Once there was Darkness

Whatever was in the book, Kol had focused on how to ‘do’ what had to be done.

Two years after their near war, Brum brought the children back to Mecca. Kessa met them at the gate to the city with lots of cheers and hugs. They made a parade from the gate to the palace garden.

The Bejhar gave tours. Kessa, Kol and Frego played with happy excited children. Brum and the parents that arrived with him were having a great time as well. Frego sword playing with one of the oldest girls. One boy was interested in To and all the amazing food he had prepared for the occasion.

Kol’s mother came out to join them. She was due to go home at the end of the week. “Edward,” she greeted Brum. Kessa felt Kol’s body tense up.

“Evelyn,” he answered with the same subtle undertones and an informal embrace.

Brum and the children stayed for 5 days. After breakfast, Mecca saw their guests off at the gate.

Kol led Kessa to the throne room. Behind their thrones he had placed a stool. He guided Kessa to sit, hidden by the large thrones. The only light in the great room was provided by the open windows. He took her hands in his as he knelt in front of her. “Will you be my witness?” When he looked up to face her, his eyes were heavy with tears.

“I will be here as long as you need me.” She kissed him on the forehead.

“Thank you.”  He kissed desperately at her hands.

As the main door opened, Frego appeared in the back of the room. It was so dark she could barely make him out. She held her finger to her lips, in a gesture to be quiet. Then held her hand out straight, moving it up and down slightly. Frego got the message. He crawled on his stomach across the floor to Kessa. They could catch glimpses of Kol through the scroll work in the thrones but not much more.  

Frego flexed his shoulders giving Kessa a questioning glance. She simply shook her head letting him know that she had no idea what was going on.

The voice that cut through the air was Kol’s mother. “Why have you asked me to meet you here of all places?”

Kol didn’t answer right away. “Hmm,” he voiced. “Never in my life have I ever addressed another king by their first name, Evelyn.”

“So, I called King Brum, Edward. That is his name David.”

“First names or must I remind you are intimate, familiar, are saved for privacy. There was nothing private about the setting today.” Through gritted teeth Kol scolded, “Don’t ever call me David again.” Kessa could tell that he took a deep breath. “I always knew you were in a relationship with someone. I don’t have an issue with you being in a relationship, it’s whom you choose to be in one with. For the longest time, I thought it was Rajaf. When I got to know Kessa better, I knew in my heart that it wasn’t him. How long have you been involved with Brum?”

“Why can we not use first names? Isn’t Kessa her first name, Frego? Just because you choose not to practice the custom doesn’t mean I can’t.”

“The custom was never mine. And yes, if you choose to retain your title, you will adhere to customs.”

“Why can’t that be one of the little changes you make?”

“You will answer my question.”

“How dare you?” She bristled.

Neither of them said a word for the longest time. “I will have the truth out of you.”

“You will know the difference? She scoffed, “your dad wasn’t a saint.”

“No human is a saint without the cleansing blood of God.”

She huffed, “now you sound like Rajaf.”

“I will take that as a compliment.”

“I don’t have to justify anything to you. I am an adult.”

“An adult with a kingdom under her dress tail. Brum was a member of a small party that went to the river to collect two children that were in some emotional distress.”

“He told me about that.”

“I’m sure he did. Did he also tell you that he kept staring at me? Kessa told me that. She said that he gave me questioning looks. As if trying to figure out who I am to him. Or perhaps if I am the biggest idiot in the world. It bothered her enough that she shared her thoughts and feelings with me. Is there a question there that needs to be answered?”

“No.”

“Do I even belong to David?”

“Yes. There was only ever Edward.”