“Yeah,” I rasp, close my eyes, then press my forehead to hers. “Yeah.”
CHAPTER TWENTYEshe
“I’m not one to stand on ceremony, so my first official day as oba won’t include a big speech. Words aren’t really my thing, anyway. I’m more of a ‘you can get these hands’ kind of person.” I grin, and light laughter fills the space that used to be known as the throne room.
It’s now known as the family room.
And with so many members of the Mwuaji family crowded into it to welcome me, we finally feel like a true family.
Well, almost.
“Needless to say, I’m going to keep this short. I bet you’re looking at what’s behind me.” I glance over my shoulder at the drape-covered furniture and smile. “Forgive me the theatrics, but I took a page out of King Arthur’s book.”
I turn and nod at the two staff members, one of them being Marshall, the young man from the night of my and Malachi’s botched assassination attempt at the obodo. They peel back the sheet of material, revealing a gleaming ebony round table with twelve high-backed chairs surrounding it.
Twelve. The number of perfection.
“The Mwuaji tradition has been one oba who reigns, and that isn’t changing. But I’m also smart enough to know that I’m not all-seeing, all knowing. And a family is strongest when all its members are heard, feel seen, are fed. If I’m eating but you’re going hungry, what kind of queen am I? No, if you all prosper, then I prosper. To ensure that happens, to make sure we remainMwuaji strong and powerful not just to this world but with one another, I’m forming the Queen’s Council.”
I climb the three shallow steps of an oval-shaped glass dais that now sits in the place where that blasphemous chair of Abena’s once stood. It was the first thing I had removed. That ugly-ass mirror was the second. Then I just had the entire room stripped down. Just a bare room. We’re starting anew. No throne occupies this dais. No arrogantly fashioned crown. I’m the only symbol of power it needs.
“Tera, Nef, Maura, Kenya, Tyeesha, Sienna, and Penn, can you come forward?” The seven women, who are standing at the front of the room, step toward me, glancing quickly at one another. Yeah, they weren’t expecting this. None of them were. “Tera, you’re my oldest friend. If anyone’s going to be honest with me even if it hurts, it’s you. That’s why I’m appointing you as my counselor and the first member of the Queen’s Council.”
My friend’s eyes flare wide, and in typical Tera fashion, she simply nods, not making an emotional display of it. But I note the glisten of moisture in her gaze, the movement of her throat.
“The rest of my Seven,” I say to the other women, “you aren’t just my most loyal kapteni and my best friends, you’re my sisters. I wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for you, your fierce love and loyalty for me. No, it’s not Mwuaji tradition to have multiple counselors, yet customs are in place to guide but also, sometimes, to let us know we need to pivot and change. Besides, I wouldn’t be off to a very good start as oba if I didn’t take advantage of the courage, wisdom, and insight available to me right here with you.” I smile. “Welcome to the Queen’s Council.”
They bow their heads, a couple of them placing their hands over their hearts.
“Thank you, oba.” Them calling me by that title as a sign of their love and respect has my throat tightening.
God, it’s been a month since I killed Abena, since I woke up in the hospital thankful to just be alive. The recovery from the gunshot wound has been slower than I’d like but not as long asthe doctors would. I gave them four weeks; they would’ve preferred six to eight. But I have work to do. A family to lead. A life to celebrate.
“Bisa, Taraji, Richter, and Moorehead, please come forward.” The two men and two women wind their way through the crowd to stand in front of the dais. I place my hand over my heart and meet each of their gazes for several moments, letting them see my gratitude, glimpse the loyalty that they selflessly showed and gave me. “Blood before belief. When I called, you came. Even at high personal cost. You had my back when it would have been easier to turn me away, but instead, you stood behind me, offered me your support, your power, your life. I’ll never forget. It is my honor to invite you to the Queen’s Council.”
They murmur their thanks and bow their heads, then move to the side in front of the table with the others. The room erupts in applause and loud cheering, and I grin, joining in. These people are my backbone. And with them by my side and at my back, this family is going to be the most powerful, the most feared.
I inhale, and the pinch in my chest reminds me of my injury and that I still have some healing to do. But it also reminds me of something else. Or someone else.
My heart.
“I’m almost finished, so no worries.” I chuckle. “One more change. Not going to lie. It’s a big one. No pun intended,” I murmur on a snort. I turn and look behind me to Malachi, who leans against the far wall in the corner, arms crossed. “There’s one person here who started out as my would-be assassin, who turned into an ally, and who’s now mine,” I simply say. “And because he’s mine, that makes him ours.”
I turn and stretch out my hand toward him. A joy damn near too big, too loud to contain swells inside me as he pushes off the wall and strides toward me. That big body is still beautiful. Still powerful. Still deadly graceful. I wouldn’t say I tamed the Huntsman, because who can tame such a wild, brutal creature?Hell, why would I want to? I can say, though, love soothed him, offered him a safe space. Gave him a family.
Not just any love though.
My love.
As Malachi climbs the dais steps and folds his larger hand around mine, I tip my head back, meeting that beautiful gaze. Those eyes burn even brighter since Miriam’s return. And yeah, I owe that ho a punch to the throat for nearly blowing me and my girls up, but for Malachi, I’ll gladly welcome her to the family. There’s always room for more.
And, of course, he has me. The Seven. And the rest of the Mwuaji.
I slide a hand up his chest, close my hand around the front of his throat, and rise up on my toes. He bends his head and opens his mouth over mine. In front of my family, I kiss him. On a groan, I open wide for him, and he thrusts his tongue between my lips, licking, sucking. I’m sealing who he is to me, to them. But I also just can’t get enough ofhim. I never will. And they just better get used to the sight of my tongue in his mouth because it’s on sight.
After pressing my lips to him for a last taste, I turn back to my family with a smile.
“You’ve known him as the Huntsman. Let me introduce you to…” I glance at him once more, and when he dips his chin, I slowly exhale and continue. “Let me introduce you to Malachi Bowden, my consort, my partner, my love. My family.”
