03/09/2025
Chapter 113: Sponsored by Anonymous ❤
PHUPHO
I couldn’t sleep. I wasn’t going to pretend to. Eze was successfully in her cot and asleep, occasionally letting out a huff and snoring. She was so full from her dinner and had some medicine for her growing tooth. You’d think Mbuso had the same medicine the way he’s passed out on the floor. He didn’t bother to put down a blanket. I’ve stopped myself more than once wanting to call him into bed so he can be comfortable. He was obviously comfortable. So, I sat in bed reading my book, letting my night vision guide me. Hours in, engaged as I was in my story, finally. Mbuso decides to wake up. He stretched his tall rigid body, untangling the knots formed in his sleep. He picks himself up off the floor and blindly walks to the bathroom with his eyes closed. I bet he’s going to be so surprised when he sees me in his bed and he will blow a fuse. I have no faith in his memory. I can barely hear his stream in the toilet. Faint and trained. He didn’t want to wake up the baby. He was so adjusted to her even in his sleep, he remembered everything. Moongods forgive me for ever thinking he was bad for her. I can’t even call out two fathers in the fairy community that are this dedicated. The ladies take care of the babies fully. The men protect and guide. A soft flush hushes into the night and he paddles back in the bedroom, barely opening his eyes. He crawls into bed kicking off the covers. I expected him to open his eyes at any moment. His nose twitches and he sniffs. What did I tell him about sniffing everything? He slides his body closer and adjusts himself, pulling me into his grip. I froze. His hand firmly rested below my back with an unmoving grip. I’m sticking out barely with my book still in my hand. Is he still asleep? I twist myself out of his grip. He buries his face in my chest. My hands are free, sure but my heart and body are trapped. I look down at his face. Just unwilling to wake. He snores steadily, eyes shut and not twitching. He’s not pretending. I slowly put away my book, then guided my hand to touch his head. Neatly trimmed down to dust like he’s a gentleman. As if he doesn’t go hunting fairies in the forest. Why do you go hunting fairies? What did they do to you? I ask myself. Why I ask is futile. My heart was slipping.
I stretched myself awake freezing with realization. He was still in bed. I can’t tell if he’s still asleep. He would snore if he was. A large hand was on my thigh, not limp, or heavy to signal sleep. Moongods, please tell me he’s still asleep. I opened one eye and came to face silver eyes, glaring back at me. Oh, star-sparkles! He is awake! I tried to scramble away but the once stable hand gripped me firmly and pulled me into his chest.
“Why are you running?”
“I’m not.” I swallowed, smelling his faint body scent mixed with a light minty cologne.
“I had to grab you.”
“And why did you?” I regained my senses. I can’t let him trick me.
“I..” he stuttered. “I don’t know.”
“Well, would you mind letting me go?”
“Yes. Eze is sleeping. What did you feed my child? She’s usually hanging off the ceiling at this time.”
I giggled, shaking my head. “She will soon. I need to be ready by then.”
“What are we doing today?”
“We?” I was becoming so comfortable in his hold. This is dangerous. I’m supposed to push his hand away. I don’t want to.
“Yes, we. I was told to stay away from Sangolekhaya therefore I’m with you and Eze for the rest of the day. Do you want to go out?”
“Out as in out in public? People will gossip about me.”
“You can pretend you’re being held against your will. I am a terrifying wolf after all.” His hand brushed my lower back comfortably. I giggled, both aroused and amused. What is he doing to me?
“Where do you want to go?” I ask him. There goes my reputation.
“I was thinking you would want to show Eze some fun things.” He pulls me even closer.
“There is fair that happens on Saturdays. They might all run away when they see you though.” I tease.
“Good. Then my child can play as much as she wants, in peace undisturbed.” He chuckled.
“Then we should go.” I want to touch his chest so bad, to feel his smooth skin. Where are his chest hairs? He’s a wolf.
“We should.”
“Do you have training shoes? Your work stilettos won’t work for earth soil.” I tease. He laughed heartily.
“Eze and I will be barefoot. She needs to feel the earth in her toes.” My heart sweetens at the thought. I need to get rid of him. I’m slipping down a slippery slope.
“Why are you in bed, you were sleeping on the floor?” I finally touched his chest but made no attempt to push him away still.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” he purred. I looked at his lips, swallowing the lump stuck in my throat. Eze woke up with a soft cry. He got up, walking to her cot. “Hello baby.” He picked her up kissing her cheeks. She giggled holding his face. “Did you think I left you?” he walked back to bed, climbing in. “She usually flies up to bed, she’s lazy today.”
“The medicine is wearing her. Let me go make her bottle.”
“No need. I linked for a server to bring it up.” He gave me the baby.
“Morning, princess.” I kissed her nose. She held her fists and let a wet poo out. Mbuso got out of bed.
“Rules are rules.”
“Mbuso.”
“You’re holding her. I’ll bring her nappy and run the bath.” He disappeared into the closet.
MNGOMEZULU
I kept the door to my office open. I was sitting with Ntlango. Anyone walking to the mortuary will pass through in front of me. Ntlango was on the couch, sleeping with Bubba on his chest. Surely, we can bury Khwezi today.
“No.” he refused, his eyes are still closed. He’s supposed to be sleeping. “I woke up an hour ago.”
“You told your ancestor it was rude to do that.”
“Yes. For him. You’re my brother. I do whatever I want with you.” He chuckled.
“Let me check on Bunako then. Open your eyes and keep watch.”
“I don’t have to open my eyes. He’s been in the bar with Ntlezayo all night.” He says. My heart burns with envy.
“Must be nice.”
“They’re catching up. Centuries are desperately long.” He defends.
“Whose side are you on?”
“I spent all night with you.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.” I know I’m being unreasonable, but could he at least lie to me.
“When have I ever lie to you? I can’t lie- You can, can’t you?” now he opens his eyes. “I knew it. All this time.”
“I’ve only lied to you three times. The last was Ezenkosi, before that it was when I’d realized I’d fallen in love with Nokhanyo. I didn’t know how to tell you. The first time, I’d done nonsense with Mbuso, I can’t even remember.”
“What would I have done if you told me you love Nokhanyo? I didn’t care.”
“You would have judged me. That would’ve been terrible.”
“Yes. That’s standard. When has that ever stopped you? You’re shameless, Mngomezulu. I know you.”
“Why would Ntlezayo pretend to be my friend?” Did he even care about me?
“I don’t know. Ask him.” He sat up, holding up Moonlove to wake. I know my son. He is too comfortable to open his eyes. He will be held in the air, fast asleep.
“Put him in his cot if you want him to wake up. While he still feels your heartbeat, he will not.”
“He can feel my heart?” he hugged him again, kissing his head.
“Silver to silver.”
“I don’t want to let go of him. You need to teach me how to lie to you.”
“I’m not teaching you that. Wake each other up properly, I’m going to fetch Buns and fresh diapers.” I stood up, stretching my body.
“So, you just don’t sleep? No yawns, no naps?” he asks.
“I can stay awake for 6 days straight. That doesn’t need training. It just needs mild stress and distractions.” I laughed, walking out. As I reached the stairs, Queen Zakhonzizizwe walked out of the passage. She looked graceful and well. My heart twists as I see an image of my mother in my mind. I miss her and she doesn’t even call anymore. Her phone calls were all we had for years.
“Alpha King Ndlambe.”
“Please call me Mngomezulu, mama.” I smiled. “Are you well?”
“I am. I wallowed in sorrow for a night too long. I must care for Khwezi’s body and ready it for travel.”
“Travel?”
“Aye. I suppose it most proper she is buried in her home rather than disturb your tranquil state here.”
“Oh. Okay. Nokhanyo is currently in the mortuary with Lilitha. They stayed with her as royal protocol.”
“That is sweet. My thanks. I shall relieve them immediately. All the good graces, my king. I understand it is not easy to let your wife through that position. I am grateful.” She squeezed my hand.
“It is my pleasure, mama.” I bowed, smiling. Yes, it was my displeasure all night, but her kindness got me. I made it up the stairs, a little joy poking my cheeks like Moonlove when he sees his mom. I can’t wait to tell Nokhanyo. I knocked on Bunako’s door but he’s not inside. I followed his scent back down to Khanya’s room. Why would he be in her room? Where is Busika? I knock on the door and he opens, hiding his smile.
“Step out, brother. Is Buns still sleeping?”
“Yeah.” He steps out, closing the door. He’s wearing pajamas. Where did he get those? “What?” he looks at himself.
“Nothing. Where is Busika?”
“Don’t even remind me. He disappeared yesterday.” He shook his head. “I warned Siviwe.”
“What is Siviwe supposed to do? Chase him away with a broom? Wait… does Siviwe have a womb?”
“What? No. He doesn’t have a reproductive system or… a gender.”
“In what way?” I stared at him, stunned to the moon.
“Zulu, it’s so early in the morning. What do you want?” he chuckled.
“Why are you sleeping in a royal’s room?”
“My woman?”
“She is first royal. Her father is trapped in a witch spell down the passage. Her sister is in the mortuary. Her mother is distraught. I am not one to speak, but do you feel a pinch of shame?”
He chuckled quietly. “Look, we haven’t done anything.” He blushed. “We have to wait. Until Thokozile gives her blessings and is buried successfully. Also, my room needs to be redone. I ordered the new bed and sheets but my princess will choose all the other furniture when she’s ready.” He explained. I stared at him quietly. Ntlezayo cursed me and discarded me.
“How do you think of these things?”
“What things?”
“First you drew a picture, then you dressed up, now you’re changing furniture. How do you know what to do? We grew up in the same house.”
“I kept telling you to date.”
“How would I have dated someone I don’t love? I need Tumelo. We have to revisit the list. Ntlango already stole one of my ideas. Now I have to be extra resourceful.”
“How was dinner last night?”
“I don’t want to talk about dinner. You already insulted me yesterday; I’m trying to have a good day today. Bring me Buns.” I walked to the stairs.
“Sorry.” He yelled behind me.
“Bring my pup.” I yelled back. I know exactly where to take Nokhanyo. We haven’t had a date since the visit to the archives where we met the woman she is currently taking care of. She needs a night off, where I can husband properly.
“Pleasant morning.” A deep voice says behind me. He’s closer than he sounds. I can smell him. “At last, some Silver within you works.” I turned to look at him, finding him right behind me. “Perhaps the present day is a better day, is it not? You have gust in your walk; your shoulders are relaxed. All that remains is for you to surrender into a joyful dance. All that remains for I is to shatter the quiet you keep. I believe one of those two ends shall come to pass before the sun is much higher.” He hissed, a smirk adorned his face. Lumko growled. “There he is.” Ntlango walked to me, pulling me behind him.
“Sangolekhaya.”
“Ntlango.” He retorted. They stand face to face in silence.
“What is going on?” my wife walked out the passage.
“Nothing, love.” I held her, pulling Ntlango away. “Let’s get ready for breakfast.” Dig a grave, whoever surrenders goes into it first…
