Bab 77: Disrupted.

The drums quickened as the palanquin emerged and the future queen and king stepped out. The crowd cheered, their smiles a little too wide, as if their mouths would touch their eyes.

Jelani and Meka stepped forward, both smiling, but Jelani's smile was excessive, almost appearing scary. He wanted this, he needed this, evident in the way his hand went up to wave at the crowd, completely forgetting to hold Meka's hand as he was engrossed in the acceptance of the people.

Meanwhile, Meka smiled warmly and contagiously, waving at the crowd only a few times. She looked beautiful in her sharp orange skirt and top adorned with numerous beads that complemented her skin tone. Despite her beauty, there was something odd between the two, which Safiya couldn't quite grasp.