Page 116 of The Stolen Kingdom

But the vibration in the ground was too loud, the sounds and angry snarls were upon them. As they left the house, Valda came face to face with Kenna’s ax.

The barbarian stood before her, the charred garment still aglow with small embers around her chest and boots. Her hair was a mess, and her face smudged with her dark,dusty makeup. Behind her, a group of over twenty warriors waited for their order with their swords drawn and arrows pulled.

“I should kill you right now and declare myself the ruler of this kingdom…”

Valda swallowed hard, her grip on Eyphah’s arm tightening. Her gaze shifted to the ground, looking for Cerberus. Just as she was about to call for her, a Vulcanian guard walked out, holding Cerberus by her neck and another wrapped her up in a bag, subduing the animal in a fit of snarls and yowls.

“After I am done with you, I will set my eyes on the Sea Kingdom, and then all that’s left to rule over this fucking world will be Rhea and that peace loving bitch king of theirs won’t stand a chance against my fire.” Kenna snarled, stepping closer to Valda. A surprised gasp sounded between them. But it wasn’t Valda’s or Isen’s, or even Kenna’s.

The barbarian queen’s eyes fell on Eyphah, who stared at her with an incredulous look.

Kenna lowered her weapon, her eyes widening as well.

Valda turned to Eyphah, whose lips quivered, unable to control her emotions.

“I found you,” Eyphah whispered, one tear rolling down her dirty and swollen cheek.

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Kenna took a step back, recoiling in shock, her mouth agape. She whispered something in Arevulcan. Valda struggled to translate, frowning as Kenna repeated the same words repeatedly. Narrowing her attention to the barbarian’s dark lips, Valda finally understood.

“My mate. I found my mate.”

Valda arched her brows in surprise.

Isen’s confused gaze changed as Valda turned to him. She mouthed the word “mate” and his entire demeanor changed. The corner of his lips curled into a hopeful smile, and so did Valda’s.

Licking her lower lip apprehensively, Valda called to Kenna, whose ax dangled at her side. “Eyphah is your mate?”

Kenna’s face contorted in elation, as if the name itself brought her a sense of peace Valda knew all too well. “Eyphah.” Kenna pronounced the name, her heavy Vulcanian accent added fire to the word. “Eyphah, my mate.”

“Right,” Valda said, eyeing Isen and then jerking her chin towards Eyphah. “She is hurt, and it looks like your people are not doing a good job of healing her.” Valda breathed, taking a step away from Kenna. “She is a Sealian, and we have the water she needs to heal. She is in pain and needs our help.”

Kenna’s eyes widened, raising her ax again and pointing it at Valda with a dangerous growl. “Where are you taking her!?”

“Kenna, listen. Eyphah is hurt. We can heal her faster than your people can.”

“Why was she here in the first—”

“Forget about that now, Isen,” Valda snapped before turning to Kenna, adjusting Eyphah’s arm on her shoulder. Eyphah hissed and closed her eyes, screaming in pain.

“What are you doing!? Stop—”

“Kenna, your mate, who you just fucking met, is in pain and needs care. My mate is an Asclepius worshiper, and she can heal her!”

Kenna gasped at the news. “The Survivor of Storms is an Asclepius worshiper?”

Valda frowned at the epithet before nodding. “Yes, yes, she is and we need to take her—”

“You will not take her from me. I—”

“Come with us then, Kenna,” Valda said, holding her breath as the Vulcanian queen frowned, enthralled in an inner battle. “Come with us and make sure she is safe.”

“She is my twin sister,” Isen said, his voice sounding as he was struggling to stay calm. “Please, let me heal her.”

Kenna stared at him, as if taking in the minor details, proving he was indeed Eyphah’s brother. Long seconds passed until Kenna secured the ax on her belt. Her hands quivered as she signaled for the men to drop their weapons and Cerberus. The men dropped the bag on the ground, and Cerberus thrashed about until she found her way out. Her fur fluffed as she looked at Kenna with wide, yellow eyes.

“Cerberus, no,” Valda barked, and the cat walked towards her, still curved up and looking at Kenna.

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