Page 117 of The Stolen Kingdom

“Where is the healer?” Kenna asked, pushing Valda away from Eyphah and wrapping her arm around her shoulder.

“She is near the rocky formations in Umbriel,” Valda answered.

“Take me to your mate. Heal mine and I will take it as a proof of your innocence,” Kenna said, her voice lowering as she turned to look at Eyphah. The Sealian’s eyes were hooded, clearly tired and hurt. “If you heal her, I will join you in defeating Arwin and Eris.”

If Valda had to use Eyphah to make Kenna yield and join them, so be it. It would be a win-win situation. Kenna got her mate; Valda got her victory.

“Deal.”

Maris lifted her attention from Ciel. The infant had fallen asleep in her arms just as Maris’s chest tightened with an unknown emotion. It wasn’t fear, anger, or confusion. It was more like a cautious excitement. Turning to the closed door of the cabin Melvian had been using for the past days, Maris felt as if Valda was nearby. It had been two days since they left. If everything had gone according to plan, they would be back already.

“Are they here?” Melvian asked, placing Struan on the bed and gathering Ciel from Maris.

Maris didn’t wait for her friend. She walked out, past the hundreds of tents laid out around the cabins and into the open desert.

Then she saw her.

Valda rode her steed towards her, with Isen following close behind. Five other horses galloped behind them, but Maris couldn’t quite make out who they were. Her stomach turned as she hoped for good news.

But then she saw Isen carrying someone in his lap.

Melvian rushed to her side, her eyes narrowing as she grinned when she recognized her mate. Just as the smile appeared on her face, it faded into a frown. “That’s Eyphah! They found Eyphah!”

Maris gasped. Eyphah was bandaged and bruised as she leaned over her brother. “Prepare some Sealian water, Melvian! Go, go!”

Her friend nodded, rushing back to the cabin just as Valda got off her horse. Cerberus jumped from her shoulders to the ground and ran into one tent as if wanting to get out of the way and not be stepped on.

Valda ran to Isen, reaching out to grab Eyphah. As Isen lowered his sister to Valda, Kenna Hagan slammed her fist against Valda’s face, pushing her away.

Wait. Kenna was here too?!

“Only I will touch her!” the Vulcanian queen yelled as she turned to Isen and reached to take Eyphah. Isen hesitated before giving his sister to Kenna. Maris ran to Valda, who recuperated quickly from the punch. Checking her face, Maris took in her mate’s state.Valda was dressed in what appeared to be Vulcanian attire. She had makeup on, a busted lip, and a burnt arm.

“What in the Elysian Fields’s happened?” Maris asked, pushing Valda a couple of steps back to eye her better.

Valda spat blood and wiped her chin. “We tried to get Kenna to join us, but she didn’t. When Isen rescued me, he found Eyphah. He stopped to help his sister; we got cornered by the Vulcanians. Turns out Eyphah and Kenna are mates. We heal Eyphah, Kenna fights with us.”

Maris opened her mouth in disbelief. Before she could say anything, a battered and charred Kenna stood before her, carrying Eyphah as if she weighed nothing.

“Where do you heal, Survivor of Storms?”

Maris opened her mouth to answer, but Melvian called out to Isen to bring Eyphah inside their cabin. Isen walked past Maris, patted Kenna on her shoulder, and redirected her inside the cabins.

Maris gave Valda a once over and pointed at her hand. “Did Kenna—”

“Heal Eyphah and then we’ll talk,” Valda said, touching Maris’s elbow sweetly. “I am fine. Go.”

Nodding, Maris apprehensively started for the cabins. Inside, Melvian had already prepared a makeshift bed for Eyphah, who struggled to stay conscious.

“Here,” Melvian said, handing the water skin to Isen. “Give her some of that,” she instructed, before turning to Maris. “Take care of Kenna while I deal with Eyphah—”

“No,” Maris snapped. She could feel Kenna’s fiery gaze on her. Maris crossed her arms under her chest and turned to face her. Kenna’s jaw tensed as her hands formed fists by her side. “I will heal Eyphah, you deal with the fire queen.”

Melvian's eyes widened. She gave Isen a look before walking to Maris, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her away from prying ears.

“You can’t do that,” Melvian hissed. “That’s not our way, Maris. We don’t hand pick who we heal. I told you that.”

“She seems fine to me,” Maris responded, jerking her chin at Kenna, who quietly sat down by Eyphah’s feet.

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