Immediately after Sharra informed Annalae about her dead husband, Annalae

bursted into tears. Sharra, surprising both of them, comforted her as her tears fell on her shoulder. The two women had known each other almost their entire lives. A friendship of ups and downs. Hurts and betrayals. Joy and laughter. But the last betrayal hurt the most for both women, and now their friendship was fractured once more.

***

Once Annalae was able to pull herself together, dinner was served in the Lioran Room, a grand dining room painted in gold with black furniture and where a bronze statue of the Goddess Desire stood.

The ladies were served goat and potato soup.

Sharra had just finished her soup when she announced,

“Annalae, I’m sending you back to Thalassia.”

Annalae immediately dropped her spoon. “What?”

“I’m sending you home.”

Annalae slowly placed both of her hands on the table. “This is my home.”

Sharra picked up her utensils and began cutting her goat. “Thalassia is your home. There is no need for you here now….and you may be in danger.”

Annalae ran a hand through her hair.

“So, you’re going to leave Scarlet empty after you return to Thalassia?”

Sharra shook her head. “No…..the twins and Winnea will stay.”

Annalae slammed her right hand on the table. “Servants? You’re leaving the palace to servants?”

“And Emmar, of course.”

Emmar whipped her head towards Sharra. “I’m sorry?”

Sharra stabbed a piece of goat from her plate with the silver fork. “I’ve made the decision.”

Emmar frowned. She was confused.

Did I upset her? Was it the carriage conversation? She thought to herself.

“Emmar will permanently move back to Benna where she belongs and Annalae will move back home.”

Annalae and Emmar briefly looked at each other before turning their attention back towards the queen.

“You’re not serious.” Emmar laughed. “This is a joke.”

Sharra just stayed silent as she chewed on her goat. But inside, Skyra was telling her it was the right decision.

“Emmar, this is your palace. Do you want it or not?” She asked once she finished chewing the goat.

“I…I..” Emmar stuttered. “I like Thalassia.”

Sharra slammed her knife on the table. “Is it Thalassia or is it me?”

“What is wrong with you?”

“What is wrong with me?”

“Sharra!” Emmar shouted. “You never said anything about me leaving Thalassia. Where is this coming from?”

Sharra didn’t respond.

“Sharra!” Emmar shouted again. “Is it Skyra telling you this?”

Sharra looked up at Annalae who was staring at Emmar.

“We can talk about it later, Emmar.” She said while staring at Annalae.

“You are out of your mind.” Emmar responded, then slowly stood from the table. “May I be excused from the table, Your Majesty.”

Sharra exhaled loudly before nodded.

Once she was out of the room, Annalae mumbled,

“Finally.”

Sharra glared at her. “Don’t.”

Annalae grinned.

“She’s feisty with you….” She rushed out. “..and you allow it. Interesting.”

“Just say what you want to say, Annalae.”

Annalae picked up her fork and started to toy with her goat. “I’m assuming there is something more going on.”

Sharra continued to stare at her.

“You really want me to say it?”

“I dare you.” Sharra answered through gritted teeth.

Annalae dropped her fork and raised her head to look at Sharra. “What happened to Liana?”

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“Do you miss Une?” Sharra responded quickly.

“How’s my brother?” Annalae responded back.

The two women suddenly broke into a laughing fit.

“It truly is nice seeing you, Sharra.” Annalae spoke once they stopped laughing.

Sharra gave her a warm smile.

“I’m glad you’re not alone after Wren, Sha.”

“That’s why you must come back to Thalassia…to be with your family now…so you’re not alone.”

Annalae shook her head.

“But I can help.” She whimpered.

Sharra leaned back in her seat. “How? How can you help?”

Annalae tilted her head. “Well…the last time I saw Kilé he was meeting with the man with a cloak.”

Sharra’s face scrunched up. “Man with a cloak?”

Annalae nodded. “Kilé had been meeting with this man for weeks now.”

This was new to Sharra. There was nothing about a man in the weekly letters sent to Thalassia.

“Weeks? Why?”

Annalae placed her utensils on the table and leaned forward in her seat. “I eavesdropped once.”

“Yes?”

Annalae nodded. “The man was asking for help.”

Sharra leaned forward in her seat. “Help with what?”

“He wanted to go home.”

“Home? Is Benna not his home?”

Annalae shrugged her shoulders. “And he wanted to see you.”

“Me?”

Annalae nodded slowly. “He said to Kilé that only an Incarnate could help him.

Sharra leaned back in her seat.

“And he was wearing a cloak?”

Annalae nodded.

“It’s extremely hot. Why would he be wearing a cloak?”

Annalae shrugged. “I do have a name though.”

Sharra raised her eyebrows.

“Lato.” Annalae revealed.

“Lato.” Sharra repeated slowly. “And what color was the cloak, exactly?”

“Green.”

“And you can identify him?”

Annalae nodded.

Sharra just stared at Annalae for a long moment.

“What?” Annalae asked. “Do you think he could have killed Kilé?”

Sharra cocked her head. “I’m not sure….”

“But?”

“I think it’s worth investigating.”

Annalae leaned back in her seat and a smug grin formed on her face. “Kilé did promise him that he would talk to you, but he kept pushing it off and saying Benna needs his attention more now.”

“And when was the last time you saw….. this…. Lato?”

“Three days ago.”

“Okay.” Sharra said slowly, then picked up her fork again. “You’ll remain in the East Wing then. Emmar and I will stay in the West wing.”

Annalae smirked. “Together?

Sharra rolled her eyes. “Don’t.”

Sharra really wanted to wipe that smirk off her face.

“What happened to Ricard? Liana? Mero? Why do you do this with so many?”

Sharra aggressively dropped her fork and folded her arms across her chest. “That’s none of your business.”

Annalae raised her arms in submission. “I just think it’s interesting.”

“What is?”

“You can have anyone you want…..” Annalae said, voice low. “But I can’t have Une.”

And there it was. The reminder.

“And whose fault is that?” Sharra responded angrily.

Annalae lowered her gaze. “When will you forgive me, Sha?”

“In death.” Sharra answered coldly. “You’re the reason why Wren is dead.”

Annalae’s face suddenly hardened. “But you got what you wanted in the end anyway.”

Sharra rushed to a standing position and glared down at Annalae. “You really want to do this?”

Annalae smiled up at her.

“Does Emmar know the truth?”

“Don’t.” Sharra’s face was suddenly red.

“Will you even tell Clara who her real father is?”

“ENOUGH!” Sharra yelled.

A loud thunder clap followed.

Annalae flinched.

“You’ve always been jealous of my relationship with your brother, Annalae. It’s not healthy.”

“I’m not jealous.”

“Yes, you are.” Sharra laughed as she smoothed her dress down. “It’s pathetic.”

“Do you still love him?” Annalae asked. “Or is it her now?”

Sharra stepped away from the table and began walking towards the door.

“She will never choose you over her birthright, if it comes to it.” Annalae shouted.

Sharra immediately stopped walking.

“And I hope she doesn’t.” She yelled back.

“I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!”

Sharra clenched her fists then turned around and marched back towards the table where Annalae was still seated.

Annalae sucked in a breath as she walked towards her.

When she got there, she bent over and brought her face as close as she could to Annalae.

“Emmar and I know who we are, individually and to each other. We are Incarnates, possessing and holding two souls. We have been chosen to juggle the interests of mad gods and our own.” She spoke. “We care for each other. We fuck each other. If I were to give her Benna back, I know she wouldn’t hesitate to take it. Trust me, I know the woman I’m sleeping with is dangerous.”

“I hope you do …” Emmar whispered back. “…because the last time a queen slept next to danger, a princess died.

Sharra’s jaw went slack.

And before she could respond, her calling relic rang.

She opened it and the sound of Ravyna’s voice came through,

She immediately closed the relic and returned her gaze back to Annalae.

“Leave.” She ordered her.

Annalae slowly came to her feet. “This conversation isn’t over.”

“Leave. Now!”

Annalae smirked then left the room.

“Send Ravyna my regards.” She shouted as she closed the door.

Once the door was closed, Sharra took a seat at the table and opened the relic.

The sound of water was followed by a soft, silky voice.

“Sharra, you must come to Galassia immediately.” Ravyna said, a hint of worry in her voice. “Power has returned.”