EPISODE 3

"Marcus." a voice called out to Marcus who was fast approaching the palace gates on his way out.The queen gracefully approached with two maids rallying behind her

"Were you seriously going to leave without seeing me Marcus?"

"Aurora. Looking ravishing as always.How are you and the little one?"he said in reference to her growing tummy

"We are doing very well thanks."she said looking at Tamera whose gaze was fixed on the ground,"And how is our lovely lady doing today?Were you going to leave without seeing me Tamera?"

"Forgive me your highness."she said with a bow earning a smile from the Queen

"I heard Tamera was playing with the others outside.Good to see her getting along with Xavier." Aurora said to Marcus whose smile faded

"What do you want Aurora?"

"Well,i just thought to help an old friend Marcus.Tamera possesses the qualities of a Queen.And atleast for old times sake let me help you turn her into a Queen she is destined to be." She said with a sly smile

"And why would you do that for her?At what price?We both know you never do anything for free or have you suddenly become like Catherine?"

"Dont you dare compare me to that wench!"

"Well that wench is the mother of the crown Prince Aurora.Her child might be illegitimate,but she will become the Queen mother one day.King Roland might have denied her the right of being his queen,but Xavier will give her that title." This had the Queen fuming in anger.Catherine might have been just a concubine to the king,but she gave him a son before her and that in a way had paved way for Catherine to potentially acquire a higher rank than her once Xavier takes over

"You know what Marcus.Come talk to me once your brains start functioning properly,because we both know the King might have promised your daughter to the prince,but we already know that Xavier since birth was bonded to another.You need me."

"She is his Protector." Marcus whispered within clenched teeth.Tamera just stood beside her father listening but being the little girl she was she could not understand any of it

"Dont be too sure Marcus.Remember Alimo and Ariad?History always has a way of repeating itself so be warned." With that Aurora caresed Tamera's cheek before walking away leaving Marcus in a whirlwind of thoughts.A female protector has been born after two centuries,and a lot could go wrong.Marcus did not want history to repeat itself because that meant his daughter missing out on the throne.She might have aready been bethroted to Xavier,but that was not enough.Aurora was right he had to do something

"Come Tamera lets go."he said and they walked on to get into the carriage parked by the Palace gates which took them home

******

"But no Roland he is just like you.Do you know what he does every morning?The first thing he does when he wakes up is look for Shamma.He doesnt even look for his mother first."

"No no no i am not like that.What is the first thing i do when i wake up?" Catherine hesitated at answering the question

"Tell me Cate what is it i do first?"

"Well..."

"What?Say it admit."

"Okay fine you come check up on me but it does not mean Xavier takes after me." With that the King's laughter echoed within the room.Aurora stood by the door watching the two laugh and chat like two old friends.That kind of scenario always reminded her that although she might have snatched the queenship from Catherine.She still remained with the King's heart and that was something Aurora was never going to be able to take away.Catherine,although a concubine was the King's first love but their love was hindered by the fact that Catherine was a commoner and in Luyota a commoner cannot become queen,which paved way for Aurora to attain queenship.The sight before Aurora always reminded her of her failures and even more,Catherine having the ability to call the King by his name further proved that she could never attain the King's heart,but atleast she still had a chance at being the Queen mother,but inorder to do that,she needed Marcus on board

****

"Mother,i cannot stop thinking about Shamma." Shayne said while they lay on the floor which was their resting place for every night.

"Me too." she breathed,"I dont want my little girl to suffer because of the gift imposed upon her.If i had the power,i would strip her of that title.Did you notice how close have become?Yes i agree that the king and his protector share a bond like no other but Shamma is female.What if..."

"Mother you worry too much.Shamma is only eight now and she is yet to be taught her righful duties.I trust my sister,she will be sensible."

"Even Ariad was sensible Shayne.But she ended up becoming more than just Alimo's protector she became his Ariad,Alimo's Ariad and you know how it all ended.I pray her father is watching her from above and will guide her in keeping her heart to herself." She said remembering the night they came to take her away.A couple of hours had passed since Shamma's birth and her husband was right beside her holding Shamma in his hands

"She is so beautiful,just like you."he had said

"What will you call her.I named Shayne so you name her."

"Well,i would name an angel like her Shamma,since Shayne is my pride,Shamma here will be my joy.She will make me proud at all times." At that moment a knock was heard before the door creaked open.Zuri came in accompanied by a couple of palace guards

"May i take a look at your daughter?" He had asked politely.The couple had exchanged glances before the man answered

"She is female,she is not what you are looking for."

"I know.Allow me to look at her." Zuri had gone on to examine Shamma before surprisingly finding what he was looking for,a small faint circle with a black dot inside which becomes more visible with growth permanently crafted on both her palms.That was it, the sought after...mark of a protector.