chapter Twenty
Rightful Kingdom
Toby
I look over at Kamara sleeping peacefully and feel the most content I’ve felt in months. I release a sigh of relief. We’ve come a long way and still have a ways to go.
I look at her belly and ache to feel my babies move for the first time. Kamara has been feeling the flutters, but I’ve yet to experience the moment when this becomes real.
Come hell or high water, I’ll be at that sonogram when she finds out what we are having. That is important to me. I won’t lose out on that.
My phone rings, bringing me back to the present. I reach for it, so it doesn’t wake Kamara, she’s become such a light sleeper lately. I look at the screen and groan. It’s Brax, he either wants something crazy or he needs someone to cover him at work.
I promised Kamara I’d spend time with her. I noticed she mentioned lunch with her father, but I still plan to make good on my word for as long as I can. I swing my legs out of bed, already set on telling Brax, no.
Whatever he wants the answer is, no. I make my way into the bathroom, answering the phone, while going to relieve myself. I roll my eyes, as Brax’s music fills the line.
“What,” I grumble. It’s much too early for this shit.
“Why is everyone so grumpy this morning? Wyatt’s ass won’t even answer. You guys need to get better at this morning shit,” Brax calls into the phone.
“Fuck you and your morning,” I retort.
“At least I know you still love me. Speaking of loving me, I need a favor,” he gets to the point.
“No,” I snort.
“Oh, come on, I haven’t even asked yet,” he huffs.
“Question, would Cassy Black approve of whatever you’re going to ask me?”
“Fuck,” Brax mutters, bringing a smile to my lips.
“You see, no,” I flush and move to wash my hands.
“You be on some bullshit, you know that,” Braxton grumbles. “I’m there for you whenever you need.”
“Dude, you didn’t even call me first,” I scoff.
“Yeah, cause your ass is always the first to say, no,” hiswords sting more than he knows.
With Kamara pregnant, I’ve fallen into old habits. I’ve been ducking my brothers and begging off invites left and right. My mother is going to kill me if I keep missing Sunday breakfast.
I sigh. “I have plans this morning,” I reply, not having a valid comeback.
“Good because what I need is for tonight. Honestly, I don’t even need you. I just need your place,” Braxton comes back, I can hear the triumphant smile in his voice.
“Whatever, just don’t break any of my shit and don’t do anything crazy. If the cops show up at my place,” I growl.
“Bro, relax. It’s not that serious. Thanks,” he ends the call, before I can give any further warning.
I shake my head at my phone. That kid is crazy. I don’t want to know what he’s up to. Good thing I plan to be here tonight anyway.
I dry my hands and head into the bedroom for a pair of sweats. Once I pull them on, I start for the kitchen to start some breakfast. It’s the least I can do.
Along with the worry in Kamara’s eyes last night, I could see the exhaustion. I don’t think all this stress is good for her or the babies. I need to figure out a way to make all the shit go away.
I’m lost in thought, as I make my way to the kitchen. I’m half way there, when the hair on my arms and the back of my neck begins to stand. I still don’t fully register the warning, until I’m right on top of it.
“Holy shit,” I rumble at the sight before me.
I say it louder than I mean to, causing a rustle to come from the bedroom. Next thing I know, Kamara comes running from the bedroom, with my gun haphazardly hanging from her fingertips. Her eyes are wild and unfocused.
I reach out an arm, across her body to stop her from propelling forward, bringing her to an abrupt stop beside me. I pluck my gun from her fingertips, dropping my hand to my side, as I train my attention back on our guests.
“Daddy, Mommy, what are you doing here,” Kamara gasps, wrapping her arms around mine, still draped across her body.
“I want to explain something for you. One day, when these children are born and they grow older, you will learn that as a parent, it is your job to know everything. When you are queen, you will also know that to keep your kingdom safe, you will always know everything.
“Dunce to the world, but wise in what matters. I’ve never been a fool. This is why I’ve lived so long. Share what is needed, show what is fair, and protect what is yours by any means,” Elijah Naidoo replies calmly.
“I can explain,” Kamara begins.
“No, I will explain,” I cut her off.
“Ahem, young Toby. I have waited for this time. I’ve been wanting to talk with you. I want to know if you realize what you have taken responsibility for?” Kamara’s father questions, settling back against my couch, as if he owns the place.
I straighten my back, standing to my full height. I refrain from bouncing the gun in my hand against my thigh. The fact that there are people in my house, uninvited, still leaving a sour taste in my mouth.
The king and his wife are sitting comfortably on my couch, while four men stand in each corner of the room. My jaw clenches, I should’ve seen this coming. I slide my hand around to Kamara’s back, pulling her into my side.
She is only covered in one of my t-shirts. The one I put on her last night, before climbing in bed, beside her and passing out. Kamara clings to my waist immediately.
“I come from a long line of warriors,” King Elijah begins, as he looks pointedly at my gun at my side. “It is not what I wanted for Ogeima, I’ve avoided teaching her those ways, much to her mother’s disapproval.
“I believe once you train a warrior, you call the battle to them. Their fight attracts the heat and passion of the sword. My wife believes if you are destined to battle, it will find you either way.
“As King, I say I’m right,” King Elijah looks to his wife lovingly. Humor shines through for the briefest moment. “As a husband that wants to keep his bed warm, I will admit, I maybe just a little wrong. Just a little.”
His eyes turn back to me and Kamara. “What my children fail to understand, I have allowed them to feel freedom, but I have always had a loyal warrior watching over them at all times. Whether that warrior has known their position or not,” he rises a brow at me.
“My mistake with Ogeima, I saw the way the two of you looked at each other the first time you met. At the time, I thought your feelings would benefit me and my daughter. You would protect her, as a result of this infatuation.
“Overtime, I saw other opportunity present itself. You see, Toby, Afafa has no kingdom without Ogeima. She is the rightful heir. When my father found out my wife was expecting, twins he split his kingdom in two.”
Kamara’s knees buckle beside me. King Elijah stands with concern in his eyes, but I already have her lifted into my arms. I move to a chair, sitting with her in my lap. I reach for the afghan throw, Kamara’s mother pulls from the couch.
I place it over Kamara’s lap and begin to rub her back. “Are you okay?” I ask, while searching her face.
“Yes,” she whispers. She then turns to her father. “So, we are finally getting to the real truth.”
“A queen is not a queen in our culture, unless she has a king. I saw no point in concerning you with this matter, until I had a resolution to our first problem,” King Elijah looks between the two of us.
I start to get an unsettling feeling in my stomach, but I remain quiet. Listening for answers on how I can keep my family safe. Kamara stiffens in my lap, causing me to look at her stricken face.
“You can’t mean,” she gasps.
“Yes, that is exactly what I mean. Your grandfather never agreed to the marriage between you and Afafa. Not willingly, Afafa poisoned your grandfather and forced him to sign the agreement.
“It is thought the poison altered his mind before killing him. He handed over both you and your birthright, before his death. Politics still play a part in all of this. I could not challenge Afafa outright.
“A split in the kingdom has never happened before. Afafa made it look like a gift to him and not your grandfather’s gift to you,” King Elijah stops to look at me.
“My people will need time to accept you. It is why I did not try to push you together myself. You are a white man. It will be easy for our people to turn their backs on the throne for this.
“However, if we expose Afafa for the monster he is, which, to many, will not be hard. I am hoping my people will see you as the lesser of two evils. It is also my hope that they will follow Kwäzē.
“He is a people’s favorite. He has become the face of the family. The Naidoo warriors have been his protectors, when he goes to our homeland.
“It is my hope that he will lead the people to accept his sister and brother-in-law. My father did not intend for this division amongst our people. Afafa saw an opportunity and pounced.
“I did not get the time I needed to establish my rule, before Afafa’s plotting took root, the people are wary of me. In their eyes, I have abandoned them. You and your brother can restore our nation, move our people forward,” Elijah has such passion in his words, I am moved for his plight.
That is, until Kamara speaks and brings the reality of his words to the heart. “You want Toby to be King?” her voice comes out sounding just as confused as I feel.
My heart sinks into my stomach. I can feel the sweat on the back of my neck. I think the room is going to spin at any minute.
“You have already made that choice,” Kamara’s mother speaks up for the first time. Her eyes dropping to Kamara’s swollen belly.
“This is how we claim our kingdom back. Just as you cannot be queen without a king. Afafa’s hold on the throne is loose at best. His followers grow wary of his lack of queen, not just any queen. They were promised Ogeima,” Kamara’s father adds.
“This is the reason for his latest play,” I say through tight lips.
“Ahem, I believe in causing my enemy to over play his hand. I may have allowed this news to get back to the right ears. He looks to either draw her out or to disgrace her and be done with his weakness.
“Toby, once your identity is revealed, I’m sure he will have more confidence. By then, we will have throttled his plan. No Ogeima, no kingdom. His followers will begin to hang him out to dry,” the smile on the king’s face makes me scared to ever fuck with him.
“This is too much to ask of Toby,” Kamara mutters. “This will put his life in danger. Afafa will not just give up. You said yourself, he has tried to murder our family. He has murdered my grandfather. I will not hand over Toby’s life.”
“I’ll do it,” the words are out of my mouth, before I can think straight.
Are you fucking crazy, Black? You’re no king. Shut your fucking mouth. I hear the words in the back of my head, but the words that matter more are louder.
This is it. This is how we save our family. This is how we keep Kamara and the babies safe. I’ll do anything to keep her safe, even be a king.
My heart is made, even as my mind wars about it. Kamara looks at me with her mouth gaped open. I think I have shocked us both. I place my hand over her belly and look into her eyes.
We have a silent conversation, just the two of us. Well, I thought it was just the two of us, until I feel my babies move for the first time. It is then that my mind comes on board. Kamara’s face lights up at me, I give her a small nod to let her know I felt it.
I’m doing this with no question. I have the three of them to think about. I feel a strength flow through me I’ve never known before. Looking into my girl’s big brown eyes, I already feel like a king.
Her eyes tell me that she trusts me. I see that we can do this together. Our time apart proved that we mean more to the world as a whole, not apart. I take a fortifying breath because I can also read in her eyes that we’re in way over our heads.
Never said I was the most sane person. I only said I would guard what’s mine with my life. Push comes to shove, am a Black. We always come through in a bind.
“Even as a young man, I saw something in your eyes,” King Elijah says. “Spirit recognizes spirit. I know a king when I see one. Afafa is no king. You, Toby, you will find the king and warrior within you. You will stand beside Kwäzē as his brother, as you have always done.”
“Elijah, you are getting ahead of yourself. We hope this will work. We still have much to work through. The girl is with child. We cannot send her back home. This engagement party is an issue that must be dealt with,” Queen Catherine, Kamara’s mother states.
“I have planned for this. First, they wed, then I will take care of the rest. We must take action, I will not let this vile human being take from my family what my ancestors have sacrificed so much for,” King Elijah says, showing the first sign of his temper slipping.
“When do we need to do this?” I ask.
He stands and straightens his suit jacket. “I am king. I will wed you now.”
My heart almost hammers out of my chest. My mouth gapes open. I guess I won’t have time to come to grips with this.
Fuck me, I’m going to be a king.
~B~
Kamara
I truly don’t think Toby understands what he is signing up for. However, the fact that he is willing to do this for me takes my love for him to all new levels. Without thought, just to insure my safety and the future of my people he has offered his life.
This is a death sentence. Even if we dethrone Afafa, the people can choose to turn on us. This is such a gamble, but for my people I know I will do it, but Toby. He has no reason to put his life on the line for a kingdom he has never seen. For people, he has never been around.
Our kingdom is one filled with wealth and resources. Our ancestors were blessed to be prosperous in our land. America does not depict our land in its true light. I’ve known the finer things in life all of my life.
Toby knows none of this, but here he stands ready to take this all on for me. For me and our unborn children. This is not how I have imagined my wedding, but it has happened. A secret wedding and our unofficial carnation have happened all at once.
I look up into the eyes of my husband, my king. It is the first time I have ever seen this type of fear in Toby’s eyes. I see the moment the weight of this settles on his shoulders.
It is the moment my father places the crown on his head. Our beach house wedding has just become very real to us both. In the place where we made our children, in the home I first gave myself to Toby in, we have become man and wife, king and queen.
“I speak many blessings to your kingdom. May you reign forever,” my father says, as he looks between us proudly.
I wish I had his confidence. I may now have a king, but I’m not sure I’m ready to be queen. I’m still not safe or welcomed in my home. Not like this.
My father cups my face. “You my daughter, have been a blessing from the day you were conceived. Everything I have done, I have done for you. I will not fail you now,” he says, with emotions threading his words, before kissing my forehead.
My mother claps her hands, lifting her head. “I grow tired of missing my home. Let’s go start a war.”
My father throws his head back and laughs. “You will not take the warrior out of my queen. But I agree. It is time to transition my throne to my son and bring peace to our land,” he nods at his own words.
“Is there anything we need to do?” Toby asks, looking a little bewildered.
My father pats his cheek. “What you have been doing all along, my son. Keep my daughter safe. Let no one know about this union until the time comes.
“For now, this is need to know. The future of your kingdom relies on your ability to keep your wife, your children, and your crown hidden. For now.”
My mother comes closer and pulls me into a hug. “I’ve always known you would make a beautiful queen. You are never given more than you can handle. This too shall pass,” she whispers to me.
“Toby, I have watched men fall to their knees, when crowned. The weight was too great for them. Your knees are holding, you will be fine,” my mother says, with a warm grin on her lips.
“Rest tonight, Kwäzē will be here to take you to your new home. This place is no longer safe. Goodnight,” my father turns to gather my mother and her things.
Just as swiftly as they appeared, my mother and father leave. My shoulders sag with the weight of the last few hours. This day has been more than overwhelming.
“I thought we would have more time,” Toby mutters, pulling me into his arms.
“I was thinking the same thing. This has all happened so fast,” I reach up to finger the crown on my head.
“We were just joking about this. Fuck! More shit I have to keep from my family,” Toby scrubs a hand down his face.
“It will be fine, they will understand when we can tell them,” I reassure him.
“My dad is going to kill my ass,” Toby sighs.
I look down at my bare feet. “Do you regret this?”
He closes the small distance between us, cupping my face. “I’ll never regret anything that leads me to you. I’ve wanted to make you my wife, since the day you told me you were pregnant, before that honestly. I just didn’t think I had the option,” he says against my lips.
The kiss that follows his words, makes me lightheaded. I cling to his shirt front, not wanting to release him ever. With all that’s going on, it hasn’t truly set in that Toby is my husband. Yes, I’ve said it in my head, but it is real coming off of Toby’s lips.
“I think it’s time I made love to my wife,” Toby purrs, as a smile takes over his lips. “We have plenty of time to figure out the rest.”
“Whatever you like,” I tease. We happened to watch, Coming to America, a few weeks ago.
Toby laughs and shakes his head at me. “Very funny, Queen Toby,” he teases back.
“Ha, that one was lame,” I giggle.
“Whatever,” Toby growls and sweeps me off my feet.
I yelp and wrap my arms around his neck. Someday, someday we will always be like this. I give my word as queen, someday, this will be our life.