Keeva flung herself on the bed, the image of her dying father continually in her mind.
Keeva began to weep bitterly. It seemed her life was falling apart around her.
"Lord, what do I do?" She cried, "You brought me here, but for what reason?" Keeva shouted, "Have you left me Abba?" She cried softly.
"I will never leave you, my child." A voice said from deep within Keeva's soul.
"But what is your plan? Lord it can't possibly be good, the man that I am to marry tomorrow is evil!" Keeva said starting to pace the room.
"I know the plans I have for you, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." The voice said. "I love you Keeva, I would never lead you astray, I want the best for you." The voice continued, "Please trust me?" He asked softly.
"I trust you Abba, it's just so hard, you took away my father 2 years and 3 months ago and now I'm supposed to marry an evil king, it doesn't make since to me, but I trust you." Keeva said.
She sat down on the bed and took a deep breath. "I suppose I should go to bed." Keeva thought. She quickly changed into her nightgown and fell into the bed. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.
When Keeva awoke she felt ill. Was this the pre-wedding jitters her mother had always talked about or was she getting sick?
She forced herself to get up and her stomach growled. "Oh, it's the no dinner last night" Keeva said to herself.
There was a knock at the door. "Who is it?" Keeva asked, her voice shaking.
"Its Cara and Mona, Miss, we are here to prepare you for the wedding." Cara said from behind the door.
Keeva considered telling them she was sick, but this was God's plan and she wasn't going to interfere. Keeva went and opened the door, letting the women in.
Cara carried a beautiful white silk wedding gown with gold embroidery on the neckline. See through lace covered the silk with an elegance she had never seen before. It had cap sleeves and flowed just above the floor.
Mona carried a basket with an assortment of beauty products.
"Have I missed breakfast?" Keeva asked
"No, no, My Lady, Eefa is bringing it from the kitchen." Mona said quickly. "You'll like her, miss, she would make a donkey laugh!" Cara said.
"Shall I start your bath, Miss?" Mona asked
"You might as well, there is no avoiding this now. I'm in the dragons' lair." Keeva said turning and looking out the window.
Her mind wandered to her father's wedding to her stepmother.
It was a beautiful spring morning and Aiman was nervous.
"You would think that the second wedding would be a breeze." He said to Keeva
"Are you nervous Papa?" Keeva asked with a knowing smile.
"More than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs!" Aiman exclaimed. "Are you ok with this Kee?" He asked watching her closely.
"You know that I am, Searsha and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember and you marring her mom is awesome!" Keeva said smiling.
"Are you sure Kee, if you say no, I'll call it off." Aiman said sincerely.
"Papa you have to marry her! She's perfect for you, for us!" Keeva said seriously. She straitened her fathers' bow tie, smiling.
There was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Keeva asked, still trying to hold on to the happy memory.
"Its Eefa, Miss, I have your breakfast." The woman said.
"Come in." Keeva said absentmindedly.
Eefa came in carrying a tray with enough food to feed three people.
Keeva slowly turned from the window, the pleasant memory fading as she did. "Oh! I can't eat all that food, I'll be blessed if I can eat three bites!" She exclaimed.
On the tray was an abundance of fruit, fresh bread, meat and vegetables
"Don't worry miss, you don't have to eat it all, I wasn't sure what you liked so I brought a little of everything." Eefa said smiling.
She carefully set the tray on the desk. "I will return with your tea." Eefa said quickly leaving the room.
By the time she was done eating, Eefa had returned with a tea kettle and a cup. She poured Keeva a cup of tea and handed it to her.
"Drink this, the herbs will calm your nerves." Eefa said smiling sweetly.
Keeva took the tea cup and sipped the warm liquid. It tasted sweet and was quite pleasant.
"Your bath is ready my lady." Mona said.
Keeva smiled graciously. She went to the bathing room and closed the door behind her.
"Maybe a soak in some hot water will make me feel better." Keeva said to herself slipping out of her nightgown and into the tub.
The water had turned a pinkish color from the dried rose petals and the smell was heavenly. She sat back and relaxed.