Masquerade

by O.O. Sangoyomi

“Though it was a witch who made that hunting knife you seem to love so much.” To my surprise, there came a smattering of chuckles. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Àrmọ grin at me.

“He has been approached by such women before, my lady, but if I recall correctly, you were displeased with them as well,” Ìgbín remarked, faintly amused.

pretty or not, she will never be anything more than a witch.” Mama Aláàfin gripped my chin. “And I intend to make him see that.”

your exercise is to make you stronger for childbearing.”

Apparently, parties in the royal city were so common that questioning why one was happening was as useless as asking why the sky was blue. It just was.

“Because she cannot marry her own son, she resents any woman who can.”

Rótìmí looked at me in shock, as though just remembering I was still here. Behind his expression, a wall rapidly rebuilt itself—but not before a small smile slipped through.

GAY

Yorùbáland will never become as large as I know it could be.

“Do you not want to talk to me either?” My heart stalled when I saw that he was looking at me. “We’ve never talked before,” I said, dazed. Not since you called me a witch and advocated for my removal, I added silently.

A bride was sentenced to death because it had been discovered that she was not a virgin.

Bc that makes sense

“Many families are poor, and their daughters are ugly,” the older man said bluntly. “Neither of these apply to me.

“As such, you are to put her on a scale and fill the other side with gold until the scale is balanced. That is to be the minimum bride price, for a highly prized woman is worth her weight in gold.”

“I once told you my soul is intertwined with yours, Òdòdó. That is still true.

You were able to rise above your station and leave behind the dismal life of a witch.

She was kidnapped and forced into marriage... LMAO

How could I have inspired the blacksmiths to walk away from their forges? I did not walk away from my forge—I was kidnapped.

“How could slaves have caused this much damage?” Ọmóṣẹwà asked angrily.

Well see, they actually work...

There was something odd about their weapons, but before I could figure it out, Àrmọ pulled me to him, my back against his.

Its the s ones you saw babes

“I’m right here! I’m right here!” I screamed over and over—or did I? But if I was not screaming, why, then, did the words ring so loudly in my ears? Why, then, did they hurt so much?

I flinched—then realized it did not hurt.

I positioned the machete above my wrist. It was just another blow, I told myself. I had been burned, battered, and buried. I had been delivered to Death and turned away. This could not hurt any worse. I brought the machete down.

A very important person must have died, for it seemed as though every citizen of Ṣàngót was present.

You babe.

“We need you to live.”

Very slowly, Rótìmí closed his eyes, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. It was a gesture more potent, more shocking, than tears.

it seemed that I was expected to love him by giving myself to him. I had already given him my hand; how much more of me must I give?

He leaned forward. As subtly as possible, I brushed my hand over my nose to lessen his musk, which was strengthened by the slave’s fanning.

“Being a witch is not the curse you think it is,” she said. “Living untethered to a man is the kindest fate a woman can meet.

Perhaps today was not all bad, then; my mother was gone, but at least Ọmóṣẹwà was not here either.

“It was the Aláàfin who gave you permission to go.” “Ah, of course, the Aláàfin and all his wisdom. Then I am grateful he has a woman like you to support his brilliance. He will certainly need all the advice he can get now that he is short of a general.”

“I see,” I said slowly. “I never knew warthogs could be so aggressive.” “Untold menaces.” “And how did you escape the warthog’s wrath?” “I wonder.”