Nkechi sat crossed legged facing Makaio. Now that they were alone, her bravado had all but deserted her. They had both crossed over into uncertain territory and neither of them had the slightest idea of what to do next.

"Try not to look so scared, I won't kill you."

"No one would reprimand you if you did. I am your property now."

Nkechi's words were a clear dig at the terminology used during the ceremony.

The ceremony had been magical. The private scene that Makaio had expected had not been given, but in its place the whole tribe had stood by and watched as they descended into the water together. Their hands were bound as a prayer had been said over their union. Nkechi had felt exhilarated as they broke through the water to the cheers of the Nah Barroh's. Her heart had swelled at being welcomed and accepted into a tribe who saw her and not what she could bring.

It had truly been a beautiful union until it hadn't.

Makaio heaved a deep sigh. His finger pinched the bridge of his nose as he braced himself against Nkechi's bitter resentment.

"Yes you are my property, just as much as I am yours. We believe that a marriage is sacred and that to let anyone within the marriage is sacrilege. So yes, you do belong to me but I also belong to you. As my Solah, your place is on par with mine. We are a unit and if I do something to tarnish or destroy that union, such as killing you, I would be punished in the highest form."

"It didn't sound that way."

"I understand how it sounded but it was also a loose translation. Sometimes you cannot convey the true meaning of something when explaining it in another language."

Nkechi pursed her lips in acceptance. She had no desire to start this union with hostilities but she also couldn't ignore how those words made her feel.

Makaio gently took her hand and subconsciously smoothed a crease in her palm.

"I'm sure we will disagree on many things but please just try to give my people, give me, the benefit of the doubt. I honestly bare you no ill will."

The scent that radiated off him was heady. It was a deep masculine scent that called to Nkechi and encouraged her to be calm. Combined with his gentling touch, she felt her hackles lowering.

She met his piercing eyes and silently acquiesced to his sincere plea.

"So what happens next? I imagine we won't be sleeping in these clothes."

"Eager to see me naked?"

"As lovely as you natural form is, I am too tired to endure a naked male tonight."

Makaio's laughter was slowly becoming Nkechi's favourite sound. The deep dulcet tone was full of pure joy and freedom.

"Ahhh Nkechi you insult me." His grin was playful as he winked at her. "I'll change in our room and bring you some clothes out shortly."

Makaio changed in record timing. When he returned his chest was bare but he had on a loose pair of trousers , they hung low on his hips and caused Nkechi's mouth to run dry.

"You might have to help me out of this dress." She said clearing her throat.

Makaio silently placed her clothes on the table. No words were said between them but Nkechi's cheeks heated as he slowly glided the dress over her body. There was an intimacy in the act that neither of them could ignore. Makaio's chest rose and fell faster and Nkechi's breath halted in her throat as the garment glided over her chest.

She was bare to him and in the night, with the sounds of the drums outside and the knowledge that their souls had been united in the most holiest of ways, Nkechi felt out of control for the first time.

If Makaio had not turned his back to her and granted her privacy, Nkechi had no idea how the night would have ended.

Instead, she hurriedly slipped on his long shirt and slid on the shorts.

"My aunt will bring you some clothes tomorrow, that way you won't have to wear mine."

"Thank you, for everything. You've been nothing but respectful to me, even though you did drag me here unwillingly."

"It was never my intention to force you here and I will apologise forever. There was just something that compelled me to hold you and not let go. Sometimes I get these feelings and I cannot explain them but I just know what must be done. I suppose as a Funai you can understand that."

"Is this because your eye?" Maliha hesitantly asked.

Makaio nodded his head while subconsciously rubbing over his eye in embarrassment

"I was born with normal brown eyes but when I had my Séh, which is a holy rite every Nah Barros goes through, I was shown things. My eye colour gradually changed. It came with omens and an uncanny ability to uhh see the deceased."

"Do you mean the dead give you omens or that you literally see them?"

"My aunt and I think it's both. In battle, I can sometimes see the spirits leaving the bodies. Sometimes they notice me, other times I'm just an observer. It's hard to describe but it's always been my silent curse. I also have dreams of the ancestors, none of them have been clear but through small details we have been able to place some of the people."

"It's not a curse at all," Nkechi murmured. "Any gift given by the Goddess has a purpose whether it's a burden to us or not.

"I've yet to see the use in it" Makaio grumbled.

"Well your gift brought you to me, that's something positive right?" she whispered. there was a sense of insecurity in her words.

"Very positive."

His hushed tone was full of such conviction it had Nkechi's body moving before she could put thought to her actions. She placed her hand on his shoulders and tiptoed until her lips hovered over his discoloured eye. Makaio's eyelashes fluttered against her mouth as she gently kissed it.

"It's a beautiful gift."

No sooner had she murmured the words, were Makaio's lips rested against hers.

His lips were soft and firm against her mouth. His caress was full of emotion. She could almost taste his desire but beneath it all there was a strum of vulnerability. His hands wrapped around her waist and flattened her body to his until she could not tell where she begun and he ended.

The kiss went on for what felt like eternity until the natural need for air broke the languid spell.

"Thank you, for listening."

"I'm not perfect. You will learn that I have many flaws but one thing I can promise is that I will always provide a safe space for you to talk."

Makaio graced Nkechi with a soft smile as he tucked her hair behind her ear.

"I think we will be just fine. Now let's head to sleep."

Makaio lead her to the back of the house here the room was lit with candles. The bed was low to the floor and padded with furs and blankets. On the left hand side of the bed their was a clay jug of water and to the right a large window that was closed with what appeared to be caning.

Nkechi slowly lowered herself onto the plush bed, her head resting on her hands as she waited for Makaio to lay beside her. He blew out all of the candles leaving a scent of vanilla and ash to waft around them.

She felt the bed dip and then saw his eyes glowing in the pale moon light that filtered through the window.

Makaio pulled her body to his and tucked her under his arm. Nkechi remained stiff in his embrace until his breathing evened out, indicating that he had fallen asleep.

She slowly relaxed into his embrace, her mind finally taking in the events of the past day.

In that moment, when Makaio's breathing washed over her and the moonlight was her only witness, she allowed herself to feel all of her built up emotions. She felt like screaming, crying and running all in one but instead she willed those emotions down and closed her eyes. She breathed in a breath and allowed sleep to claim her and her thoughts

———————-

Bright light forced Nkechi's bleary eyes opened. She stretched her arms and was disappointed when she felt the cold, empty sheets. Her body shot up from the bed as she perused the room. She listened out for any noise but when it was clear that no one was home, she disappointedly climbed from the bed.

After the night they'd had and the way Makaio had been vulnerable with her, Nkechi expected that he would at least be there. She tried not to ponder on it for too long, believing in the back of her mind that he was perhaps returning with food.

She slowly made her way through the house, pottering through his belongings. His home was surprisingly inviting. Though it was quite spacious for one person, it did not feel empty. The vines that dangled through the sky roof, and the many windows, allowed for the house to be illuminated with the suns strong rays. The clay like walls were covered with beautiful tapestries that told the most interesting stories. People in garments interacting in serene landscapes she could barely believe they had ever existed.

"I often find myself staring at these same paintings whenever my nephew allows me entrance into his home."

Filsan's raspy voice jolted Nkechi out of her concentration on one particular painting.

"I can hardly find the words to explain how these tapestries make me feel. Such raw talent."

"Don't say that too loud, Makaio might hear you and then his ego will surely grow bigger."

Nkechi's eyebrows shot up in pure astonishment. Her head spun back to the pictures. She viewed each tapestry differently now. If each one had been crafted by Makaio, then it was likely these were images from his dreams. She suddenly felt as if she were prying into his deepest thoughts and the feeling unsettled her.

"I had no idea he had such talent but I suppose we hardly know each other."

Filsan smiled softly as she stepped further into Makaio's home.

"I have brought the clothes as promised as well as some food."

She rested the basket on the table that had few folded items of clothing as well some bread, dried meats and a banana.

"Will Makaio not be returning?"

"He should be returning shortly. I will leave you to freshen up and eat."

"Thank you for bringing me these items, I really appreciate it." Filsan smiled one last time before leaving.

As soon as she left, Nkechi scoffed down the food. She used a jug of water to refreshen her body and cleaned her teeth with a branch from a tree known for its cleaning properties. She used what was left of the water to rinse her mouth and then creamed her body with the small jar of vanilla scented butter left in the basket.

The clothes left for Nkechi were soft and feminine. It was a simple natural coloured dress that had small embroidery in green and blue around the square neckline. The dress hung off her body and draped to her mid calves. The shorts beneath helped conceal her private parts.

When Nkechi was dressed and she had fixed her hair in the small mirror she found in Makaios bathing area, she took a seat by the kitchen table and nibbled on the banana.

She waited and waited.W half an hour had passed, and Makaio had still not returned, Nkechi accepted that the consideration he had shown her last night had only been for that night.

With her freshly bathed and dressed body, she made her way out of her new home and began exploring the land.

The Nah Barros had some of the most beautiful land she had ever seen. Everything was so green and rich. Their dome like homes were surrounded by beautiful vines, plants and vibrant rivers ran through the land.

Nkechi wandered aimlessly, smiling at the curious people. Many smiled back and even welcomed her to join them but she softly declined as she continued her exploration.

She found herself wondering over to a group of kids. Their laughter and jovial tones had interested her. Nkechi looked at them in interest.

As she got closer she heard the teasing tones of the kids and noticed a disgruntled girl with thick coils hair and dark eyes that sat slanted along her rich skin.

"Good morning," greeted Nkechi.

"I heard your laughter and wandered what the joke was?"

The kids teasing halted when they realised who had asked the question.

Noticing their fear the young girl turned to Nkechi with glee in her eyes. "Good morning, these boys were mocking me because I am too small to climb the tree and get a coconut."

"But they have so many, surely they can spare you one?" Nkechi's words were directed at the girl but her stare was placed on all four bashful boys.

"We could, but she didn't climb the tree, we did. It's hardly fair that we have to give her something that we worked hard for," all the boys nodded in agreement.

"I suppose it wouldn't be fair." Nkechi agreed, the little girls face fell as the boys stared back at her smugly.

Nkechi caught all of the interactions but paid them no mind as she perused the tree. It was ridiculously tall and skinny, the ridges would provide some grip but hardly enough to really place a footfall.

"You all climbed this tree? " she asked in shock

"Well no, Abel has had his Sèh so he can call on the wind. All we have to do is catch them before they hit the ground ."

Nkechi frowned at the boys as it seemed their hard work had not really been that hard.

"I'll make a wager, you will give-"

"Iyesia," the young girl murmured.

"Iyesia, what a lovely name. You will give Iyesia all of your coconuts when I climb to the top of the tree.

"Pfttt you can't do that."

Nkechi grinned at Abel's doubt.

"Is that a deal?"
"Yes, and if you can't climb to the top Iyesia will-"

Abel's words got caught in his throat as he watched her climb the tree with no struggle.

Nkechi's laughter carried to the ground and garnered many peoples attention. The dress she was in was a slight hindrance as it was not as wide or short as she needed it to be but she made do.

It only took her a few minutes to reach the top and shake the remaining ripe coconuts to the floor. She giggled at the children's cheers before she made her way back down to the ground.

Nkechi could not hold back her laughter at the boys faces once she made it to the ground. Nkechi could read the anger and awe at what she had done.

Nkechi adjusted her dress and dusted off her hands before motioning for Iyesia to take her coconuts.

"You might need help carrying those, dear. Perhaps if you all help Iyesia carry them to her home, she might allow you to have one. Does that sound Fair?"

Abel's lips pursed at her word use but the boys all eagerly agreed to help just so they could get a taste of the fruits sweet nectar and fleshy insides.

"Thank you," beamed Iyesia as she hugged Nkechi.

Nkechi watched the kids stagger off with the fruits. A wave of deep mourning and loss washed over her as she thought of her old life. The days of her youth when her and her brother had gotten up to all kinds of mischief. To be young and innocent was such a blessing.

Nkechi continued her journey through the land once the kids were no longer in her sight, she continued greeting people until she reached a part of the land where the tree line naturally thickened and no homes or people seems to inhabit. She cautiously stepped into the forest. Her feet hesitant as she listened to the sounds of nature. When all seemed calm and quiet, she began her journey into the trees. The further in she moved, the further her humanity slipped and in its place her Daharra was left.

Earth beneath her paws and the smell of salt in her nose, Nkechi ran free in her new home.