Deities of Deceit

Chapter Twenty-eight

Nimah Eze | Twenty-eight
THE SLAVE PRINCE
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"What just happened!" Iman screamed into the clouds, laughing. "You danced with the queen!"

"I danced with the queen!" I screamed back, then lifted my gaze to the moon with waving arms and screamed again, "I DANCED WITH THE QUEEN!"

"Tell me how this is possible!"

"I have no understanding of it myself!"

"I cannot believe this!"

"I cannot either!"

Through the rest of our flight back home, the dialogue between Iman and I remained relatively the same. Iman would ask me how any of it was possible, and I would say I hadn't the slightest clue, then we'd scream and make fake scenarios about all the possibilities.

What if the queen had unveiled you?

What if she slipped and dropped into your arms?

What if she unknowingly pulled you in for a kiss?

Iman's ideas were exceedingly ridiculous but I indulged everyone one of them, swooning and giggling until we arrived back at the Abubakar residence.

"Iman!" I called out when the chariot began to throttle away. "You were right!"

"About what!"

"The dream!" I smiled, then signed 'thank you' to her.

"You are most welcome dearest friend!" She turned to the gates and I watched her disappear behind them before taking my head back into the chariot and leaning my head against the window. My cheeks were hurting from smiling too much, it was pretty pain and I never wanted to stop. Without cease, images of what the night had become flooded through my mind and I let them drown me.

It was not only a few minutes before I arrived back at Iman and I's secret take off point. I hurried out of the chariot and bowed to the coachwoman as she rode off. My eyes were on them till they began to vanish, and so did all my splendid attire, turning back into Papa's old clothes.

My heart was too full that night, I could've sworn at any moment I'd combust. Euphoric joy, sizzling happiness. I still smelt of vanilla, I still smelt of the queen. I danced around in a circle, holding the memory of her in every step, humming the music happily. I thought the smile on my face would never fade, I thought I could live forever. That night, anything and everything was possible. If I could dream it, then I could be it. There were no shackles around my mind. I was free, and every strand of hair on my body stood in testimony of my freedom.

I whistled all the way back home, swaying my lantern as I hopped and hopped from side to side. I made my way through the gates, giggling and smiling to myself. The night was too perfect to be real and all I wanted to do was hold it in my palm and keep it alive forever.

"Nimah!" Chief Adachi's voice thundered as I strode past the main residence.

The smile on my face shrunk as I turned to where Chief Adachi stood on the front pavement of his house. Surprised, I bowed. The Adachi's were most likely to remain at the ball till a couple hours before sunrise. Behind him, Udume emerged and my forehead scrunched in confusion. How could he be home when he was to be crowned?

"Chief, Jookwah," I greeted.

"Get in here now!" he screamed.

I hurried to the pavement, barely arriving when the Chief rushed down the stairs and slapped me hard across the face. My head hadn't fully swung to the right when he grabbed a fistful of my hair and dragged me into the living room where everyone else had been waiting. I searched Mmachi and Lolo Adachi's face for answers, they were just as tense as I was.