Page 10 of The Stolen Kingdom

“You fucking better,” Melvian said, pulling Maris away enough to wipe her tears with her thumb. “I need you around, worshipping Asclepius by myself is difficult.”

Maris scoffed. “I don’t think I will much help.”

“I need you to be,” Melvian sighed as she turned to look at her hands. Her face contorted for a second, a mixture of pain and fear. She squeezed her hands into fists and swallowed hard. “I am… not sure if I am blessed or not.”

Arching a brow, Maris tilted her head to the side. She didn’t want to bring it up, but she found it strange that Melvian wasn’t able to heal Valda like she said she could. Tartarus, her arm was in pain even after the Sealian water. “Why do you think that is?”

“I am not sure, but…” Her lower lip quivered. “I’ve worked my ass off to be a blessed worshipper. I don’t know if the god took away my powers or if I never had them.”

“But you healed a soldier… You told me—”

“I healed Isen,” Melvian said, shooting a shy glance at Maris and then at the ground. “I don’t want to think that it was the sudden realization that he was my mate that healed him… Maybe I did something that angered Asclepius, and he decided to aban—”

Maris grabbed Melvian’s hands and squeezed them tightly. “No, Melvian. You are a good person, Tartarus, you are way better than I would ever be, I don’t think Asclepius abandoned you.”

“Then why am I not able to heal?”

Maris curled her lips in and bit them. She didn’t answer right away. She didn’t know how Asclepius chose who to bless. “I don’t know. Maybe as you teach me the ways of the worshipper, you regain the blessing?”

Melvian’s eyes watered for a second before looking back down. “Maybe.”

“Listen…” Maris began nudging Melvian and wrapping one arm around her shoulder. “We should rest for the night. We can make it to New Agenor tomorrow,” Maris said, pulling on her horse’s reins and leading it closer to a rocky formation.

“Oh, blessed be Asclepius, I don’t think my ass could’ve handled more hours on that horse.”

Maris chuckled as she settled against a tall rock that would give them the protection needed to end their day. “I am wondering something, though.”

“What is it, Maris?”

“Please tell me you have a good relationship with your mate’s sister…”

Melvian winced. “Let’s just say we are amicable.”

***

Maris couldn’t help but smile as she saw Cai wave his sad attempt at a trident at her. The teenager ran, leaving his post at the entrance of New Agenor, and jumped right into her arms just as she had gotten off her horse.

“You are back! So quickly!” His smile diminished as he looked behind her and saw Melvian waving at him. “Where’s Queen Valda?”

Swallowing hard, Maris thought of an excuse to say. She needed one, being that probably every person she encountered in the next hours would ask her about her mate. She couldn’t,wouldn’t,tell them the reason she left Valda behind.

For now, she didn’t answer Cai’s question, instead, she ran her fingers through his blue hair before patting his arm. Cai pulled himself away from her hug, his face paling.

“Is she okay?”

“Cai, I need you to get Eyphah. I need to talk to her,” Maris said.

“Oh. Alright.” Nodding, he dashed through the plaza and into House of Arago. The lights inside the large cabin were still on.

Melvian’s hands found hers. Her best friend squeezed her sweaty palm before pushing her towards the plaza; their horses followed close behind.

In a matter of seconds, Eyphah slammed House of Arago’s door open. Her neck almost snapped as she turned to face Maris and Melvian.

Taking a deep breath, Maris tried to ease the anxiety bubbling in the pit of her stomach and the heaviness of her chest.

Eyphah ran to her, her face dark with worry and confusion. Because of her disheveled hair and clothing, she was probably in bed. “Melvian, Maris.”

Eyphah bowed low to Maris before gripping Melvian’s forearm. “Where… where is Valda?”

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