A few weeks later, Kazi appeared at the marriage counselling appointment wearing a gorgeous mint green gown that highlighted her short, wavy afro. Despite her nervousness, she maintained a stoic expression as she took a seat among the other women, their colourful clothing and hair in stark contrast to her warrior spirit.
The session began with the head lady, a woman dressed in pearls and wearing a tight smile. "Welcome, ladies," she said, her voice tinged with overbearing sweetness. "We will start by going around the circle and introducing ourselves. "How long have you been married, lovely ladies?"
The women discussed their marriage term one by one, with the majority boasting years of more than a decade. When Kazi said, "Just a few weeks," there was a pause in conversation.
The head lady's smile faded briefly before regaining.. "Wonderful! And what are some of your favourite dishes to prepare for your husbands, dears?" she inquired, her voice regaining its practiced cheer.
The women gushed about delectable stews and elaborate pastries, their voices forming a chorus of culinary expertise. Kazi, however, remained silent, her brow furrowing with each passing declaration.
Finally, the waiting attention focused on her. "Well, my dear," the head lady inquired, her grin strained. "What culinary delights do you make up for your beloved?"
Kazi met her gaze head-on. "I do not cook for my husband," she stated plainly.
The room went silent. Heads swivelled towards her, eyes wide with shock and disdain. The head woman blinked; her smile utterly gone. "Excuse me, dear?" she asked, her tone cold. "Did you just say you do not cook for your husband?"
"It is quite simple," Kazi explained, her voice steady. "I do not cook."
A woman clutching a lace handkerchief let out a gasp. "But...but that is a wife's duty!" said another woman. "How can you expect your husband to stay happy if you do not cater to his needs?"
An especially loud voice, belonging to a woman decorated with enough jewels to blind a dragon, joined in. "Especially a Prince! A whole Prince, my dear! He is likely trained his whole life for a wife who excels in her wifely duties! You have to take care of him, or he will stray!"
Kazi's stomach tightened as she listened to their pronouncements. True, she did not fulfil the usual duty of a wife. So, was this all a mistake? Will Azrael, her love, grow tired of her unusual ways and seek love elsewhere?
So, was this all a mistake? Will Azrael, her love, grow tired of her unusual ways and seek love elsewhere?
The estate was filled with a disgusting aroma that caused Azrael's eyes to water. Coughing as he entered the hallway, he spotted the maids huddled outside the kitchen, their faces contorted in a mixture of amusement and horror.
"What in Niameda's name is going on?" Azrael demanded, walking towards the kitchen.
"It is the General, Your Highness. She is... in the kitchen." The maid's voice trailed off, and Azrael's heart skipped a beat. Visions of Kazi, his powerful warrior wife, holding...a pan instead of a sword filled his mind. The thought was both amusing and terrifying.
With a hesitant smile, he pushed open the kitchen door, bracing himself for the chaos within. The scene before him was chaos indeed: different plates of interesting foods, with various spices and ingredients scattered around. The source of the foul Odor became apparent when he spotted Kazi, dressed in her usual attire, hunched over stove, stirring a pot, her brow furrowed in intense concentration. Smoke billowed from the pot, making her eyes water and causing her to cough.
"Good afternoon, beautiful," Azrael said, his voice full of amusement.
Kazi spun around, a spoon dripping with a suspicious brown liquid clutched in her hand. "Azrael!" she exclaimed, a relieved smile breaking through her stern expression. "Just the man I need. Now, take a plate and tell me honestly..." she gestured to the pot with the questionable contents, "does this look like edible rice?"
Azrael looked into the pot. The "rice" was a horrific combination of burned black pieces and suspiciously squishy white lumps.
"Why, darling," he began, forcing a smile, "it looks... unique. A masterpiece in the deconstructionist style, perhaps?"
Kazi's smile wavered. "Unique?" she repeated, a trace of concern in her gaze. "It looks like something a starving goblin would not touch."
"Now, now," Azrael soothed, lifting the offending spoon to his lips. Kazi watched with wide eyes as he took a courageous bite, followed by another.
Azrael choked; his face twisted in pain. He discreetly spat the rice into a nearby napkin, fighting down the urge to gag.
Kazi's shoulders slumped. "See, I told you," She said, sighing and pouting.
Azrael, ever the diplomat, moved forward and placed his arms around her waist. "My love," he murmured, his voice full of love, "you are a brilliant warrior, a fierce leader, and the most beautiful woman in the realm."
"But" he trailed off, pressing his lips against her ear, "cooking is not your forte."
Kazi leaned into him, a playful smile returning to her lips. "So, those council women... they lied? They said if I did not cook, you would leave me!"
Azrael threw his head back and laughed. "Leave you? Never, my love. I would follow you into the depths of the Abyss itself." He drew her closer, his lips finding hers in a passionate kiss. "No, you have nothing to fear. I am here for life".
"So, no more ridiculous meetings?" Kazi asked hopefully, her eyes still shining with affection for her husband.
"Absolutely not," Azrael declared. "Besides, you have a far more... thrilling way of satisfying me in the bedroom."
Kazi broke out laughing, and the tension eased as Azrael scooped her up into his strong arms. "Oh, Azrael!" she squealed, wrapping her legs around his waist. "You are impossible!"
Ignoring the maids' wide-eyed stares, Azrael carried her upstairs to their private chambers. The heavy drapes were drawn, the room lit only by flickering candles. The scent of their perfumes mingled in the air, competing with the intoxicating aroma of their recent lovemaking. He set her down gently on the bed, their bodies still flush against each other.
"You are the most desirable woman I have ever known," he whispered, tracing a finger down her neck. "I feel like I am the luckiest man alive."
Kazi blushed, her heart swelling with affection for her husband. "Oh, Azrael," she sighed, running her fingers through his hair. "You say the sweetest things."
"I know." He leaned in closer, their lips just brushing against each other. "I could spend hours kissing you, feeling your body pressed against mine. But I think I have made it clear how much I want you."
Kazi moaned softly, arching her back. "Then take me, Azrael. Make me yours." Her hands found his shoulders, urging him closer. He smiled, lowering his body to hers, their lips locking in a passionate kiss as he began to undress her...