Men of Valor, Books 1 by Kiru Taye

Author:Kiru Taye
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, african authors, colonial africa, african romance, africa romance, africa culture
Publisher: Kiru Taye

Chapter Four

Ezinne stood outside the door to Prince Emeka's private rooms, bracing herself. It was the day after she'd been offered to him as a companion. Even thinking about it still made her blood boil with anger. Yesterday she couldn't believe that he'd agreed to the whole ridiculous plan. But yes, it was actually happening.

Nonye had left for Umulari with her convoy earlier in the day, leaving Ezinne here in Umunri to cater to Prince Emeka's needs. A warm shiver slid down her back, and her hold on the wooden tray of food tightened as she continued to hesitate.

The guard standing beside the doorway glanced over at her before staring straight ahead as he normally did. She wondered what he must think of her, standing at the threshold quivering because she had to take food in to their master.

She had managed to avoid the prince all day, refusing to go to him until he summoned her. However, he hadn't ordered her presence. Now she couldn't avoid him any longer as she was the one scheduled to provide his evening meal. She could ask someone else to do it, but that would mean admitting she was a coward.

A coward, she wasn't. Furious, she was.

Allowing the anger to bubble and rise within her, she stepped forward through the door frame into Prince Emeka's main chamber. He wasn't in the first room. With fraying nerves, she flicked her eyes to the door leading to his sleeping chamber. Then, she swiped her lips with her tongue in a nervous movement.

"Who is there?" Prince Emeka's strong, grave voice rumbled from the other room.

She was wound so tight with worry, hearing him speak nearly made her leap out of her skin. The tray in her hand wobbled, the dishes doing a precarious dance. Nothing fell off, and Ezinne thanked the gods. The last thing she needed was an embarrassing scene to top everything else. Telling herself she could do what was required, she coughed to clear her throat.

"My prince, it is me, Ezinne. I brought your dinner." As fate would have it, she spoke clearly and showed none of her nervousness.

"Put it on the table. I'll be out shortly," was his calm response.

Ezinne took it as a good sign. Hopefully he wasn't angry with her for avoiding him all day. She laid out the bowls of food on the table and the gourd of water.

When she was done, she stood by the table unsure of what to do next. She wasn't used to working as a companion. Was she allowed to sit in the chair at the table or sit in one of the other chairs where Prince Emeka and Princess Nonye usually sat? Nonye wouldn't be happy if Ezinne sat in her chair. She knew that for sure. So she chose to stand instead.

The prince walked out of his inner chamber. Their gazes connected, his black eyes rooting her to the spot.

Mouth dried out, she swallowed hard, her saliva feeling like stone it went down her throat.

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