounced and stood erect, her hips looked wider than from the fabric.

“You’re a beauty” he complimented.

She walked slowly to him, swaying her hips and to the heavy bounce of her bosom.

Only a sight of her aroused him.

She pressed her chest on him

“Ahh, urhm” he groaned huskily biting his lips.

She rubbed her thumb on his n*pples caressing his chest. He looked at her with so much desires and crave

“You’re biting more than you can chew” he licked her earlobes.

“I want it all” she replied holding him tightly. She wasn’t willing to let go, not now or ever.

he took held her jaw up and kissed her deeply, he pulled away slightly and cupped her right bosom,

squeezing and rolling his fingers on her erect n*pple.

He pulled away from her lips and stroked her cheeks

He carried her and walked to the bed, he laid her gently still gazing at her eyes.

“Do you want this?”

He asked even though he could see the fire burning in her yes.

She nodded furtively at him.

He placed kisses all over her subtle skin, nipping softly on every inch of her.

He teased her n*pples with the tip of his tongue, squeezing and oozing pleasure out of her.

He played with her bosom while nipping on her ribs to the button on her belly.

He sent heat down her spine as she moaned helplessly.

He grabbed her thighs, patted her legs and ran his hand through her between sending shivers down her spine

“Ouhm, erhm”

she was almost breathless.

His fingers stroked her wetness and her eyes closed to absorb all pleasure churning deep within her.

His blood boiled and the his groin hardening under him, he wanted her more than she wanted him.

It was desires that has been lingering all this while.

He has waited so long to have her shudder under him and there she was

He kissed down her thick thighs and smelled her with his eyes closed.

The aphrodisiac of her smell

“You smell amazing”

he said sexily that she swallowed nothing down her throat.

She sat up to his Grey heated eyes

“I want you now!”

She squeezed out of her tight lips.

She looked down at his waist and held the it and loosened his loincloth.

She dropped it on the floor and held him, he moaned.

His musculinity made her arch for more, his voice was music to her ears.

He took her lips and kissed her. She laid back down

He continued his onslaught of licking and licking while his hands cup her bosom, squeezing and rolling his tongue on her n*pples.

Her body bowed as his fingers grazed on her clitoris untill she into a wrenching orgasm screaming his name breathlessly.

“Relax” he calmed her.

He kissed and kissed her lips until she was back where she wanted her to be.

He leaned down on his elbows, their faces inches apart. Her heart responded to his proximity

He gazed Lovingly at her, reached for her cheeks and caressed softly

“I love you”

he finally said to her, he kissed her and at that moment he thrusted into her.

She screamed in his lips, digging her nails into his back.

He couldn’t thrust fully, he was about pulling out but she held him tightly

“Please don’t stop” she cried.

He was surprised at her purity.

“You are.. you’re a virgin?”

She nodded in pains, he smiled and held her more gently.

He thrusted into her bit by bit until he filled her. She groaned but in pain and pleasure. She swallowed deeply

Once she was accustomed to the feel of him inside her, she moved her pelvis to match his pace.

He was taking her innocence away but in love. It was too right to avoid, too pure to be taken for granted. It was passion driven and melting all insecurities.

Making her forget how to breath and the traces his tongue made on her skin.

“I love you too” she replied breathlessly at climax.