Then Their Lips Touch (2)

Emeravwe became fully aware of Mudiaga's attention when he came behind her as she struggled to pull a bow at a fan shop. As promotion, the owner promised to give the gift of a fan to anyone who could knock one over with a rubber-tipped arrow. She was wrestling with the bow and arrow, attempting to aim at an intricate lace fan, when Mudiaga approached from behind, resting his hands over hers.

“Hold it like this,” he instructed, pressing close.

Emeravwe jerked away, her heart skipping at his closeness and soft touch.

“I’m just showing you how to hold the bow,” he said innocuously, but grinned his dimpled grin, the look in his eyes flirtatious.

She eyed him warily. “Go away—do not show me!”

He laughed, drawing nearer. “Don’t be so coy, we’re not strangers.”

Emeravwe put out a hand to keep him at bay, but quickly withdrew it when it pressed against the hard planes of his chest. “Maintain yourself! This is hardly any way for an officer to behave toward a Maiden!”

He smirked, leaning forward. “We’re not in the Inner City, Emeravwe. Or in the Sun’s Court. This is the Outer City--no one would mind if I held you in my arms here.”

Her breath caught at his brazen statement, and at the amorous look in his eyes. Her body suddenly felt warm, and she looked disconcertedly to Akpokene.

“Don’t look at her, Akpokene won’t help you. Right?” Mudiaga turned to Akpokene.

Akpokene beamed, seeming to be enjoying herself. “I have no problem with this.”

Mudiaga cheered, “I knew we were cut from the same rugged cloth!” He turned to Emeravwe. “And I’ve seen you can be just as bold,” he took her hand, pressing it to his chest again, “and that you don’t dislike me.”

Emeravwe’s heart lurched wildly at his daring move, and her face flared with heat. Yet, for a split second, she let him hold her captive, filled with wonder as she felt his brawny chest for the second time. Then she yanked her hand away, staggering back in a fluster. “Outrageous! That does not mean that-that I like you!”

He smiled. “We can change that.”

His confident smile completely unhinged her. Because she sensed it was true. Tense, she placed the bow and arrow on the stand and walked silently away.

“Running won’t help you, either!” he called after her as he and Akpokene followed.

Akpokene burst in laughter. “You are outrageous! If only I had been assigned to your office, I could enjoy such fun every day!”

“I’m glad I could give you some cheer,” Mudiaga said. “Take it as my thanks.” He nodded to Emeravwe. “I made up my mind to advance when you blurted my thoughts.”

Akpokene answered smugly, “You are welcome. But a word of warning; you are not the only daredevil intent on courting a Maiden. And though I have no problem with it, I know one Eunuch who might.”

Emeravwe’s ears perked at Akpokene’s words.

“You don’t mean Eunuch Aslan?”

“Oh! You know of him?”

Mudiaga marched forward to be in step with Emeravwe, demanding, “What exactly is your relationship with the Eunuch? From what I last saw, it’s way too close!”

Emeravwe’s face grew warmer at the mention of Aslan, and a twinge of guilt gnawed at her, for she had let Mudiaga’s advances ruffle her. Yet, why should she feel guilty? Her goal was to be with the king, not with Aslan or Mudiaga. But she had seen neither hide nor tail of said king since entering the Bureau of Court Affairs, and distractions swirled around, confusing her.

She shook her head. “We are simply friends.”

“You may simply be friends,” Akpokene intoned, “but the Eunuch is also simply enamored of you!” Emeravwe glared at her. She flashed a teasing smile and linked her arm with Emeravwe’s, bumping her hip. “You cannot deny it. He even helped us steal into the Eunuch’s Library to study for the Bureau of Court Affairs’ exam. We both know he did not do so for my sake.”

“Enough!”

“Oh?” Akpokene peered at her, “Are you flustered?”

Emeravwe wrenched her arm away, burning with embarrassment.

Mudiaga declared with alarm, “Don’t tell me you have feelings for the eunuch—you’ll regret it!” He cautioned, “There’re a couple things he doesn’t have that you might find disappointing later!”

Emeravwe and Akpokene turned curiously to him.

Akpokene asked, “A couple of things like what?”

“Uh…” Mudiaga froze, a look of confliction overcoming him. Huffing in frustration, he brushed a hand over his coiled hair. “I can’t spoil the innocence of Maidens!”

Emeravwe squinted suspiciously. Knowing him, it was doubtless something inappropriate, so she decided it best they change the subject. “Did you not say you would see your family?”

“Yes, let’s stop at one more shop then head over. It’s not far from here.”

They went to a fruit and vegetable vendor where he purchased two long sticks of sugarcane, a bag of garden eggs, and a soursop, then led the way to his home. It was part of a long stone building with several entrances. Each entrance was stationed with a stall, so there was a row of stalls before the building. They displayed jewels, perfumes, and miscellaneous goods and accessories.

Mudiaga quietly approached a doorway with two stalls on either side, one displaying wooden bowls and utensils, the other laid with intricately designed necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and carved trinkets. Behind this stall sat a girl of about thirteen years, so focused on the tiny beads she was stringing together that she did not notice their approach. Mudiaga leaned slowly across the stall laden with accessories, furrowing his brow at the girl as she did hers in concentration. When she still did not notice his face just inches from hers, he issued a rumbling succession of barks like a mad dog. The girl leapt to her feet with a shriek that sent her beads flying. He pulled back with raucous laughter, and Emeravwe and Akpokene laughed quietly.

“Mudiaga!” The girl’s voice was a mix of surprise, cheer, and annoyance. But the cheer and surprise disappeared, and she complained bitterly, “You ruined my bracelet!”

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