He understood propriety and so did not overstep his bounds, though she was the daughter of a woman he held dear to his heart.
Obiageli's golden eyes met his as he regained his position standing tall, looking down on her.
"I have come to discuss the Dowager's position."Chukwuemeka pressed on.He was not a man accustomed to waiting."The time has come to formalise what we both know to be true.The Igwe is dead.Borji has been removed.The only one left is Somadina.Now all you have to do is declare that the gods have chosen her as Divine King—"
"The gods have chosen no one."
Her voice was quiet, but it cut through his words, forcing him to still.
"What?"
Obiageli rose from her position beneath him; he noticed she was not as small as he thought.
"The gods have chosen no one," she repeated."Not the Dowager.Not Somadina.Not anyone from this family's accursed lineage."
Something cold began to crawl up Chukwuemeka's spine.
"You speak nonsense," he said hastily."You are the Oracle.You were trained by the priestesses.You have performed the rituals for twelve years—"
"I have performed rituals for twelve years."Obiageli's lips curved."I do not claim the Dowager as my chosen king.Why did you assume I would allow the woman who formed me into imprisonment to hold power of such magnitudes?"
Chukwuemeka did not answer.He was staring at her face, at those golden eyes that suddenly reminded him of Azul's.
"You made sure you were always on the winning side.I made sure there was no winning side for you, Chukwuemeka."
The cold reached the base of Chukwuemeka's skull.
And a hand struck the girl's cheek.A man raised on the notion of violence would always resort to violent means when challenged.This time was no different.Obiageli choked as he grabbed her by the neck, lifting her off the ground, his nostrils flaring.
"The Dowager believes she was chosen.She has always believed it.The rituals, the offerings, the way she speaks of the gods as if they are her personal council—"
"She believes it because I made her believe it," Obiageli spat, barely breathing."Every vision she has ever had, every whisper she thought she heard, every sign and portent and divine confirmation—I put them there.She's been eating out of my hand like a well-trained bitch."
"You dare!?"he roared, his hand tightening around her neck.
"I dare.And now, Father, your time is up."
Shouts and footsteps approached the isolated courtyard, and Obiageli was dropped as Chukwuemeka darted outside, heart pounding as he understood what was happening.
Guards surrounded him, spears pointed from all directions.
"By order of the Okpalaeze," one announced."Chukwuemeka shall be arrested for treason against the sacred Of?!"
The Dowager's chambers were quiet when the servants burst in.
She sat by her tea table, all grief scrubbed from her face and replaced with serenity.At the commotion, irritation flickered across her features.
"What is this?"she demanded."How dare you enter without—"
"Dowager!"The lead servant fell to her knees, gasping for breath."Forgive us, but—the Okpalaeze—he's issued orders—"
The Dowager rose, her heart seizing."What orders?"
"To arrest the Ugoeze and Chukwuemeka—they're being taken to the cells even now."The servant's voice broke."He's ordered the Akwaugo’s release!”
The Dowager silenced the room.Her face transformed from one of tranquillity to blooming rage."What?"The word was barely a whisper."What did you say?"
"The Okpalaeze—he's freed the devil.He's arrested the Ugoeze.They're saying—they're saying he has evidence that the Ugoeze is the one the Oracle spoke of!"
