Page 11 of The Stolen Kingdom

Giving Melvian a quick glance, Maris took a deep breath and said, “I need you to gather everyone at the plaza.”

It surprised her that Eyphah didn’t fight or question her at all. The other woman nodded, as if understanding that whatever Maris was about to announce was urgent. “I will get to that.” Eyphah snapped her fingers at Cai and jerked her head towards the other cabins. “Let everyone know their queen is back and wishes to speak to them.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Cai nodded and ran into the settlement.

Eyphah’s questioning gaze was back on Maris. She could feel it burning holes through her, but Maris stared on at Cai, watching him slam his hands on every shabby cabin door.

“Something happened,” Eyphah whispered, touching Maris’s shoulder.

Maris bit her lower lip, trying her hardest to stop her jaw from quivering. “You will know soon enough.”

***

Talking to her people without Valda was overwhelming. The other woman’s presence always helped calm her nerves, but now, as all her people’s eyes were on Maris, she could feel the heaviness of the situation, of her existence.

Maris wrung her hands, pulling at the skin between her index finger and thumb. Her left leg bounced, and if it wasn’t for Melvian touching her shoulder, Maris thought she would’ve fainted. Behind her, Eyphah stood, arms crossed, awaiting what she was about to say.

For the first time in her life, Maris wasn’t scared of being surrounded by people, but of what she was about to say.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news,” Maris began, swallowing hard, her back tensing. “Something happened in Oberon Castle.”

Eyphah moved to sit down on the ground next to the wooden log Maris was using as a seat. She thought Eyphah would interrupt, saying that she didn’t care what happened in Oberon Castle, but surprisingly, the other woman’s face contorted with worry.

“General Arwin Tuuli has declared himself king of the Sky Kingdom. Valda has abdicated.”

The sudden gasps rippled through the Sealians, a wave of confusion sweeping over them. A flurry of questions erupted, but even if she wanted to, Maris couldn’t answer them all. She raised her hands, pleading softly for silence before she could continue.

“Arwin is the one behind the rising rebels in the south. He wanted to be in control, and it seems he had asked for the help of the goddess Eris. She…” Maris paused to swallow the knot in her throat. She remembered Valda turning to her back in the throne room, begging her to tell everyone that she was the rightful heiress. Instead, she kept quiet, and because of that, Valda was hurt. “Eris is disguising herself as the heiress of the Sea Kingdom.”

“What?”Eyphah snarled. “She isnotthe heiress.”

“But she is making everyone around believe she is. Arwin’s…goonsthink they are the link to both the Sky and Sea Kingdom unification, but it is a lie to get them ahead,” Maris said.

Eyphah shook her head in disbelief. “We will not bow to—”

“You will,” Maris interjected, and another rush of angered screams flourished from within the throng. “You will bow down to her when she comes here.”

“We will kill—”

“You will do no such thing, Eyphah!” Maris yelled, her heart beating wildly inside her chest.Tartarus! She felt as if she was about to faint. “You will not try to kill Eris; you will not try to kill Arwin. I’ve seen what that man is capable of, and I will not allow your hardheadedness to put everyone in harm’s way.”

“How can you expect us to bow down to a false ruler? You are our queen; she is an impersonator and—”

“Because I am beseeching you, Eyphah,” Maris’s voice broke. A single tear rolled down her cheek. Maris finally released the sob she was holding and grabbed onto Eyphah’s arm. “He mercilessly kills anyone who comes between what he wants. Eris wants all knees to bow to her. I would rather have your fake devotion to her than have any of you dead.”

Eyphah opened her mouth, but Maris’s grip grew tighter.

“Please, Eyphah,” Maris said, her voice low and strained.

The other woman’s eyes trailed over her face, first in bewilderment, then in understanding. Her hand covered Maris’s before nodding.

Maris could breathe again.

“Fine.” Eyphah turned to the throng and stood. “We will do everything in our power to stay alive.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if we packed our things and left?” a woman from the crowd asked.

“If you leave, it will be too obvious that you all know what is happening,” Melvian added before bowing to everyone. “We know Arwin has plans to turn New Agenor into a new city within Sky Kingdom’s territory. We cannot trust that you will suddenly be treated with the respect you seek, but leaving…” Melvian shook her head and turned to Maris.

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