A Queen Among Kings Read online

  She didn’t have a relationship with Kofi either. He was sly and regarded others far too much for her taste. They respected each other and kept their distance, the way she wished Kwame would do.

  Muto rose and clinked his golden spoon on the top of his wineglass.

  “Salim it’s always good to ave you. You would be the the’d son if you wa’n’t afta’ my daughta.” King Muto eyed the two at the far end of the table.

  Salim and Adanya turned red while everyone sniffled laughter. Their families saw something that the two had dodged and overlooked since they were children.

  “A congwatulations is in orda’.” Muto raised his glass.

  Salim patted Adanya’s knee underneath the table and smiled. She tried to suppress her giddiness, but it was hard. A warm sensation ran through her. It was a well-deserved honor.

  Kwame watched his sister as she exchanged smiles and giggles with Salim.

  “Congwatulations to Salim fo is ascension. I’m behind you, and you will be a gweat king!”

  Kwame smirked. Everyone held up their glasses except Salim and Adanya who watched in confusion.

  Salim searched Adanya’s face for enlightenment. She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.

  She realized he still had doubts and wanted to consider it further. Determined not to express alarm or disappointment, it was easy to paste a smile on her face.

  “To Salim, may he weign well,” she said.

  Chapter One

  Adanya held her sword above her head, positioned where the sun reflected off its blade. The moment of distraction gave her the momentum she needed to overpower her opponent.

  She took advantage of her light armor that allowed her to move light on her feet. The long braid swung in the center of her back, a style option that created less interference when she fought. She would have loved to be more stylish, but as a woman battling men, she played things safe. It had only taken her one battle to discover that even a man wasn’t above pulling hair.

  Her adversary yielded back and carried forward with his silver breast sword in his right hand and his blue and gold Katana in the other.

  The sand inside the marble arena made a miniature dust storm at their feet as they moved and dived on the ground.

  The fight between the two intensified and caused Adanya to lose the opening she once gained, and without hesitation, she side-stepped left with a spin maneuver. Her elbow connected to his jaw in one precise motion.

  The man staggered back with a look of surprise. His smile showed hints of blood, stained in between his teeth. He was enjoying every second of it. Adanya’s smile and delight matched his.

  Through gritted teeth and a heavy grunt, he rushed toward her full throttle. Steel against steel their swords licked at each other. Synchronized movement neither of them could get a solid jab on the other.

  The sun was high with a silence that allowed their swords and heavy groans to be heard. Gritty sand stung her skin as it whirled around her.

  Her brow filled with sweat forcing its way further down her face. Both their bodies were desperate to end the battle. She had always been an honorable fighter, but a dirty trick played in her head.

  She crouched down and swung her leg out to sweep his legs out from beneath him. She watched as he lifted from the ground and fell hard to the sand. He was a big man; a size greater than herself, but it didn’t bother her, she welcomed the challenge as she did them all.

  Adanya towered over him blotting the sun. She placed her blade to his neck with a smirk curled on her lips.

  “You’we losing yoa edge Pwince Salim. I pwesume that appens when you twade in yoa blade to tu’n into a diplomat and king.”

  Prince Salim was the Prince of Iyego and Adanya’s childhood friend. Inseparable from the moment that met as children. Growing up as a prince and princess was hard; it presented them with few friends and even fewer people they could trust. He was everything to her.

  When things were hard for Adanya, being her father’s only daughter and trying to exceed his expectations; Salim was there for her. He was her greatest influence and extremely protective of her.

  During their younger days, they pretended to be king and queen who united all five domains to reign as one vast kingdom. Times had changed, and their dream was nothing more than a fantasy.

  The kingdoms were far from perfect and no matter the circumstances they’d instead strived against each other for the sake of power.

  Salim offered Adanya a mischievous grin.

  “No, that appens when you get olda’, pwincess.” He thought better of his words. “Excoze me. I meant Queen of Lawk.”

  Adanya smiled through her eyes. She was set to ascend on her twenty-fifth birthday, becoming the second woman to rule a kingdom through formal ascension, given to her by King Muto, her father.

  Her time had come, and she was ready to reign as ruler of Lark. At first, she had her doubts along with her father as well, but over time she had grown confident of herself.

  She pulled Salim to his feet who was too tired to make a fuss about her helping him up. Sand held tight to the inside grooves of his armor and dug deep into his skin.

  Their chest rose and fell with rapid beats against their chest, a reminder that they weren’t teenagers anymore. The hot sand helped little, among the treeless environment.

  Salim removed his armor exposing his chiseled bare chest. His skin was creamy, smooth, and dark as chocolate; the kind Adanya felt would melt best in the mouth rather than the hand. The sun captured his physique just right, and the sweat glistened and rippled along his abs.

  Adanya’s eyes roamed every inch of his chest down to the V cut of his pelvic region. Mesmerized she took a deep breath to calm herself.

  She often fantasized about a relationship with him but thought it was for the best not to complicate things.

  Adanya didn’t want to ruin a lifelong friendship if things didn’t work out, besides they didn’t see each that other often anymore. It was the first time they’d seen each other in months.

  He was on a tour around the continent, a necessity to perform as a royal official. They both learned there was little room for romance.

  Salim turned around and found Adanya staring. She averted her gaze and adjusted her armor.

  “My Queen.”

  Adanya cheeks redden which was hard to do, not only because of her dark skin complexion or because his thick, sexy African accent sent passionate volts through her body; she longed to bask in those befitting words since she was a young girl who learned she was her father’s eldest.

  “Soon it will be you twading in yoa swo’d to become a Queen.” He beckoned her to the canopy water well, outside the arena.

  Her kingdom made sure that there were enough water wells for everyone, to provide clean water within their kingdom. A gesture that inspired others to do the same throughout Africa.

  “Onestly, I and’t consida’d that,” she said.

  She swung her sword through the air in one quick, skilled maneuver. Salim’s fixed stare lingered on Adanya for a moment too long.

  He shot her a wink to diffuse the tension; Adanya smiled. He knew she was under a great deal of stress and didn’t want to press the issue.

  “Ah yes.” He chuckled to lighten the mood.

  “I can see it now Queen Adanya studying new law pwoposals and attending council meetings.” Salim laughed to himself at the thought.

  Adanya halted with a solemn expression.

  “That’s not funny. I’ve been wielding a swo’d since I was a child.”

  The role as queen left little room for anything extra. She hadn’t considered she’d have to give it up.

  Salim rolled his eyes.

  “Ow, can I fo’get? You neva’ let me.” Salim stepped short when Adanya grabbed his muscular arm.

  “Then you know this will be difficult fo me, wight?”

  He tossed his head back.

  “Goodness woman we are only ten feet from the well. It’s hot out.”r />
  Adanya crossed her arms, refusing to move until their conversation was kaput.

  Salim let out a deep sigh. The two of them got along well, but the debate about her duties as a queen always caused arguments.

  “Adanya ow did you think it would be? Hmm? Did you figa’ you’d be a queen by day and wawwio at night? The monawch cannot affo’d to ave its queen chawging on the fwont line into battle.”

  The thought of her in battle infuriated him. He was against it when she joined the militia. The apprehension wasn’t that she couldn’t handle dangerous circumstances; it was the grief and agony that would come if she died.

  “S’ioozly Adanya what was the weason in this today? I mean I ad fun but it’s pointless now. You’we no longa’ a wawwio but a queen. It’s time you stawted acting like one.”

  Her face went pale, and her eyes glistened in the sun. Not a warrior anymore. Battle was a drug, and the thrill she got during each battle addicted her to it.

  She joined at thirteen, and her father made sure she didn’t experience any danger. She was a medical aid who tended to the wounded during battles.

  The position didn’t last long, by the age of fifteen she was the leader of her own section. It was a vision to see a teenage girl who led men into battle. She earned the soldiers’ respect; no man questioned her competence and followed without fear or doubt.

  Adanya was a born leader with a heart of bravery and compassion. Her soldiers would die for her because they knew she’d die for them. Being a warrior was her life.

  She couldn’t help but think that Salim was right; maybe the time had come for her to act more like a Queen. Her kingdom’s well-being was her priority as the future ruler of Lark.

  She wrapped her arms around herself, as if cold in the searing heat.

  Salim dropped his head and rubbed his forehead.

  Adanya had already stalked away, but it didn’t stop him from reaching towards her until he considered better of it.

  Salim spotted a soldier next to the well in a metallic red and gold armor similar to Adanya’s with fewer stripes pinned. Salim hung back careful not to interrupt.

  Salim understood that business was business and personal, well it had to wait.

  He had a cup of water in hand for Adanya when she approached.

  The effects of the sun’s heat rays made her clutched the cup from the soldier’s hand.

  The cold water on her lips immediately quenched her thirst. She drained the water within seconds.

  She wiped the beads of sweat from her brow. The soldier took her cup and placed it to the side.

  “Thanks,” she said.

  She allowed herself a moment to cool down.

  The soldier bowed to her, and she nodded in return.

  “What news do you bwing?” She could tell it was important by the seriousness etched in the soldier’s face.

  “Gen’al. King Omawi of Pilpool’s messenga as awwived. E’ wishes to convey a message fwom the king that is u’gent.” The soldier’s nose crinkled at his words.

  King Omari thought intimidation solved every problem he encountered. Plipool and Lark weren’t enemies, but they weren’t friends either.

  King Omari spread many rumors whenever Lark did things that benefited their citizens. He cared little about those in his kingdom. Lark’s citizens respected its’ royal officials, and his people feared him.

  They were both prosperous kingdoms and their dislike for one another niggled many people, but they refused to end it.

  Adanya being in charge of the militia complicated things because she was determined not to back down from King Omari. Previous Generals did whatever they could to keep the peace but not Adanya, she made him walk a fine line when it came to Lark.

  “What now?” Adanya dipped her hands into the bucket to wash her hands and cool her face.

  She had enough on her mind, and she wasn’t up for playing nice with a messenger, especially one of Plipool.

  “Assemble five men and place a bow pa’imeta up igh. Meet me at the fwont gate. T’y not to alawm any citizens.”

  He saluted her.

  “Yes, Gen’al.”

  She stepped right behind the soldier with no thoughts about anything but the matter at hand until Salim set into her focus. He waited, expecting her to come back, but instead, she continued losing her view of him as though he were never there.

  ⸞⸟⸞

  Adanya stood at the gate with six soldiers behind her.

  The Plipool messenger waited on the opposite side. His eyes fell on the men above with bow and arrows pointed at him and his entourage.

  “Open the gate,” Adanya commanded.

  The gates rose, and she motioned for the Plipool messenger to step forward.

  Several men wearing purple and black armor and weapons at their ready accompanied the messenger. The messenger went closer to Adanya and bowed.

  “Gweetings pwincess.”

  She wagged her finger in front of his face.

  “Gen’al.”

  Adanya had one policy with her soldiers; that they address her by rank, never her royal title in any militia setting. The messenger had dealt with Adanya long enough to know how to treat her.

  He humbly bowed his head.

  “What is this message you wish to convey? What does it concign?”

  The man sucked in air and forced a smile.

  “King Omawi wequests two thoozand men to accompany us in battle.”

  Adanya stared at the messenger with a blank expression for a moment. King Omari was up to his usual nonsense and wanted them to cater to his requests. Not today. The Plipool king had balls, she would give him that, but only hers were bigger.

  “So, what battle as King Omawi stawted and fo what caoze?”

  “The king wishes to pa’chase land. The same land the city of Wam also wants to pa’chase.” He paused. “Let’s say negotiations ave failed.”

  She offered a faint smile and relaxed her shoulders as a cool breeze passed. If King Omari’s ridiculous request bothered her, she showed no signs of irritation.

  “You expect my men. Two thoozand of them, whom of which ave families and could die becaoze Plipool’s negotiations failed?”

  She clucked her tongue around in her mouth.

  “Is yoa king not appy with the thoozands of acwes e alweady as o’ does e need additional land becaoze is ego asn’t stopped gwowing?”

  Lark’s soldiers roared with laughter, all except Adanya who held the messenger’s gaze.

  The messenger gripped the tail of his sword until his knuckles whiten. He appraised Adanya’s statement and concluded that the conversation was over.

  “Like I said Gen’al it was a wequest,” he said keeping his wits about himself.

  Adanya stepped closer to the messenger, and on cue, the six soldiers behind her dropped into their fight stances with swords and shields raised.

  She spoke just above a whisper that only the messenger could hear.

  “Wequest denied. Now wun along and tell yoa king neva’ to waste my time with such fwivolous wequests.”

  The messenger nodded and bowed once more and withheld all urges to disrespect the princess.

  He murmured something to his soldiers in a language unrecognizable to Lark. Many kingdoms created unique expressions among themselves. A proper usage for battle and to pass insults, like the messenger had done which was evident by the eruption of laughter from the Plipoolians.

  Although, it didn’t matter Adanya’s decision was final.

  “Seal the gate,” she yelled.

  Adanya continued to eye the Pilpoolians until the gates reached the ground.

  Chapter Two

  Adanya’s father summoned her after King’s Omari’s messenger was out of sight. The king’s chamber was on the other side of the kingdom in a secluded area that overlooked the most essential parts of the empire.

  She made her way down the long corridor decorated with the kingdom’s red and black colors. She looked at the several r
oyal pictures of her ancestors; the pictures held photos of their royal generational history that dated back centuries.

  As she neared the door, she heard familiar voices. The two guards at the entrance were about to open it until she stopped them. The guards were her soldiers, so they granted her the opportunity to eavesdrop.

  Adanya peered between the cracks, King Muto and Bayo sat in an in-depth discussion. Bayo had been her father’s advisor since he first ascended as king. He was a close family friend, and her father trusted him with his life.

  “Well, the messenga doesn’t seem va’y appy.”

  Muto peered out the window at the messenger who still lingered around outside the gate.

  “No doubt Adanya has denied whateva’ wequest King Omawi as sent,” Bayo said as he went through a stack of papers.

  King Muto paced, wringing his hands together.

  Adanya continued to stand at the door as she watched and listened. Adanya was somewhat unpredictable when she dealt with Plipool. Her response to any of his requests relied on how she felt at that moment and what news the messenger sent.

  “Damn that ge’l. I’ve told ha, in o’da to be in oa’ position, it weque’s diplomagy, wationality, and patience. She asn’t masta’ed any of those skills.”

  Bayo looked at King Muto over his glasses.

  “She's jozt the fi’y ge’l we’ve known ha ente’ life my king.”

  “Tha lies the pwoblem. Wha is she?”

  Adanya stepped back two paces and entered the room, but she knew that her father was far naïve.

  “Ah tha she is,” King Muto smiled at his daughter.

  Bayo stood when she entered the room.

  “Pwincess.” Bayo offered her a hug.

  Bayo and Adanya had a close relationship. Her father wasn’t the easiest person to confide in; because his duty as king required much of his attention.

  Her mother would have been an option, but after Adanya became of age, she couldn’t relate to the changes and decisions in she made in her life.

  Bayo was the man who convinced her father that the militia would break her quick temper and put things into perspective for her. When she wanted anything Muto objected to, she sent Bayo to handle things, and it worked.