Page 106 of The Stolen Kingdom

Isen turned to Maris; his tired yet handsome face was the definition of pride. His chest puffed with love and adoration, not only for his children but for his mate, and finally, his queen…

His queen.

Maris covered her face with her dirty hands, drowning her silent sobs. “Please forgive me, Isen,” she whispered.

Isen frowned. “For what?”

“For everything. I will fix this. I will take you back. We will rebuild.” Her desperation made her choke on her words. And she pressed her face to her arms, crossed over her knees, ashamed of herself. “I am not the leader you deserve, Isen.”

The man smiled and nudged her with his shoulder. “My queen,” he murmured. “Please, look at me.”

She did, only for him to place Struan in her arms.

Maris held her breath as she cradled the infant, worried that she might drop him. How were babies so small?Maris sighed, looked down at the black hair on his head, and sobbed louder.

“This is the future, Your Highness,” Isen said, pressing his shoulder to Maris, looking down at the sleeping infant in her arms. “You will protect it, I know it.” He turned his attention to Ciel and smiled. “We have already changed things. One race born out of pure unadulterated love.” His grin widened as he held his child closer. “What more could you possibly ask for?”

Maris turned from looking at the baby boy to Isen and back again. These children... They were both Sealian and Skylian. They bore the characteristics of both kingdoms on their skin, and Maris couldn’t help but feel protective over them. She pressed her lips over Struan’s forehead and cuddled to Isen, looking for nothing more than to be warm until dawn. The large man didn’t react when she rested her head on his shoulder.

She would protect their future. She would rebuild the Sea Kingdom. She would take her rightful place as queen, even if she died trying.

24

Maris was jolted awake by a profound rumbling, like an earthquake. Her eyes fluttered open just as Isen stood from the makeshift bed. He tied his sword to his waist while leaving the cabin. Maris’s heart dropped. She stood up, eyed Melvian sleeping with a baby on either side of her, and grabbed the trident as she rushed out after Isen.

“Horses, lots of them,” Isen said as Maris stood next to him. In the distance, a dense cloud of sand formed as the rumbling grew louder. “It could be anybody.”

With a huff, Maris pushed past him, stepping away from the tents and broken-down cabins they had used as a refuge for the past day.

A throng of people headed their way, some on horses, others in wagons.

“Vulcanians?” Isen asked, joining her once more, his hand on the handle of his sword.

“I don’t think so.” At the head of the multitude, Maris could make out a rider with unruly black hair. From the rider’s horse, a black mass of fur jumped to the sandy ground and ran towards Maris.

Valda.

Her mate smiled brightly before kicking her horse into a harder gallop.

A sense of relief washed over Maris as her mate waved her arms and called to her. Warmth spread through her, settling in her stomach.

“Lower your weapons!” Maris ordered, putting her trident away and waving her hand at the surrounding guards. “It’s Queen Valda!”

Isen made a surprised sound before peering at Maris. “What? Are you sure?”

“Of course, I am sure!” Maris said, pushing past the men guarding her and began running toward her mate.

Maris was tired of being apart. If Valda told her they needed to separate again for another mission, she wouldn’t have it. She wouldn’t be apart from her again! She watched Valda jump clumsily off her horse and run to her the rest of the way.

Within seconds, Valda’s embrace enveloped Maris. Valda held her tightly by the waist, pressing her face to the crook of her neck, breathing her in. Maris forgot the people behind her, watching their interaction. She didn’t even notice when the people that came with Valda mingled with hers. All that mattered was that Valda was in her arms and safe.

If it wasn’t for Cerberus rubbing aggressively against her leg, Maris would’ve forgotten about everything. Looking down, the ball of fur bumped her head harshly on Maris’s knee before throwing herself on the ground, exposing her stomach and stretching her paws.

“Well, hello to you too!” Maris said to Cerberus before Valda drew her back into the hug. “And welcome back, darling,” Maris said, melting into Valda’s arms before pulling away and inspecting her. She wanted to make sure she was safe and uninjured from her travels.

Valda was dirty, had sand everywhere, but other than that she was fine. After being ignored, Cerberus ran off to one tent, probably looking for someone that might feed her for the time being.

Valda flashed her a smile again, refusing to release her hold. “I brought company.” Valda said, turning to the large throng of Skylians and Sealians mingling together. Families and friends reunited in warm embraces and relieved cries.

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