Page 18 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

confidence of a woman with thrice thy beauty. I know you think Ramoth has more influence than

he should in the affairs of state. But know this, he carries no weight in the affairs of my heart. You

are my queen and I love you."

GoGo was moved. “If only thy heart could speak for thy mind, even thy throne, there

would be no need for my shield. For thy heart is strong and is my champion.”

The queen’s words moved Kanja and he struggled to keep his tears from falling in public.

The cobra studied Kanja for vulnerability, but GoGo protected her king with a kiss. Her hand

shielded his wet eyes and her thumb wiped his tears away unseen by the serpent.

To Kanja, tears were weakness. To GoGo, tears were strength. To Ramoth, they may as

well have been the hardest mortar, for they sealed the bond of love between the royals and blocked

his way.

Belly Pot waddled through the court with Goban, toward the exit to depart the festivities. It

was as if the gold and gifts of thranery filled his fat belly and he no longer had an appetite for the

feast. He stopped to greet other foreign ambassadors and nobles unaware that Sooth stalked him

from behind the throng of guests.

The queen’s gaze was suddenly drawn to a commotion at the entrance to the hall. GoGo

saw her Golden Leopard being besieged by the adoring crowd.

Tapping Kanja, she said, “Look, it’s Omar!”

“I knew he would not miss the Albaka. But why did he enter through the people’s door and

not the royal passage?” Kanja asked.

“And bypass the adulation? Not a chance,” said GoGo.

Prince Omar navigated through the waves of well-wishers like a great royal ship—tall and

highborn. Nobles, lords and ladies greeted him with smiles and complements. He was truly a

prince of the people.

“Your so-called friends may call me the Dog Queen but my womb has given you the

Golden Leopard!”

“Yes, GoGo, of this no man can deny.”