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xenaizogie · 2 years ago

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Hey sugaplum, you hungry? I got a little something for you! Plot? What plot? I tried this time, I really did, to feed you something more than shameless smut, buuttt...here we are lol. Enjoy!!!

3.7k word

A Day In The Life

The sun is brightly shining, the cloudless sky is brilliantly blue. Sounds of the village coming to life outside the palace walls fill the early morning air. The day is fairly warm already, but a steady breeze provides some respite. Breakfast will be wrapping up soon for the Agojie, and you sit soaking up these final moments with your beloved before she must head to the training grounds. You recline on the steps next to Izogie, side by side, her hand in yours. The sunlight is framing her ebony profile, a golden halo surrounding her making her skin seem to glow. Your eyes are drawn to her beauty, a soft smile gracing her lips, her facial features at peace, the stern warrior mask not yet in place. You caress her hand, your fingers draw to hers, mind wandering over all the things they do to you, all the things they make you feel. Her chuckle brings you out of your musing.

“Something on your mind?”

She’s looking at you, smirking, her lips soft and luscious, begging to be kissed by you. You’re staring again, lost in thought of her wonderful mouth. Another chuckle draws you back to reality and finally you meet her gaze.

“Yes…you…” Your eyes are half lidded, shameless as they take her in. Her smirk breaks out into a full-blown grin.

“Will you eat with me at lunch today? I wish to eat in our room.” She requests.

The innocent look she had on her face belying her tone, which was an octave too low. Not quite sultry, but definitely inviting. You return her grin and bob your head yes, not quite trusting your voice as Nawi approached. She smiled and waved to you in greeting before turning to Izogie.

“Good morning, Izogie. My mother wishes to speak with you before the morning run.”

“Good morning, TseTse.” Izogie greets rising from her spot next to you, her hand lingering in yours as she starts to step away.

“Come.”

She’s talking to Nawi, but she is looking at you and it sends an electric pulse straight to your center making you bite your lip to hold in the whimper that threatened to escape. She shoots you another smirk as she takes her leave. Your eyes devour her departing image, visions of this morning still fresh in your mind.

Dawn was just breaking, casting its soft glow around the room. You were pressed flush against Izogie, your back to her front, shades of brown melding together as her arm encircled your waist. Skin to skin from your ankles all the way up to the spot where her lips were placing tender kisses along your shoulder and up the column of your neck. You loved the way you melted into her touch, the way her warm skin on yours made you feel comfortable, made you feel safe. This must be what heaven feels like, cozy and treasured, you could spend eternity in her arms. You feel her smiling against the nape of your neck at the involuntary shiver that courses through your body, and you turn in her arms, gently cupping her face as your gaze meets hers. The kiss that followed was soft and sweet, without any urgency, a gentle greeting filled with love. “I love waking up to you.” she says as you part. The corners of your lips turn up before giving her a radiant smile. She litters your face with kisses before turning to get out of bed and start her day. “Can you stay a little longer” you pout, not yet ready to share her with the world. She laughs, a melodious sound, before turning back towards you in bed…

The sound of the trainees heading out for their run brings you out of your reverie and you turn, hoping to catch one last glimpse of her on her way out. You aren’t disappointed, she catches your eye and throws a smile and a wink your way before disappearing from view. A contented sigh leaves you as you stand, a grin plastered on your face and a bounce in your step, ready to tackle your tasks for the day. The sooner you got done, the sooner you could get back into her waiting arms.

It didn’t take you long to get halfway through your list, but time seemed to crawl by as you went about your chores, the anticipation has been slowly building inside you. It’s near the midday break and the sun, along with your wayward thoughts, have you seeking out a shade tree to pass the minutes until lunch. You find a suitable one, not far from the Agojie sparring grounds, where you can watch your love manhandling the trainees. Her lithe form is glistening in the sunlight, hard muscles twisting and turning beneath soft brown skin, a thin sheet of sweat covering her body. You find yourself biting your bottom lip, a little moan slipping out, maybe sitting this close wasn’t such a good idea after all. Your already heated thoughts are doing summersaults over each other, the site before you only fueling the visions of you two together in your head. Thankfully the bells soon sound, lunchtime has finally arrived. Izogie dismisses the trainees before sauntering over to where you are seated. She is the epitome of sexy and she knows it.

“Close your mouth, you look like a...”

Your eyes narrow and she cuts out into a laugh as she pulls you to your feet, wrapping her arms around your waist. Her lips are on yours before you can even make a smart remark, her tongue invading your mouth, the kiss fiery and deep.

“I missed the way you taste.”

“Don’t start something you can’t finish.”

You speak at the same time making you both giggle, giddy and slightly breathless from the kiss. It amazes you how even after all this time, Izogie can still make the butterflies in your stomach take flight. Dark eyes flaked with gold are staring down at you, gazing into your soul. They left you with an eager longing, wanting nothing more than to feel her lips on yours again. She leans in towards you, her lips ghosting yours before trailing up to your ear.

“Race you!”

Then she is gone, her laughter trailing behind her as she speeds towards the palace. Your shocked gasp is short lived, and you take off hot on her trail, she knows this the only way she can beat you in a foot race. She slows to a stop near the gate, turning, ready to gloat in her victory, but you keep running, blowing right past her, your eyes on the lunch line ahead. The chase is on again, the few Agojie who can see your mad dash cheering you on. You skid to a halt at the end of the line, an eyebrow raised and a smirk gracing your lips, you wait for her to arrive.

“One day I will beat you.” She grins.

“But not today.” Came your cheeky reply.

You both wash up and grab a bowl, already eating as you make your way to your room. The banter is carefree and adoring on the way there, a mix of teasing and asking about each other’s day so far sprinkled with sultry and knowing looks. She makes it through the doorway first, you follow placing your bowl in hers on the side table by the door. As soon as the bowl has left your hand, Izogie is pulling you to her, warm lips seeking out yours. Her tongue is delving deep in your mouth drawing tiny whimpers from you as she guides you backwards towards the big table in the middle of the room. The backs of your thighs barely graze the frame before she is picking you up, roughly sitting you on the edge. Your excited squeal is swallowed up as she continues to ravage your mouth, sliding her body in between your spread legs closing the gap between you. Your hands slide over her shoulders, locking into place at the nape of her neck while hers grip at your hips. Urgency is radiating off her in waves, in the fervor of her lips and the groping hands now stalking up your thighs, you both know you don’t have long. You tear your lips away from hers to pepper hot kisses along her jaw and down the scar on her neck, pausing at her pulse point, suckling, tongue swirling drawing a low moan from the warrior. Hungry hands spread your thighs further apart, one coming to rest on your hip, the other pressed against your throbbing heat, caressing you through your clothes. Your hips are rolling, you want desperately to increase the pressure, you need more. Just as her fingers were making their way inside your panties…

“Ahem!” Amenza chuckles as she clears her throat from the open doorway. “Izogie, Nanisca requests you.” Another chuckle.

Simultaneous groans fill the air as your head falls to Izogie’s shoulder.

“Coming Amenza.”

She pulls back slightly and with her free hand she hooks a finger under your chin and tilts your face up, looking you in the eye as her lips meet yours in a promising kiss. Please stay, it’s on the tip of your tongue when she breaks away, cool air replacing the previous heat of her body, but you know the answer, duty calls.

“Tonight, my love” she whispered before heading towards the door.

Izogie glances back and the sight makes her steps falter. Your head is thrown back, legs still spread, one hand palm down on the table, the other traveling up your thigh headed for your center hoping to ease the ache left in her wake. She is torn, her body takes a step back towards you before she realizes it, but she shakes her head trying to clear it. Tempting as a quickie might be, she knew it was only going to tease her, leave her craving more. No, she would wait so that she could completely immerse herself in you.

“Aht. Mine.”

The bark snapped your head up, a pleading whimper falling from your throat, but you oblige.

“Yes, daddy” you reply, giving her an innocent doe eyed look.

She’s back across the room in two strides, her lips taking yours in a searing kiss, branding you, claiming you as hers. You didn’t call her that often, but when you did, it always had the same effect on her, igniting something primal deep in her core. She breaks apart with an exasperated groan, taking off at a jog to catch up to Amenza. You are left hot and bothered, chest marginally heaving, still sitting atop the table. You take a few calming breaths, trying to reign in your runaway libido before jumping off the table. You needed to do something to occupy your thoughts and hands, fast. With the last few tasks in mind, you set off to finish your chores.

The rest of the day passes uneventfully, much of your time spent outside the palace picking herbs for the healers. Baskets full to the brim, you head back inside stopping briefly when you catch sight of Izogie. She is in the middle of the training grounds with the trainees in a big circle around her, turning to face each one as she gave instructions. You watch as she gets into position several feet in front of a training dummy, setting her feet then lunging forward landing multiple body blows before decapitating the dummy in one smooth strike. She makes combat look so effortless. You carry on your way smiling faintly, your mind already on the night ahead.

Once the herbs have been dropped off, you head to the bathhouse stopping by your room to grab your favorite lavender soap first, Izogie loves the scent. The temptation to linger in the tepid water is gone without her by your side, so you make washing up a quick affair, eager to be by her side once more. Your body lathered, rinsed, and freshly dressed; you head out of the bath house to the sound of the dinner bells. You spy the trio of warriors, Nanisca Izogie and Amenza, deep in conversation across the courtyard. A sigh escapes you; you have a feeling you’ll be eating dinner without her, but at least this means there should be no interruptions when she does make it home. Your eyes meet across the distance, and she flashes you a grin before turning her attention back to Nanisca. You grab a bowl and sit on the steps eating and conversing with Nawi, doing your best not to gawk at Izogie before eventually retiring to your room for the night.

The sky has darkened, the clouds look like they could burst at any moment, and lightening dances across the sky; a storm is brewing. The door softly opens and closes announcing her presence, but you are lost in thought, staring out the window at the formidable sky. Strong yet gentle arms embrace you from behind.

“You smell so good” Izogie whispers as she litters kisses down your neck and over your shoulders, reveling in the noises that involuntarily slip out of your mouth.

You sink into her embrace, her closeness igniting a passion within you, her hands blaze a trail of fire as they cup and toy with your breasts through your clothes. One hand slid down to grip across your waist, pulling you tight against her while the other circled and pinched at your nipple through the fabric.

“I need you bad” you breathe, your head lolling to the side to grant her lips better access.

Izogie spins you, pushing you against the wall and pinning your hands above your head. You are trapped, her body pressing into yours from knee to chest, but escape is the furthest thing on your mind. Her lips take yours in scorching kiss, tongues dueling wildly, the intensity of it has you moaning into her mouth, her free hand gripping at your throat. She squeezes slightly, sliding a leg in between yours, pressing her thigh into your damp heat. Your body arcs as you grind down onto her, a moan caught in your throat as she tightens her grip. She releases you, her lips kissing a path to your ear, her chest still on yours crowding you into the wall, her hands now on your hips, guiding them up and down her thigh.

“I’m going to make you scream my name.” She murmurs against the shell of your ear.

Thunder rumbles and your body quivers, a lusty moan your only response. One hand is clutching at her shoulder, the other cupping the back of her head holding her in place as she nibbled at your lobe. She eases back just enough to remove your top, your breasts plopping out into her waiting hands. Your hips never cease their rhythm as her hands begin to knead your luscious mounds. Her thumbs graze softly against your pebbled buds sending electric jolts straight to your core.

“I need…” Your words trail off in a gasp as she lifts her leg adding pressure to your grind.

“Tell me what you need love.” She coos, her fingers pinching and rolling your nipples.

You take her right hand and guide it down your body to where you need her most. She doesn’t bother taking your skirt off, simply pushing your panties to the side, two fingers languidly massaging your engorged bud. Her fingers slip lower, dipping in your dripping entrance before returning to your nub, she can feel how much you want her in the throbbing of your clit.

“Inside. Now.”

Lightning flashes as her eyebrow arches and with a growl she takes you hard and fast. Her fingers sink deep and momentarily still, her forehead falling against yours as your walls clench around her, your sticky essence coating her palm. A moan tumbles out as you grind your hips, and her fingers take up a languorous motion, curling deep before sliding out and slamming back inside. She sets a feverish pace, stroking your g-spot, with every thrust. She’s only just begun, and already you are flying towards an orgasm. You grip at her back trying to ground yourself, you want to hold it off, to bask in the moment a little longer, but it is no use, your walls are already spasming and your thighs are clenching hers as she continues to dig you out.

“...’Zo…”

“I know baby…I know…”

The feeling of her fingers deep inside you and the sound of her voice in your ear, always a deadly combination, sends you plummeting over the edge. Your legs are shaking, threatening to give out, your hands weakly grasping at her shoulders, but she doesn’t stop. Her hand is caught between her thigh and your soaking pussy. She could no longer thrust in and out, but her fingers, her fingers, were deep inside your gushing heat fluttering against your sweet spot. Your moans resonate around the room as she whispers praises in your ear, urging you on. Your body shudders as your juices stream over her hand and down her thigh, your entire body trembling, weak as pleasure overtakes you again. Only then does she begin to slow.

Your lips seek out hers in a steamy kiss as she slips out, shudders still coursing through your body as she wraps you in her embrace. Your hands are almost frantic as you pull at her clothes, desperate in your need to feel her skin on yours. She unwraps your skirt and steps back allowing the clothes to fall to the floor. You reach for her greedily licking your lips, but she smirks and grabs your hand, leading you to the bed.

“First, I want to taste you.”

Lightning cracks and thunder vibrates the sky, as fat raindrops begin to pelt the earth. She sits on the edge of the bed, sliding off your panties before pulling you to straddle her lap, both sets of hands exploring every inch of silky skin they could reach. Honied kisses were placed along your collar bone and over your chest as she lay back, drawing you along with her, pulling you up her body until your succulent breasts were dangling right above her face. From one ebony globe to the other, she suckles and swirls her tongue, her hands squeezing at your ass, rubbing your wet pussy over her abs. With a groan you crawl up until your knees are on either side of her head, your glistening mound hovering just a breath above her parted lips. Feathery kisses greet you seconds before she starts to feast in earnest.

Your shins flush against the bed, her elbows hooked around your waist, one palm pressed against your stomach, the pointer finger of the other hand drawing lazy circles around your clit, head buried deep between your thighs, tongue even deeper in your core. A moan is ripped from your chest as she drags her tongue up to replace her finger, her mouth enclosing your aching bud. Sloppily she slurps you up, tongue flicking against your clit, her moans sending vibrations straight to your center. She changes the pace, tongue swirling lazily before popping you out of her mouth, languidly slurping you up over and over.

“Fuuck baaby…”

She is slowly driving you insane, edging you to your peak, you fall forward on your hands, her arms still locked around you. Pleasurable waves are washing over you in a crescendo, she has you wavering on the edge. Bit by bit, the coil in the pit of your stomach has been winding tighter and tighter. She latches onto your clit slowly shaking her head from side to side, humming as she savors your exquisite taste. Your climax blindsides you, forceful as it rocks through you. Body quaking, you scream out in bliss, your juices coating her lower face.

She slips from under while you’re still spasming on your hands and knees, heavy lidded eyes follow her movements as she slips the harness over her hips, a feral gleam in her eye. She steps behind, grabbing you by your thighs pulling you to the edge of the bed, and you whimper in anticipation. Slowly she drags the head up and down your slick folds, thumping the tip against your swollen nub, before sliding up and hesitating at your pulsating entrance.

“Please…”

Inch by inch she presses forward until she is seated fully inside you, a groan falling from her lips as your walls clutch at her length. She sets a steady pace, drawing only halfway out before drilling into you over and over again. A smack to your ass cheek brings a yelp from you as grip the sheets and fuck her back harder. A growl grumbles through her as she seizes your hips.

“Is that how you want me baby?”

Each word accompanied with a thrust as she leans back, stroking even deeper inside you. The force of her strokes sends you to your elbows, your arms no longer able to support you, your moans are almost nonstop.

“Daamn daaddy…”

The pressure inside you is building, it’s almost too much to bear, you feebly crawl forward on the bed. But Izogie stalks your every move, her hips never stop rolling, dirty grinding deep inside you.

“This your pussy daddy…I belong to you…”

She pulls back then slams her hips into yours, sending you headlong into euphoria, your entire body convulsing, her name a chant, screaming from your lips. Higher and higher she compels you on, words rambling from her lips, she’s on the verge of her own bliss.

“You feel soo good…that’s it baby…don’t hold back…”

As if you could, each stroke of her stuttering hips rubbing that spongy spot deep inside, it felt as if she was caressing your soul. Ecstasy explodes around you as you both plunged into a pleasurable abyss. When she calms enough to breathe normally, she slips out of you and out of the harness before climbing back into bed beside you, pulling you into her embrace. You lay with your head on her chest, her heartbeat created a rhythmic sound that soothed your spirit, lulling you further into your peaceful cocoon. Her soft voice guides you as you slip into the dreamscape.

“Sweet dreams, my love.”

A/N: Soo, what do you think?? As always, all feedback is swooned over!!!

#izogie #the woman king #izogie x reader #izogie smut #izogie fanfiction #lashana lynch

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chivgf · 10 months ago

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One Last Time (pt. 1)

izogie x reader

summary: the mighty agojie attacked the men of your village. your husband, along with many other warriors died, but you and the women have a choice; join the agojie, or leave with nowhere to go. you choose to stay but are in no way prepared to find comfort in the same cold-blooded warrior who stuck her machete through your husband's heart. (Izogie calls reader a nickname throughout fic.)

warnings: violence/death (duh, if you scared you shoulda stayed tf home!), kinda fucked up romance given the fact that Izogie murdered your husband but she's just a girl. idk what other warnings i need to add so yeah just read it & i hope you enjoy enough to anticipate more parts possibly???

A/N: ik this part is kinda short but it's pretty much just an intro to this series, plus ive been working on this for months on end and i need to publish it before i start to despise it.

Spite and resentment consumed you as you watched your husband bleed out on the dirt. You remembered her face vividly. Sharp jawline, thick eyebrows and full-ish lips. Scars that could've created roads to walk on. Bursting out of your hut like a mad dog, you kneeled down over his weak body.

“Efosa!” you weeped. “Wake up, it is not the end! You must fight.” Tears streamed from your eyes like mini rivers. Your blood stained hands reached down into the sack on his belt and retrieved the wooden charm you gifted him before the war. You held it close to your chest and closed your eyes to avoid taking another glance at him. You could hear the metal clanking and battle cries cease.

“I will never forg--”

Before you could speak a last word to your husband, a hand grasped your shoulder firmly. Your body jerked and you turned slowly, afraid. It was her. There was a formerly healed scar on her eyebrow that appeared to have reopened during this fight.

“You have to come with us,” she spoke. Her eyes started on you, then moved to your husband. A disgusting smirk formed on her lips. She was proud to have killed him.

“I refuse to go anywhere with you! You are a monster. You find this amusing?” you spat at her. The smirk fell quickly.

“On your feet. We are taking you all to Dahomey.”

“My home is here. I am staying here.”

“I will not ask you again.”

“Good,” you replied, turning your focus back to Efosa.

Without a doubt, she stuck to her word. She aggressively snatched you up and threw you over her shoulder, taking you to the march line. You began kicking your feet and punching her back like a child throwing a tantrum. “Let me go!” you cried. “You killed my husband, you savage! Don't touch me!”

“If you continue to disobey me you will end up just like him,” she said without hesitation.

You were silenced. You stood quiet in line the entire march to Dahomey.

•••

“...any woman who does not wish to stay, is free to go.” General Nanisca ended her speech and watched many women make their exit. The woman from the battle was burning holes into you with her eyes, watching, waiting for you to crack and leave like a weakling. You refused to give her the satisfaction. You stared back into her brown eyes, clenching your jaw in nervousness.

“Let us move along then,” Amenza, Nanisca's most trusted warrior spoke. The intense eye contact was finally broken.

Moving further into the palace you were sent to sit with more experienced Agojie and wait for further instruction. You found yourself next to a woman with a small Afro and two braids on the sides of her head.

“They call me Desi, who are you?” she said as she studied you.

“Does it matter?”

“Mm, fair enough. Freed captive or Mahi?”

“Mahi,” you replied.

“Ah, I see.”

“Who is she?” you pointed as Nanisca, Amenza, and the husband slaughterer walked past.

“Izogie. Strongest warrior I know. Ran into trouble?” she asked, picking at her frighteningly sharp nails.

“You could say that.”

“My advice? Put it behind you. You will need her more than you will ever know.”

You nodded your head. She did seem strong. And smart. Perhaps you would need her. But you didn't want to think about that; for now she was still the same woman who ripped your life from you in a matter of minutes.

“Go and bathe yourselves, you know the drill,” Izogie boomed, walking to the area that you were in. You and Desi followed the other women heading to the baths, your hand in hers. An uneasy feeling consumed you as you felt Desi let go of your hand and walk at a swifter pace. “Eh-eh,” Izogie interrupted, grabbing your arm. Desi continued to scurry along. “Not you.”

You looked down at her hand. Her nails were like Desi's, only sharper and more deadly. Making matters worse, they were also digging into your skin. You whined at the pain a tad, but refused to say anything. When she finally released you, a little bit of blood slowly trailed down your glistening arm. You weren't sure if she even noticed. You covered the nail marks with your hand. “Have I done something?”

“Taken a liking to Desi I see.”

“Not necessarily.. she was informing me of the way things should work in advance.”

You impatiently awaited a response, but there wasn't one. She just stood over you, her frame completely blocking you from joining the others. You were micro compared to her, and she found it extremely amusing.

“If that is all, I'd like to go bathe now,” you croaked, breaking the silence. Her chuckle released some of the tension on her side, in turn building up some on yours. “Was there a joke?” you said, slightly irritated. She saw you as nothing but a pampered village wife, and you knew it. Izogie placed her hands on her knees and bent down to your level, once again reminding you of how small you are to her. Her face only inches away from yours, she whispered into your ear two simple words before walking away from the entire conversation.

“Be careful.”

The words sent a shiver down your spine as she made herself scarce. The scent of essential oils and incense lingered in the air, making you dizzy. Unsure of what she meant, you stumbled in confusion to the baths. There were many bodies taking up space in the water, but nowhere you looked was a familiar face. You scanned and scanned for Desi, your head still spinning a tad bit from your confusing conversation with Izogie. What about Desi was there to be careful about? She seemed sweet enough, no?

After a minute or two of searching for Desi, you found it pointless and decided to just bathe and get it over with. The steam from the warmth caused you to sweat as you let yourself sink into the water. You let out a small wince as a mix of the sweat and hot water grazed the nail imprint in your arm. “Ah!” you whimpered aloud, quickly looking around to make sure no one heard you. It was awkward to be alone in the baths with everyone speaking to people that they knew, so you found it easier to just close your eyes and pretend that you were alone, just like at home. You tuned out all of the loud voices and started humming a song to yourself, and finished up your bathing.

•••

You flapped out your mat lazily. It was your first day in the palace; no training yet, no nothing, yet you felt like you'd been worked half to death. The smell of palm oil and Jasmine floated in the air as you smoothed your mat out more and sat down on it. There were many women around you, some talking to absolutely no one, just like you. Still, you couldn't bring yourself to speak to anyone. You had no appetite at mealtime, and you weren't in the mood for sleep either.

Your thoughts of your late husband rang loudly in your ears. You had rarely ever been without him. He went to battle, yes, but he would always return safely to at least kiss you goodnight. Now, his caring and loving was simply just gone. Every part of you wished he was a ghost, haunting you in the sweetest ways. Brushing past you with a cold breeze when you feel alone, showing up in your dreams when your memories of him fade.

You found your restless body wandering around the dark palace. It was silent for the most part, besides the light and distant voices of the wives conversing in their quarters. It was surprisingly calming; the fires burning through the chilly night to warm you. After a while of aimlessly walking around, you started to hear faint noises. Your ears rang slightly as you strained to listen further. There was grunting and hacking, like someone was cutting down a tough tree. You followed the noises and a trail of sandal prints. The prints let you know this was none of the girls and women you had arrived with; this was someone who'd been settled.

Tiptoeing to the gate, you peeked around it curiously to find her.

Why couldn't you avoid her? What is her problem... What's yours?

You tried quickly to make yourself scarce from her, as she was equipped with her machete and swinging it angrily at the hay soldier ahead of her. Unfortunately for you, Izogie senses everything.

She tucked her machete in close to her and bent her knees in a defensive position. She continued to inch closer to you, asking, “Who is there?”

Low hung your head as you slowly revealed yourself to her.

“Ahh, it isYona.”

You looked up and raised a brow. “Yona?”

“Dove. You are meek and gentle; far too passive to make it here.” She placed her machete gently back into her scabbard and folded her arms. You rolled your eyes and sighed deeply. You knew you were not a warrior, but where else would a Mahi woman go in Dahomey? You could only live off of the streets for so long. Stepping closer, she followed your wandering eyes with her head. “Look at me,” Izogie demanded.

“I am not a dove,” you spat. You raised your head to meet her eyes. “I can do this, I will survive here.”

“Mm,” she nodded and retrieved her machete. “Show me.”

It was scary, to say the absolute least. Never in your life had you touched a weapon with intention to use it. Not even for defense. You reached out, your hands grazing her sharp nails once again. Recalling the moment those same nails broke through your skin sent a chill down your spine, but you managed to mask it. Holding the machete tightly in a fist, you bent down low like you'd seen your husband do in training.

“Swing it.”

“At what target?” you inquired studying the four hay soldiers to your left.

“Me.”

Your heart dropped. You didn't want to hurt anyone. Maybe that was your problem; you weren't willing to put anyone's life at stake, even if your own depended on it. Not to mention, Izogie is not only second-in-command, but has much experience. You don't have an ounce. A lump formed in your throat, but you swallowed it and moved closer, still low in position.

“Are you sure?”

“Yona, you would not ask the enemy such questions. Show me that you are a warrior. Show me that you have what it takes.”

You shut your eyelids tightly, took a breath, then studied her. Her eyes, to be specific. Efosa used to say, “The weakness is in the eyes,” but you could not find it. There was a strange coldness that she carried in her gaze; never breaking, never shifting.

“I've got all night,” she taunted, motioning for you to bring it on.

You noticed the same smirk on her face from when she stood over you, her blood covered hand on your arm. Blood that belonged to your husband. Anger consumed you as your breathing started to pick up. You gripped the machete tighter and began to follow her movements. After a minute of mirroring her, you took your first swing. It was wild, but you didn't care all that much. She dodged swiftly by an inch. Watching the fire from the torches dance on her face, you slid on the dirt and took another wild swing, this time at her lower half, cutting a gash in her clothing and her lower thigh. She let out a dry grunt but stayed focused on dodging your relentless jabbing and swatting with the weapon.

Your eyes were mad and fierce, your fury practically burning your skin. Izogie lunged forward at you, grabbing hold of both of your wrists with just one of her hands.

“That is enough, Yona.”

You pretended not to hear her and continued to struggle to get loose. The look in her eyes changed from demand to worry as she disarmed you and tossed the machete to the side. Still you fought, grabbing at her shoulders and taking her to the ground. It was like your body was moving way ahead of your brain. Izogie quickly overpowered you and climbed on top of you, pinning your wrists down near your head. You felt restless and weak underneath her.

“Enough!”

Her voice echoed in your ears as your vision started to get blurry and dark.

•••

“No, Miganon, what she needs is food. She hasn't laid one finger on anything since her arrival,” Izogie complained.

Nanisca scoffed and leaned over you.

“Take that up with her. She is awake now.”

You quickly scanned your surroundings. You lie on a highly elevated mat in a tent. There were weaponry decorations everywhere, a horn made of elephant tusk, and a pot of indigo dye. This was Izogie's personal tent.

Izogie watched from the tent's entrance as you took in everything. As you slowly locked eyes with her, you two exchanged no words. Your face carried a look of shame, remembering the actions that led up to this moment, while hers carried a look of guilt and concern. You keep your actions were irrational, especially since you would have to fight alongside her from now on, but you couldn't bare the pain of staring in the cold eyes of you husband's murderer.

Izogie took a breath before finally moving closer and speaking up.

“How..”

There was an odd change in her voice, was it hesitance that you heard?

“How are are you feeling?”

Your initial thought was to give her the silent treatment, but you decided against it and answered her question.

“I've been better,” you replied weakly. Your stomach growled, and you wondered if it was just as loud to the outside world as it was in your head. Clutching your torso, you tried to sit up for a second.

“Woah, careful,” Izogie rushed over and supported your back, holding you upright. She shook her head at her own actions. Why was she going out of her way to make sure you were alright after you...

Something clicked. You forgot that you'd injured her during your little explosion. You grabbed hold of her forearm with both hands and leaned over the mat. There on her thigh. That laceration you created. Pain inflicted on her, of your doing. Even after everything she'd done, you couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't fully deserve that. War is war, sides are sides. None of it was in her control, and it wasn't personal. You had to keep reminding yourself of that to get by.

Your head felt extremely heavy, but you still managed to pick it up to look at her. “I apologize,” you murmured. She looked down at her thigh, then back at you.

“I've had worse, trust me.”

The tent fell silent for a few moments before she spoke again.

“You should eat something.”

A nod from you was enough to send her straight out of the tent without hesitation, and when she returned, in her palms rested a fresh bowl of stew. The smell made your mouth water.

“Don't just stare, eat up.”

She passed you the bowl and leaned against one of the wooden posts set up in the tent. She watched you as if she was obligated to; as if she didn't have other things to tend to. You began to dig into the food she brought, completely ignoring the fact that her eyes never once left you. There was a deep regret tracing her face as you felt her presence move closer to you. Slurping the remains of the stew and wiping your lips, you looked to your side in curiosity. Her right hand was fidgeting with something in her beltsack nervously before she started to tell you something.

“You dropped this,” she presented you with Efosa's wooden charm. “..during the fight.”

You dropped the empty bowl immediately and grasped for the charm, your hands shaking as you turned it every which way to make sure nothing had happened to it. A great sigh of relief escaped your fragile frame. What would you have done if you'd lost it?

“I carved this myself, you know,” you told her, a tear forming in your waterline.

“It is very..”

Izogie grappled to find the right words, practically walking on eggshells so that she wouldn't trigger anymore negative emotions.

“It takes skill to create something like that.”

You let out a dry chuckle. The irony was too much for you to handle.

“What about your skill? What techniques work best for you when you leave your tent prepared to take a life?”

“I leave with intent to protect, not to kill, Yona. The Agojie are not just cold-blooded murderers, you must understand-”

You cut her off. “Save it. No words will remove that sight from my mind. How can you do something like that, then pretend it never happened? Tell me how, Izogie!”

“This is my life! I cannot change his fate, and for that I apologize, but you have no right to fault me when he, too, was rushing at me with a machete in his grip. He was trained not to stop until his target was down, as was I. Tell me, Yona, was I supposed to stand there and die? What else could I have done in such a situation?!” she raised her voice, slightly losing her breath after her statement.

She paced back and forth, her nails scratching her chin softly while she tried to think of what else to say as best she could.

“I am sorry! How many times must I repeat it until you forgive me?” she mumbled, her voice lessening to a whisper. In the short amount of time you'd been there, you'd taken note that every one of these warriors looked up to Izogie. They spoke of her as though she was some sort of unmovable force, yet you, in all your physical weakness, moved her with such ease.

“I don't know if I can.”

At your words, Izogie nodded and peeled back the entrance of the tent, clenching her jaw before removing herself. The sound of her footsteps retreating left an uncertain reaction in your body; you weren't quite sure if you wanted her to stay or not. The words she spoke to you were circulating through your mind, and you couldn't help but feel like she made a point. Before you could swim around in your mind for too long, you heard the tent open up once more. Expecting Izogie, you felt a pang of hope creep in, but it was just Desi, holding wildflowers.

“What's this?” you laughed, hands outstretched to receive the flowers she was handing you.

“I picked them myself, by the river. I figured you would appreciate some color,” Desi smiled sweetly, the new wooden beads attached to her two braids clanking in the wind. “That is very kind, Desi.”

She nodded. “The palace whispers, you know? About you.”

“Oh? What do they say?” you asked as you propped yourself up to listen better.

“They whisper that you were the cause of that cut on Izogie's leg; they also whisper that you are aiming for high ranks. They say that General Nanisca is next in your movement. Is it true?”

A snort escaped your nose; you'd never heard something so absurd.

“You cannot be serious. There is no movement, it was a simple fight,” you clarified firmly.

“I see, so you are just another palace myth?” she chuckled, but you didn't find anything funny. You shook your head and rubbed your temples.

“I am not in the mood for jokes,” you stated. You turned over on your mat and faced away from her. “You may leave, thank you for the flowers.”

“But I have just-”

Desi was interrupted by something. Rather, someone. You flipped back over to see why exactly she'd stopped talking so abruptly mid sentence. A tall familiar figure loomed over her shorter frame, its hand on her shoulder.

“I believe you were asked to leave.”

Izogie guided her out of the tent and walked to her weapon stand. You noted that her legs and hands were drenched in water as she placed her scabbard on the stand and removed her sandles, tossing them to the side.

“You are back,” you stated plainly, a pinch of relief lacing your words.

“Well yes, this is my tent.”

Facing away from you, she continued to dress down into clothing that provided more comfort for sleep. You couldn't help but watch, unable to fathom how one could be so rough around the edges, yet so graceful in every movement she makes.

“You are wet,” you added on top of your previous statement, your eyes still glued to her. She finally turned to face you. You'd never noticed how pretty she really is. You suppose nobody talks about things like that all that much in the palace unless speaking of Ghezo's wives, but Izogie was genuinely a good-looking woman in your eyes. You'd never blatantly admit that though, no.

“Any other observations you would like to voice before I lay down to rest?” she responded in an exhausted tone. She reached behind her stand and pulled out an extra mat, much more shabby than the one you were laying on.

A sigh escaped your lips before you shook your head no and spoke up again.

“Is that for me?”

“Do you really think that I would force you to-”

She stopped herself to take a grounding breath.

“I am not the monster you think I am, Yona.”

And those were her last words to you that night.

#angst #izogie x reader #the woman king #izogie

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