by Nana Prah
A chill drove down his spine, causing a full-body shiver as he recalled the unexpected dip in his stomach when he’d caught one of Sule’s rare smiles. Full lips had raised, revealing glimmering white teeth. The expression had called to him to respond in kind, which he’d resisted. For a disturbing moment, he’d wanted to reach out to stroke the smooth skin and features that made him look more like a female than a male.
Zareb shook his head so hard that his bound locs smacked his cheek. He couldn’t be attracted to the boy who reminded him more of a girl than his own sister at that age.
No! Attraction wasn’t the issue here. The one thing he’d mastered in this world was knowing and being himself.
He’d been attracted to women all of his life. The thought of being with a man hadn’t crossed his mind, not even on the occasions when guys had tried to come on to him. He hadn’t been inclined to accept what they’d been offering. World-travelled and educated about varying sexualities, he’d rebuffed them gently but with a stern honesty that had left them understanding where he stood on the matter.
He accepted people for who they were, but without a doubt, he recognized himself as heterosexual.
Then what was happening with Sule? Could he be attracted to someone of the same sex after all these years? His gut quivered as he struggled with the newfound thought. How could that be? Was he bisexual? Gay? Sexually fluid or whatever term was floating around these days? What the hell was going on with him?
He ran a calloused palm over his face as confusion and uncertainty like he’d never felt before wracked his brain. Fear held its place, too. He hadn’t been with a woman in months. Perhaps he’d forgotten what true attraction was, and this was just …
Something that had occurred as a fleeting reaction because he was proud of his new student for working so hard. For being like him. Someone to groom into winning the gold medal like he hadn’t been able to.
Not only was Sule a fellow male, but he was ten years his junior. Ten years!
At the age of eighteen, he’d still been a child. Others in his culture might disagree. For him, such a large age gap at his tender age was unacceptable, even if Sule had been a young lady.
He hung his head.
And yet, he’d reacted to Sule in a way that proved disturbing. He rested his head on his chair as his thoughts looped back around to why. It had to be the fact that he appreciated Sule possessing the kind of drive and potential to bring further eminence to not just their continent but to him.
The boy reminded him of himself, and he appreciated no one’s company more than he did his own. It must’ve translated onto Sule.
That had to be it. It was the only explanation he’d accept, so he ended the contemplation.
Chapter Six
“Thanks, everyone. Great meeting,” Malika said to the faces on her laptop. “See you same time next week. In the meantime, keep me updated on your progress.”
Four computer programmers of her IT consultancy group said their goodbyes before logging off. Her business partner, Shoshana Anderson, stayed on the line. They’d set up their IT consultancy three years ago and were now reaping the benefits with an increased client base and employee list. It felt good to see the huge loan they’d taken out decreasing with each monthly payment. It wouldn’t be long before every cent of their profits went into their pockets.
She’d forever be grateful to her mother for more than her generous love. The business-savvy woman had made the suggestion of Malika starting her own company when she’d had difficulty finding an appropriate job after graduating from university. With no sponsor to pay for her fencing training, she’d needed a way to accomplish her goal. Equipment and quality coaching were expensive, and she couldn’t rely on her parents to support her forever. For once, she’d listened to her mother. The venture had threatened to plummet into nothingness during the initial stages. Still, with her best friend from college shoring them up with both her IT and management expertise, things had gotten better.
And now, she sat in Bagumi training under a world-renowned fencing champion while still being able to handle her company. Life was good.
“How’s the preparation for your parents’ anniversary dinner coming?” Malika asked.
Shoshana’s mass of curly hair shook, framing her deep golden-brown skin. “Don’t even ask. My mother is on my back about it. It turns out that thirty years of being married to the same man without suffocating him in his sleep is a big damn deal.”
Malika laughed. “I’d say it is. Why don’t you hire a party planner?”
“I like hanging out with my mother these days. It’s as if I’ve finally woken up to how great she—” Shoshana’s onyx eyes rounded. “Oh, Malika. I’m so sorry.”
In an attempt to downplay the depth that the loss of her mother had dug into her, she waved down a hand. “It’s okay to appreciate your mom. She’s an amazing woman. Tell her I said hello, and I miss her.”
Shoshana looked away from the screen for a moment before pasting on a smile. “Um, I will. Tell me what’s going on with you.”
“Not much. Still training.”
“With a gorgeous fencer who happens to be a prince.” She fanned her face. “How do you stand it?”
Malika raised a brow. “Have you forgotten that he thinks I’m a dude?”
Shoshana chuckled. “I kinda did. How’s that going?”
“He hasn’t kicked me out of the program yet, so I must be doing something right.”
Her friend clicked her teeth. “I can’t believe that he can get away with not training women.”
It didn’t sit right to have other people question Zareb’s Neanderthal ways. Just because she wasn’t privy to why he’d made his decision didn’t mean there wasn’t a good reason behind it.
“It’s like Quest Technologies accepting the clients we work with. We choose based on what we can offer. Maybe he does the same.”
“Huh. Still sounds wrong.”
Malika didn’t disagree. “How are things with Jonathan? Will I be having to fly out for a wedding sometime soon?”
“Ha. That man is as far from proposing as I am to eating ice cream without blowing up the place.”
Malika burst out laughing, glad that she could be herself with an old friend. “Why don’t you take the leap and ask him?”
“No way! It’s a risk I’m not ready to take. What if he said no? You know I don’t do well with rejection.” She sighed. “I’ve been dropping some not subtle hints, so he knows that I’m ready to take the plunge. He’s a smart man. He’ll come around.”
“I hope so. You deserve to be happy.”
Shoshana smiled. “I already am.”
“Awww.”
Malika’s heart sighed, wanting what her friend had. She wouldn’t mention it to Shoshana until after the event, but she’d soon get the chance to meet Zareb as her true feminine self. The queen had insisted that she attend the celebration of the anniversary of the king’s enthronement tonight. Her appearance as Sule would be short-lived, but then, Malika would stay for the duration of the ball.
What a difference working with him had made in getting to see a deeper level. Although he was nobody’s teddy bear, she’d discovered that he wasn’t as hard as he presented himself. He’d always been respectful to Sule, if not brisk. She’d witnessed him speaking to a couple of his gym members during her afternoon sessions, and he’d been personable. Despite the intensity of the workouts, there hadn’t been a session that she’d wanted to end because it meant leaving him. There was also the way her heart banged in her chest every time they got together. That had to be some kind of a sign.
It was time to find out if she and Zareb were as suited as the queen insisted.
Who was she kidding? Thoughts about being with him in her true form intruded into her mind when she should be focused on creating codes for her clients or engaging in conversations at the dinner table.
Would he be interested in Malika the way she was him? If he was, would she be willing
to forget her dreams of fencing greatness by telling him the truth so that they could be together with no lies between them? Only time would tell.
***
With the party a few feet away, Zareb wished he could head in the opposite direction to avoid the mass of people. Tonight, as they did every year, they would raise a toast to the king and let him know how beloved he truly was.
He reached the security detail performing a second check of identification and invitations at the massive carved Bubinga wood doors. Most of his crew were on duty this evening. Like him, as always, they were armed and ready for any eventuality. The guest list of names the two queens had given him had been thoroughly vetted, so things should run smoothly.
No use asking if there had been any issues—he’d have already heard about it in his earpiece. With a sigh of resignation, he stepped into the crystalline paradise the queens had created. He’d make his presence known for an hour, no longer, before leaving to keep an eye on the festivities at a non-engaging yet close distance.
The plucked notes of guitars, blending with the cool melody of a keyboard and the rhythmic beats of a traditional skin drum, met him as he entered. Striding through the room in search of his mother, he kept his attention on the visitors as he ignored the stares from some of the more curious. He preferred to keep to the background, so it was rare for people to encounter him.
The area could seat two hundred at dinner tables, but his mother had opted for a standing room gathering with a few seats along the periphery. Something different for her. Perhaps it was so she could pack more people into the space. A rough guess would place the head count at close to four hundred versus the five hundred that had been invited.
Zawadi came into view. His oldest brother touched the tips of his finger to his palm in a silent call. When Zareb reached the crown prince, Zawadi flicked his wrist in a dismissal of his security detail.
The man glanced at Zareb. When he nodded, the guard backed away.
Zawadi’s dark eyes blazed. “No more.”
“It’s necessary. I have this sense of apprehension, and it’s not clear why.”
“A bodyguard around the clock is not required.”
Zareb clenched his jaw. The discussion had been ongoing. He knew his overprotectiveness wasn’t the best, but he needed his family safe until he figured out why his instincts had been firing. He hadn’t been able to discover anything.
Zawadi laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “I know you’ve got everything covered. You always have. My brother, I’m not asking for much. Just my freedom back. You know I can take care of myself.”
Zawadi was right. They’d both trained to be officers at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. His time at the institution had been spent living in the shadow his big brother’s perfection had cast.
Zareb considered Zawadi. He needed to let go of his own insecurities and let his family live. Whatever his gut was trying to tell him would materialize. Hopefully, he’d be able to prevent anything horrible from happening, but he was making everyone miserable with his mother-hen protection. Their happiness was the most important thing.
“I’ll ease up.”
Zawadi let his arm drop to his side. “Not just for me, but everyone.”
“Fine. But when you leave the palace walls, security will be tight.”
“Agreed.”
Zareb would get the last win. “Starting tomorrow.”
This got a chuckle from his stoic brother. “Stop by my place next week, and we’ll hang out. It’s been a while.”
The simple invitation from a man he respected pleased him. “I’d like that.”
Zareb signalled to the guard to return.
“Try to enjoy the party,” Zawadi said with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.
“I see that you’re sense of humour is intact.”
His brother left, laughing.
Zareb zoned in on the most elegant woman in the room. She was in her element, surrounded by her admirers. His sisters had been disappointed to give their regrets at not being able to attend. Otherwise, his mother’s grace, regality, and beauty would have had true competition. He found the idea of her organizing the party on a date that his sisters wouldn’t be able to steal attention from her intriguing. Not even she was that manipulative.
Or was she?
He waited on the outside of the crowd until his mother noticed his arrival and nodded.
When the people saw who she’d given her attention to, they divided, allowing him to pass through. He bent to place a kiss on her proffered cheek. The solid man of a guard he’d assigned to her shifted to relieve the uneasiness of not having a wall to his back.
His mother beamed. “You made it.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” Or had a choice?
She reached for his hand and led him forward. “Between you and Isha, I’m not sure which is more stubborn. I can never tell what either of you is going to do at any given moment.”
He and his eldest half-sister had definitive ways of seeing the world and acted accordingly. They didn’t always agree. It was oftentimes the peacemaker of the family, India, who had the courage and charm to separate them during their more heated arguments. If Isha didn’t come home soon, he’d have to visit her.
The large gathering was already starting to get to him. “I won’t be able to stay long.”
“I figured as much. I’d like you to meet someone.” She craned her Bagumi-gold, diamond, and ruby-jewelled neck as she searched the area. “Now, where is she?”
His mother was once again on a mission to set him up. He wouldn’t fall for it. “Out of all these people, you want me to meet one?”
Her laughter came out as a contagious tinkle, and the corner of his lips tipped upward.
“She’ll be more than enough.”
He continued to scan the room for anything out of the ordinary. Anyone who appeared inebriated would be escorted out before they had the chance to make trouble.
“Where’s Baba?”
“If you hadn’t been tardy, you would’ve witnessed him having a wonderful time. He left a short while before you entered to make a wardrobe change.” She tilted her head to look up at him. “Your drama-king of a father wanted to change into four outfits this evening. I talked him down to two; otherwise, he would’ve spent the whole night dressing rather than enjoying this spectacular party Sapphire, and I organized.”
He glanced around to find his stepmother. The queen caught his eye and smiled. He returned the gesture, making a mental note to speak with her before disappearing.
“Your father will be back soon, so don’t leave until then.”
He looked at his mother. “We spoke in his quarters this morning.”
He liked the changes that had overcome his father since his heart attack a couple of years ago. In his eyes, he’d become a nicer man. A transformation had come over Zareb, too. For the first time, he’d realized that his father wouldn’t always be with him.
They hadn’t gotten along for the majority of his life. Two headstrong men in the same household was never a good combination. Where his brothers had been born with the gift of tact or charm, the traits had skipped him. The verbal and behavioural filters had come later in life. Almost too late to have appreciated the man he’d butted heads with more than he should’ve.
Time and experience had taught Zareb to be more tolerant of others and yielding to the power they held in their own right. The threat of losing the man who had taught him that important lesson through example had made him appreciative of the king. No matter how strained their relationship may have been in the past, he wanted to know his father better while he could.
He'd given up his goal of returning to the Olympics when his father had asked him to take care of his family. As heavy as it made his heart feel at times, he’d never regret the decision.
His mother’s warm hand rested against his forearm. “Always the dutiful son.”
“He deserves nothing less.”
“This is true, my cocoa pod sweetness.” Once again, her gaze swept the room. “Where could she be?”
In the middle of hoping that the mystery guest would remain lost, his attention caught on Sule’s face between the branches of a potted palm. He shivered at the unguarded initial impulse to go to the young man. Venomous spiders scurrying along his skin couldn’t have made him any more uncomfortable at the realization.
He had a lot to sort out.
Chapter Seven
Malika rested a hand against her roiling stomach as terror threatened to have her drop and curl up on the floor of the alcove she cowered in.
Zareb’s presence in the crowded room had eradicated any illusion that she could go through with meeting him as her female self. Despite her having to lie to him because of his sexist philosophy, she liked him as a person, and this scared the confidence right out of her. And to be fair, she’d only seen him be respectful to the women he’d encountered while in her presence. She could’ve been knocked over with her own sword when she’d learned that he didn’t directly train women, but he allowed them to use his gym and be coached by other members of his team.
His lean, muscular build and stunning handsomeness, that she had to force her gaze away from when they trained, added to the getting-longer-list of things she appreciated about him.
She chewed on the inside of her cheek. He thought she was a guy. Things wouldn’t turn out well when he discovered the truth, especially after meeting her as Malika. She wasn’t trying to play him for a fool, only get the chance to become the best in fencing. Getting to know him on a personal level would convey otherwise.
Yet, the queen insisted that she meet him tonight as the vagina-toting Malika. Whatever Queen Zulekha requested, she got. So here she was, trying to figure out a way out of the situation without infuriating Her Majesty.
