Chapter 9

Willow POV

I walk into the spare bedroom where my father is lying. He looks as if he is sleeping. Lazarus brought him and made sure he was presentable and clean before I would see him.

I sit beside him. I reach in to hold his cold hand. I want to be strong for you, father. The elderly gentleman assigned to help me plan my father's funeral sits quietly. He does not interrupt my grief. I am sure he has been in this place many times. I know he has watched many people grieve. He will know when I am ready to make plans.

I hold my father's hand in silence for over an hour. I look back to see the older man still waiting ever so patiently. "If Lazarus trust you to take care of this, then I trust you," I say.

"I know all of the tribal rituals. I will make sure everything is perfect," the funeral director says.

"My mother will not be involved. Is that clear?" I ask him.

"Yes, my queen, perfectly clear," he says.

"My father was a good man. He was a hard-working, honest man. I do not want him buried in a way he would not be happy about being. I want everything simple. Can you do that for me?" I ask.

"Yes, my queen," he says.

"Then we are done here," I say.

"Wait, his name, what is your father's name?" he asks.

"Abraham, his name is Abraham Maringa," I say softly.

"Do you want to pick out his casket?" he asks.

"Can you please do that for me?" I ask.

"Yes, my queen. Something humble, just like him. I can do that for you. Is there anything else?" he asks.

"No, thank you for waiting. I was not sure what to do. I sat here, and I thought about it. I know you waited a long time. I am sorry. I put all of this in your hands and your hands only," I say.

"Yes, my queen. If I have any questions, I will call you," he says.

"No, please call Lazarus if you need anything or Prissy," I say.

"Yes, my queen," he says.

"I do not know from one moment to the next if I am okay. I think it would better if Lazarus and Prissy handled all questions," I say.

"I understand. I am sorry this happened to your father," he says.

"Me too. Thank you," I say.

I leave the room quickly. I do not want to be in there any longer. I do not want to see my father cold anymore. I want to remember him working and being alive. I want to remember his sweet voice and his gentleness. I do not wish ever to feel a cold hand in mine again.

I have to handle my mother now. This is not going to be easy at all. At least I have Lazarus and Prissy to back me up. I am going to stand up to her for the first time in my life. I will tell her the way it will be, and that is it.

I hustle to the dining area. Prissy is feeding my siblings. They are all dirty, but Prissy pays no mind. She has them seated at eating. I pull Lazarus to the side.

"Can we please get them cleaned up and new clothes?" I ask him.

"Yes, my queen," he says.

"Hey, there will be none of that," I say.

"In public and among people, I must refer to you as queen. We must always be formal in the public eye," he says.

"And what are you to me?" I ask.

He leans in to whisper in my ear. "Anything your heart desires," he says softly.

"I will remember that if I need to bend you to my will," I say.

Lazarus goes to my mother to inform her I want the children cleaned and dressed appropriately. It is not that it bothers me. I have lived in filth my entire life. They deserve to be clean and well dressed, and as their queen and their sister, I will see to it they are.

I start to run my mind through everything they will need. The children need a better school. They need clothes and shoes. They need access to hot water. I know Lazarus was having them moved to a safe house but what is the use if she refuses to care for them. Who can blame her? Not all of them are hers. But she married my father, and she should have loved us too.

The woman starts screaming at Lazarus. "What now she thinks she is too good for us!" she screams.

I cannot take it. I go to Luanne. I push past Lazarus. "Listen to me. They deserve clean clothes and food. I can give them that now. I can also make sure they are educated," I say.

"Oh yes, my queen," she says sarcastically

"Don't you dare take that tone with her?" Lazarus screams.

"It is okay," I say to him. I pat on his chest. I look into his eyes. "I can handle this," I say calmly.

"I am doing the best I can. Your father left us live in poverty," she screams at me.

"My father was a good man. You will not disrespect him, you bitch," I say.

She rushes for me. Before she can get her hands on me, Lazarus has her pinned to the floor. "Touching the queen is punishable by death. You do good to remember that," he says.

"Lazarus, let her go," I say softly to him. I will never make demands on him if I can help it. How hard it will be for him that I outrank him in the council.

He releases her. He walks away to cool down. Prissy takes over. She could calm anyone down. I leave her to handle mother. I need to let Lazarus know I meant no disrespect to him.

I walk up behind. I touch Lazarus's shoulder. "Hey, I am sorry Luanne did that," I say.

"Willow, you need to understand your position. You cannot let people talk to you that way without there being a consequence. Remember who you are and who you represent," he says sternly to me.

"Like you are talking to me now. Is that allowed?" I ask.

"No, it isn't," he says.

"I understand," I say to him.

"Sorry for my outburst, my queen," he says.

"I’m not queen yet, my love,” I say.

“I can get staff the get your siblings cleaned up. I can send someone out to get clothes for them. Would that make my queen happy?” he asks as he kisses my hand.

“Thank you. I want the children presentable for my father’s funeral. It would mean a lot to me if you took care of all of it,” I say.

“When they are done eating, I will take care of it,” he says.

How did my life turn around this much? I am happy I have Lazarus and his mother, Prissy, in my life. If I can make my sibling's lives better, I will do it. I will do anything except crown that bitch queen mother.