Lion Head Mesa noctilucent

what use could nazli be to makono? it was late; if there was food or drink to be gathered, she could be sent for it; the wellspring was cold at night, and had yet to warm much within the mild spring. no, they did not go so far. nazli knew the path - she knew the chambers which once belonged to ramesses, now makono. she did not hesitate to cross the threshold as the pharaoh led her within, where she glimpsed a familiar bed decorated with fresh furs.

it smelled different in here. there was the sweetness of flowers - left over from holding court, a day or so ago. the shelves were decorated with some trinkets which ramesses had once gifted to his daughter (with nazli's help); some, she saw, were dashed or off-kilter, but she thought nothing of it except to make a mental note for tidying. this was the first time since nazli had visited this space in a while. the last... she had little memory, but she had been addled by sickness.

makono looked at her and her spine straightened. she kept her gaze averted, almost pious.