PRESENT DAY
A sweet smile spread across Jessa’s lips as she glanced at Clarissa. Her eyes sparkled with the hint of mischief, the kind that only someone as close as Jessa could manage.
“Come on, Queen Marasela is looking for you,” she said, her voice light and teasing. Reaching out with a gentle but insistent hand, she tried to pull Clarissa along, guiding her through the cool, shimmering waters that lapped at the edges of the rocky shore.
The water sparkled beneath the sun, and the air was thick with the sounds of the waves crashing gently against the rocks. It was the perfect moment for a peaceful stroll, yet Jessa’s impatience was palpable.
But to Jessa’s surprise, Clarissa didn’t move. She remained seated on the large, smooth rock that jutted out from the water, her gaze fixed
