Her Redemption

6 – Yore

AMARI saw her sister made a left turn. The quarter that points in that direction was the cave where they put the captive. However, she knew that there are no hostages at the moment. In fact, their tribe barely hold any detainee. Often, the adversaries they have in the battle were often left instead of transporting them back to their land.

Instead of prying on Sienna’s, she followed the woman.

She made a count of five in her head before going to the same direction.

She frowned when she saw two warriors guarding outside the cave. She did not received any reports that they have prisoners. The presence of the two warriors only confirmed her thoughts.

The two women straightened when they saw Amari. They tapped the flat end of the spear on the stone floor as a sign of respect.

“General.”

She nods at them. The warrior on the right pushed the bronze gate.

She entered the cave. The inside was illuminated by the torched perched on both sides of the opening.

Twenty steps from the entrance was a junction. She saw another warrior standing beside the wall. Above her was another torch.

The warrior taps the flat end of the spear on the floor. She nods at her before looking the right. No one was there. When she turned to the left, she saw Sienna in front of the farthest cell.

Her sister-in-arms dip her head a little in acknowledgement.

She marched towards the woman. She stops beside her before glancing at the chamber.

Inside the small booth was a man of African descent. He had his long, black mane in dreadlocks.

The man raised her head. When their eyes met, his pupils shined like crystals.

“Where did you found this lad?”

“Clara saw him climbing the stoned wall in the South.”

“Why bring him here?”

“The queen wanted to speak with him. He can see through the mist created by Hecate. For now, he head is safe.”

The hostage remained silent. She and Sienna know that he is listening to the conversation.

Not a minute long, they left the cave without another word.

She opens her eyes. The light coming from the street lamp penetrates inside the dark room.

Amari glanced at the sleeping woman beside her. Malakai is deep in sleep.

In careful movements she moved out of the bed cover. The warmth brought forth by the blanket slowly eased from her body.

She brings the sweater when she exits the bedroom.

The glow from the light in the kitchen guided her feet. She drunk a glass of water before she occupied one chair in the counter.

As of late, the memory of the past has been visiting her in dreams. These memories probably due to person who has been sleeping soundly in the bedroom.

Maybe this the fate’s way of reminding her of her past dues. The past that has been hunting her since she left her family.

After making sure that no one was around, Amari inserted the bronze key inside the hole. She heard the lock snap.

She was enfold in an embrace the moment she slide open the bronzed gate of the narrow cell. Their lips meet. Their mouth converse how much they longed for each other for the time that they were apart.

“I miss you.” She whispered when their lips parted.

“I miss you, too, my love.”They arms were once again on each other. “You should go. They might notice you gone.”

“Most of them were drunk. Were celebrating for our victor in the latest conquest.”

“It’s because of you, my love.”

“Thank you.”

Amari was not able to suppress the moan from her lips when Silas kiss the length of her neck. She shifts her head to give him more access.

Shiver run down her spine when his lips reach the back of her ears. Her grip on his back tightened.

“You deserved the mark bestowed by your father. You’re a great warrior, my love.” He whispered where he pressed open mouth kisses in the tattoo granted by her own father.

It was an arrow’s pointed head but on the other end was a circle. It was the mark of her father. The symbol embedded on her skin was given to her when she led three conquests, one after the other, and won with little casualty on her side.

“I wish we could be together.” Silas murmured as he continue torturing her skin with his kisses.

They were lying on their side. Their own bodies provide warmth on their naked skin. The calling of lust has been done. Sweat glistened above their flesh.

“I will find a way.”She muttered when her breathing come back to normal after the rigorous love making.

“We both know that your tribe never allow any man in this island. My kind will serve as slave for your lustful needs.”

Amari faced her lover. She stared in his eyes. He met her gaze with a look that awaits to refute his remark.

“You know that I did not see that way.”

“I know, my love.” He pressed a kiss in her lips. “Come with me. We can leave this island. We can be together.”

She looked away. “They were the only family I know, Silas.”

In quick moves, Amari found herself alone in the cold floor.

Silas put on his clothes. The warmth that she felt a while ago in the arms of her lover was gone. The tenderness that she felt from his touch disappeared when he removed his arms around her.      

“Come back when you’re ready to fight for me.” He said, his back on her.

She scrambled for her clothes. She never felt so desolate in her life after hearing the words from him. With a heavy heart, she left him in the confinement of the tiny prison cell. 

The sound of the door closing pulled Amari from her reverie.

She turned to the bedroom door. She found Malakai standing beside the door still holding the knob in her hand.

“You’re up early. Everything alright?”

“Of course.” She responded. She drunk the remaining water on the glass.

“Are you having dreams again?” She stared at the tall woman in surprise. “I’ve been noticing you restless in your sleep lately.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

The young woman smiled at her before going to the bathroom. On the other hand, she rise up to put on the coffee maker.

It’s already five in the morning. Malakai will be getting ready for school. She have an early class today.

Somehow, Amari already memorized the daily schedule of the person she live with.

She was placing the breakfast on the table when Malakai walks out of the bedroom. She was ready to leave for school.

Malakai often in her jeans and button down shirt. She has this hippy look that declares her age. Amari concludes that this young woman dress this way to allow the students to treat like one of them.

She put the cup beside Malakai’s right hand before she take the other seat.

She made scrambled eggs and fried bacon for breakfast. She added toast breads together with coffee.

“I’m late for groceries. I’ll do it later after my class.” Malakai said while eating.

“I already did the groceries.”

“Oh? How much do I owe you?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Fine. Thank you, Amari.” She nods at her. “By the way, did you receive the bills for this month? I didn’t see it.”

“I already paid for it.”

Malakai stops eating. The tall woman look at her in the eyes.

“You have been paying for everything in this house.”

“It’s okay. I’m living in this house, too.”

“Me, too. How much do I owe you?”

“Just take care of yourself. Bring me anything when you get back from the city.”

The young woman gazed at her for a moment before nodding. “I’ve been saving a lot because of you.”

“That’s good, right?”

Malakai takes a deep breath. “Yes but I felt kind of embarrass. Between the two of us, I’m the one who has work.”

She beamed at the young woman. “Don’t worry about the money. I can pay for your needs until you grow old and gray.”

“My kind of woman.” Malakai exclaimed with a smirk. “It’s not from illegal means, right?’

She shook her head. “I played with the stocks for a long time. Living in simplicity, I don’t spend that much.”

“And that made me feel more guilty.”

This time, it made her laugh at the young lass. “My bank would be glad that I somehow made transaction from my account.”

“If you don’t mind, how much are we talking about?”

“How much money do you want, Malakai?”

Her housemate acts like she is thinking while looking at her. She made a sip from her coffee.

“A penthouse in the city and a brand new car with that animal emblem on its hood. A million bucks on my bed when I get back.”

“Is that all?” She asked as she bites on the toast.

“I’ll think of more when I get back from the city.”

“Deal.”

“Cheers.”

They both raised their coffee cup as they laugh at their antics.

Malakai finished her breakfast before standing on her feet. She reach for the messenger bag and the mesh bag from the chaise.

“I’m going. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

She nods at the young woman right before the front door closes.

She stared at the half finished breakfast on her plate when she finds herself alone in the small apartment.

Perhaps, the laundry would be happy to see her company.