°~°☆●Children are the reward of life.●☆°~°

Darkness, it's all that surrounded me along with the burning village, the smoke smothered my nostrils strangling me and yet I could do nothing but watch everything I love fall to my feet, all that would remain would be ash. The horrific screams of women and children pierced through the village, it was a never ending symphony of pain and suffering. I couldn't save them, my body struggled against my mind, it was survival against my gut instinct, I had to protect them.

My eyes immediately snapped open revealing Aziles' worried face; her chocolate brown orbs were trained on my sweaty face. I could feel the bile rising up my throat, before hurling my guts into the large clay bowl beside me. Aziles' coffee coloured arm stretched towards me with a cup of water in hand, "Drink, my Queen." She instructed me whilst inching closer to my sleeping body.

I could feel every muscle in my body ache as I reached for the cup, 'What is wrong with me?' I couldn't help but wonder, growing up I had never gotten sick, I couldn't be sick, right? Questions began to flood my mind causing the dull ache to spread through the left side of my head as my eyes began to flutter, threatening to plunge me into darkness.

"Mazimele, is coming my queen. I sent Vikali to get her." She told me as she began dabbing the wet towel across my forehead. "My queen, when last did you bleed?" She asked me, her eyebrow quirked up in curiosity.

The question sent my mind racing, 'She couldn't possible think that I am pregnant?' I shouldn't be pregnant, it was not possible. I can't be pregnant; I am the regent queen the council already doesn't listen to me, what if I am to now announce the upcoming arrival of an heir.

"My queen?" Aziles' soft voice broke me out of my maze of thoughts, causing me to answer her.

"It has been two months, but I can assure you that I am not pregnant." My groggy voice escaped my lips, not only was I trying to convince Azile but myself as well, there was no possible way that I could be pregnant.

Aziles hand gently pressed against my breast causing me to squirm, "Azile what is it that you are doing?" I questioned her whilst removing her hand from my breast.

"My queen, your breasts have grown larger and firmer, you are with child." She informed me, her eyes held an unwavering certainty which caused my stomach to drop, I was pregnant.

"Blessing be to God and the ancestors, the gift of an heir," she praised whilst lifting her eyes to the thatched ceiling.

This couldn't be right, it had to be a joke of some sort, or rather a misunderstanding, I wasn't pregnant. Fear began crawling beneath my skin, sending unpleasant shivers running down my spine and engulfing every inch of my body in chills causing something deep within me to stir, all signs were pointing towards me being pregnant.

The thought was still buried beneath the doubtful lies I was telling myself and yet I couldn't control my wandering mind which could only ask one question, 'Would Makhosi live to see his child?' The thought caused tears to well up in my eyes, blurring my vision. I could not stomach the idea let alone want to acknowledge it.

Azile's small arms gently wrapped around my small frame, "My queen, all will be well. A child is a blessing, see it not as a burden on your responsibilities but as way of showing everyone that you are capable of leading a tribe even with a child in the womb." Each word she spoke filled me with determination; I had to be proud that I would carry an heir to the most powerful tribe in all the land.

"My queen, you shall do great things for our tribe," she encouraged me whilst her soft fingers gently wiped away my tears. My glassy eyes met her chocolate brown orbs that were filled with pride and hope, "And I'll be there with you, every step of the way."

"But - what of - will Makhosi..." A wave of sobs racked my body as I tried to speak, his name caused my heart to ache, the pain of a million arrows plunging into the skin is what I was feeling, the numbness of him never coming back to me.

"The king will live, my queen." She assured me whilst rubbing small circles on my back, "The king will live."

It was all I could do; bask in the comfort of my faith and just hope that the ancestors will return him safely back to me. The sound of the door creaking open along with the sound of clattering beads informed me Mazimele had arrived. I remained in the comfort of Azile's arms, she was the only person I trusted beside Vikali, a true friend.

"My queen," Mazimele acknowledged causing her feathered crown to dance as she bowed before shuffling towards me. Her wrinkled hand gently traced over my slightly swollen stomach, her stormy grey eyes held my gaze fiercely before she spoke, "The ancestors gift you with an heir to the tribe, your bravery has been repaid by an heir." Pain flashed in her orbs, maybe I hadn't seen correctly but her next words confirmed my suspicion, "Your greatest strength will be born of your greatest pain."

Her words seemed meaningless, I was confused. In what way would my greatest strength be born from my greatest pain, she could read my eyes as clear as day. A small smile formed from the corner of her plump lips, "It is when we are in the greatest amount of pain that we are able to be at our strongest."

Her gaze fell onto Azile, "The queen must eat healthily and maintain a correct diet, also she must get ample rest until the day of the ceremony. I want you to personally make sure of it." She instructed Azile, but my mind was already wandering, 'What ceremony did she mean?'

"Until we meet again my queen."

☆☆☆☆☆

I'm sorry guys for not updating, I've been busy searching for jobs and stuff . So here's a little something until  next time. Thank you so much for reading. Stay safe and I love you guys.

Love maniac_lunaticbae

Don't forget to
Comment 💬
Vote⭐
And share