By declining any explicit debt, Azul had done something far more effective: she'd created an implicit obligation that could never be satisfied.An open-ended favour that would sit in Nnenna's mind, growing heavier with each passing day.
The Third Wife would have no choice but to figure out how to rid herself of this debt on her own.And in trying, she would watch Azul and anticipate her needs.She would step in when Azul's own schemes grew too fragile to stand on their own.
She would become, without ever being asked, a piece on the board that moved itself to protect the queen.
Simply because Azul would not name her price.
"I don't understand," Nnenna whispered, truly lost.
Azul turned back to her, the tincture bottle in hand, and smiled with what might have looked like genuine warmth if one didn't know better.
"You don't need to understand," she said gently."You just need to trust that I want to help.Can you do that?"
It wasn't really a question.
Nnenna nodded slowly, taking the bottle with trembling hands, cradling it as carefully as she cradled her son.
"Thank you, thank you, Akwaugo."
"It's nothing," Azul assured her."Truly."
Everything.
As Nnenna rose on shaking legs and made her way back into the storm, Azul watched her go with relaxed eyes.Lightning flashed again, illuminating the Third Wife's retreating form—bent over her son, protecting him from the rain, the small bottle clutched in one hand like a charm.
When the door finally closed, Azul turned back to her bed, bending down to pull out the large jar.She had heard no hissing for the past two days, so she could only assume the snake inside was on the verge of death.The smell of rot hit her, and she peered down, golden eyes looking at her next prey.
Once again, she heard that voice.It was small, barely a whisper in her mind.But it caressed something deep in her, as though a bond had snapped into place.
Host, you have returned.
An act of god.
The night stormed on, and Azul found herself sitting across from the little snake; whether it was still a snake she couldn't be sure, for it had somehow obtained consciousness.
The snake coiled around Azul's forearm.She had washed it thoroughly, disgusted by the sheer amount of blood it had been cultivated in.Its scales catching the moonlight that filtered through.
"So you were the voice," she said, not expecting an answer.
You ignored me; I was worried… you would throw me away.
The snake tightened momentarily, as if upset by her reaction.
Azul calmed her heart.As absurd as her situation seemed, it was best to approach it logically.Talking snakes were a thing in this world; why was she surprised?Her coming here was strange in the first place.
I have been trying for three days.You are finally listening,it whined, the voice settling directly into her head.
How didn't I hear you?Was I too far away?she asked.
The little snake raised its head, shaking it.No, you can hear me anywhere you are; it's just that you did not wish to hear me, Host.
Azul let out an audible sigh, feeling goosebumps creep up her skin as thunder struck."Don't call me host, it feels like I've become some kind of snake mother."
Ah...but if not host, what should I call you?
She went quiet, what should the animal call her?I would prefer if you didn't talk at all.She stared at it, expecting a reply, but the snake merely stared, as if waiting for her to speak.
Host is fine.she said again, and it heard her this time.
