Ulara: A woman's action and adventure, second chance romance. (The Ulara Series Book 1) by Leesa Bow

Author:Leesa Bow [Bow, Leesa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-03-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Four

Eden

“Welcome to Ulara.” Samuel grins at me, and we both turn and gaze at the village before me.

The excitement rushing through my body is like a Welcome to Hollywood movie set. We’re standing in a clearing where several thatched huts form a circle, and more of the same huts can be seen in the distance. Smoke rises in the air above the grass structures, and I catch the scent of food. It smells good, whatever it is. Until now, I didn’t realize my hunger. With only fruit for dinner and breakfast, I’m craving anything that can be cooked.

Following Samuel, I walk a dirt path at the back of a smaller circle of huts. Between each hut, I get a glimpse of a central fire pit. It’s dry, and no one tends to it. Around us, the jungle squawks, the only applause for my arrival. The further we walk the snake-like path, the more the air steams. The hum of mosquitoes circling above my head never ends. I wipe my hands on my denim shorts before swiping my brow.

Samuel leads me to a long hut with open walls and windows. Here, several fires burn. Some women lean over huge mud pots stirring the contents with a long stick while others squat, grinding or mashing.

The same carbon hair borders their round faces. The color matches their eyes. Slowly, the women uncurl their bodies naked, and take a step back. A soft chatter grows among them. I’m not sure what I expected, but fear wasn’t one. From behind me, the children giggle. “Tamu’ne Akare.”

Samuel says one word I don’t understand, and they laugh back at him.

“At least the children like me,” I say.

“They’re fascinated by your clothes.”

With legs like pogo sticks, they jump in front of me, pointing and laughing.

Samuel makes a noise, and they stop. “They have never seen long white hair.”

“Right.” I drop to my knees to give them a better view. Faded paint covers their dark skin, a combination of Vs and long lines on limbs and chest. Sneaking a glance at the ladies, they’re all watching me with a little more curiosity.

A crack on the ground has them running, although the giggling continues. Samuel drops to his knees beside me. On our left, two older men with similar feathered crowns stand before us.

“Look down,” Samuel demands.

I do, although not before my eyes meet with the man holding the decorated stick. My gut tightens seeing conflict in his dark eyes. It’s a look that tells me he doesn’t trust me combined with an expression of power.

A conversation takes place between Samuel and the two men. One of them is the man from the river—the shaman—the one who’s on my side. I slowly raise my chin and sneak a glance. The shaman is watching me, staring at me as though he’s mesmerized. Maybe it’s my hair? The other guy is more interested in speaking with Samuel.

“Is there a problem?” I whisper.

Samuel hushes me.

He nods repeatedly.

“Stand. Follow me,” Samuel commands.

I do as he says and nod to both the older men.

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