Spirit Ran Free
Chapter One / Page Three

"Jushetta, you vile, wicked thing. I hate you. Yes, I do."

Jushetta smiled. "Your mother say great warriors are selfish lovers, but you love the prince the way I love Abduba Juwana."

"No. I do not," Lyakena fumed, slashing at the innocent weeds. "I hate that pompous prince. I do. Even if he is blessed by the gods . . . even if he is such a great majestic warrior."

"Oh, you always talk so funny. But I love you, Lyakena."

Jaakeem shifted his eyes down on Lyakena again, just as her sultry eyes rolled up and stared straight back at the great warrior. Everyone felt their aura sweeping across the valley and the women were all gazing at Lyakena.

"What is wrong, my daughter?" her mother scolded. "I am shocked by your behavior." Lyakena didn't hear her mother. She didn't know the hoe was slipping from her dainty fingers. She didn't know that she was running toward the steep hill. "Where are you going, child? Lyakena!"

"Lyakena is so brave and so wonderful," Jushetta smiled. "She will face the man she loves like a great woman."

"Ooh," Ruthena gasped. "But my child will fall and die."

"No! She will not," Jushetta yelled. "Lyakena will not die."

Lyakena had no idea that she was facing death as she climbed the steep hill. The slippery soil only made her angry that she couldn't make it to her prince. Furiously, she kicked her sandals free. And only when she stood on the grassy ledge at edge of the forest facing Jaakeem did she feel her body nervously trembling, and his stoical attitude made her tremble even more. Lyakena could only surrender her innocence to his piercing eyes.

Cont. / Page 4

the author


Forest Hairston