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, Larel. 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 Larel.

  “It is I, Dia.” She announced.

  At the sound of her raspy voice, Larel fumbled the brush she was holding near her face.

  “DIA!” Larel yelped. “Knock next time.”

  Larel carefully pced 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.”

  Larel momentarily paused her dabbing and turned towards the shadow of Dia.

  “He was not with Mesy.” Dia added.

  Larel sucked her teeth.

  Unbeknownst to the king and prince, the king wasn’t the only one keeping tabs on the prince.

  “Where was he?” Larel mumbled as she resumed her face painting. She slowly dabbed the sponge up and down her nose.

  “In Siré.” Dia answered.

  Larel rolled her eyes. “The boy is brave.”

  “That he is.” Dia murmured, as she admired how delicate and focused Larel 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 id her eyes upon her, Dia had been hypnotized by Larel. Her deep and sultry voice had lured her in, but it was their shared agenda that bonded them forever.

  She was admiring Larel’s slender neck 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.”

  Larel pced the sponge back on the table and turned her entire body towards the shadow of Dia. “Yes?”

  Dia nodded.

  “According to a friend, Queen Mesy is heading to the Meadows,” She revealed slowly. “in three days, in fact.”

  Larel frowned. “And why should I care about that?”

  “I’m sure she’ll stop by to see the prince.” Dia responded.

  Larel rolled her eyes then picked up another brush. She coated it im 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?” Larel groaned. “Why now? I’m not Queen yet. There is no point.”

  Dia raised her hand and pced it on the other side of the wall, revealing a glowing sigil.

  “Remember, our pn doesn’t work without her….” She responded. “it was her aunt who chose you after all.”

  Larel took a deep breath.

  “Hunu is gone. Mesy is the answer.” Dia added firmly.

  But before Larel could answer, a crash was heard next door.