And The Fog Clears (2)

Mudiaga grinned, “I thought so,” and took the lead as they crept along the wall.

“Do you know a way into the department?” Emeravwe asked.

“Yes, the front door, but that’s not gonna work, now is it?” was Mudiaga's reply.

“Stop joking or we shall both die!”

He laughed quietly. “These buildings are old, so we’re bound to find at least one crack in the wall. If not, we’ll just dig a hole.”

Emeravwe hoped he meant it metaphorically, because though he laughed, she feared he may not hesitate to dig if it truly came to that.

They came to the side of the building housing the rooms that contained the records of the House of Nobles, and Mudiaga handed her the lantern. He went from window to window, pushing against the glass and testing their seal.

“The guards make rounds around the compound every hour,” he explained as he forcefully pushed up against one window; it gave no response, and he moved on, “but they mostly focus on two buildings. The Department of Court Records and the Department of the Royal Archives. If we time our movements right, we can avoid being caught.”

He vigorously pushed against the next window, and it shifted slightly with an audible clunk. “Ha!” he turned eagerly to Emeravwe. “And I think we just found a crack. Time to dig!” He reached to the small sheath hanging on his sword belt and pulled out a blade, which he proceeded to work into the side of the window.

“What are you doing?” Emeravwe asked.

“I’m gonna try and break the latch,” Mudiaga grunted, driving the blade forcibly between the window and its frame. He held the knife with his left hand, pressing against it with his right as he thrust his weight forward. He repeated the motion until they heard the crackling of the lock breaking. He stepped back with a rush of breath, raising the knife triumphantly.

Emeravwe nodded her acknowledgment. “A gallant officer, indeed.”

He sheathed the knife on his belt, intoning smoothly, “At times like these fair maidens give gallant officers a kiss.”

Emeravwe crossed her arms, saying matter-of-factly, “Gallant officers do not demand kisses from fair Maidens.”

“They also don’t break into restricted buildings. But since I’ve become a common picklock on your behalf, the least you can do is give me a reward.”

“Be patient, my friend,” she quoted glibly with a sweet smile, “Oghene ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’”

Mudiaga scrunched his brow at her quoting of the Scriptures of Kremna. Kremna was the Holy Mother of the kingdom, a Chosen of Oghene who birthed the forefathers of the Four Tribes, and who was represented by one of the crescent moons that made up the Heavenly Bodies. The other represented Kalor, the Holy Father.

Mudiaga gave her a vapid look that said he was not amused, then turned back to the window, sliding it open to one side. He hoisted himself onto the ledge, then twisted his broad shoulders to fit through and hopped down on the other side. Beckoning to her, he relieved Emeravwe of the lantern, setting it on the floor. Then he reached out, taking hold of her beneath her arms and lifting her through the window with a grunt.

She greeted as he set her down, “Dou.”

He nodded, and she picked up the lantern while he slid the window back into place. Raising the light, she stepped forward to peer around the room, but Mudiaga suddenly wrapped a hand around her waist, drawing her back against him.

“Mudiaga!” she protested. She attempted to twist from his grasp, but he wrapped his other arm around her, pinning her to him, and her heart lurched.

“‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.’ Oghene knows I can be impatient and won’t mind if I take my reward now.”

He leaned forward, tightening his grip around her waist. Emeravwe could not help but notice that though he and Aslan were about the same height, his chest was broader and harder, his arms more muscular. She hunched over as he pulled her even tighter, the sensation of his muscled chest pressing into her back sending a thrill through her that made her gasp. She could feel his heart racing just as fast as hers.

Standing still in his grasp, she felt how confidently his arms encircled her, heard how heavy his breathing was becoming. And sensed how hot her own body was starting to burn. She had noticed already that she was not immune to Mudiaga’s advances. But in this moment, she could not help but feel a bit panicked. Because of him, and because of how she was responding to him. Her instinct should have been to push him away, yet… She felt nervous, and excited. A part of her wanted to stay in his embrace. Wanted to linger in the heat radiating between them, to know what else she could experience with him.

It was an inexplicable feeling rising within her, one that she had never felt before. She was a bit confused, yet somehow felt if she did not put an end to it now, she would find herself in an even more compromising position than the one she was already in.

One thing was certain; the way her breath labored in her chest and excitement rippled through her body was different from the warmth and comfort she felt with Aslan.

Emeravwe drew in a shaky breath, then managed in her best warning tone despite her pounding heart, “Mudiaga, you are daring!”

He bent his head, his lips brushing her headscarf and ear as he replied lowly, “Only as far as you’ll allow.”

Emeravwe fought against the electrifying thrill that rushed through her, the lingering feel of his warm breath and lips causing her heart to tremble. She said in an almost whisper, afraid her voice would break, “Then this is far enough.”

He raised his hands, stepping away. She felt instantly cold, but turned to him with a glare.

He grinned. “Sorry, ‘but each person is tempted when they’re dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.’ Think of this exchange as a mosquito sucking your blood and just swat it aside.”

Emeravwe continued to eye him warily. “The problem is that mosquitoes are never satisfied. They always come back for more.”

Mudiaga laughed, striding forward to take the lantern from her. “Tell me again why we’re risking our lives here.”

Suddenly coming back to herself, Emeravwe remembered where she was and what she had been doing. An atmosphere of solemnity fell over her, and she faced the tall shelves. She was silent as Mudiaga held the lantern aloft, lighting their way between two shelves to the central aisle of the vaulted chamber.

She said somberly, “I am searching for myself.”