“Are you ever going to tell me the backstory of your life?” Diana asked immediately I stepped out of the bathroom, causing me to sigh so loudly that she chuckled.
“What’s your deal, dude? You wouldn’t even let me dress up before querying me?” I asked, folding my arms across each other, giving her my best get-out-of-here-look. I needed to get dressed up. But the girl didn’t budge. If anything she looked amused.
“Diana, can we talk about my past later? I need to dress up.” I finally asked, letting out another sigh, knowing that she wouldn’t budge unless I pleaded.
My pity went out to the guy that would finally sink his clutches into her, or rather the other way around. Thinking of that, had me ruminating on the king’ son.
“Do you and the queen’s children talk?” I asked tentatively, not sure what I was expecting to hear, especially as Diana looked at me like I was asking the most dumb question in the universe.
“Of course, I talk with them, Maya. They are my leaders. Although, I am especially good friends with the princess’ twin. He is sweet unlike the others.”
I paled hearing that, hearing the admiration in her voice. She shouldn’t be feeling like that. I thought, remembering the discussion I and Laura had about the other girl, who had stayed with them. What was her name?
Well, that was beside the point. Diana shouldn’t be in cahoots with that boy. They were not to be trusted. But how do I tell her that?
“Maya, are you okay? You look pale. Did something happen?” Diana inquired, furrow lines on her forehead.
I was sure she was dissecting her statement, wondering if it was on her, if my mood shift was on her.
I shook my head. “Nothing Di, just…”
Just what? Stay away from the prince? Don’t talk to them?
The girl wasn’t dumb. She would want to know why! What do I tell her then? That because the queen thinks she might be the next queen, the former wants to recruit her, and wed her to her son, so that her blood will still have access to the throne, so that her influence will still be felt?
That didn’t feel right. I would just have to dump the topic till whenever it resurfaced again. Maybe I should confide in Laura? Or Peter?
I inhaled deeply, shutting my eyes for a second. Diana was my family now. I needed to keep her away from trouble. I thought, making my decision.
“Diana, just leave, let me change. It won’t take five minutes.”
She nodded, not trusting that I was okay. Still she stood up from the bed, and strolled to the door.
Just before she left, she turned around and stared at me a minute more, as if trying to gauge my mood, or to assure me that she was on my side no matter what happened.
I kept my face straight until she turned around and walked away.
“Girl can stare..” I muttered, stepping toward the makeshift wardrobe, and sifting through its contents. Hopefully she would forget about this, and get her mind centered on the stroll we were about to take, a stroll that was beginning to cause my heart to beat.
I liked strolls, I just wasn’t sure who I would see during the stroll. Having that thought, I searched for the pill, quest for clothes abandoned. Finding it, just close to the bed’s foot, I took it up and placed it in the purse that I would be going out with.
It might come in handy, although I hoped for god sake that nothing happened.
**
“Finally Maya, good of you to join us.” Peter said, as soon as I joined them at the table, down the hall.
There was no werewolf in sight, just Peter and his family, and then his brother’s, and a few others that I might have seen in the community but can’t place their faces. Not my business.
“Thanks Peter. I am sorry that I took more than enough time.” I apologized, my eyes scanning the table one more time, rendering an unsaid apology to the occupants, before drawing out a chair close to Diana and taking a seat.
“You said five minutes?” Diana whispered immediately as I sat down.
Seriously girl? Can you give me a break? I wondered, letting out a sigh when she gave me a light pinch on my thigh, seeing as I ignored her question, and picked a buns to eat.
“I was busy.” I answered. Changing out of five clothes can be considered busy.
Yes, I didn’t care about Adam, neither was I interested in seeing him, but I didn’t want to be caught dead looking unkempt like I had during the time I was bullied. No, I was a different Maya.
I had gotten caught up too whilst looking for the mask. It was in the tote bag I was carrying on my lap now. No way was I leaving the house without a mask on my face.
“Diana, allow Maya to eat. We have a long day to ourselves.”
That was Laura, with a thin smile on her lips. I knew she was uncomfortable with the people we had on our table, especially her brother in law and family.
I wondered where the queen was. Dining with the king? Most likely. Good for them.
Diana pouted, before picking on the fruits that had been used to beautify the table.
“Diana…” I whispered, wheezing when that caught the attention of the people in the room.
Right. I didn’t have magic to cloak my voice. I looked at Laura for help, and she nodded before turning away.
The only way I knew that she acknowledged my request was by the sharp furrow in Diana and Peter’s forehead, and of course the others. They must have felt the magic.
“What is it?” Diana asked, facing me, a noticeable frown on her face.
“A favor. I want to ask you for a favor.”
“And what could that be?” She asked, popping a cherry into her small mouth.
“Don’t call me Maya outside. Call me Dora. I will inform Peter and Laura too.” I answered. I was not taking any chances at all.