•○•Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are our own fears.•○•

My feet carried me towards my hut, my mind swarming with memories, the traumatic memories of her, my mother.

We were strikingly similar, our features identical and the only difference that was prominent was age. As beautiful as she was, mother was the only person I feared even more than I feared death. A memory surfaced, flashing before my eyes, sending unpleasant shivers down my spine.

Her warm fingers traced the features of my face, her warm chocolate eyes were now dark soulless holes that made me want to disappear into the nest of blankets that protected me from her soul sucking gaze.

Her hand stretched towards the dim candle that was beside me, my eyes squeezed shut as a small breath of cold air fanned me, the room was now replaced with darkness.

My breaths became shallow as I desperately clung to my mother's arms, 'She was a lesser evil than the darkness.' I had naively convinced myself and yet a part of me knew she was the greatest evil.

Her arms embraced me just like she always did and yet her warmth did not carress my body, instead her icy words did. "Your biggest fear should not be the dark, my child, it should be yourself."

"My queen," Aziles soft voice brought me out of my memories, and yet her face was etched with worry as she studied me.

"Yes, Azile, is there a problem that requires my attention?" I asked her, to which she shook her head causing her large afro puffs to shake in response.

"It is just that one of the Karanga wives wishes to speak with you." She explained gesturing to Runako who stood beside her, cradling her son.

I nodded my head signalling for Runako to speak, scared that my voice would tremble due to the horrid memory.

"My queen, I apologise on behalf of Revai and Netsai," she began, her voice slightly hoarse.

"You have be nothing but hospitable to us and for that I am truly grateful. Please my queen, I ask for forgiveness on behalf of them." She pleaded, her eyes desperately begging me for forgiveness.

"Forgiveness is for those who are weak. Forgiveness creates room for mistakes, my child and you cannot afford those mistakes or else you'll lose everything." Her words sliced through me, causing fear to paralyze my mind.

'I am better than that and I am better than her.' I reminded myself. A deep sigh escaped my lips before a small smile curled onto my lips, I knew that I could be nothing like her even if we shared the same face and blood.

I snapped back into reality my eyes examined Runako and I could tell immediately that she was just trying to make things right and for that she had earned my respect.

"Runako, why do you ask for forgiveness and yet it was not you who was at fault?" I questioned her my heated gaze causing her to nervously shuffle.

"My queen, I may have not been the one at fault but because of this our tribe will earn ab embarrassing reputation. Someone needed to take up the blame and responsibility and I'd rather it was me." She spoke, her eyes mirrored the sincerity in her words.

"Very well, then consider this a first and final warning, one more step out of line and I won't be too kind." I warned her resulting in a large smile to engulf her lips, unlike the other three wives, she was smart. She knew that it was dangerous to anger a host but most importantly she knew the power of a queen.

"Thank you, my queen." She beamed as her body dipped into a bow, awaiting my dismissal.

With a small nod Azile and Runako were proceeding to leave, their backs facing me as they began the journey back to the cluster of huts. The memories were still fresh in my mind, I could feel them crawling out to torment me, I couldn't stand another memory of her.

"Azile, Runako," I called out to them. "Please, stay. I would surely appreciate your company." I shouted, hoping they could hear me and save me from what I feared the most, myself.

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Sorry guys the chapters are a bit short, 😊 but I'll be sure to lengthen them when I have time.

Don't forget to comment, vote and share.

Much love❤

~maniac_lunatic