After Dia was dismissed by Prince Jaho, the shadow shifter didn't go straight back to the king. Instead, she took a detour to the chambers of the prince’s wife-to-be and future queen consort, Larella. A woman of many secrets.
She was in the midst of painting her face with a sweet-smelling orange colored paste, a ritual among high ranking royals in the Desert, when Dia made herself known to Larella.
“It is I, Dia.” She announced.
At the sound of her raspy voice, Larella fumbled the brush she was holding near her face.
“DIA!” Larella yelped. “Knock next time.”
Larella carefully placed the paint soaked brush on the table and picked up a gray sponge, dipping it into the orange paint before carefully dabbing it along her jawline.
“I’m sorry, My Lady.” Dia apologized. “I’ve come to alert you that the prince is home.”
Larella momentarily paused her dabbing and turned towards the shadow of Dia.
“He was not with Mesyla.” Dia added.
Larella sucked her teeth.
Unbeknownst to the king and prince, the king wasn’t the only one keeping tabs on the prince.
“Where was he?” Larella mumbled as she resumed her face painting. She slowly dabbed the sponge up and down her nose.
“In Siré.” Dia answered.
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Larella rolled her eyes. “The boy is brave.”
“That he is.” Dia murmured, as she admired how delicate and focused Larella was as she painted her face.
Her gaze slowly traced the curve of her jawline before moving to her soft, warm brown eyes.
Ever since she laid her eyes upon her, Dia had been hypnotized by Larella. Her deep and sultry voice had lured her in, but it was their shared agenda that bonded them forever.
She was admiring Larella’s slender neck, a neck she was very familiar with, when the queen-to-be brought her back to reality and asked her,
“Is there anything else?”
Dia cleared her throat. “Yes…..there is more.”
Larella placed the sponge back on the table and turned her entire body towards the shadow of Dia. “Yes?”
Dia nodded.
“According to a friend, Queen Mesyla is heading to the Meadows,” She revealed slowly. “in three days, in fact.”
Larella frowned. “And why should I care about that?”
“I’m sure she’ll stop by to see the prince.” Dia responded.
Larella rolled her eyes then picked up another brush and coated in white paint to dab white spots around eyes.
“Again,” She huffed. “why should I care?”
“If she does come, you must talk to her.” Dia insisted.
“Why?” Larella groaned. “Why now? I’m not Queen yet. There is no point.”
Dia raised her hand and placed it on the wall, revealing a glowing sigil.
“Remember, our plan doesn’t work without her….” She responded. “it was her aunt who chose you after all.”
Larella took a deep breath.
“Hunu is gone. Mesyla is the answer.” Dia added firmly.
For the extended chapter, click here https://chroniclesofarla.wordpress.com/2024/07/11/chapter-31-5-secrets-among-duos-i/