Chapter 11 #2
“It is decided,” said Keanu, and while Malakai and the rest of the court chimed in with thoughts and ideas for efficiency and flexibility for the widows, the one counselor rolled his eyes, then glared and sat back. I let out a silent sigh of relief… both for myself and the widows.
Maybe this politics thing isn’t so bad, I thought. Keanu saw people as people, and he cared about them. Especially the women and children.
After the meeting ended, I was a little disappointed that Keanu had to leave. He had pressing reports from his spies, followed by a line of counselors and their papers full of more questions and issues from his people. Well, our people. Because they were feeling like they belonged to me too.
“You did wonderful in there,” Keanu said. Before I could respond, he kissed my hand and added, “I will dote on you more later, Oliana. Right now, I have pressing matters in the northern region. I’ll be back tonight to discuss the riddle.”
The disappointment must’ve shown on my face.
“I promise I’ll be back tonight,” he said. As if that made things better. I didn’t understand the disappointment, but after he left and I roamed the hallways, flipping through books, studying the old scrolls, and repeating the riddle in my head, I figured it out.
I was disappointed because I wanted to go with him. In a way, I wanted to know and learn more about his kingdom. How it worked. What he did. The people he served. And the stakes of battle.
Because if we solved the riddle, I would be queen. Not just for a month, but forever.
That night, we sat on the settee facing the fireplace. It seemed odd to have a fireplace on the island, but it was also rather cozy, as rain poured outside. Malu perched on the mantle, and Keanu and I sipped our ginger tea before bed.
I wouldn’t admit it aloud, but I rather liked this routine. What I didn’t like was the feeling of vulnerability. I wore a modest white nightgown, but it was the fact that we were alone. In a bedroom.
We’re married, I told myself, but that made me feel even more uneasy.
Keanu seemed quiet, staring into the fire with his bright eyes. I couldn’t help stealing glances at him, unable to help myself from admiring him.
Stop, Oli, stop!
When he sat back and took a sip of his tea, his eyes met mine. “Enjoying the view?” he teased.
I blinked a few times, trying to recompose myself. But he did indeed catch me looking at him, studying him, staring at him.
Don’t react. Don’t react.
I cleared my throat and set my tea on the tray.
The warm, spicy smell filled the room. “Those tattoos on your chest and arms,” I said, trying to act normal, like I’d been trying to study those and not just stare at him.
I could only imagine how many women had stared at him in his life, and it annoyed me that I had become one of them. “What do they mean?” I asked.
Keanu sat up and, much to my chagrin, unbuttoned the rest of his shirt.
What a terrible question, Oli. I was sure my cheeks were bursting into flames.
“The tattoos represent my lineage and the kingdom that I rule.” He pointed out the two islands, the fish, and different symbols that represented his family line, like the pueo and the shark, his ‘aumakua.
“That’s what I thought they represented the night I met you,” I said as I stood and walked to the door leading to the balcony.
I had to get space from this man, this man who made my heart patter like the rain falling outside.
This man was lighting something inside me that I didn’t even know existed.
I leaned against the door frame and said, “I mean, I had no idea that’s what they were but I assumed. ”
“Then your assumptions were right.” Keanu was suddenly there, right in front of me. He always moved so fast, it startled me. He chuckled as he looked down at me, his eyes burning.
Oh no… I was pinned against the door frame. But I didn’t know where else to go, or what to do. The rain poured outside, and Keanu rested his arm on the frame above me.
“What’s so funny?” My voice came out quiet.
“I love it when you share your thoughts,” he said.
“What are you talking about?”
“This morning, in the meeting.” Keanu’s smell enveloped me. It was so refreshing, like the first sip of coconut water under a blazing sun. “You are making a fine queen, Oliana.”
“I’m not a queen,” I corrected him. “I feel like a manini in a sea of sharks and whales.”
He laughed, and the sound of it made me smile. For a moment, we just looked at each other. It was the first time we both smiled at one another.
At that, he lifted my chin, and I was sure I melted. If I didn’t, I was completely gone. Disappeared. My logic was draining from me with each one of his gentle touches, and the way he drew closer to me.
I had to think of something. Anything to break this moment.
“Do you think we could visit the people in the kingdom sometime, especially the widows?” I asked.
Gentleness gleamed in his eyes. It was so sweet, I had to look away.
“I also love that you care so much about others, Oliana. I wish I could be more like you.” He didn’t answer my question.
“Don’t be silly. You do care for others. What ruler remembers the widows of fallen soldiers? You remembered them, Keanu.”
“But you have done much more… You married me to ensure your mother and sister would be cared for. And you care for the people of this kingdom, despite having lived here for such a short time. You are a good queen, and a good person.” His words warmed me from the tips of my toes to the crown of my head.
But he wasn’t done. He added, “You have shown me kindness repeatedly, despite my many weaknesses.”
A lump formed in my throat now. If this man was not in love with me, then what was he? Crazy? Possibly.
“If we don’t solve the riddle,” I said, “you will forget me.”
“I don’t think I could.” Keanu stroked my cheek with his thumb. “I don’t think I want to.”
Before I could present some pointless argument, he said, “Do you think you could be happy here, Oliana?” But I heard his unspoken question: Do you think you could be happy here with me?
I swallowed hard. Something inside me was fluttering now, like the wings of a bat darting in the night. It grew stronger the more time I spent with Keanu. Yet I couldn’t get myself to acknowledge the emotion.
I pushed it all down.
I can’t allow myself to feel that way. Survival came first.
“It’s not a good idea to dream up a future that can’t be,” I said.
Keanu’s eyebrows furrowed, and his eyes fell to my lips for a moment. I froze.
No, Oli. Just don’t!