“I will begin building our new village with House of Zorah,” Kojo says. “Levi and I will discuss the design and break ground when he arrives.”
Zaki turns to me and the smirk that crosses her face is the one I have learned to brace myself for — it means she is about to announce something I am not prepared for. “I spoke with the seamstress Jackie about your gown for the customary feast.” I groan internally and open my mouth to protest but she is already moving forward.
“In two months, Zohar Pride gathers in our honor so you can be crowned matriarch properly.” She says it with authority, and the look in her eyes says I better not argue about it. “I will prepare you for this.”
She turns to Leah and her voice shifts from announcement to logistics. “Do you have my queen’s measurements?”
Leah lights up immediately, tapping her temple with one finger. “All ingrained in my memory. Every single one.”
“Come.” Zaki is already moving toward the door. “I need help with Jackie. There are details the seamstress and I could not agree on, and I require a mediator who understands both Bouda tradition and human fashion.”
Leah nearly trips over her own feet following Zaki out of the lab, the two of them disappearing through the door with Leah already talking about fabric options and Zaki’s voice carrying back down the hallway, correcting her on the difference between ceremonial draping and decorative excess.
Kade rolls her eyes but the smile on her face is real, and she watches her wife disappear around the corner. She turns to me and puts a hand on my shoulder, her pale blue eyes holding mine.
“You are fitting in here better than most humans do in their first month, and you have been here barely a week. I am proud of you, Kendra.”
“How could I not fit in here?” I say, and the words come from somewhere honest that I did not plan to open. “I can rest here. I can be myself. I feel loved.” I pause, and the truth of it settles into me as I say it. “That is more than a Black woman gets to ask for on a regular day.”
Kade smiles and leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek, and then she straightens and walks out of the lab without another word. Amari has already returned to his workstation, his focus back on the holographic display in front of him.
Kojo takes my hand. His palm is warm and rough and his fingers close around mine. We walk out of the technology center and into the afternoon light, and he doesn’t let go of my hand until we reach the SUV.
