Yemeja will not rise

A short story from a series I am working on about Nigerian and Colombian deities known as 'Orisha'. Oya is the goddess of fire. Shango, her brother, and husband, is the god of Thunder and Lightning.

Shango had requested her presence. Oya, of course, was furious. A summoning was not common with those of higher ranking within the Orisha community. Servants were summoned. Low level military personal were summoned.

A consort to the King, a military leader, was not summoned.

 “Shango” She roared, storming into his quarters. There were two guards stationed at either side of the vast doorway, and both moved to restrain her. She turned her gaze upon them, and they stilled, thinking better. Shango was sat in his throne, two of his concubines perched on either side of him, one male and one female. He had his face buried in the female’s bosom and his hand searching greedily under the males’ gauzy robe.

“Oya” He said, slow and conversational, raising his face to look at her. The male whimpered softly and Shango shushed him. Oya felt her face burn. “You received my summon. I am surprised. I did not think that you would answer it”

Oya clenched her fists, blew a hot puff of air from her nostrils. “Shango, if you do not dispatch your w****s right at this moment, I swear I will roast you all as you sit”

Shango raised a bored eyebrow, but withdrew his touch from the male’s flesh. He whispered into the female’s ear and she giggled, pressing a kiss to his lips before standing. Her ample hips swayed as she brushed past Oya, smiling kindly as she did, and the male followed with his eyes upon the ground.

“Really Oya, it was very rude of you to spoil my fun like that. I was really enjoying myself just now, you know” Shango drawled, snapping his finger. A handmaiden positioned behind him lifted a tray of dates towards him and he plucked one, rolling it between his fingers. Oya growled and he smiled at her, a wicked glint in his eyes “I insist you make it up to me. You must take their place by my side. It is only polite”

The date in his hand burst into flames. He sighed, flicking the charred fruit onto the floor. He snapped his finger again and the maiden presented him with the tray once more. He stretched his hand towards the platter of fruit.

The maiden shrieked, throwing it to the ground.

“Oh my” Shango said, watching as thick black snakes slithered over the polished marble floor, fangs bared and eyes red. He turned to the shaking servant woman. “You are dismissed”

The woman bowed shakily, walking briskly from the room. He turned his gaze to the guardswomen and motioned for them to leave.

“You are an intolerable b*****d” Oya said, sneering at him. Shango simply chuckled, leaning back in his thrown with his legs spread and his head resting on his hands. “You dare disrespect me like this? Summoning me like a common peasant?”

“You possess too much pride, sister. I am well within my rights to send for my consort, am I not?”

Oya sucked a harsh breath between her teeth. “You forget, brother, that I am not simply your wife. I am the commander of your army. Sending me subordinates to fetch me whilst I was visiting the mortal world is the highest disre�"“

Shango sat up then, and the air crackled with electricity. Oya flinched, stunned.

“Do not speak to me of disrespect, you treacherous wench” He spat, voice low and dangerous.

“Shango, what is the meaning of�"“He stood quickly, stalking towards her. Oya stood her ground, rolling her shoulders back, lifting her chin. He stood before her, towered over her. She met his eyes and held his gaze. “I hope for your sake that you do not intend to intimidate me, dear brother”

“You are trying my patience, Oya. This fire within you, this damned inferno, it will be quenched, do you understand me? You will not make a fool of me, any longer”

“What are you going on about?” Shango seized her face in his hand, crushing it between his fingers harshly. Oya leveled him with a disinterested look, raising an eyebrow.

“Do not take me for a fool, Oya. Yemeja will not rise. You wish to destroy this kingdom that I have built and I swear to you, I will destroy you without an ounce of sympathy�"“

He hissed, releasing her face. He had lifted her slightly from the ground in his rage and she landed lightly upon her feet, feeling her skirt brush lightly against her legs as it fluttered back into place. Shango glared at her, cradling his scarred hand to his chest.

“Listen to me carefully” She said, taking a step towards him. He leaned back the slightest bit, but his feet stayed planted to the ground.

Stubborn b*****d.

“I have no intentions to raise Yemeja” He opened his mouth to speak, but she went on. “Whatever sources you have are wrong. I have no reason to raise Yemeja. Her grief was her own, and the choice was hers. She is at peace and so I am at peace. Why raise a leader that has no wish to lead?”

He remained silent and she snorted, turning to walk away. After two steps, she turned her head to him.

“Shall I fetch you a healer for that hand, Sire?” 

Author's Note

Tell me what you think of the story in general.