Somto frowned slightly but nodded. He followed her away from the others, toward the edge of the garage where only the moonlight from the glass ceiling pooled down in silver beams.
"Mother," he asked, his tone calm but cautious, "What's wrong?"
Queen Chioma didn't waste time.
"I have only one question for you," she said firmly, her dark eyes staring straight into his like she was reading the contents of his soul. "Do you love Nnenna?"
The words were low, but they thundered in the air between them.
Somto froze, but only for a second.
"What are you talking about, Mom?" he asked carefully, though his voice carried a note of defense.
Queen Chioma didn't blink. "Don't play that game with me, Somto. You know exactly what I'm talking about. The way you looked at her tonight… at your coronation, of all places. Tell me honestly."
Her gaze sharpened, narrowing in on him like a hawk. "Do you love that girl?"
