by Kiru Taye
“It is fine. I wanted to spend the whole day with you. But we have plenty of time, a whole future together.” He brushed his lips against hers, inhaling her sweet scent and enjoying the way she molded into him. “I’m sure it’s important if your father requests to see you. If it gets too late, spend the night there. You can return in the morning.”
She looked up at him, her frown deepening as she shook her head. “I’ll not stay long. I’ll definitely be back before sunset.”
“In any case, you have my permission to spend the night. It’s a long walk from your parent’s house. I don’t want you walking home in the dark. Agreed?” He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. Their warm depths sparkled as she broke into a smile, nodding her head.
“Good,” he said before kissing her passionately. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer. When he lifted his head, he was out of breath and wanted to take his wife back to bed. Stepping back, he opened the door. “Give my greetings to your parents when you get there. I’m off to see Mazi Ene.”
“Go well,” she said as he shut the door on his way out.
***
Obinna returned home later that evening. He’d spent most of the afternoon in discussions with his friend, Ikem, and in negotiations with Mazi Ene. He was happy things had concluded satisfactorily for all involved. In a few days, Nneka would be settled in her marital home and all the speculations would be laid to rest. His life with Adaku could begin in earnest, finally.
When Adaku didn’t return before nightfall, he didn’t worry. He wanted her to spend the night with her parents. Since they’d been wedded, she hadn’t spent the night anywhere else but in his house.
Tonight, for the first time, he missed her physical presence. He lay on their now combined pallet, breathing in her scent clinging to the bedding. He thought about Adaku and their new found fondness for each other. He didn’t want to dwell on the past they had missed out on, so he focused on the future. The future was the two of them together, hopefully with children.
He wondered how many the gods would bless them with. He was the only son in a family of three girls. His sisters were all married. He prayed the gods would bless him with plenty of sons and daughters. Mostly, he prayed they would all be healthy.
When he eventually slept, it was a dreamless sleep, and he woke up refreshed. He rose early as was usual and prepared for the day. He was looking forward to the return of his wife from her parents. Though she’d only been gone for less than a day, he missed her presence.
After he finished breakfast, he heard the sound of people arriving in his compound. Thinking it was Adaku, he rushed out to welcome her. However he came face to face with her unsmiling older brother, Ifeanyi. Accompanying Ifeanyi were some servants who were carrying several items.
“My in-law, welcome,” he greeted the man. Before Ifeanyi spoke, Obinna knew all was not well, yet he kept his voice pleasant. “I hope all is well with this early morning visit. Please sit down.”
“I would rather keep standing. This is not a social visit. I am here on behalf of my father. He’s returning the bride price you paid for Adaku and claiming his daughter back.” As Ifeanyi spoke, the men with him deposited the items on the floor.
Sure enough they were items that matched what he’d given Adaku’s family during their betrothal—the keg of palm wine, a bag of cowries, several tubers of yam, kegs of palm oil, bales of fabrics, even a live he-goat.
Though his heart sank and his blood boiled, Obinna maintained an outward appearance of calm. “Why are you doing this, Ifeanyi? I have no quarrel with my wife and I have no wish to send her back to her father’s house.”
“Your wife doesn’t wish to remain yours any longer, and my father has granted her wish. If there is anything on the list outstanding, let us know and we will return it immediately. Goodbye.”
Somehow Obinna wasn’t shocked at the news. In the past year, he’d been expecting an event like this. He’d always been prepared for it and his stance had always been over-his-dead-body. Yet today, things had changed. He’d thought matters were resolved between him and his wife. Yet it seemed he was far from the truth. Even after she’d let him in, after she’d vowed to be his forever, Adaku didn’t love him. She still loved the prince.
Ifeanyi turned around and stalked out with the servants. Obinna sat heavily on his chair, holding his head in his hand, his heart slowly breaking at Adaku’s betrayal.
***
“Have you seen it? I told you it’d be the case.”
Adaku paid little heed to her mother’s words as she paced her bed chamber, folding her fingers in her hand. Worry twisted in her guts and she just couldn’t settle down.
“Mother—”
“Don’t mother me. It’s been four days and still no word from the man you call your husband. Four days since your father returned your bride price to Obinna. Where is he? I told you he didn’t want you for a wife. No man keeps a woman in the house with him and doesn’t touch her. Never. It’s not done.”
“Mother, I told you it wasn’t like that. It was my fault. I instigated his actions by rejecting him.”
“Eh, you rejected him, and he stood there watching you. Is he not a man? Does he not have sexual desires? Just stop it now. You have to get prepared. The prince is visiting us today. He’s finally going to do right by this family and honor the bond between our families. He’s going to formally propose for your hand.”
“But mother, I am already married. I can’t marry the prince.”
“Listen to me, girl. You will do as you are told. You are no longer married. In fact you were never married since your marriage was never consummated.”
“I told you already, Obinna and I consummated the marriage the night of the festival,” she said in a frustrated voice. She was tired of having to explain this over and over again to her mother.
“It may be so, but it was too late. Your marriage should have been consummated before the full moon prior to the New Yam festival for it to be binding. Since you didn’t, you are not married. So the prince is free to marry you.”
“I cannot marry the prince. I want to stay married to Obinna. Mother, help me here.”
“You want to stay married to Obinna. The same man you rejected. The same man that didn’t touch you for a year while you lived under the same roof. Are you well at all, my daughter?”
“Mother, please.”
“I told you already, don’t mother me. I’m not interested. I cannot sit back and watch you bring disgrace to this family. Moreover, marrying the prince is what you’ve wanted to do since you were a little girl. You spoke about him non-stop until you were betrothed to Obinna. Our family has a special relationship with the royal household. By marrying the prince, you will strengthen that relationship.”
“But the prince could marry Ij’ego. Our family ties would still be maintained,” she chimed in, hoping for a way out of the dilemma.
“Aside from the fact that Ij’ego is too young to marry at this stage, she’s the daughter of my rival. This honor is due me, as you are the first daughter of this family. So the prince cannot bypass you and marry your half sister.” Her mother paused and took her hands, pulling Adaku to sit down on the chair next to hers.
“My daughter, you have to do this for me, for our family. There is no other way. If you defy your father, he’ll disown you, and I’ll be unable to help you. Eh, my daughter, please. Think about me, and the shame this will bring to me if you annoy your father. I already have my hands full as it is.”
Adaku watched her mother, confusion washing over her. She’d never been able to defy her parents. Certainly not her mother. She understood the woman’s dilemma, her constant struggle to maintain her position in a household of multiple wives and children. Since Adaku’s mother didn’t give birth to the first son, a position every married woman wanted, being the mother of the first daughter was the next best thing.
Still, Adaku had her own life now. And it was with Obinna. She didn’t want to ma
rry the prince. Not anymore. Not after the last few days with Obinna. Still, what could she do? Her parents were her parents.
Sitting there watching her mother, she felt sickened. She wanted to do the right thing for her family. However Obinna was also part of her family now.
She tried several times to sneak out of her father’s house to go to Obinna. She was constantly being watched. Even her attempt to bribe the night guard had failed. He was too loyal to her father and didn’t wish to lose his job.
Where is Obinna? Why hasn't he come for me? Did he give up on me? Is he truly going to wed Nneka?
When she’d arrived at her father’s house, he’d queried her about her married life. Her mother had already told him about her marital problems, so she couldn’t hide anything from him. He had demanded to know how she’d lived with Obinna.
When she’d told him, he’d declared her marriage to Obinna was void because it wasn’t consummated in time. Now she wished she hadn’t told her mother anything.
How am I supposed to prepare myself for Prince Emeka when I yearn for Obinna? After all the years of pining for the prince, now that I’m going to get my wish, I don't want him.
She needed to convince her parents her heart lay with Obinna now. But neither of them was listening to her. The prince had been invited to their home to start the formalities of the betrothal.
Time was running out fast and she needed to find a solution.
***
Later that afternoon, Adaku was summoned to her father’s quarters. Prince Emeka was there discussing the plans for their betrothal with her father.
Emeka stood when she walked in. He was a good-looking man, tall and fair skinned. As always, he looked regal in his rich, patterned clothes and jeweled, gold crown. She understood why she’d taken to him as a young girl. However, looking at him now, she felt no fondness toward him. Only saw him as a friend, not her life mate. She couldn’t marry him.
“Adaku, you look well.” He smiled at her fondly. In the past it would have made her excited to have his attention; now she felt nothing.
“My Prince, welcome.” She curtsied, but made no move toward him as she would have done in the past.
The prince’s smile faded slightly.
Her father stood up. “I need to speak to Adaku's mother briefly.” He walked out, leaving them alone.
The prince moved toward her. She took a step back and blurted out her thoughts. “If you have come to ask for my hand in marriage, I’ll have to inform you that you’ve wasted your time.”
“Why is that, Adaku?” he asked, his brow lifting in puzzlement.
“Because I’ll not marry you. My heart and body belongs to another.”
Though her heart was pounding because she was going against her father’s wish, she didn’t care. She had to end this charade.
“But I thought your heart had always belonged to me. You said you would wait for me.” Prince Emeka sat back down, frowning at her now.
“Well, you also said you would come for me, but you didn’t. Instead, you took Nonye as your bride. You broke your promise first.”
“You knew I had no choice in the matter. I had to marry Nonye to strengthen our clan ties with the people of Umulari. I never felt for her the fondness that I have for you. I would not be here if I didn’t care for you.”
“I know you care for me. I’m sorry I’ll still have to say no to you. I want to stay married to Obinna. There was a time when I thought being a second wife in your home would be good for me as long as I was close to you. Now I know better. Obinna cares about me despite what I—”
Adaku stopped talking when she heard a loud noise coming from the courtyard. She ran outside, closely followed by the prince.
“I demand to see my wife!” Obinna roared. His expression was thunderous. His shoulders high, his muscles tensed up as if ready to fight. He towered over her father’s guards, who flanked him. They looked ready to attack him if her father gave the order.
He looks so fierce, so masculine.
Her heart leaped with joy. He’d come for her. She wanted to run to him, yet her feet stayed rooted to the ground. A sliver of fear ran through her.
“You do not have a wife here,” her father replied stonily, while her mother stood beside him looking worried.
“It would seem so, since she has chosen another,” Obinna replied harshly as his cold angry eyes moved from the prince standing behind her to focus on her.
Adaku flinched as if he’d hit her. The pain searing through her would have been tamer if he’d done so. Her heart sank into her stomach. Tears stung her eyes but she blinked them back, determined not to cry. He had a right to be angry with her. She had brought this trouble on to herself. Yet she wasn’t entirely to blame.
“How dare you accuse me of taking another when you have been speaking to Nneka’s uncle about her betrothal?” she retorted sharply, glad her voice had not wavered as she physically trembled with annoyance.
This time it was his turn to flinch. A dark emotion she couldn’t read flickered in his black eyes before they went cold again.
“Yes, I have been negotiating a betrothal for Nneka’s hand,” he said in matter-of-fact voice, and she gasped that he would admit it openly. “On behalf of my friend, Ikem. Their marital rites will be performed in a few days.”
“Is this true?” Even as she asked it, she knew it was true. Obinna had no reason to lie to her. He’d never done so in the past. She turned to her mother, who just shrugged as if to say she didn’t doubt him either.
“Yes,” he answered quickly before turning to her father. “Ichie Omemma, I have always thought you to be a fair man. Yet you choose to give away my unborn child to another man. All I ask is that you wait the required time until he’s born and returned to me. Then your daughter can marry whomever she chooses.”
“What child?” her father replied puzzled, turning to look at her.
“You can ask your daughter about the child in her womb.” Obinna turned and started walking out. Panicked, Adaku ignored her father. Propelled by a need she couldn’t articulate immediately, she ran after Obinna and stopped behind him.
“You will just leave like that? Without even demanding my return?” Standing this close to him, she felt out of breath and not just from running.
He turned around before she realized he’d moved. Gripping her arms, he pulled her closer, fixing her with an intense stare that stopped her heart for a moment. His eyes were darkened by pain so severe, she would have fallen if he hadn’t been holding her. He was deeply hurt, and she’d caused it. When he spoke, his voice was low and raw with emotion.
“Adaku, I kept you with me for a year. A whole year. I waited patiently, yearning for you. Despite your attitude, I told myself in time you would come around. I gave you all that I had, yet it wasn’t enough for you. Even after you promised to be mine forever, you still returned to him.”
He watched Emeka for a reaction to his words, as the prince continued to stand behind her in silence.
“Well, no more. I cannot keep you tied to me if your heart is elsewhere. You choose whom you belong to. All I ask is that you give me back what we created together. Our child.”
Releasing her, he turned to leave again but she held on to him. She couldn’t let him leave. Not now. Boldly, she fixed her stare on him, making sure he saw the need in her eyes.
“Is that all I am to you? The mother of your child? I thought I meant more to you.”
His shoulders lifted and fell as he heaved a sigh. “Adaku, what do you want from me?” His voice was strained.
“I want you to take me home. I am yours.”
His eyes widened with puzzlement, and he glanced behind her again. She turned around. Both her parents were nodding and smiling.
“She was never mine. Take your wife home,” Prince Emeka said.
“It seems she has made her choice,” her father said as he smiled kindly at both of them.
“Do you mean it?” Obinna turned back to her and as
ked in a gruff voice. His hands on her arms tightened.
“Forever,” she said, almost choking with emotion, relieved her parents finally let her make her own choice of a husband. This time she was making the right choice.
He lifted her up, crushing her body to his and kissing her deeply. Not caring there were people watching. She didn’t care either.
“And I’m yours, aku m.” He breathed into her lips, sealing their future together.
THE END
His Strength
When a warrior seeks to claim a free-spirited woman, he soon discovers a tigress unwilling to be caged. Is the hunter about to be hunted?
As a young widow, Nneka yearns to be released from the obligations to her late husband’s family and live as an independent woman. With a past colored by a brutal father, she’ll never yield to another man willingly and will do just about anything to attain that freedom including flouting the laws of the land.
Ikem was unable to claim Nneka once because his lineage meant he wasn’t good enough. Now fate has given him another chance. But he quickly discovers that claiming this unpredictable wildcat is easier said than done. Will he be able to convince her that succumbing to their passion is the key to her freedom?
Chapter One
Southeast Nigeria, pre-colonization
Ikem leaned against the cashew tree, waiting.
It was early evening; the sun had begun its slow descent into the horizon, creating long shadows against the heat-baked red soil underneath his feet. It hadn't rained for a few days, leaving a feeling in the air reminiscent of the Harmattan, the dry and dusty season, though the period was still a few full moons away. A gentle breeze swirled around him, lifting the dried leaves from the ground, turning them into a mini-vortex before sending them falling gently back down to earth.
This was now a daily routine. Recently he'd taken to standing by this tree, watching his quarry as she walked along the footpath on her way back from the stream. She always carried her ite full of water balanced confidently on her head. So far he'd been unobserved. At least he thought she hadn't noticed. He'd not made himself known or said anything to her.