The First Queen

25 - Mistress of Whispers

"Any luck?" I asked Silas and he shook his head.

"None and our time is almost up here... We have about fifteen minutes and five of those minutes will be spent by listening to the Lux Magus' speech." He told me and I grumbled.

"I should've kept a lookout." I groaned but he nudged me.

"It's not your fault you got... Distracted. You're a free woman now, you can surround yourself with whatever and whomever you like." Silas chuckled but I shook my head.

"It's just a... There's no intention behind it, Silas." I sighed and he nodded.

"Of course. I'll see you in the morn, Your Highness, for now, have fun with your Captain." He smirked before exiting through the doors and my eyes landed on Athena who was kneeling down in front of Zaria and talking to her about something.

I strode up to them and placed my hand on Zaria's shoulder, "Everything is well?"

"Athena was just telling me not to laugh when you two kiss." She chuckled and Athena rolled her eyes.

"When?" I smirked with a cocked brow and Athena backpedalled.

"Not when-- Like, if-- Unless you-- I--" She stammered but I patted her chest.

"It's alright. You can kiss me whenever you like." I flirted and Athena choked out a cough.

"Um... Did Silas find the uh... Unicorn...?" Athena coughed and Zaria groaned, sending her foot into her aunt's leg, "Ouch!"

"I'm not a child!" Zaria hissed and Athena groaned.

"Okay, fine. The you-know-who?" She continued, ruffling up Zaria's hair, much to her distress.

"Unfortunately not... I'll speak with Darius in the morning; see if he can use some magic to figure it out." I grumbled and Athena let out a growl.

"When you scowl, all of these lines in your face appear and you look old," Zaria confessed and Athena blinked at her, taken aback.

"We need to work on your manners," Athena muttered and I couldn't help the chuckle spilling from my lips.

"You two are cute." I grinned and Athena rolled her eyes.

"You'd call this thing cute?" Athena scoffed, gesturing to Zaria who crossed her arms and jabbed a finger into Athena's side.

"For a second I thought you were talking about me but then I realised you were talking about yourself," Zaria smirked and Athena frowned.

"By the Gods..." I gasped, "How have we not met sooner?"

Zaria smiled up at me but Athena rolled her eyes.

"You ready for me to take you home?" Athena wondered but Zaria pouted and huffed.

"I don't want to go home tonight..." Zaria sighed, leaning against me and Athena spluttered.

"Well, where are you planning on sleeping?" She stammered and Zaria shrugged, slipping her small hand into mine.

"In the palace. Like a princess." Zaria grinned and Athena cocked a brow.

"Maybe one day, but for now you should come home," Athena demanded and Zaria huffed.

"Elia, will you let me stay with you?" Zaria asked me and I glanced between her and Athena, a wicked grin crawling onto my lips.

"Sure," I smirked and Athena rolled her eyes.

"Fine, Your Highnesses. I'll need to tell your mother first, though." Athena grumbled and Zaria nodded, tugging on my hand and towing me towards the doors.